Health risk assessment of heavy metal contamination in street dust of federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess contamination and potential human health risks of heavy metals in street dust from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H). In total, 117 street dust samples were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Health risk assessment was applied to determine potential health risks, non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, in children and adults. According to mass concentrations of studied trace metals, the dust samples were arranged as the following diminishing series: industrial zone > high traffic streets > streets with moderate traffic > parking place > parks, school yards, sports facilities, medical facilities. Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn mean concentrations are 3.18, 33.17, 30.01, 3150, 236, 73.00, 52.49 and 81.72 mg/kg, respectively. In order to identify possible metals sources correlation analysis was applied. Strong correlations between Cd-Mn, Fe-Mn, Ni-Cr, and Cr-Fe were obtained, suggesting a common dependence or source of these metals in street dust in FB&H. Contributor that most impact the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk is the ingestion route for both, children and adults, followed by the dermal and inhalation pathways. The risk assessment shows that the population of FB&H is at increased lifetime risk of experiencing cancer because of exposure to Cr and Pb concentrations in street dust of FB&H.

Keywords:

• Heavy metals
• contamination
• health risk assessment model
• street dust
• Bosnia and Herzegovina