Assessment of the risk to human health from the accumulation of heavy metals in and around the “2 July” neighborhood (Mitrovica-Kosovo, Kosovo)

Abstract

Purpose. Determining the level of soil pollution with heavy metals in the “2 July” neighborhood, as well as researching the impact of pollution on the health of the neighborhood’s residents. The scope of the research was to know which age is most at risk from pollution based on the Theory of Risk Assessment, Non-carcinogenic risk assessment, and Carcinogenic risk assessment. Methodology. The soil samples in the neighborhood “2 July” were taken spontaneously. After the preparation of the samples, lead, arsenic, zinc, copper, nickel, manganese, chromium, and cadmium were determined with ICP-OES. Analytical formulas were applied for the calculation of specific indicators, which include Geo-accumulation index, Enrichment factor, Chronic daily intake, Hazard index, Carcinogenic risk assessment, the total lifetime cancer risk. They show the level of soil pollution, and the risk of heavy metals affecting human health. Findings. The results show that the content of lead, arsenic, zinc, nickel, manganese, chromium, and cadmium in the soil of the “2 July” neighborhood, in addition to copper, exceeds the values set by FAO/WHO. The value of the hazard index and total lifetime cancer risk for children for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk is high, while that for adults are lower, which shows that children are more at risk. Originality. Soil pollution in the “2 July” basin comes from three industrial dumps. This pollution affects human health through inhalation, skin, and ingestion route. Practical value. The particular indicators of the influence of heavy metals on human health are discerned as a plausible notification for the inhabitants that they live in a highly harmful and polluted environment inducing health consequences.