Pollution evaluation, human health effect and tracing source of trace elements on road dust of Dhanbad, a highly polluted industrial coal belt of India

Assessment of potential human health, radiological and ecological risks around mining areas in northeastern Brazil

Mining is responsible for the release of metallic pollutants and radioactive materials into the environment, which have the potential to disrupt ecosystems and pose significant risks to human health. Significant mining activity is concentrated in the municipality of Caetité (northeastern Brazil), where Latin America's only active uranium mine and significant iron ore deposits are located. Although previous studies have shown that the regional soil and water resources are highly contaminated by various toxic elements and that exposure to these elements is known to have adverse effects on human health, the health risks in this mining region have never been assessed. The aim of this unprecedented comprehensive investigation was to assess the health, radiological and ecological risks in this mining region, which is home to nearly 100,000 people. To achieve our goal, soil and water samples were collected in the vicinity of the mines and in the main settlements in the region. Fifteen metallic toxic elements were determined using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. The HERisk code, which follows the main methodological guidelines for risk assessment, was used to quantify human health, radiological and ecological indices. The average values of the total risk and cancer risk indices indicated that region falls into the moderate risk category (1.0 ≤ HItot < 4.0). However, 63% of the sites had high risk values, with Fe, Co and As being the metals contributing most to total and cancer risk, respectively. Near the mining areas, the potential ecological risk can be considered extreme (PERI ≥ 600). The values of the calculated radiological indices correspond to typical values ​​in natural uranium areas. However, in the communities near the mine, the dose values are slightly above the permissible limit (1 mSv y-1), so they must be continuously monitored, and risk mitigation measures must be taken.

Moss as a passive biomonitoring tool for the atmospheric deposition and spatial distribution pattern of toxic metals in an industrial city

Anthropogenic pollution impacts human and environmental health, climate change, and air quality. Karabük, an industrial area from the Black Sea Region in northern Türkiye, is vulnerable to environmental pollution, particularly soil and air. In this research on methodological aspects, we analyzed the concentrations of six potential toxic metals in the atmospheric deposition of the city using the passive method of moss biomonitoring. The ground-growing terrestrial moss, Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw., was collected during the dry season of August 2023 at 20 urban points. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Co were determined in mosses by the ICP-MS method. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed to evaluate the status and variance in the spatial distribution of the studied metals, and multivariate analysis, Pearson correlation, and cluster analysis were used to investigate the associations of elements and discuss the most probable sources of these elements in the study area. Cd and Co showed positive and significant inter-element correlations (r > 0.938), representing an anthropogenic association mostly present in the air particles emitted from several metal plants. The results showed substantial impacts from local industry, manufactured activity, and soil dust emissions. Steel and iron smelter plants and cement factories are the biggest emitters of trace metals in the Karabük area and the primary sources of Cr, Cd, Ni, and Co deposition.

Chemical characterization of road dust during diwali festival in Guwahati city of Assam, Northeast India

The present study focuses on the elemental analysis of road dust in Guwahati, the largest city of Assam and the largest metropolis of Northeast India during the Diwali festival. Road dust samples were collected on pre-Diwali (PD), the Day after Diwali (DaD), and one week after Diwali (WaD) from two sites (Lankeshwar; LKW and Patharquarry; PTQ). Three composite samples were collected from 3 points at each site. The elemental concentration was analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentrations of Ba and Sr increased by 1.6 and 1.7 times, respectively, after Diwali. Among other firework-related elements (FREs), Mg, Al, K, and Cu increased at LKW following Diwali (both DaD and WaD), whereas Mg, Al, and K increased in DaD dust at PTQ. The average concentration of Traffic Related Elements (TREs) at PTQ was significantly higher than at LKW (p < 0.05; 75.40 mg/kg vs 63.96 mg/kg). Cd had the highest enrichment (EF), followed by Ni and Zn. EF for Cd, Ni, and Zn ranged from high to extremely high enrichment. Ni and Cd exhibited moderate contamination (CF). The ecological risk (ER) values for Cd at LKW and PTQ were 54.32 and 56.71, respectively, indicating a moderate ER. Pearson's correlation was performed to study the relationship between elements, while PCA analysis was used to identify the main sources of these elements. Although the health hazard indices presently do not suggest any immediate danger, hazard quotient (HQ) values for ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure were higher for children than adults. In children, the contribution of HQing to HI (total risk) was the highest, accounting for more than 65% of all elements. There is no apparent lifetime cancer risk due to road dust exposure through inhalation.

