Heavy metal contamination and health risks of indoor dust around Xinqiao Mining Area,Tongling, China

Abstract

In this study, the concentrations and health risks of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Cd, and Cr) in indoor dust are investigated in the vicinity of the Xinqiao mining area, Tongling, China. Results indicate that heavy metals except Co were clearly enriched in indoor dust. Especially Cd was extremely enriched, followed by Zn, Cu, and Pb. However, no significant regional differences (p?>?0.05) were found in other elemental contents aside from Cu. Statistical analysis revealed that metal elements except Co were presumed to originate primarily from mining activities. Health risk assessment indicated that the hazard quotients and hazard indices of all studied metal elements were less than 1 and thus posed no potential noncancer health risks to adults and children. Moreover, the cancer risks of Ni, Cr, Cd, and Co were within acceptable ranges, implying no cancer risk to local residents; however, the noncarcinogenic risk of Pb and the carcinogenic risk of Cr and Cd warrant close attention.     

Heavy metal contamination and health risk assessment in drinking water of Sistan and Baluchistan,Southeastern Iran

Access to safe and clean drinking water is an essential element of healthy life also known as the primary human needs. The present study was conducted to investigate heavy metal (HM) concentrations of drinking water. Excess health risk of HM (Cr, Pb, and Cd) intake is related to the drinking water consumption in local population. HMs concentrations were analyzed by using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer and were compared with permissible limits regulated by country and World Health Organization (WHO). The hazard quotient (HQ) and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) were determined to show the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of HMs, respectively. HQs were found in the order of Pb > Cd > Cr and subsequently HI index was also estimated for all HM in two age groups (children and adults). The comparisons indicate no possibility of non-carcinogenic effects to the local population. The values for ELCR were found in the order of Cr > Cd > Pb. The ELCR index was found above acceptable risk levels for chromium and cadmium in both children and adults groups. Furthermore, intermetal correlation results revealed that heavy metals have common sources resulting from geogenic and anthropogenic activities and these are major sources of water contamination in Sistan and Baluchestan province.     

沈阳某冶炼厂废弃厂区的人类健康风险评价

以沈阳某冶炼厂废弃厂区重金属污染监测为依据,采用美国环保局最新的人类健康风险评价标准方法对沈阳某冶炼厂废弃地块污染土壤进行了评价,并且假设未来该土地利用类型为工业用地(Ⅰ)或休闲用地(Ⅱ).评价结果显示:工业用地(Ⅰ)和休闲用地(Ⅱ)的累积非致癌风险指数分别为2.65×10-2和3.67×10-2;工业用地(Ⅰ)和休闲用地(Ⅱ)由呼吸摄入Cd造成的潜在致癌风险指数分别为4.48×10-9和7.30×10-10,不会对在该地区工作和休闲的人们造成身体健康上的伤害;无论是工业用地假设还是休闲用地假设,由无机铜造成的人类健康风险在整个风险中所占的比例最大;由美国环保局的人类健康风险评价方法反推得出的冶炼厂地块未来为工业用地的土壤修复目标值均小于我国工业企业土壤环境质量风险评价基准值.     

Source apportionment and health risk quantification for heavy metal sources in soils near aluminum-plastic manufacturing facilities in northeast China

Abstract

Identifying the source effect on heavy metals to human health risk is essential for devising and implementing restoration policies for polluted soils. For this purpose, eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in soil profile samples (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, and 30–40?cm) collected in the area around aluminum-plastic manufacturing facilities (APMF) were determined. An absolute principal component score multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) model supported by a health risk assessment (HRA) model was developed to determine the source apportionment of soil heavy metals and contribution rate of pollution sources to human health risk. Results showed significant accumulations of eight metals in the topsoil (0–20?cm), parent material, transportation, APMF, and agricultural practices were the four major contributing sources for heavy metals in soils, with average contribution percentages of 21.69%, 24.99%, 29.60%, and 14.25%, respectively. Carcinogenic risk factors for adults (1.23E-04) and children (1.32E-04) were found to be above the acceptable level (1E-06 to 1E-04). The health risk quantification results indicated that parent material, APMF, transportation, agricultural practices, and unidentified factors accounted for 55.76%, 14.48%, 12.09%, 10.13%, and 7.54% of the carcinogenic risk for children and adults. The adverse impacts of Cd, Zn, and Pb accumulations in soil coming from APMF activities were significant and need to receive more attention.     

