Probability Of Adverse Health Effects Research Articles

ASSESSMENT OF GAMMA DOSE AND ANNUAL EFFECTIVE DOSE RATE FOR COMMONLY USED FERTILIZER SAMPLES IN AGRICULTURE FIELD WITH A STATISTICAL APPROACH.

In this present study, the activity concentration of the naturally occurring radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K have been measured in commonly used chemical fertilizers for agriculture by using gamma-ray spectrometry with NaI (TI) detector. Radiological hazard parameters have been calculated for samples. The mean specific activity concentration of the 238U, 232Th and 40K is 176, 5.75 and 4136Bqkg-1, respectively. Particularly, the mean value of 238U, as well as 40K, is higher than the world recommended value. Also, the average value of radium equivalent activity is 503Bqkg-1 and the absorbed dose rate (DR) is 282.93nGyh-1, which is greater than the permissible limit, whereas the annual effective dose rate (AEDR) is 0.316mSvy-1, which is lower than the world recommended value. Therefore, collected fertilizer samples significantly increase the activity concentration of natural radionuclides in the agricultural soils. Multivariate statistical techniques such as Pearson correlation and factor analysis are carried out for radioactive variables to understand the existing relationship between them. From obtained results reveals that these fertilizer samples increases the probability of adverse health effects due to natural radioactivity.

Seasonal and Spatial Comparison of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Among Decapod Shrimp from Coastal Portugal.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous global pollutants that are lipophilic, bioaccumulative and can be both endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. In this study, we measured 18 PAHs among decapod shrimp samples (Palaemon spp.) collected during the spring and autumn from multiple locations along the Portuguese coastal, including local markets and aquaculture farms. ΣPAH concentrations in samples ranged from 3.14 to 320.48ng/g (ww) with the highest value in this range detected in a sample provided from an aquaculture facility. Fifteen of the 18 scanned PAHs were present in shrimp samples. However, detectable concentrations (0.07ng/g ww) of the carcinogenic benzo-a-pyrene occurred for a single sample only and approached method detection limits. No significant differences in shrimp ΣPAH concentrations were evident between the spring and autumn seasons. Target hazard quotient estimation suggested low probability of adverse health effects to consumers through consumption of shrimp from the study collection locations.

To the understanding of public health systems in Ukraine

The scientific article is devoted to the study of an important issue of public health in Ukraine. Today, the nation's health is a priority in the field of health care, both in terms of funding and regulation. This situation is due primarily to the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper defines the concept of "public health" and its normative guidelines. The legislation in the field of health care in terms of ensuring the functioning of the public health system is analyzed. Public health is seen as a system of measures aimed at preventing disease, physical and psychological conditions, increasing life expectancy and quality of life through epidemiological surveillance of health indicators. The factors that determine the urgency of public health at the present stage of development of Ukraine are outlined. Emphasis is placed on epidemiological surveillance as a component of public health, on disease prevention. The article considers health risks as the probability of adverse health effects (including death) that occur in the presence of factors of physical, biological or any other origin, including of unknown nature. proposals for priority steps in the systematic update of public health regulations have been made. Such regulation should take into account the experience of combating COVID-19 on the ability to monitor indicators and risks to public health at both national and international levels; on public health emergencies. And this should be done with an emphasis on the competencies of public authorities in the field of public health. Public health should be a priority in the implementation of health policy, which will reduce the burden on the public health system in the long run.

Whole Body Vibration Exposure among the Tractor Operator during Soil Tillage Operation: An Evaluation using ISO 2631-5 Standard

This study is aimed at investigating the effect of various tractor ride conditions on the lumbar spine during rotavator operation. The lumbar spinal response was assessed by determining static compressive dose, i.e., Sed (8). Raw acceleration data were measured on the seat pan and seat backrest to varying tractor velocity, tillage depth, and pulling force. The field experiments have been designed using Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array and the entire data analyzed in signal-to-noise ratios terms. The mean acceleration responses were dominant along the vertical axis and exposure levels were found beyond the exposure action value, i.e., 0.5 m/s2 as per Directive 2002/44/EU. Mean Sed (8) exceeded the limits of ISO 2631-5 indicating the probability of adverse health effects. Tractor velocity and pulling force have a significant impact on Sed (8) with a 64.43% and 27.73% percentage contribution. The FFT dominant peaks have been found in the 0.8 to 3.7 Hz frequency range. Moreover, the exact frequency of the peaks is found to be dependent on the experimental circumstances. The depicted dominant frequencies found in the range of low frequencies could lead to musculoskeletal disorders since they coincide with the natural frequencies of various parts of the body, especially in the lumbar region.