Exposure and Health Risks Posed by Potentially Toxic Elements in Soils of Metal Fabrication Workshops in Mbarara City, Uganda

Metal fabrication workshops (MFWs) are common businesses in Ugandan cities, and especially those producing metallic security gates, window and door frames (burglar-proof), and balcony and staircase rails. The objective of this study was to comparatively assess the pollution levels and potential health risks of manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pd) and nickel (Ni) in pooled surface soil samples from four 5-, 7-, 8-, and 10-year-old MFWs (n = 28) and a control site (n = 8) in Mbarara City, Uganda. The concentration of the potentially toxic elements (PTEs) was determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Contamination, ecological, and human health risk assessment indices and models were used to identify any risks that the PTEs could pose to the pristine environment and humans. Our results showed that PTE pollution of soils is occuring in the MFWs than at the control site. The mean concentrations of the PTEs (mg kg-1) in the samples were: Mn (2012.75 ± 0.23-3377.14 ± 0.31), Cr (237.55 ± 0.29-424.93 ± 0.31), Cd (0.73 ± 0.13-1.29 ± 0.02), Pb (107.80 ± 0.23-262.01 ± 0.19), and Ni (74.85 ± 0.25-211.37 ± 0.14). These results indicate that the PTEs could plausibly derive from the fabrication activities in these workshops, which is supported by the high values of contamination factors, index of geoaccumulation, and the overall increase in pollution load indices with the number of years of operation of the MFWs. Human health risk assessment showed that there are non-carcinogenic health risks that could be experienced by children who ingest PTEs in the soils from the 7-, 8- and 10-year-old MFWs. The incremental life cancer risk assessment suggested that there are potential cancerous health effects of Cd and Ni that could be experienced in children (who ingest soils from all the four MFWs) and adults (ingesting soils from the 8- and 10-year-old MFWs). This study underscores the need to implement regulatory guidelines on the operation and location of MFWs in Uganda. Further research should be undertaken to investigate the emission of the PTEs during welding operations in the MFWs.

Heavy metals contamination, receptor model-based sources identification, sources-specific ecological and health risks in road dust of a highly developed city

The present study quantified Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb, Cd, As, Zn, and Fe levels in road dust collected from a variety of sites in Tangail, Bangladesh. The goal of this study was to use a matrix factorization model to identify the specific origin of these components and to evaluate the ecological and health hazards associated with each potential origin. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of Cu, Ni, Cr, Pb, As, Zn, Cd, and Fe. The average concentrations of these elements were found to be 30.77 ± 8.80, 25.17 ± 6.78, 39.49 ± 12.53, 28.74 ± 7.84, 1.90 ± 0.79, 158.30 ± 28.25, 2.42 ± 0.69, and 18,185.53 ± 4215.61 mg/kg, respectively. Compared to the top continental crust, the mean values of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd were 1.09, 1.69, 2.36, and 26.88 times higher, respectively. According to the Nemerow integrated pollution index (NIPI), pollution load index (PLI), Nemerow integrated risk index (NIRI), and potential ecological risk (PER), 84%, 42%, 30%, and 16% of sampling areas, respectively, which possessed severe contamination. PMF model revealed that Cu (43%), Fe (69.3%), and Cd (69.2%) were mainly released from mixed sources, natural sources, and traffic emission, respectively. Traffic emission posed high and moderate risks for modified NIRI and potential ecological risks. The calculated PMF model-based health hazards indicated that the cancer risk value for traffic emission, natural, and mixed sources had been greater than (1.0E-04), indicating probable cancer risks and that traffic emission posed 38% risk to adult males where 37% for both adult females and children.

