Potential health risk assessment of heavy metal content in Perlis soil

Abstract

A determination of soil heavy metal (Cu, Mn and Ni) concentrations in Perlis state, Malaysia was performed to define the level of soil pollution. Six soil samples were collected at depth of 0 – 15 cm in industrial, residential and school areas around Perlis. The highest concentration of Mn (57.80 mg/kg) and Ni (2.83 mg/kg) were detected at limestone quarry in Bukit Air, Cu (17.43 mg/kg) in Kampung Wang Ulu. The concentration of Cu, Mn and Ni were well below their soil geochemical background values. The single pollution indices assessment revealed that the soil contamination due to heavy metals in Perlis is insignificant. On the basis of the heavy metal content, the potential health risk assessment for children and adults was calculated for a lifetime of exposure through ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact based on the USEPA model. The exposure assessment found that the exposure pathways of heavy metals to both children and adults are through ingestion. Both Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) values are lower than 1, indicating no health risk. From the result, the HI values indicated that the soil heavy metal contamination could pose more impacts on children as compared to adults.