Health Risk Assessment of General Populations Exposed to Metals from an Aluminum Production Plant in Thailand

Abstract

Background: General populations who live nearby aluminum foundry might have greater risk from exposure to metals from foundry. This study aimed to determine health risk assessment among general populations who lived nearby an aluminum foundry in Thailand. Materials and methods: Quantitative health risk assessment method of U.S. National Academy of Sciences was used. Results: Aluminum foundry emitted 6 types of metals. These metals could affect many kinds of health effects but had no carcinogenic effect. The most common pathway for general populations exposed to these metals was by inhalation. Calculated Reference Dose (RfD) for inhalation of aluminum, manganese, copper, zinc, magnesium, iron used in this assessment were 1.2E-05, 2.0E-06, 2.2E-05, 6.5E-05, 7.38E-01, 8.25 mg/kg/day, respectively. Maximum Daily Doses (MDDs) for general populations who exposed to metals measured in this foundry were 7.92E-06, 1.75E- 08, 8.98E-09, 1.22E-05, 6.01E-08, and 9.98E-07 mg/kg/day for aluminum, manganese, copper, zinc, magnesium, and iron, respectively. Finally, risk characterization demonstrated that general populations exposed to metals had the similar risk compared to persons who were not exposed. Conclusion: Exposure to metals from aluminum foundry did not increase chance of developing diseases from these metals. However, appropriate preventive measures should be maintained at all time to protect health of general populations.