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in street dust: concentrations, bioaccessibility, and human health risks in coal mine and thermal power plant complex

Coal mining has also been associated with adverse environmental and health impacts including cancer and respiratory disorders, with the presence of thermal power plants exacerbating the problem of heavy metal pollution. Minimal studies have been conducted on the environmental impacts, health risks, and bioaccessibility of heavy metals in coal mine areas. Consequently, samples of street dust were collected from different locations in the Singrauli mine complex and analysed. Heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Co, As, and Mo) were found to be higher than the background concentration, with the maximum concentration was found in areas close to the Thermal Power Plants, like Near Vindyachal TPP, Near Shakti Nagar TPP, and Anpara. The highest geo-accumulation index value was found for Co, Mo, Zn, and As, indicating moderate to strong pollution levels. Health risk assessment (for both adults and children) revealed that Cr and Fe posed significantly higher Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index (HI) values, indicating significant non-carcinogenic threats. Moreover, Carcinogenic Risk (CR) values for Cd, Cr, and Ni indicated a risk of carcinogenicity to the public exposed to road dust. The study also examined the bioaccessibility of the metals, which showed that the gastric phase accumulated a higher percentage of Ni (42.52%), Pb (34.79%), Co (22.22%), As (20%) and Cu (15%) than the intestinal phase. Strong positive correlation was observed between metal concentration (Cu, Pb, Cr, Fe, Zn, and Mn), HI, and CR of adult and child, while bioaccessibility of intestinal phase was positively correlated with gastric phase of metals (Cu, Ni, Co, As, and Mn).

A review on toxic metal pollution and source-oriented risk apportionment in road dust of a highly polluted megacity in Bangladesh

Heavy metal enrichment in road dust has resulted from intensive anthropogenic activity, particularly urbanization, industrial activities and traffic emission, posing a hazard to urban ecosystems and human health. To promote optimal road dust management in urban environments, it is necessary to assess the possible ecological and health impact of toxic elements in road dust. In a heavily populated megacity like Dhaka, Bangladesh, large-scale risk assessments of contamination in road dust with heavy metals are limited. The present study aims at presenting a concentration of twenty-five metals in road dust (Na, K, Cs, Rb, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Al, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, Sb, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zr and W) in Dhaka megacity. We used a critical source-based positive matrix factorization model, source-oriented potential ecological risks and health risks. Out of the studied metals, Na, Ca, Zn, Cd, Cu, Zr and W exceeded the shale value. About 73%, 48%, 29% and 32% of sampling sites showed a higher level of pollution based on PLI, NIPI, PER and NIRI, respectively. PMF model identified that Cd (85.3%), Cr (62.4%), Ni (58.2%), Zn (81.8%) and Mn (65.9%) in road dust were primarily attributed to traffic emission, fuel combustion, metal processing, transport sources and natural sources, respectively. Fuel combustion and metal processing posed considerable and high risks based on modified potential ecological risk and NIRI. Based on health hazards, traffic emission posed a high cancer risk in adult males (29%), whereas transport sources contributed to females (21%) and children (23%).

Assessment of metal pollution and human health risks in road dust from mineral rich zone of East Singhbhum, India

A detailed study of heavy metals in the road dust of a mineral rich zone of Jharkhand state, India is reported herein. Metal concentrations in the road dust exceeded the corresponding values in the average shale as well as world average of soil. Metal pollution due to the road dust and the possible health impact arising there from was appraised through a number of indices such as Geo-accumulation Index (I_geo), Pollution Load Index, Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor and US EPA Hazard Index and Cancer Risk. Cu contamination was highest as per EF and Igeo, followed by Pb and Zn. Aggravated heavy metal loading in the road dust was conspicuous in the proximity of copper mines and processing units. Both geogenic and anthropogenic sources were responsible for heavy metals in road dust according to principal component analysis. Hazard Quotient, Hazard Index and Cancer Risk were calculated to ascertain non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks in adults and children. Local inhabitants, particularly children, were under appreciable cancer and non-cancer risk. Oral ingestion was the major pathway for risk to the local commuters followed by dermal pathway. Present study underscored the importance of regular heavy metal monitoring of road dust in this zone and administer proactive road dust management practices to reduce metal pollution.