Activation and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in dumping sites of Dabaoshan mine,Guangdong province,China

In Dabaoshan mine, dumping sites were the largest pollution source to the local environment. This study analyzed the activation and ecological risk of heavy metals in waste materials from five dumping sites. Results indicated that the acidification of waste materials was severe at all dumping sites, and pH decreased below 3.0 at four of the five sites. There was a drastic variation in Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd concentrations in different sites. Site A with 12915.3 mg kg^?1 Pb and 7.2 mg kg^?1 Cd and site C with 1936.2 mg kg^?1 Cu and 5069.0 mg kg^?1 Zn were severely polluted. Higher concentrations of water-soluble Cu were probably the critical constraint for local pioneer plants. A significant positive correlation was found between the concentrations of water-soluble and HOAc-extractable elements, and the regression analysis showed that, compared with Cu, Zn and Cd, Pb was more difficult to be transformed from HOAc extractable to water soluble. Concentration of water soluble metals should be an important index, same as concentration of HOAc extractable metals, in assessing ecological risks, availability, and toxicity of heavy metals. The modified ecological risk index indicated that all dumping sites had very high potential ecological risks. It is necessary to decrease the availability of heavy metals to reduce the impact of waste materials on environment.     

Distribution of heavy metals in soils and vegetables and health risk assessment in the vicinity of three contaminated sites in Guangdong Province,China

Due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, human activities like industrial and agricultural production, transportation, aggravate heavy metal pollution in soil and continue to endanger vegetables and human health. In this study, three contaminated areas affected by heavy metal pollution in Guangdong Province were investigated in terms of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd concentrations in soil and vegetables. Further analyses of the contamination status and potential risks to the health of residents consuming these vegetables were conducted. Results showed the following average heavy metal concentrations in vegetables and soil: Shaoguan > Guangzhou > Dongguan, indicating that mining has caused massive soil-heavy metal pollution. The heavy metal concentrations and Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) showed the following trend: leaf-vegetables > fruit-vegetables > root-vegetables, and those of vegetable type were as follows: Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb. The Nemero pollution index (PI) of all research region soils and hazard index (HI) exceeded 1. Hence, more attention should be paid to the potential for adverse health effects caused by the consumption of vegetables produced in these sites . Thus, effective measures are encouraged, with a focus on children due to their vulnerability to these heavy metals.     

Heavy metal accumulation in frogs surrounding an e-waste dump site and human health risk assessment

Abstract

This study was performed heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, and Pb) in water, soil and frogs around an electronic-waste dump site. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) of heavy metals in three frog species and potential human health risks were assessed. Heavy metals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The Cd and Pb concentrations in water samples and As and Pb concentrations in soil samples from within the e-waste dump site exceeded the standards. The heavy metal concentrations in the muscles of three frog species were as follows: Cr?>?Pb?>?As?>?Cd, and there were no significant differences among frog species except in the case of Pb (p?<?0.05). Only the Cr concentrations exceeded the food quality standards. The relative order of the BAFs for heavy metals in frogs as a result of uptake from the water and soil was Cr?>?As?>?Pb?>?Cd and Cr?>?As?>?Cd?>?Pb, respectively, which indicated that the uptake from water was greater than that from the soil. The assessment of the health risk index and carcinogenic risk (CR) indicated potential human health effects from As, Cr, and Pb via the consumption of frogs.     

Heavy metal contamination in vegetables grown around peri-urban and urban-industrial clusters in Ghaziabad,India

Heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils resulting from rapid industrialization and urbanization is of great concern because of potential health risk due to dietary intake of contaminated vegetables. The present study aims to evaluate the status of heavy metals contamination of agricultural soils and food crops around an urban-industrial region in India. Transfer factor values of Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Ni from soil to vegetable was estimated. The mean heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg) in agricultural soils (Cu: 17.8, Cr: 27.3, Pb: 29.8, Cd: 0.43, Zn: 87, Mn: 306.6, Fe: 16984, and Ni: 53.8) were within allowable concentrations for Indian agricultural soil. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, and Ni in crops/vegetables exceeded the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization safe limits. Relative orders of transfer of metals from soil to edible parts of the crops/vegetables were Cd > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cu > Cr. The enrichment factors of heavy metals in soil indicated minor to moderately severe enrichment for Pb, Cd, and Ni; minor to moderate enrichment for Zn; no enrichment to minor enrichment for Mn; and no enrichment to moderate enrichment for Cu at different sites. Ecological risk index of soil showed considerable contamination in one of the wastewater irrigated sites.     