Monitoring of cyanobacteria using derivative spectrophotometry and improvement of the method detection limit by changing pathlength

Abstract Effective monitoring tools and methods are needed for the early detection and management of cyanobacteria in water bodies to minimize their harmful impacts on the environment and public health. This research investigated changing the cuvette pathlength (10-, 50-, and 100-mm) to improve the detection of cyanobacteria using UV-Vis spectrophotometry with subsequent application of derivative spectrophotometry and Savitzky-Golay (S-G) transformation. A non-toxigenic strain of blue-green cyanobacteria, Microcystis aeruginosa (CPCC 632), and a green algae strain for comparison, Chlorella vulgaris (CPCC 90), were studied in a wide range of concentrations (955,000 to 1855 cells/mL). In each concentration range, method detection limits were established with absorbance measurements and S-G first derivative of absorbance using 10-, 50-, and 100-mm cuvette pathlengths. Increasing the cuvette pathlength from 10 to 100 mm resulted in a 15-fold improvement in sensitivity with absorbance and a 13-fold improvement with S-G first derivative of absorbance for M. aeruginosa. Overall, adoption of 100 mm pathlength and application of S-G derivative spectra improved the method detection limit for M. aeruginosa from 337,398 to 4916 cells/mL, which is below the WHO guideline for low probability of adverse health effects (<20,000 cells/mL). Similarly, the detection limit for C. vulgaris was improved from 650,414 to 11,661 cells/mL. The results also showed that spectrophotometry could differentiate M. aeruginosa from C. vulgaris based on the variations in their pigment absorbance peaks.

Modelling and optimization of tractor ride conditions under water tanker operation

This study is aimed at investigating the effect of vibration on health and comfort in tractors with water tankers. The vibration was measured on the floor, seat pan, and backrest of the tractor at different speeds and water levels to optimize for low spinal load in terms of static compressive dose (Sed(8)) and comfort reaction (CR). The experiments were designed using the Taguchi Method and the Response Surface method, and the parameters were optimized using the desirability approach. Models developed to predict Sed(8) and CR showed a significant effect of speed and water level on Sed(8) and CR. The mean Sed(8) exceeded the limits of ISO 2631-5, indicating the probability of adverse health effects. The mean CR indicated uncomfortable exposure based on ISO 2631-1. The optimum ride levels were found at a speed of 8.4 m/s and water level of 3000 L. A confirmatory experiment substantiated the optimum conditions, with output lies within the 95% confidence interval of the predicted responses.

A Predictive Model of Chlorophyll a in Western Lake Erie Based on Artificial Neural Network

The reoccurrence of algal blooms in western Lake Erie (WLE) since the mid-1990s, under increased system stress from climate change and excessive nutrients, has shown the need for developing management tools to predict water quality. In this study, process-based model GLM-AED (General Lake Model-Aquatic Ecosystem Dynamics) and statistical model ANN (artificial neural network) were developed with meteorological forcing derived from surface buoys, airports, and land-based stations and historical monitoring nutrients, to predict water quality in WLE from 2002 to 2015. GLM-AED was calibrated with observed water temperature and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) from 2002 to 2015. For ANN, during the training period (2002–2010), the inputs included meteorological forcing and nutrient concentrations, and the target was Chl-a simulated by calibrated GLM-AED due to the lack of continuously daily measured Chl-a concentrations. During the testing period (2011–2015), the predicted Chl-a concentrations were compared with the observations. The results showed that the ANN model has higher accuracy with lower Chl-a RMSE and MAE values than GLM-AED during 2011 and 2015. Lastly, we applied the established ANN model to predict the future 10-year water quality of WLE, which showed that the probability of adverse health effects would be moderate, so more intense water resources management should be implemented.