Trends, Issues and Future Directions of Urban Health Impact Assessment Research: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Health impact assessment (HIA) has been regarded as an important means and tool for urban planning to promote public health and further promote the integration of health concept. This paper aimed to help scientifically to understand the current situation of urban HIA research, analyze its discipline co-occurrence, publication characteristics, partnership, influence, keyword co-occurrence, co-citation, and structural variation. Based on the ISI Web database, this paper used a bibliometric method to analyze 2215 articles related to urban HIA published from 2012 to 2021. We found that the main research directions in the field were Environmental Sciences and Public Environmental Occupational Health; China contributed most articles, the Tehran University of Medical Sciences was the most influential institution, Science of the Total Environment was the most influential journal, Yousefi M was the most influential author. The main hotspots include health risk assessment, source appointment, contamination, exposure, particulate matter, heavy metals and urban soils in 2012–2021; road dust, source apposition, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, air pollution, urban topsoil and the north China plain were always hot research topics in 2012–2021, drinking water and water quality became research topics of great concern in 2017–2021. There were 25 articles with strong transformation potential during 2020–2021, but most papers carried out research on the health risk assessment of toxic elements in soil and dust. Finally, we also discussed the limitations of this paper and the direction of bibliometric analysis of urban HIA in the future.

Geochemistry of street dust in Tyumen, Russia: influence of traffic load

This study investigates the elemental composition, organic carbon content, pH values, and particle size characteristics in 50 road dust samples collected from Tyumen, a large city in Western Siberia (Russia). The content of 62 major and trace elements was studied using atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) и inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP-MS). It was revealed that the dust has an alkaline reaction pH = 7.4-10.2 and low organic carbon content (0.07-2.9%). The grain size distribution of the road dust samples revealed that the predominant grain size fraction was of 100-250 μm. The content of small particles (PM₂ and PM₁₀) representing the greatest environmental hazard is minimal on roads with an average traffic intensity. Studies have shown that the main road dust pollutants in Tyumen are Ni, Sb, Cr, Zn, and Co. The average geoaccumulation index (Igeo) values are ranked as Ni (2.2) > Sb (1.5) > Cr (1.3) > Zn (0.4) > Co (0.4) > Cu (0.2). The contamination evaluation through enrichment factor (EF) calculation showed that road dust is highly enriched in Ni and significantly in Cr and Sb. More than 80% of Zn, Co, and Cu and more than 90% of Ni, Sb, and Cr come from anthropogenic sources. The average concentration of Ni and Cr in the road dust of Tyumen is one order of magnitude higher than in other cities of the Earth where similar studies were carried out. The high Ni content is associated with the composition of local soils and roadways, increased content in vehicle exhaust gasses, and abrasion of metal parts. Calculations of the total enrichment index Ze showed that the level of road dust pollution in most of Tyumen's territory is hazardous.

Source apportionment, ecological, and human health risks of toxic metals in road dust of densely populated capital and connected major highway of Bangladesh

This study investigates pollution levels, source apportionment, ecological, and human health risks associated with toxic metals (Pb, As, Hg, Cr, and Cd) in road dust from the most populated Dhaka city and a connected major highway in Bangladesh. The mean concentration of Pb, Hg, and Cd were 1.3, 29.3, and 13.2 times higher than their corresponding background values with spatially uneven distribution all over the study area. Metal pollution indices, the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), NIPI, and PI, indicated extreme contamination at many sites depending on local environmental factors. The potential ecological risk ([Formula: see text] revealed that 84% and 54% of samples showed the extreme ecological risk for Hg and Cd pollution, respectively. On the other hand, the potential ecological risk index (PERI) and Nemerow integrated risk index (NIRI) showed that most sampling sites suffered high to extreme ecological risk. Source apportionment using positive matrix factorization (PMF) identified coal combustion, and gasoline (50.14%), traffic exhaust (35.26%), and industrial and agriculture activity (14.60%) were the main source of toxic metals of the study area. Non-carcinogenic health risk indicated that adults are more vulnerable than children, and hazard index (HI) of Hg for both age groups and Cd for adults were significantly higher than the safe level. The carcinogenic risk (CR) levels of toxic metals were acceptable (10-6 to 10-4), although the maximum limit of Cr for children and As for adults was close to the unacceptable limit (10-4). Continual exposure to toxic metals through road dust might develop lifetime cancer risk in local inhabitants.