Source apportionment and health risk assessment of heavy metals in agricultural soils in Xinglonggang,Northeastern China

Heavy metals in soil can affect human health through the exposure pathways of oral ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation. In this study, to assess the health risk of heavy metals in the agricultural area of Xinglonggang, 52 soil samples were collected and tested to obtain the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in the soil. The enrichment factor indicated that the heavy metals of the agricultural soils were enriched, but the degree of enrichment was mild for all of the heavy metals. Coefficient analysis and principal component analysis indicated that V, Cr, Ni, and Pb were mainly from natural sources, As was from irrigation, Cu and Cd tended to be from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and Zn was from mixed sources including irrigation, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. A human-health risk assessment indicated that the residents in the study area face high risk from carcinogens and low risk from noncarcinogens; As and Cr are the major heavy metals affecting human health. This study provides a reference and a basis for formulating effective measures to prevent and control heavy metal enrichment in agricultural soils.     

Assessment of heavy metal pollution and human health risk in urban soils of a coal mining city in East China

The aims of this study were to determine the concentrations, distribution, potential ecological risk (PER), and human health risk (Risk) of heavy metals in urban soils from a coal mining city in China. A total of 36 topsoil samples from Huainan city, Anhui, East China, were collected and analyzed for As, Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu. The PER was calculated to assess the pollution level. The hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk were used to assess the human health risk of heavy metals in the study area. The average concentration of As, Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu were 12.54, 0.21, 24.21, 0.19, 49.39, and 21.74 mg kg^?1, respectively. The correlations between heavy metals indicated that Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb mainly originated from automobile exhaust emissions, coal gangue, fly ash, and industrial wastewater, and that As and Hg mainly came from coal combustion exhaust. The PER index values of heavy metals decreased in the following order: Hg > Cd > As> Cu > Pb > Cr. The HI and Risk values indicated that the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of selected metals in the urban soil were both below the threshold values.     

Pollution and health risk assessment of heavy metals in urban soil in China

The pollution and potential health risk due to lifetime exposure to heavy metals in urban soil of China were evaluated, based on the urban soil samples collected from published papers from 2005 to 2014. The contamination levels were in the order of Cd > Hg > Cu > Zn > Pb >As > Ni > Cr, and Hg and Cd fell into the category of “moderately contaminated” to “heavily contaminated.” The non-carcinogenic risk for different populations varied greatly, among which children faced high risk, and then the adult female and adult male followed. The hazard index (non-carcinogenic risk) higher than 1.00 occurred in Shanghai, Gansu, Qinghai, Hunan, and Anhui, whereas most of those in northern and western China had low risks. For the carcinogenic risk, Anhui and Ningxia provinces had urban soils exceeding the safe reference (1 × 10^?6–1 × 10^?4). Qinghai and Gansu had high carcinogenic risks since their risk indexes were much closer to the reference, and the others were in low risk.     

Heavy metals contamination in shallow groundwater of a coal-mining district and a probabilistic assessment of its human health risk

To manage public health and make better use of groundwater resources, the concentration characteristics and a health risk assessment of eight heavy metals in shallow groundwater were studied. Besides this, this paper introduced triangular fuzzy numbers into the USEPA health risk assessment model to assess the health risk posed to local children and adults through different exposure pathways. The results showed that Mn levels exceeded the WHO’s guideline values of 100?µg/L with the proportion of 27.98% and Sr were over the health reference level (HRL) of 1500?µg/L with the proportion of 56.25%, while other heavy metals were below the corresponding standard. The results of the HRA showed that the non-carcinogenic risks from Sr and Mn in the district were relatively higher, while those from the remaining six heavy metals were relatively lower. All hazard index (HI) values did not exceed the safety level of 1 for either age group. The average carcinogenic risk from Cr was slightly higher than the acceptable level of 1?×?10^?6 for adults. Sensitivity analyses conducted using Monte Carlo simulation indicated that Sr and Cr concentrations were the most influential variables contributing to the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk values, respectively, while body weight had a minor contribution.     

