Assessment of Environmental and Health Risks of Toxic Heavy Elements in the Dust Falling on Different Areas of Kirkuk

Abstract

This research aims to find the values of toxic heavy elements in the dust falling from selected sites within the areas of the city of Kirkuk samples were taken from eight sites of the city and analyzed using ICP-MS. There was a rise in the concentrations of Zn (407.21µg/kg), Pb (28.91µg/kg), Co (34.36µg/kg), Cu (38.29µg/kg), Cd (0.73 µg/kg) and As (3.17 µg/kg) and were higher than Global limit. The enrichment factor in the study area showed that the element zinc falls into the category (significant enrichment), and the contamination factor showed that the element zinc is among the high pollution. It was shown through the degree of contamination of heavy elements in the falling dust that it generally falls into the classification (Considerable contamination). it was found through the hazard quotient and hazard index of the elements that there are non-carcinogenic health risks, including the children's category for arsenic and lead elements. The results indicate the necessity of implementing strategies to mitigate the exposure and potential health effects of these toxic elements on the local population and the environment.