Contamination and health risk assessment of potentially harmful elements associated with roadside dust in Dhanbad India

This study aimed to analyze the potentially harmful elements (PHEs) associated with roadside dust and their exposure risks to human health in Dhanbad, India. For the assessment of PHEs pollution, the geo-accumulation index, contamination factor, and integrated pollution load index were used. In this study the noncarcinogenic risk assessment for the people exposed to PHEs was estimated with the help of hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI); whereas the carcinogenic risk was estimated with the help of lifetime carcinogenic risk (CR). Major sources of PHEs pollution in the study area were vehicular emissions, domestic coal burning, transportation of coal, and industrial activities. Concentration of analyzed PHEs-Cr, Ni, Cu, Co, Cd, As, Pb, Zn, Mn, and Fe was found within 4.22-31.09, 4.47-31.81, 8.48-46.97, 1.25-16.76, 1.29-5.25, 0.89-2.81, 30.07-81.64, 98.26-171.86, 23.23-474.93, and 1001.14-22,520.50 mg/kg, respectively. Values of HQ and HI indices below 1 would not introduce noncarcinogenic risk. Whereas the higher value of HQ and HI for children compared to the adults indicated that the children are more likely to be at risk. With values of CR below the safe limit for Co, Cd, and Pb (CR < 10(-6)), the carcinogenic risk associated with the exposure of these PHEs is unlikely. However, for Cr, As, and Ni, the CR value went beyond the safe limit, and thus, exposure Cr, As, and Ni, may pose a carcinogenic risk. Further, higher values (> 10(-6)) of total carcinogenic risk (CRT) for the carcinogenic PHEs will have the probability to pose a carcinogenic risk.

Automated summary

This study aimed to analyze the presence of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) in roadside dust and their health risks for human population in Dhanbad, India. The results showed that children are more susceptible to noncarcinogenic risks compared to adults, while exposure to Cr, As, and Ni may pose a carcinogenic risk. Further, exposure to certain PHEs could potentially lead to carcinogenic risks, especially for children.