Assessment of bioavailability and human health exposure risk to heavy metals in surface soils (Klang district, Malaysia)

Abstract

In urban area surface soil the heavy metal concentrations followed the order: Pb (76.15 mg/kg) > Fe (12.96 mg/kg) > Cu (11.58 mg/kg) > Al (10.3 mg/kg) > Zn (6.42 mg/kg) > Co (0.21 mg/kg) > Cd (0.18 mg/kg) > Cr (0.07 mg/kg). For the industrial area surface soil, heavy metal concentrations followed the sequence: Pb (55.28 mg/kg) > Al (15.5 mg/kg) > Fe (14.73 mg/kg)> Cu (14.68 mg/kg) > Zn (4.48 mg/kg) > Co (0.26 mg/kg) > Cr (0.11 mg/kg) > Cd (0.11 mg/kg). PCA output showed that the first and second principal components are attributed due to the presence of “urban metals” in the urban areas while third principal component reflects the anthropogenic factor in the industrial areas. Total Cancer Risk values are more than the incremental lifetime (1.0E − 05), showing the likelihood of a cancer threat for adults and children. For non-carcinogenic risks, Hazard Index values <1 one indicating no potential risks.

Keywords:

• Urban soil
• industrial soil
• heavy metal
• bioavailability
• health risk assessment

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Research University Grant Scheme (RUGS), Universiti Putra Malaysia vote number 9335100 for financial support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank Research University Grant Scheme (RUGS), Universiti Putra Malaysia vote number 9335100 for financial support.