Health Risks Of Metals Research Articles

Arsenic and heavy metals health risk assessment through drinking water consumption in the Peshawar District, Pakistan

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to assess the drinking water quality and human potential health risk in Peshawar, which is the most populous district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. Water was randomly collected throughout Peshawar District (urban = 45 samples and rural = 29 samples). These samples were analyzed for heavy metal (As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) concentrations using the atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, AAS-PEA-700). Heavy metal concentrations in drinking water revealed the highest pollution index (PI) values—17.80, 11.92, 7.50, and 5.70 for the Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni, respectively. The contaminations of Cd and Pb were significantly higher (p < .05) than their maximum allowable limits set by the World Health Organization. Heavy metal contaminations in drinking water were evaluated for health risk assessment: the chronic risk or hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk. Results revealed that HQ values were >1 for the Cd and Pb, suggesting that the exposed human beings could be at chronic risk. Therefore, serious measures such as drinking water treatments and contamination controlling policies are needed to avoid the hazardous effects of toxic heavy metals.

Bioaccessibility and Health Risk Assessment of Cu, Cd, and Zn in "Colored" Oysters.

Bioaccessibility describes the fraction of contaminants released from the food matrix into the digestive tracts of humans, which is beneficial for improving the health risk assessment of contaminants. In this study, the bioaccessibilities of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in two severely contaminated green oyster (Crassostrea angulate) and blue oyster (Crassostrea hongkongensis) populations were investigated. A human health risk assessment of these metals was then performed based on bioaccessibility measurements. Among the three metals, the bioaccessibility was the highest for Cu (42-95%), and Cd and Zn had comparable bioaccessibility (13-58%). There was no major difference in the bioaccessibility between green and blue oysters. A significant correlation between the tissue Cu and Zn concentrations was found in these highly contaminated oysters. A health risk assessment showed that all three metals in both oyster species seriously exceeded the levels recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Thus, oysters from these locations, and the metals contained therein, presented quite high risks for human consumption, which should be a great cause of concern. A significant relationship was only found between metal bioaccessibility and its tissue concentration instead of between metal bioaccessibility and subcellular distribution. In addition, a significant relationship was only observed between metal health risks and its tissue concentration. The influence of metal bioaccessibilities on the health risks was limited. This may suggest that in the case of the colored oysters examined in this study, metal concentration instead of metal subcellular distribution could be the driving factor of the metal bioaccessibility, and metal concentration, instead of metal bioaccessibility, could be the driving factor of the metal health risks.

부산 연근해 저서어류 체내의 미량금속 분포 특성과 잠재적 인체 위해성 평가

Trace metals concentrations in the tissue of edible marine fish (4 species), olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), Korean rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii), file fish (Stephanolepis cirrhifer) and abbysal searobin (Lepidotrigla abyssalis), collected near the Yongho wharf in Busan were determined to assess the potential human health risk (HRA) of trace metals by fish consumption. Levels of Li, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in the fish tissue were 0.005 ± 0.009, 0.77 ± 0.30, 0.29 ± 0.34, 0.49 ± 0.14, 15.96 ± 2.52, 10.62 ± 4.67, 0.001 ± 0.002, and 0.045 ± 0.06 mg/kg dw respectively. The estimated daily intakes of Cu and Zn and the estimated weekly intakes of As, Cd, and Pb from the fish collected near the Yongho wharf were 0.0032, 0.054-0.18% of PMTDI (provisional maximum tolerable daily intake) and 13, 0.0041, 0.020% of PTWI (provisional tolerable weekly intake) which were set to evaluate the food safeties by the JFCFA (The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives). Lifetime cancer risk and target hazard for local residents due to those fish consumption were found to be negligible.

Risk assessment of heavy metal toxicity through contaminated vegetable from sewage water: Implications for populace health

ABSTRACTThe present investigation was carried out to evaluate the levels of metals and metalloids in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) irrigated with city wastewater. Soil and vegetable samples from two different sites irrigated with wastewater were wet-digested and analyzed. Arsenic (As) was found higher at both sites and Cr was many-fold lower at both sampling sites. Among all heavy metals, Mn and Zn were abundant. Highest value of coefficient factor was found for Cr and the lowest for Cd. The high transfer value was recorded for Cu at site-I and for Ni at site-II. Copper and Se showed negative and significant correlations between soil and vegetable, whereas Mn, Zn, As, Cd, Cr, and Ni showed positive but non-significant correlations. Pollution load index in this vegetable was found to be higher for Cd and lower for Cu. Health risk index at site-I was in the order of As > Mn > Mo > Pb > Cd > Ni > Zn > Se > Fe > Co > Cr > Cu, whereas the same order was observed at site-II of the sampling locations. Thus, the health risks of metals through ingestion of vegetables were of great concern in the study area.