Environmental risks posed by heavy metal contamination from mine waste: Case study from northwest Iran

Mining activities produce waste tailings that can be a significant source of pollution in the surrounding ecosystem. This study was designed to estimate the magnitude of Fe, As, Pb, Cd, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Cr in soil impacted by activities in the Moeil iron ore mine area of northwestern Iran and initially assess the potential risk to nearby residents and ecological habitats. For this, concentrations of elements in 24 samples from 8 locations were analyzed by inductivity coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Concentrations of heavy metals reported for samples collected from the area ranged from 50,247–466,200 mg/kg for Fe, 40–10,827 mg/kg for As, 9–84 mg/kg for Pb, 0.2–58.4 mg/kg for Cd, 32–424 mg/kg for Mn, 4–32 mg/kg for Ni, 37–60 mg/kg for Zn, and 32–337 mg/kg for Cr. Reported levels of Fe and As in particular are indicative of severe contamination and imply a high risk to ecological receptors. Reported levels of arsenic also imply elevated cancer and non-cancer health risks to residents who work in or pass through the area. Reported levels of Cd and Cr in soil samples also indicate an elevated cancer risk posed by these metals. The result of this study indicates it is important to estimate potential contamination of soils and drinking water wills in the vicinity of Moeil village to arsenic and heavy metals.     

Contamination level and risk assessment of heavy metal deposited in street dusts in Khamees-Mushait city,Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The levels of some potentially toxic metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) were quantified in 60 street dust samples from Khamees-Mushait city, Saudi Arabia. Samples were taken from three locations at each functional area (total 18 including traffic, industrial, residential, and workshops) and at each control area (total two including a park and a new domestic planner). Heavy metals concentrations were quantified in less than 106 µm particle-size using inductively-coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer after microwave wet digestion. The total concentrations (µg/g) were in the ranges of Cr 128.48–277.53, Mn 589.43–1091.45, Fe 43478.26–99151.63, Co 23.04–55.22, Cu 10.46–176.13, Cd 0.30–1.99, and Pb 9.36–340.56. The accuracy of results was examined using standard quality control samples, spiking, and a certified reference material. The overall recovery was in the range of 86.2–113.3%. The enrichment factors and the geoaccumulation indices, besides principal component analysis, reveal various levels of enrichment by Fe, Cu, Zn, and Pb from functional areas of congested traffic, commercial activities, and metallic workshops activities. In contrast, no significant enrichment by Cr, Mn, and Co was recorded. The cluster analysis revealed that the metallic workshops and the vehicle scrap workshops are the hottest functional areas.     

Heavy metals in urban and peri-urban soils of a heavily-populated and industrialized city: Assessment of ecological risks and human health repercussions

Abstract

Increasing levels of heavy metals in soil have become a serious concern for human health because they can be easily transferred into the human body through contaminated food web. It is imperative to evaluate pollution levels, origin and ecological risks of heavy metals. The geoaccumaualtion (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI) and human health risk were estimated to determine the soil pollution in Faisalabad, a heavily-populated and industrialized city of Pakistan. The maximum CF (1.58) and PLI (1.22) values were estimated for Cd and Pb, respectively, and maximum Igeo (?0.19) value was observed for Cd. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis suggested that common industrial sources for Cd and Pb were identified in the study sites. It clearly indicates that the significant levels of heavy metals pollution arise from local industries, busy commercial centers and heavy traffic load in the last few decades in heavily-populated and industrialized city. Further, soil heavy metals concentration were used to evaluate the human health risk such as chronic or non-carcinogenic including hazard indexes HIexP (ingestion, inhalation and dermal and carcinogenic) and cancer risk (CR). The HIexP values of Pb (10.30) and Cd (4.56) were found above the permissible limit (HI = 1) for children. The CR due to carcinogenic metals (Co, Cr and Cd) are within the safe limit (1E-06 to 1E-04). However, CR was comparatively higher in adults as compared to children. The results from the current investigation can help to develop a sustainable strategy in the study region to minimize the entry of heavy metals in food chain through source identification and pollution abatement techniques.     

华南地区典型燃煤电厂周边土壤重金属分布、风险评估及来源分析

为了解华南地区典型燃煤电厂周边表层土壤重金属空间分布特征,对韶关市燃煤电厂周边20处农田表层土壤中7种重金属(镍(Ni)、铜(Cu)、锌(Zn)、镉(Cd)、铅(Pb)、铬(Cr)及砷(As))的总量进行检测,并分析了其相应的空间分布规律,同时评估了周边土壤重金属的生态风险并分析其来源。结果表明:该燃煤电厂周边土壤中重金属Ni、Cu、Zn、Cd、Pb、Cr及As的平均含量分别是17.79、19.59、159.08、3.14、111.01、96.61 mg/kg和21.48 mg/kg,Cd、Pb污染情况突出,重金属Zn、Cd、Pb、Cr的分布与盛行风向密切相关。综合污染指数法表明,Cd、Pb及Zn处于重污染状态;潜在生态风险指数法表明,Cd处于严重潜在生态风险状态;地累积指数法表明,Ni、Cu整体处于无污染状态,Cd整体处于高污染状态。多种统计方法表明,Zn、Cd、Pb及Cr受燃煤电厂影响明显,Cu、As的来源不仅受燃煤电厂等工业的影响,还与该地区农业灌溉用水密切相关,Ni的分布最为均匀,受自然因素影响明显。     