Cyanobacteria and their secondary metabolites in three freshwater reservoirs in the United Kingdom

BackgroundBloom-forming cyanobacteria occur globally in aquatic environments. They produce diverse bioactive metabolites, some of which are known to be toxic. The most studied cyanobacterial toxins are microcystins, anatoxin, and cylindrospermopsin, yet more than 2000 bioactive metabolites have been identified to date. Data on the occurrence of cyanopeptides other than microcystins in surface waters are sparse.ResultsWe used a high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–HRMS/MS) method to analyse cyanotoxin and cyanopeptide profiles in raw drinking water collected from three freshwater reservoirs in the United Kingdom. A total of 8 cyanopeptides were identified and quantified using reference standards. A further 20 cyanopeptides were identified based on a suspect-screening procedure, with class-equivalent quantification. Samples from Ingbirchworth reservoir showed the highest total cyanopeptide concentrations, reaching 5.8, 61, and 0.8 µg/L in August, September, and October, respectively. Several classes of cyanopeptides were identified with anabaenopeptins, cyanopeptolins, and microcystins dominating in September with 37%, 36%, and 26%, respectively. Samples from Tophill Low reservoir reached 2.4 µg/L in September, but remained below 0.2 µg/L in other months. Samples from Embsay reservoir did not exceed 0.1 µg/L. At Ingbirchworth and Tophill Low, the maximum chlorophyll-a concentrations of 37 µg/L and 22 µg/L, respectively, and cyanobacterial count of 6 × 104 cells/mL were observed at, or a few days after, peak cyanopeptide concentrations. These values exceed the World Health Organization’s guideline levels for relatively low probability of adverse health effects, which are defined as 10 µg/L chlorophyll-a and 2 × 104 cells/mL.ConclusionsThis data is the first to present concentrations of anabaenopeptins, cyanopeptolins, aeruginosins, and microginins, along with microcystins, in U.K. reservoirs. A better understanding of those cyanopeptides that are abundant in drinking water reservoirs can inform future monitoring and studies on abatement efficiency during water treatment.

Climate Characteristics as Potential Risk Factors for the Population Health of the Krasnoyarsk Region. Part 1

Summary. Introduction: A human health risk assessment is the process to estimate the nature and probability of adverse health effects in humans who may be exposed to various environmental factors. The purpose of the study was to analyze climatic parameters as potential health risk factors for the population of some municipalities of the Krasnoyarsk Region. Methods: We processed meteorological data of the state monitoring network in the Krasnoyarsk Region including the average, maximum, and minimum air temperatures measured every three hours in an automatic mode in accordance with a generally accepted international protocol. Climate characteristics were identified using the method of long-term distribution of average daily temperatures. To assess the climatic features of the Krasnoyarsk Region, we considered such parameters as the average seasonal temperature, dates of air temperature stable transition through zero, temperature waves, extreme daily temperature changes, and bioclimatic indices. Results: We analyzed climate characteristics as potential health risk factors for the population of six cities of the Krasnoyarsk Region (Achinsk, Kansk, Krasnoyarsk, Lesosibirsk, Minusinsk, and Norilsk) for the period from 1919 to 2019. Conclusion: Our findings may be used to establish the relationship between a combination of climatic factors and ambient air quality indices and morbidity and mortality of the local population; they can also contribute to predicting death rates in the region.

DISTRIBUTION OF RADIONUCLIDES IN NATURAL WATERS OF NORTHERN KAZAKHSTAN AND ASSESSMENT OF WATERBORNE DOSES IRRADIATION OF POPULATION

The population of the Earth is exposed to external and internal radiation every day. Radiation doses differ over a wide range of cosmic radiation levels and the content of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. Ionizing radiation and radionuclides of natural and artificial origin inevitably causes exposure, increasing the probability of adverse health effects. Suppose the dose of radiation is low and is exposed for a long period of time (low power). In that case, the risk is significantly reduced, since the likelihood of repair of damaged tissues increases. However, there is a risk of long-term consequences, such as cancer, which can manifest in years or even decades. The paper aims to research the natural factors in the formation of radioactivity in the natural waters of Northern Kazakhstan and assess waterrelated doses to the population. The leading research methods for this issue are radiometric and radiochemical methods of analysis. Selective radiochemical analysis was used to determine the radionuclides of uranium, thorium, radium, lead, cesium and strontium, and a radiometer was used to determine radonuclides. During the study, 166 water sources over the past 5 years were analysed and systematized. The research object was drinking water sources of the population of Ayyrtau, Tayinsha, Yesil districts, and Musirepov district of the North Kazakhstan region. Four types of drinking water sources were investigated: well water, borehole water, spring water, borehole water used for centralized water supply. When calculating the dose of internal exposure, the data of the annual radiochemical analysis of various fresh water sources of four districts of the North Kazakhstan region from 2011 to 2016 were used.

