Abstract
Coal mining contributes to economic development, but has an immense impact on the quality of the environment. Soils near coal mines may get contaminated by the dispersion of coal particles and dust from the mines. Soil samples were collected near an opencast coal mine (OCM) in Dhanbad, India. The enrichment of PTEs in coal mine soils and associated human exposure risks were assessed. Health risk assessment was determined by adopting three exposure routes: direct ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Pollution load index was 2.1 which indicates enrichment of heavy metals potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The enrichment of PTEs of heavy metals decreased in the order Sr > Ba > Be > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Rb > Hg > Co > Cd > Zn > As. Hazard quotient for all these elements was < 1.0, indicating no exposure risk. PTEs in coal mine soils are unlikely to pose potential health risk.
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