Concentrations of Heavy Metals and Arsenic in Market Rice Grain and Their Potential Health Risks to the Population of Fuzhou,China

Heavy metals and As in rice are of increasing concern in China. In this study, concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Sb, Ni, and As in rice collected from markets in Fuzhou, China, were investigated by ICP-MS and AFS, and their potential health risk to inhabitants were estimated by target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TR). The results showed that the concentrations of the seven studied elements in rice grain were all below the permissible limits of China's national standards for foodstuffs (NY/T 419–2007 and GB 2726–2012). For non-carcinogenic risk, the THQ values of individual elements were within the safe interval. However, without considering the bio-accessibility and speciation of toxic elements, the HI values suggest inhabitants in Fuzhou may experience potential health effects due to rice consumption. Cadmium is the major contributor to HI, followed by As. The TR values of As for adults and children were both higher than the acceptable range. The results of this study suggest that more attention should be paid toward monitoring toxic substances (especially Cd and As) in rice in order to assure the food safety for consumers in Fuzhou, China.     

Heavy metal contamination in water,soil, and milk of the industrial area adjacent to Swan River,Islamabad, Pakistan

Trace heavy metals such as Cr(III), Ni(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), and Cu(II) are hazardous pollutants and are rich in areas with high anthropogenic activities. Their concentrations were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy, and it was found that their concentrations were several fold higher in downstream Swan River water samples of the Kahuta Industrial Triangle as compared to upstream. Heavy metal soil concentrations taken from the downstream site were 149% for Cr, 131% for Ni, 176% for Cd, 139% for Zn, 224% for Pb, and 182% for Cu when compared to samples from the upstream site. Quantitative analysis concluded that these metals were higher in milk samples collected from downstream as compared to the samples from upstream water-irrigated sites. The order of metal in milk was as Zn > Cr > Cu > Cd > Pb = Ni. Heavy metal contaminations may affect the drinking water quality, food chain, and ecological environment. It was also suggested that the toxicity due to such polluted water, soil, and milk are seriously dangerous to human health in future.     

Anthropogenic impacts on heavy metal concentrations in surface soils from the typical polluted area of Bengbu,Anhui province,Eastern China

A total of 30 surface soil samples were collected from the typical polluted area of Bengbu, Anhui province, Eastern China. The content characteristics, source identification, and risk assessment of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were studied based on the field investigation, sampling, indoor test, and statistical analysis. Results showed that the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn showed different spatial variation and ranged from 0.48 to 1.84, 12.78 to 239.07, 287.14 to 491.96, 15.29 to 52.99, 13.28 to 68.82, and 28.83 to 184.79 mg/kg, respectively. Besides Mn, the contents of other metals have exceeded the local background value to a certain extent, and the higher concentrations recorded were found in the east of Bali channel. Source analyses indicated that Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were attributed to industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust pollution, and phosphate uses in agriculture, whereas Ni and Mn were mainly of natural origin. Among the six heavy metals, Cd posed the highest ecological risk with the proportion of 3.3% at a considerable level, 36.7% at a high level, and 60% at a very high level, Cu presented a low-to-moderate ecological risk, while others presented a relatively low risk in surface soils, suggesting that Cd and Cu, especially for Cd, should draw environmental concern.     

Characterization and human health risk assessment of trace metal in PM10 in Bac Giang,short-term study in a developing province in Vietnam

Abstract

This study investigated the airborne concentration of PM₁₀ and 20 trace elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Na, Pb, Ti, V, Zn) in residential, industry, traffic road, coal mining, thermal power plant area of Bac Giang province. The average PM₁₀ concentration was highest at coal site, followed by traffic 1 sites, industrial sites and traffic 2 sites, the residential sites, and lowest at the power plant site located in mountain area. While Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na were the most abundant elements in all sampling sites, accounting for 73–96% of total obtained elements, the concentration of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn occupied from 2.9 to 23.2%. Noticeably, the concentrations of Cd were from 7 to 65 times higher than the concentration limit for Cd (0.1?ng/m³) according the World Health Organization (WHO). Although, the Hazard Index (HI values) of all metals were found to be within the safe level for both children and adults, the Carcinogenic Risk (CR) of Cr and As in all sites were closed to the acceptable levels for children, implying a potential carcinogenic risks of these metals.