Air pollution tolerance, anticipated performance, and metal accumulation capacity of common plant species for green belt development

Green vegetation enrichment is a cost-effective technique for reducing atmospheric pollution. Fifteen common tropical plant species were assessed for identifying their air pollution tolerance, anticipated performance, and metal accumulation capacity at Jharia Coalfield and Reference (JCF) site using Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI), Anticipated Performance Index (API), and Metal Accumulation Index (MAI). Metal accumulation efficiencies were observed to be highest for Ficus benghalensis L. (12.67mg/kg) and Ficus religiosa L. (10.71 mg/kg). The values of APTI were found to be highest at JCF for F. benghalensis (APTI: 25.21 ± 0.95), F. religiosa (APTI: 23.02 ± 0.21), Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. (APTI: 18.50 ± 0.43), Mangifera indica L. (APTI: 16.88 ± 0.65), Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (APTI: 15.87 ± 0.21), and Moringa oleifera Lam. (APTI: 16.32 ± 0.66). F. benghalensis and F. religiosa were found to be excellent performers to mitigate air pollution at JCF as per their API score. Values of MAI, APTI, and API were observed to be lowest at reference sites for all the studied plant species due to absence of any air polluting sources. The findings revealed that air pollution played a significant impact in influencing the biochemical and physiological parameters of plants in a contaminated coal mining area. The species with the maximum MAI and APTI values might be employed in developing a green belt to minimize the levels of pollutants into the atmosphere.

Human health risk assessment in PM10 -bound trace elements, seasonal patterns, and source apportionment study in a critically polluted coking coalfield area of India

Jharia Coalfield (JCF) has been affected by coalmine fire and subsidence problems for several years. The emission of particulate pollutants is due to the history of unscientific and unregulated coal mining in the JCF area. In the present study (conducted in the year 2019), seasonal variations, possible causes, and human health hazards of particulate matter (PM₁₀ )-bound trace metals like Cd, Cu, Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn, Co, Pb, Zn, and As were estimated. The mean concentration of PM₁₀ (418 ± 67 µg/m³ ) exceeded the limit of NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards India, 2009) by a factor of 4.18. PM₁₀ -bound trace metal concentrations were found in the order of Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Co > Ni > Cd > As. The maximum trace metal concentrations of all the metals studied were observed at the mining areas of JCF affected by coalmine fire. Human health carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks in children and adults were estimated through exposure pathways, ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation. The cancer risk was evaluated as excess cancer risk (ECR). Noncancer risk estimates were evaluated as the hazard index (HI) and the hazard quotient (HQ). The HI and HQ values for Cr, Cu, Cd, As, and Pb at coalmine-fire-affected areas were observed to be higher than the value of safe dose (≤1), showing a possible noncarcinogenic risk to the inhabitants as a result of multielemental toxicity. The ECR values (>10-6) in JCF areas suggested a carcinogenic risk to the populace of the area, owing to inhalation of PM₁₀ -linked Cd. Active mine fire (related to mining activities), higher transportation load, and resuspended particulate matter from road transportation were identified as the possible causes of the estimated risks based on principal component analysis and Pearson correlation analyses. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2022;18:469-478. © 2021 SETAC.

Determination of Heavy Metal Contamination and Pollution Indices of Roadside Dust in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Urban roadside dust samples from Dhaka City in Bangladesh were collected from a planned residential area (PRA), spontaneous residential area (SRA), commercial area (CA), and urban green area (UGA) in winter and summer to study how season and different urban land-use categories influence the concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, and Pb) and different pollution indices. The dust samples were fractionated into <32 μm particles, extracted by acid digestion followed by estimation of heavy metals, using ICP-MS. Pollution indices were calculated from the metal concentrations, using standard protocols. The concentrations of heavy metals in roadside dust varied significantly (all p < 0.05), due to sampling seasons and the land-use category. Higher concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) were found in the dust sampled during the winter season than in the summer season, except for As and Co. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) indicated that the commercial area was heavily contaminated with Cu and Zn during the winter season. The contamination factor (CF) was higher for Cu and Zn in the CA, PRA, and SRA of Dhaka City in winter than in the summer season. The enrichment factor (EF) suggested that Mn and Co were the least enriched metals, and significant enrichment was seen for Cu and Zn for all land-use categories, both in summer and winter. A moderate potential ecological risk for Cu was estimated in CA and PRA in the winter season.