Skip the Dip—Avoid the Risk? Integrated Microbiological Water Quality Assessment in the South-Eastern Baltic Sea Coastal Waters

The bathing water microbiome consists of pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. However, the targets of the Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) focus exclusively on fecal pollution. This study aims to investigate fecal indicator bacteria (FIB), naturally thriving cyanobacteria, and Vibrio bacteria in the Lithuanian coastal Baltic Sea and Curonian Lagoon bathing sites, combining information into an integrated microbial risk assessment scheme. The results show that officially monitored indicators, such as FIB, do not exceed the acceptable ‘low’ risk threshold. Simultaneously, cyanobacteria and Vibrio cholerae abundance in the Curonian Lagoon sites reveal a ‘high’ probability of adverse health effects. In coastal bathing sites, a positive correlation was found between Escherichia coli, cyanobacterial harmful algae bloom (cHAB), and V. cholerae, indicating that all target microorganisms may occur at the same time, with consequently high risks for the health of bathers. Therefore, implementing new target organisms in national or even regional bathing water monitoring programs is recommended, in order to safeguard the health of beachgoers.

P.058 Deciphering the gut feeling: neuronal networks underlying microbiota to brain communication

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms, their prevalence in freshwaters, and their impact on water quality are well documented. In contrast, the impact on the recreational value of bathing sites of the cyanotoxin-contaminated inland waters, transported to estuarine and coastal marine waters, has been less frequently studied. The aim of this work was to assess water quality at bathing sites located in the southern Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon, using cyanotoxins concentrations as an indicator. Our results showed that higher diversity and concentrations of cyanotoxins in some areas of the coastal zone are related to the transport of waters from the Curonian Lagoon. The studied bathing sites had a relatively low probability of adverse health effects, with a potential higher risk in the southern part of the Curonian Lagoon (Lithuania). Due to the observed changes in the cyanobacteria community, the determination of cyanotoxins concentrations, irrespective of the analysis of cyanobacteria, is recommended.

Probabilistic health risk assessment of occupational exposure to isoflurane and sevoflurane in the operating room

Risk assessment is an important tool in predicting the possible risk to health. It heightens awareness by estimating the probability of adverse health effects in humans who are exposed to chemicals in the course of their work. Therefore, the present work aims to determine the occupational exposure of operating room staff to the volatile anesthetic gases, isoflurane and sevoflurane, and estimates non-cancer risk using the United States Environmental Protection Agency method. Air samples from the breathing zone of staff members were collected using the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Method 103 and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. The results indicate that the measured concentrations of isoflurane and sevoflurane are below the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health standard (2 ppm) for technicians and nurses, but not for anesthesiologists and surgeons. Moreover, the estimated non-cancer risk due to isoflurane is above the acceptable value for anesthesiologists (but acceptable for other occupational categories). A sensitivity analysis indicates that exposure time has the most effect on calculated risk (53.4%). Occupational exposure to anesthetic gases may endanger the health of operating room personnel. Therefore, control measures, such as daily testing of anesthetic devices, ensuring the effectiveness of ventilation systems, advanced scavenging methods, and regular training of staff are highly recommended.

Are there concerns regarding cHAB in coastal bathing waters affected by freshwater-brackish continuum?