Ecological and Health Risk Assessment of Metal in Resuspended Particles of Urban Street Dust from an Industrial City in China

Concentrations and ecological and health risks of metals in the resuspended particles of urban street dust collected from an industrial city, Baotou, China were studied. The results show that the average concentrations of Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, V and Zn in the studied samples are 990.1, 56.2, 247.8, 31.5, 566.3, 26.1, 59.9, 82.2 and 77.5 mg kg -1 respectively, which are higher than the background values of Inner Mongolia soil, especially Co, Cr and Pb. The results of potential ecological risk analysis demonstrate that Ba, Mn, V, Zn and Ni in the samples are in low ecological risk levels whereas Cr, Cu and Pb are in low to moderate ecological risk levels. Co reveals moderate to considerable ecological risk. The aggregate ecological risk of metals in the resuspended particles of street dust from Baotou is in the moderate level. Human health risk assessment shows that ingestion is the main exposure pathway of metals in dust to the local habitants. The upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of hazard indices for non-cancer risks of all analysed metals in the resuspended particles of street dust is within the safe level, while the maximum hazard index of Cr for children exceeds the safe level. Thus, the health risk of Cr for children due to dust exposure is a matter of concern. The cancer risk of Co, Cr and Ni to local habitants, considering only inhalation, is within the currently acceptable range.

Spatial uncertainty of joint health risk of multiple trace metals in rice grain in Jiaxing city, China.

Trace metals in rice may affect human health if their concentrations reach risk levels in the human body due to long-term ingestion. In this study, concentrations of five trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) in field-sampled rice grains were measured at 285 sampling sites in Jiaxing city, China. The objective was to map the spatial distribution and uncertainty of the potential human health risk of trace metals in local rice grains at a regional scale. The probability map of multiple trace metals that tend to be hazardous was produced based on the permissible limits in Chinese National Standards. It showed higher probabilities, which exceeded the national standards, for one or more of trace metals in rice grains were mainly located in several small subareas around the center of the study area. We used the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) index and the Total THQ (TTHQ) index to represent the potential human health risks caused by individual and multiple trace metals in local rice grains. The TTHQ was essentially regarded as an integrative uniform rice quality index in this study. Stochastic simulation was then conducted to simulate the TTHQ for mapping the spatial distribution and uncertainty of the total potential health risk. Probability maps of different risk grades for TTHQ indicated that most places were in unsafe grades. In general, maps of site-specific health risks posed by trace metals in local rice grains and associated uncertainty information are valuable to spatial decision making in agricultural planning, rice uses, and environmental management.

Assessment of the Distribution and their Health Risk of Trace Metals in Tsaeda Agam River, Mekelle City, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

The study was conducted to assess the contamination of Tsada Agam River by trace metals. Trace metals were found in water samples in the following concentrations (in mg/L): Co, 0.02-0.03; Pb, 0.01-0.06; Zn, 0.21-0.50; Fe, 0.30- 5.18; Mn, 0.10-0.15; Cu, 0.015-0.018 and Cd, 0.01-0.015. Trace metals were also found in soil samples (in mg/kg): Cu, 34.50-36.83; Pb, 1.17-3.42; Co, 29.75-31.53; Ni, 12.42-26.30; Mn, 616.06-811.30; Cr, 37.01-42.92; Cd, 13.87-14.55; Fe, 33563.53-3696 and Zn, 283.50-495.33. In vegetable samples the levels of trace metals were (in mg/kg): Cu, 3.00- 14.67; Co, 9.33-38.31; Ni, 0.29-1.78; Mn, 30.93-346.90; Zn, 15.67-285.67; Pb, 0.14-2.67; Cd, 3.79-11.01; Fe, 46.67- 730.00 and Cr, 2.53-5.72. Cadmium in water samples was beyond the limits of WHO/FAO for drinking and irrigation; Cd, Fe and Zn in soil samples was above the limits of Ewers and Zn, Pb, Cd, Fe and Cr concentrations in vegetables were above the limits given by Weigert. The calculated HRI values for Cd (Site-2 and 3) and Mn (site-1 and 3) were 1.4 and 1.7 and 2.0 and 3.78, respectively, indicating a health risk of Cd and Mn exposure. Therefore, regular monitoring of trace metals is essential to prevent excessive build-up in the food chain and to protect public health.

