scholarly journals Evaluation of Health Risks due to Heavy Metals in a Rural Population Exposed to Atoyac River Pollution in Puebla, Mexico

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela Pérez Castresana ◽  
Elsa Castañeda Roldán ◽  
Wendy A. García Suastegui ◽  
José L. Morán Perales ◽  
Abel Cruz Montalvo ◽  
...  

The health risks of Emilio Portes Gil’s population, for the exposition to the Atoyac River pollution in the State of Puebla, was evaluated. The objective was to determine the concentration of nine heavy metals by ingesting water from wells and spri ngs. The chronic daily water intake (CDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk index (CRI) in adults, teenagers, and children were estimated. The results showed that the concentration of Fe, Al, Ni, and Pb in some of the samples exceeded the recommended standards for human consumption and was significantly higher in the dry season. The hazard index (HI), due to the collective intake of metals, was higher in children (> 50% compared to adults), due to the consumption of spring water in the dry season. Risk of noncancerous diseases was not detected in the long term, since the indices did not exceed the unit (reference value). The carcinogenic risk from oral exposure to Cr (CRIchildren = 3.2 × 10−4), was greater than the acceptable limit (1 × 10−6) in the water spring, and Cr and Pb were the main metals that contributed to the potential health risk of the inhabitants. The study showed the risks by the intake of polluted water from the sources of supply in the region, and that the risk is higher in the dry season (> 100% compared with rainy season).

Author(s):  
Romanus A. Obasi ◽  
Henry Y. Madukwe

Heavy metals on the soil around an abandoned battery site at Wofun, Ibadan, Southwestern, Nigeria were studied for their ecological and health risks. Ten soil samples collected from the soil around the abandoned battery sites were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma –Mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The data were evaluated using indices such as contamination factor, enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index and pollution index to determine the ecological and health risks posed by the heavy metals. The results showed an average concentration of Pb (7274.4), V (190.63), Cu (77.52), Zn (53.08) and Co (53) in a decreasing order. The enrichment factor revealed high enrichment for Co (12.30) at site one (S1), and extreme enrichment of Pb (61.12). Zn, Rb and Mo showed no enrichment in the soil. All the sites exhibited extremely high enrichment of Pb except at S10 where the enrichment of Pb was only severe. The results of Igeo indicated that all the sites were strongly to extremely polluted by Pb while S6 is moderately polluted by Co. The rest of the metals do not constitute any pollution threats. An evaluation of the ecological risk index (RI) revealed that the mean Er for Co (13.95), Cu (8.61), and Zn (0.56) indicate low ecological risk as they are less than 40 (Er <40).  Lead (Pb) with Er value of 1818.60 has a very high ecological risk and accounts for most of the ecological risks in the study area. Lead (Pb) being the most toxic and abundant of all the heavy metals analyzed in the study areas was used to evaluate the potential  non-carcinogenic health risk for both children and adults. The hazard index which is the sum of the hazard quotients for children is 26.64 suggesting that non-carcinogenic health risk may occur if there is any form of exposure to the soil. The hazard index for the adult (2.87) indicated a significant potential non-carcinogenic health risk in the study area.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252229
Author(s):  
Tarek M. Galal ◽  
Loutfy M. Hassan ◽  
Dalia A. Ahmed ◽  
Saad A. M. Alamri ◽  
Sulaiman A. Alrumman ◽  
...  

