Determination of heavy metals and health risk assessment in indoor dust from different functional areas in Neyshabur, Iran

Abstract

The concentration of 10 potentially toxic heavy metals in indoor dust from homes in Neyshabur was investigated. The concentrations of heavy metals in indoor dust from homes ranged from 28.1 to 190.4 µg g−1 for Cr, 24.7 to 162.2 µg g−1 for Ni, 43.8 to 640.4 µg g−1 for Cu, 13.7 to 5,345.7 µg g−1 for Pb, 135.5 to 1,033.0 µg g−1 for Mn, 105.8 to 2,958.0 µg g−1 for Zn, 6,288.0 to 32759.8 µg g−1 for Fe, 2,916.5 to 37,990.0 µg g−1 for Al, 1.3 to 21.4 µg g−1 for Co and 0.5 to 12.9 µg g−1 for Cd. Results of the concentrations of heavy metals in this study were compared with values reported in other parts of the world. Statistical tests revealed no significant relationship between tobacco use and measured heavy metal concentrations. The range of United States-Environmental Protection Agency safe limits (1 × 10−4 and 1 × 10−6) indicates that cancer risk of Cr in age groups of both children and adults (1.6 × 10−3 and 5.5 × 10−3) is higher. For all studied elements, the obtained hazard index was found to be <1, which means they are at safe levels of metals. The principal component analysis showed that Co, Mn and Fe form an independent cluster with no relationship with other metals. The overall enrichment factor was close to 10, which suggests having a natural source.