Health risks of metals in contaminated farmland soils and spring wheat irrigated with Yellow River water in Baotou, China.

The consumption of water and food crops contaminated with metals is a major food chain route for human exposure. We investigated the health risks of metals in Yellow River (YR) water, farmland soil and spring wheat in the Baotou region, northern China. Data indicated that long-term irrigation with polluted YR water led to metal accumulation in local farmland soil and spring wheat. The consumption of YR water and spring wheat in Baotou region can cause adverse health effects to local people, specifically because of Hg, Pb, and Se in YR water and Cu, Zn, Cd, and Mn in spring wheat. The integrative risk of various metals depends mainly on the spring wheat intake. Current results emphasized the need for routine monitoring and management in order to avoid contamination of YR water and spring wheat from the wastewater irrigation system in Baotou region.

TSP, PM10 and health risk assessment for heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) in the ambience of the production line for waste cathode ray tube recycling

Recently, a typical semi-automatic recycling line is proved to be a feasible method for resource recovery of raw material of waste CRTs. However, there are no relevant studies about health risk assessment of the particles and heavy metals diffused from this physical r ecycling process for CRTs. In this study, TSP, PM10 and heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) in the ambience of the workshop have been evaluated. The mean concentrations of TSP and PM10 in the workshop were 481.5 and 316.9 μg/m3, respectively. Meanwhile, it can be seen that Zn (8.1 and 7.9 μg/m3, respectively) was the most enriched metal in TSP and PM10, followed by Pb (3.2 and 3.0 μg/m3, respectively). Health risk assessment showed that the total hazard index was 3.29, exceeding the danger threshold. The health risk of different metals was Cr > Cd > Ni. In short, the research results show that mechanical–physical process for e-waste recycling do exist the pollutant mission. So the effective measures should be taken to reduce the harm of pollutants on the workers’ health.

Long-Term Environmental Surveillance and Health Risks of Metals and PCDD/Fs Around a Cement Plant in Catalonia, Spain

ABSTRACTIn this study, environmental data concerning the potential impact of a cement plant were updated, 10 years after a previous monitoring study. In 2011 and 2012, samples of soil, vegetation, and air were collected in the vicinity of a cement plant located in Santa Margarida i els Monjos (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain). The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and those of a number of metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Tl, V, and Zn) were determined. The results were compared with data from two previous sampling campaigns, performed in 2000 and 2001. Vanadium was the only element presenting a significant increase in the three monitors. In turn, a significant decrease of PCDD/Fs was noted in vegetation, from 0.2 to 0.1 ng WHO-TEQ/kg. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) of exposure to all pollutants was below the safety limit, while cancer risk associated with the exposure to metals and PCDD/Fs was within the range considered as assumable (10−6–10−4). Despite the long period of time elapsed between campaigns (10 years) and the use of alternative fuels, the impact of the cement plant seems to be low, based on the emissions of the contaminants here evaluated.

Heavy metals and trace elements levels in milk and milk products

Milk and dairy products are an important food in the human diet. The present investigation was carried out to determine concentrations of lead, cadmium, zinc, copper and iron in milk and dairy products and evaluate the potential health risks of metals to humans via consumption of milk and dairy products. A total of 77 samples of milk and dairy products (22 raw milk, 20 kareish cheese, 21 butter and 14 rice pudding) were collected from farms, individual farmers and dairy shops in Beni-Suef governorate, Egypt. Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Fe concentrations in milk and dairy products ranged from 0.044–0.751, 0.008–0.179, 0.888–18.316, 0.002–1.692 and 1.3208–45.6198 ppm respectively. Pb concentration in all samples exceeded the maximum permissible limit (0.02 mg/kg) established by codex standard. Pd and Cd intake through milk and dairy products consumption were 1.27 and 0.33 μg/kg bw/day, which represent 35.3 and 39.8 % of the tolerable daily intake. Dairy products are poor sources of iron, copper and zinc, and milk contributes little to the total iron and zinc intake. Target hazard quotient values of less than 1 indicate a relative absence of health risks associated with the consumption of milk and dairy products.