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the different organs of Pisum sativum L. (garden pea) grown in contaminated soils in comparison to nonpolluted soils in the South Cairo and Giza provinces, Egypt, and their effect on consumers’ health. To collect soil and plant samples from two nonpolluted and two polluted farms, five quadrats, each of 1 m2, were collected per each farm and used for growth measurement and chemical analysis. The daily intake of metals (DIM) and its associated health risks (health risk index (HRI) were also assessed. The investigated heavy metals were cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), silver (Ag), cobalt (Co) and vanadium (V). Significant differences in soil heavy metals, except As, between nonpolluted and polluted sites were recorded. Fresh and dry phytomass, photosynthetic pigments, fruit production, and organic and inorganic nutrients were reduced in the polluted sites, where there was a high concentration of heavy metals in the fruit. The bioaccumulation factor for all studied heavy metals exceeded 1 in the polluted sites and only Pb, Cu and Mn exceeded 1 in the nonpolluted sites. Except for Fe, the DIM of the studied heavy metals in both sites did not exceed 1 in either children or adults. However, the HRI of Pb, Cd, Fe, and Mn in the polluted plants and Pb in the nonpolluted ones exceeded 1, indicating significant potential health risks to consumers. The authors recommend not to eat garden peas grown in the polluted sites, and farmers should carefully grow heavy metals non-accumulating food crops or non-edible plants for other purposes such as animal forages.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Liu ◽  
Xihao Zhang ◽  
Changlin Zhan ◽  
Jiaquan Zhang ◽  
Jun Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract The potential health risk of heavy metals (HMs) in campus dust may threaten the health of thousands of students, teachers, and their families in Wuhan, the university cluster in Central China every day. In this research, the pollution characteristics and health risk with HMs was the first time presented in campus dust from the canteen, playground, dormitory, and school gate to date. The average HMs concentration in campus dusts ranked Pb (83.5 mg kg-1) > Cu (70.2 mg kg-1) > Zn (47.2 mg kg-1) > Cr (46.0 mg kg-1) > Ni (22.7 mg kg-1) > As (15.2 mg kg-1) > Cd (3.38 mg kg-1). The HMs would more likely to accumulate in dormitory dust and canteen dust. In the downtown area, Zn, As, and Cd had been preliminarily identified from fossil fuel combustion and natural geochemical processes. Cu and Pb would source from cooking and traffic transportation. Ni and Cr would likely reflect the contributions of natural soil weathering. Although, no significant non-carcinogenic health risks were found to students or teachers from campus dust. Their children would more likely to exposure health risks when eating in the canteen, playing on the playground, or walking around the school gate. While the incremental lifetime cancer risk values revealed respiratory intake of HMs does not pose a carcinogenic risk on the campus.


2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-232
Author(s):  
Romana Sultana ◽  
AS Chamon ◽  
MN Mondol

The present study was carried out to assess the concentration of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) in four stem vegetables such as Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), Garlic (Allium sativumL.) and Onion (Allium cepa L.) by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Average daily intake (ADI), hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were also estimated to assess the human health risks posed by heavy metals from the consumption of the studied vegetables. The studied stem vegetable samples were collected in four phases from Kawran Bazar fresh vegetable market of Dhaka city of Bangladesh. Mean concentrations of Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn in the studied stem vegetables ranged between 0.88 to 2.35, 0.08 to 0.15, 0 to 2.25, 0 to 3.30, 5.70 to 9.85, 18.83 to 40.67, 50.60 to 456.38 and 9.23 to 852.35 mg/kg of dry weight, respectively. Mean concentration of maximum permissible limit (MPL) exceed in onion for Cr, in potato and onion for Pb and in ginger for Fe, Ni and Mn. Average daily intake was found to be lower than the maximum permitted tolerable daily intake in most cases except for Mn (26.475 mg/person/day) for consumption Ginger. Hazard quotient of Mn for dietary intake of Ginger (3.152) and hazard indices of Ginger (4.626), Garlic (1.183) and Onion (1.069) exceeded unity, signifying potential health risks from the dietary intake of these vegetables. This study suggests regular monitoring of heavy metals in vegetables to avoid the potential health hazards on human. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 30(2): 221-232, 2021 (July)


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 6832
Author(s):  
Md. Foysal Hasan ◽  
Md. Nur-E-Alam ◽  
Mohammed Abdus Salam ◽  
Hafizur Rahman ◽  
Shujit Chandra Paul ◽  
...  

