Health risk assessment of trace element in the ambient air along the roadside in Dhanbad, India

Abstract

Trace elements associated with ambient air dust particles have been investigated to assess future non-cancer toxic risk in children and adults. To investigate the trace elements, samples were collected with Respirable Dust Sampler at various locations in Dhanbad, India, during post-monsoon 2016, winter 2017, and summer 2017. Monitoring locations were selected along the roadside with heavy traffic load (Shramik Chowk), moderate-to-low traffic load (Dhaiya Gate), and low traffic load with small-scale industries (Govindpur Tata Motors). Further, the health risk caused due to the exposure of the trace elements was determined with the help of hazard quotient and hazard index. The hazard index value of Pb for children due to multi-pathway exposure was found to be > 1 in winter 2017 at all monitoring locations and in summer 2017 at Shramik Chowk and Govindpur Tata Motors will cause future non-cancer toxic risk in children. The hazard index value of Pb for children due to multi-pathway exposure was found to be > 1 in winter 2017 at all monitoring locations. The same in summer 2017 at Shramik Chowk and Govindpur Tata Motors would pose future non-cancer toxic risk in children. For adults, the values of hazard index for the investigated trace elements suggest that it would not cause future non-cancer toxic risk in them. Thus, understanding the presence of trace elements in the ambient air around roadside areas and its health risks is of utmost importance in view of implications for protective measures.