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms, their prevalence in freshwaters, and their impact on water quality are well documented. In contrast, the impact on the recreational value of bathing sites of the cyanotoxin-contaminated inland waters, transported to estuarine and coastal marine waters, has been less frequently studied. The aim of this work was to assess water quality at bathing sites located in the southern Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon, using cyanotoxins concentrations as an indicator. Our results showed that higher diversity and concentrations of cyanotoxins in some areas of the coastal zone are related to the transport of waters from the Curonian Lagoon. The studied bathing sites had a relatively low probability of adverse health effects, with a potential higher risk in the southern part of the Curonian Lagoon (Lithuania). Due to the observed changes in the cyanobacteria community, the determination of cyanotoxins concentrations, irrespective of the analysis of cyanobacteria, is recommended.

Spatiotemporal vanadium distribution in soils with microbial community dynamics at vanadium smelting site

Whereas the adverse effects of vanadium released from smelting activities on soil microbial ecology have been widely recognized, little is known about spatiotemporal vanadium distribution and microbial community dynamics in typical contaminated sites. This study describes vanadium contents associated with health risk and microbial responses in both topsoil and subsoil during four consecutive seasons around an ongoing-production smelter in Panzhihua, China. Higher levels of vanadium concentration exceeding soil background value in China (82 mg/kg) were found close to the smelter. Vanadium concentrations decreased generally with the increase in distance to the smelter and depth below surface, as soil vanadium pollution is induced mainly by atmospheric deposition of vanadium bearing dust during smelting. Residual fraction was the predominated vanadium form in soils, with pronounced increase in bioavailable vanadium during rainfall period due to frequent drought-rewetting process. Topsoil close to the smelter exhibited significant contamination, inducing high probability of adverse health effects. Spatiotemporal vanadium distribution creates filtering effects on soil microorganisms, promoting metal tolerant genera in topsoil (e.g. Microvirga) and subsoil (e.g. Bacillus, Geobacter), which is the key in maintaining the community structure by promoting cooperative relation with other taxa. Our results reveal spatiotemporal vanadium distribution in soils at site scale with potential health risk and microbial responses, which is helpful in identifying severe contamination and implementing bioremediation.

Environmental impact assessment of phosphate fertilizers and phosphogypsum waste: Elemental and radiological effects

The radiological and elemental hazards indices of phosphate fertilizers and phosphogypsum waste were investigated by determination of their components concentration using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) then comparing the resultant concentrations with the acceptable limit. The radioactivity of 40K, 232Th and 238U within the samples were determined using passive gamma ray spectroscopy. The environmental impact risk resulting from the utilization of these materials was evaluated by the computation of some parameters including; absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, radium equivalent activity, hazard index for γ-rays, excess lifetime cancer risk, alpha index and annual gonadal dose equivalent. The results illustrated that these materials pose a radiological threat to the creature health. For non-carcinogenic risks, the data was fed into human health risk models to evaluate the potential health risk of heavy metals by computing the average daily intake of each pollutant via variant exposure pathways and subsequent determination of the hazard quotient, hazard index and total exposure hazard index. For carcinogenic risks, the incremental lifetime cancer risk was calculated. The outcomes give rise to that some parameters values are above the acceptable limit, this increases the probability of adverse health effects.

Erratum to: Considerations of Human Health Risk Assessment in Chemical Accident: Suggestions from a Toxicogenomic Approach

Evolution of industrial technologies is accelerating the usage of diverse chemicals in manufacturing processes and improving the risk of leakage by chemical accidents. Many institutes and organizations have pursued the prevention proper response against chemical accidents. Human health risk assessment aims to evaluate of the nature and probability of adverse health effects in humans who may be exposed to hazards in a contaminated environmental media. However, the risk assessment in chemical accidents has limitations caused by physical complications during the accident, difficulty in predicting the environmental fate of the target chemical, consideration of geometry in modeling program, and other factors. In this review, we suggest a toxicogenomic approach to overcome these aforementioned weak points in human health risk assessment in chemical accidents. The approach is explained using some toxic chemicals that indicate high accident rates. Even though this toxicogeomic database approach needs further validation studies as well as data quality assessment before being applied to actual risk assessments, our suggestions provide important clues for improving quality and accuracy of the existing human health risk assessment process, especially in cases of chemical accidents that need appropriate a response or prediction.

Shallow groundwater quality and associated non-cancer health risk in agricultural areas (Poyang Lake basin, China).