Despite significant contributions to the national economy of Bangladesh, various urban developments, massive industrial and growing shipping activities are making the water of many urban rivers, including Karnaphuli River, extremely polluted. To find out the pollution sources and their possible health effects, 45 water samples were collected from 15 sampling stations. Investigation of six physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, conductivity, salinity, and turbidity) through in-situ measurements and eight heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) status using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) was carried out in this research. Both the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO)’s permeable threshold limit. The calculated hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) ingestion values indicate non-carcinogenic risk both for adults and children, but dermal exposure was within the safety limit. Carcinogenic risk analysis revealed that Cd could cause a risk of cancer in those using the river water for a long period. Spatial analysis and metal pollution index (MPI) results exhibit that downstream of the river water is more polluted than upstream of the river. Overall, the findings of this study imply that polluted water is a threat to human health and the results will also help to undertake proper management strategies and incorporate monitoring programs that study river water for the implementation of safety measures to protect human health.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingshu Wang ◽  
Jinhui Jeanne Huang ◽  
Catherine Mulligan

Abstract Human exposure to metals on road dust might have potential health risks through touching, ingesting, and inhaling. There were limited studies to link seasonal emission sources to health risks from metals on road dust. In this study, metals on road dust from different functional areas were seasonally monitored. The pollutant sources in study city varied slightly with the seasons, but the major pollutant source in the particular study site were significantly affected by the seasons. By combining the source apportionment model (PMF), line sources model and health risk models (HI: Hazard index and ILCR: Incremental Lifetime Carcinogenic risk), industrial and construction activity was identified as the crucial source of both the pollutants on road dust (29% - 47%), and the HI for adults (27% - 45%) and children (41% - 50%) in different seasons. The traffic non-exhaust emission dominated in the carcinogenic risks for children in spring (45%) and summer (36%). Factors such as seasons, particle size, metal bioavailability, human exposure time, and exposure area were all taken into consideration to avoid overestimating or underestimating health risks. The carcinogenic risks for children (1.6 E-06) and adults (2.8 E-06) exposed to Cr both exceed the minimum threshold (10-6). Measured metals mainly posed hazard to human health through ingestion route. Pb and Mn, Fe and Mn were the main harmful elements that induced non-carcinogenic risks for adults and children, respectively. Effectively identifying the source-specific health risks in different seasons will help in the formulation of adaptive strategies to diminish the potential risks.


2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 39-46
Author(s):  
Olayinka Abidemi Ibigbami ◽  
Samuel Oluyemi Adefemi ◽  
Samuel Sunday Asaolu ◽  
Iseoluwa Joshua Orege ◽  
Adeolu Jonathan Adesina ◽  
...  

The study determined the levels of heavy metals in some selected cosmetic products, commonly marketed in Nigeria, and assessed their possible potential human health risks. The health risk assessment was patterned according to the model of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The heavy metals concentrations ranged from 0.043 0.027 (Pb) - 1.89 1.04 (Fe) with the concentration order: Fe]Cu]Zn]Mn]Cr]Cd]Pb. The total daily intake for all the metals were generally below maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The estimated hazard index, hazard quotient and cancer risks were all within allowable level. The study indicated that users of the studied products are less susceptible to any significant health (carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic) risk.


Author(s):  
D. Ibegbu Madu ◽  
A. Eze Anthonius ◽  
Atuadu Vivian ◽  
C. Ejiofor Nonso ◽  
E. Ezeagu Ikechukwu

Heavy metals naturally are non-biodegradable constituents of the earth’s crust that accumulate and persist indefinitely in the ecosystem as a result of both human and natural activities. Their contamination of vegetables remains an issue of public health interest due to the frequency, and quantity of consumption. The over exposure to these heavy metals continues to pose serious health threat globally. This study was aimed to assess the heavy metal contents of staple vegetables [Telfairia occidentalis, Amaranthus hybridus and Ocimum gratissimum] within Enugu metropolis; the leaves were screened for heavy metals [Arsenic As, Lead Pb, Cadmium Cd, Nickel Ni, Chromium Cr and Cobalt Co], by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results (Mean±SD,  mgkg-1 ) showed that Amaranthus hybridus: contained [Pb-0.109±0.350, Cr -0.161±0.004]; Ocimum gratissimum: [Ni-0.179±0.028, Cd-0.033±0.006, Cr-0.176±0.036], and Telfairia occidentalis: [Pb-0.153±0.139, Co-0.198±0.148]; of which some values were slightly above WHO/FAO standards. Although, the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) were below referenced tolerable daily intakes (TDIs). The hazard quotients (HQs) were below 1 (HQ<1), but As and Cd, were exceptions; while the hazard index (HI) values were all above 1 (HI>1). The slightly above standard references of some of these heavy metals, and HI>1 values in this study are a concern, as potential health risks may arise amidst the population over a period of time, therefore, there is need to eliminate the likely sources of the latent contamination.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (26) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson E. Abalaka ◽  
Simon I. Enem ◽  
Idoko S. Idoko ◽  
Nuhu A. Sani ◽  
Oremeyi Z. Tenuche ◽  
...  

