PM10 Concentration, Its Potentially Toxic Metals Content, and Human Health Risk Assessment in Hamadan, Iran

Abstract

AbstractThis study aims to determine the health risks from some potentially toxic metal content of PM10 on the residents of Hamadan, Iran. The mean concentration of PM10 is 122.55 µg m–3, and for Pb, Cd, and Cr it is 7.44, 1.78, and 2.72 ng m–3, respectively. PM10 levels of 22% of the samples are higher than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Pb and Cd levels are within the standard/guideline limits, whereas Cr levels exceed the guideline value in 53% of the samples. Health risks from toxic elements of PM10 are estimated using hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI), and the cancer risk is evaluated based on lifetime daily cancer risk (CR). Both HQ and HI are <1; furthermore, children are at an increased health risk according to obtained HQ and HI values. Cr and Cd present potentially carcinogenic health risks, while CR from Pb is within the acceptable limits. Although both HQ and HI are obtained <1, conducting such health risk assessment studies really is needed to determine the air quality in different cities such as Hamadan and the obtained data can be used as general guidance for decision makers to manage the air quality.