Owing to their accessibility, shallow groundwater is an essential source of drinking water in rural areas while usually being used without control by authorities. At the same time, this type of water resource is one of the most vulnerable to pollution, especially in regions with extensive agricultural activity. These factors increase the probability of adverse health effects in the population as a result of the consumption of shallow groundwater. In the present research, shallow groundwater quality in the agricultural areas of Poyang Lake basin was assessed according to world and national standards for drinking water quality. To evaluate non-cancer health risk from drinking groundwater, the hazard quotient from exposure to individual chemicals and hazard index from exposure to multiple chemicals were applied. It was found that, in shallow groundwater, the concentrations of 11 components (NO3-, NH4+, Fe, Mn, As, Al, rare NO2-, Se, Hg, Tl and Pb) exceed the limits referenced in the standards for drinking water. According to the health risk assessment, only five components (NO3-, Fe, As, rare NO2- and Mn) likely provoke non-cancer effects. The attempt to evaluate the spatial distribution of human health risk from exposure to multiple chemicals shows that the most vulnerable area is associated with territory characterised by low altitude where reducing or near-neutral conditions are formed (lower reaches of Xiushui and Ganjiang Rivers). The largest health risk is associated with the immune system and adverse dermal effects.

Cancer and Non-Cancer Risk of Arsenic in Drinking Water: A Case Study

Arsenic is a toxic element, which is found naturally in water sources. Due to its high toxicity it has become a serious problem in drinking water sources and also affects the health of communities. Therefore, in the present study, risk estimation and the probability of adverse health effects of exposure to arsenic from drinking water was evaluated in the rural areas of Qom province. Water samples were taken from 44 rural areas with regard to the number of rural areas and also the type of water distribution systems. The intensity, duration and frequency of exposure to arsenic in drinking water were determined. Then the hazard quotient and cancer risks ware calculated. Results showed that more than 16 of the rural population was exposed to arsenic with level above 10 mu g/L in the rural regions of Kahak County (10 +/- 6.29 mu g/L). Results of risk assessment showed that hazard quotient (HQ) were 1.7 and 2, while the cancer risk (CR) were 76 x 10(-5) and 42 x 10(-4) for 2 groups of age 1 and 2, respectively. The results indicated that the hazard quotient is higher than 1 (HQ > 1) for group 1 and group 2. For carcinogenic effects, the study indicated that the population in the Kahak region are exposed to arsenic in drinking water with the concentration of > 10 mu g/L and they are at a very high risk for cancer, due to the fact that the cancer risk for the 2 groups are more than 7.6 and 42 times the environmental protection agency (EPA) criteria, respectively. Therefore it is recommended that at first, the source and water supply system in Kahak region is to be substituted with safe drinking water and to provide health facilities and screening tests for exposed populations.

Health risks associated with municipal waste combustion on the example of Laskowa commune (Southern Poland)

ABSTRACTThis study presents the results of an analysis of combustion waste, namely fly ashes produced from the burning of solid fuels mixed with municipal waste. Heavy metal concentrations in the fly ashes examined fell within the following ranges (mg/kg): Cd 0.39–0.79, Cr 13.48–58.51, Ni 17.01–49.37 and Pb 14.95–59.74. As this type of waste does not exceed the limit values of pollutants for organic and organic-mineral fertilisers, it is often discarded on agricultural land or dumped in illegal landfills. Fine particles of fly ashes travel considerable distances and pose a risk to human health as they stick to people's hands during field works. The mean hazard quotient (HQ) values for non-carcinogenic forms of the elements analysed were 1.06E+00 for children and 1.47E-01 for adults. A HQ>1 indicates the probability of adverse health effects. The study has shown that the dominant exposure pathway was ingestion, which accounted for approx. 91% of total health risk, while the respective percentages for other pathways were less than 9% for dermal contact and 0.05% for inhalation. The highest health risk in the ingestion exposure pathway was observed for Cr (HQing = 4.50E-01 for children, HQing = 5.23E-02 for adults) and Pb (HQing = 4.31E-01 for children, HQing = 5.01E-02 for adults). Health risk associated with the presence of Ni and Cd in the material analysed was markedly lower. For carcinogenic forms, the Risk index was established at 6.13E-08 for children and 2.13E-07 for adults. As the exposure limit (10E-5) was not exceeded, the conditions in the area studied should be considered satisfactory.