Background. Aquatic pollution by heavy metals has become a global problem and is of great concern due to the detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and possible human uptake. Objectives. The present study aimed to evaluate tissue bioaccumulations of heavy metals and possible human health risks in addition to associated cellular damages in fish for sale in a fish market in Abuja, Nigeria. Methods. Clarias gariepinus sold at the Kado Fish Market in Abuja, Nigeria, in March–April 2017 and March–April 2018 were randomly purchased and sampled. The heavy metal contents of the sampled fish were assayed and used to assess the extent of potential health risks to human consumers. The extent of histopathological changes associated with the bioaccumulations in the sampled fish were also evaluated according to standard procedures. Results. Levels of most heavy metals were above permissible limits, except for lower levels of zinc (Zn) in liver and muscle and higher levels of lead (Pb) in muscle in the sampled fish. Similarly, significant (p&lt;0.05) liver bioaccumulation occurred for Zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) compared to their levels in muscle. The total hazard index (non-cancer risk across all metals) was 0.0415, which is very low and acceptable. The cancer risks ranged between the acceptable values of 1.98 × 10−5 – 3.71 × 10−6. Associated histopathological changes, which occurred in the sampled fish, differed between the various assayed tissues. Conclusions. Most of the heavy metals were significantly bioaccumulated (p&lt;0.05) and were above the permissible levels, particularly in liver samples. The levels of muscle heavy metal bioaccumulation in the sampled fish posed no apparent cancer or non-cancer health risks to human consumers. However, further efforts are needed to minimize heavy metal aquatic environmental pollution to safeguard the health of aquatic flora and fauna and human consumers because of the tendency of these pollutants to persist and bioaccumulate to toxic levels over time. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.


Author(s):  
Xiaocui Chen ◽  
Tony J. Ward ◽  
Chinmoy Sarkar ◽  
Kin-Fai Ho ◽  
Chris Webster

AbstractHeterogeneity between ambient and personal exposure to heavy metals has been documented. However, few studies have investigated potential health risks posed by inhalational exposure to airborne heavy metal(loid)s at the individual level. A total of 404 personal fine particles (PM2.5) samples were collected from 61 adult residents (aged 18–63 years) in Hong Kong during 2014–2015. Heavy metal(loid)s were analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. Among the analyzed heavy metal(loid)s, zinc (Zn) was the most abundant component in personal PM2.5, followed by lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and vanadium (V); cobalt (Co) and cadmium (Cd) were not detectable. Health risks of personal exposure to heavy metal(loid)s via inhalation were assessed for adults, including non-cancer risks that were characterized by hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). The results indicated that non-cancer risks of heavy metal(loid)s were attributable to Cu, with a 95th HQ value > 1. Arsenic (As) and hexavalent chromium [Cr (VI)] were also significant contributors to inhalation cancer risks (> 1 × 10−6) for the adult participants. Finally, we employed a Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate the uncertainty associated with health risk assessment. The mean and median upper-bound lifetime cancer risk associated with inhalation exposure to carcinogenic heavy metal(loid)s exceeded the acceptable level (1 × 10−6) for adults. Traffic emission (including non-tailpipe exhaust), shipping emission, and regional pollution were significant sources of heavy metals. These findings suggest that emission controls targeting local vehicles and vessels should be given priority in Hong Kong.


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