Human health risk and ecological risk assessment of metals in fishes, shrimps and sediment from a tropical river

Concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cr were estimated using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in sediment, water, fish and shrimp collected from the Subarnarekha River. Fish species Mystus gulio, Puntius conchonius, Labeo calbasu, Labeo rohita and Labeo bata, while the shrimp species Penaeus indicus, were used for the study. The range of Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cr in all the samples was found to be 0.004–0.85, 0.75–145.2, 0.03–0.41, 1.25–21.5, 12.4–109.5 and 0.22–11.36 mg kg−1 fresh, respectively. The concentrations of metals in the fish and shrimp exceed the limits of Indian and international standards for food for Cu, Ni, Cd and Zn in some samples. Higher concentrations of the metals were observed in the shrimp as compared to fish samples. The calculated daily intakes of the metals through the consumption of fish and shrimps ranged from 0.30 to 27.0 % of the corresponding tolerable limits suggested by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. The mean target hazard quotient values for the 6 metals were below 1 for all the samples; however, the maximum was more than 1 for shrimp Cu and Cr. The results indicated that the concentration of the metals in shrimps at some locations was alarming and pose an appreciable hazard risk on human health. Potential ecological risk analysis of sediment indicated that most of the sites posed moderate ecological risk with Cd posing a considerable risk at all the sites.

Human Health Risk of Metals in Drinking-Water Source Areas from a Forest Zone after Long-Term Excessive Deforestation

ABSTRACTThe concentrations of 10 metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se, Zn) were determined in drinking water in Khingan, China, a forest zone after long-term excessive deforestation. These metals’ concentrations in water exceeded background values of metals in some other regions of the world, indicating that there were other metal sources contributing to such high levels of metals in Khingan. Arsenic was the only metal whose concentration exceeded the maximum levels allowed in drinking water. Principal component analysis showed that As, Cd, Cu, and Se originated from anthropogenic sources and exhibited significantly high concentrations in north Khingan, while Fe and Mn derived from natural formation and showed significantly high concentrations in central Khingan. Health risks from metals were evaluated by a model recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Ingestion was the predominant pathway of exposure to metals in water for local residents. Arsenic was also the only metal causing both noncarcinogenic hazard and carcinogenic risk in Khingan. The high risks occurred mainly in north Khingan and are associated with coal combustion. This study indicates that long-term excessive deforestation may increase As concentration considerably in drinking water and then pose health risks to local residents.

Assessment of metals pollution and health risk in dust from nursery schools in Xi’an, China

Concentrations, pollution and health risks of metals in dust from nursery schools in Xi’an, China were determined. In comparison with local soil, dust samples have elevated metals concentrations except for Mn. The results indicate no distinct pollution of Mn, Ni, As and Ba in the dust, while Cu, Co and Zn are moderate pollution, Pb is significant pollution, and Cr with large pollution range. Most samples presented moderately polluted by metals. The non-cancer risks of the studied metals are within the safe range, and the cancer risks of As, Co, Cr and Ni are also within the currently acceptable range.

Methylmercury and trace elements in the marine fish from coasts of East China

Fish consumption is an important source of human exposure to heavy metals. To determine the health risks for metals by consumption of marine fish in China, three species of fish, namely large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea), small yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena polyactis) and silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) were collected and analyzed for methylmercury (MeHg), total mercury (T-Hg), selenium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, lead, strontium and zinc. The large yellow croakers had the highest concentrations of mercury, lead, nickel and zinc, and the levels of MeHg were positively correlated to T-Hg. The ratios of MeHg to T-Hg in yellow croakers were significantly higher than those in silver pomfret, indicating differences in accumulation and magnification of MeHg in these two types of fish. The concentration of T-Hg was found to decrease as the Se level in fish tissues increased. Cadmium levels in 16% of the samples were higher than the criterion recommended by the European Commission Regulation. The concentrations of other metals were well below international standards. A human health risk assessment showed that the estimated daily intake of these metals did not exceed the reference dose established by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The hazard quotients (HQs) were all less than 1, indicating a situation of no risk for consumption of these fish.

