Assessment of human health risks of toxic elements in coastal area between Al-Khafji and Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia

The present work aims to document the distribution of toxic elements (TEs) and assess the human health risk posed by the TEs in the marine sediment of the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia. The descending order of TE averages (mu g/g) was as follows: Ni > Cr > V > Zn > Pb > Cu > As > Co. Based on the enrichment factor values, only minor enrichment for Pb, As, Cr, and Ni was noted. The hazard index (HI) values for the non-carcinogenic risk of the TEs were less than 1.0, and the lifetime cancer risk values for carcinogenic Pb, Cr, and As ranged between 2.96 x 10-8 and 5.44 x 10-5, indicating no significant health hazards for the inhabitants of the study area.

Automated summary

This study aims to document the distribution of toxic elements in marine sediment in the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia, and assess the associated human health risks. The results indicate that the inhabitants of the study area do not face significant health hazards.