Heavy metal contamination identification and health risk assessment in the mining areas of Western Suzhou, China

Heavy metal contamination identification and health risk assessment in the mining areas of Western Suzhou, China

Ecological and human health risks from metal(loid)s in peri-urban soil in Nanjing, China

In order to investigate the ecological and human health risks of metal(loid)s (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, Mn, Cr, and As) in peri-urban soils, 43 surface soil samples were collected from the peri-urban area around Nanjing, a megacity in China. The average contents were 1.19, 67.8, 37.6, 105, 167, 44.6, 722, and 50.8 mg kg(-1) for Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, and As, respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, and As (p < 0.01), and Cr had a significant positive correlation with Ni (p < 0.01). Geoaccumulation indices indicate the presence of Cd and As contamination in all of the peri-urban soil samples. Potential ecological risk indices show that the metal(loid)s in the soil could result in higher ecological risks. Cd is the main contributor to the risk, followed by As. The levels of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, and As in stomach and intestinal phases show a positive linear correlation with their total contents. Mn, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Pb in stomach phase showed higher bioaccessibility, while in intestinal phase, Cu, Cr, and As had the higher bioaccessibility. The carcinogenic risk in children and adults posed by As, Pb, and Cr via ingestion was deemed acceptable. The non-carcinogenic risks posed by these metal(loid)s via ingestion to children are higher than to adults and mainly result from As.

Uncertainty Evaluation of the Surface Water’sHeavy Metal Health Risk in Baiyun Mountain

Uncertainty Evaluation of the Surface Water’sHeavy Metal Health Risk in Baiyun Mountain

Concentrations and Potential Health Risks of Metals in Lip Products

Background: Metal content in lip products has been an issue of concern.Objectives: We measured lead and eight other metals in a convenience sample of 32 lip products used by young Asian women in Oakland, California, and assessed potential health risks related to estimated intakes of these metals.Methods: We analyzed lip products by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and used previous estimates of lip product usage rates to determine daily oral intakes. We derived acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) based on information used to determine public health goals for exposure, and compared ADIs with estimated intakes to assess potential risks.Results: Most of the tested lip products contained high concentrations of titanium and aluminum. All examined products had detectable manganese. Lead was detected in 24 products (75%), with an average concentration of 0.36 ± 0.39 ppm, including one sample with 1.32 ppm. When used at the estimated average daily rate, estimated intakes were > 20% of ADIs derived for aluminum, cadmium, chromium, and manganese. In addition, average daily use of 10 products tested would result in chromium intake exceeding our estimated ADI for chromium. For high rates of product use (above the 95th percentile), the percentages of samples with estimated metal intakes exceeding ADIs were 3% for aluminum, 68% for chromium, and 22% for manganese. Estimated intakes of lead were < 20% of ADIs for average and high use.Conclusions: Cosmetics safety should be assessed not only by the presence of hazardous contents, but also by comparing estimated exposures with health-based standards. In addition to lead, metals such as aluminum, cadmium, chromium, and manganese require further investigation.

Chemical speciation and human health risk of trace metals in urban street dusts from a metropolitan city, Nanjing, SE China

The modified BCR (the European Community Bureau of Reference) sequential extraction procedure was applied for partitioning and evaluating the mobility, availability and persistence of trace metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn) in urban street dusts collected from different areas of Nanjing, China. The mobility sequence based on the sum of the BCR sequential extraction stages was: Sr (91.65%)>Pb (79.16%)>Zn (74.26%)>Cu (68.53%)>Co (45.98%)>Al (40.01%)≈V (38.45%)≈Ni (37.88%)>Cr (29.35%)>Cd (22.68%). Almost every trace metal had its highest total concentrations in the industrial area, except for Sr which had its highest concentration in the commercial area. Contamination factors (Cf), risk assessment code (RAC) and enrichment factor (Ef) were then calculated to further assess the environmental risk and provide a preliminary estimate of the main sources of trace metals in street dusts. Non-carcinogenic effects and carcinogenic effects due to exposure to urban street dusts were assessed for both children and adults. For non-carcinogenic effects, ingestion was the main route of exposure to street dusts for these metals, followed by dermal contact and inhalation. Hazard index values for all studied metals were lower than the safe level of 1, and Pb exhibited the highest risk value (0.125) in the case of children. The carcinogenic risk for Cd, Co, Cr and Ni were all below the acceptable level (<10−6).