Metals pollution from textile production wastewater in Chinese southeastern coastal area: occurrence, source identification, and associated risk assessment

The metals used in textile wet processing are of significant concern for the environment and human health. However, our understanding of metals released by the Chinese textile industry and their potential risks to ecology is limited. This work quantified the concentrations of seven metals in 199 wastewater samples from 77 textile enterprises in the southeastern coastal area of China. In the water discharged after end-of-pipe treatment, the mean concentrations of Sb, Hg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, and As were 0.289, 0.009, 0.579, 0.277, 0.035, 0.016, and 0.013 mg/L, respectively. Alkali deweighting effluents, dyeing effluents, and influents into regulation tanks were observed to be "hotspots" for metal distributions. Among the seven target metals, only Sb was found to be significantly correlated with COD, NH₃-N, TN, and TP. The results of one-way ANOVA suggested that the Sb mainly came from the processing of polyester fibers. Overall, the majority of discharged wastewater samples were at safe levels, according to six health indicators. Sb posed elevated risks in comparison to other elements, which necessitated further concern. The findings can help decision-makers prevent hazardous metal contamination in the textile and dyeing industry, and provide a basis for the further study of the mechanisms of metal migration in the environment.

Modeling and Assessing the Spatial and Vertical Distributions of Potentially Toxic Elements in Soil and How the Concentrations Differ

A healthy soil is a healthy ecosystem because humans, animals, plants, and water highly depend upon it. Soil pollution by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) is a serious concern for humankind. The study is aimed at (i) assessing the concentrations of PTEs in soils under a long-term heavily industrialized region for coal and textiles, (ii) modeling and mapping the spatial and vertical distributions of PTEs using a GIS-based ordinary kriging technique, and (iii) identifying the possible sources of these PTEs in the Jizerské Mountains (Jizera Mts.) using a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. Four hundred and forty-two (442) soil samples were analyzed by applying the aqua regia method. To assess the PTE contents, the level of pollution, and the distribution pattern in soil, the contamination factor (CF) and the pollution load index load (PLI) were applied. ArcGIS-based ordinary kriging interpolation was used for the spatial analysis of PTEs. The results of the analysis revealed that the variation in the coefficient (CV) of PTEs in the organic soil was highest in Cr (96.36%), followed by Cu (54.94%) and Pb (49.40%). On the other hand, the mineral soil had Cu (96.88%), Cr (66.70%), and Pb (64.48%) as the highest in CV. The PTEs in both the organic soil and the mineral soil revealed a high heterogeneous variability. Though the study area lies within the "Black Triangle", which is a historic industrial site in Central Europe, this result did not show a substantial influence of the contamination of PTEs in the area. In spite of the rate of pollution in this area being very low based on the findings, there may be a need for intermittent assessment of the soil. This helps to curtail any excessive accumulation and escalation in future. The results may serve as baseline information for pollution assessment. It might support policy-developers in sustainable farming and forestry for the health of an ecosystem towards food security, forest safety, as well as animal and human welfare.

Metal(Loids) Bioaccessibility in Road Dust from the Surrounding Villages of an Active Mine

Human activities, in general, cause a significant impact on the environment and human health. The present study aims to characterize the road dust of villages located near an active mine and to assess metal(loids) bioaccessible fractions. From the collected road dust samples (<250 µm fraction), the pseudo total, gastric (G) and gastrointestinal (GI) phase (UBM assay) concentrations, mineralogical composition, enrichment factor (EF), and risk for humans were determined. The obtained results revealed that arsenic represents the highest risk to humans, with mean pseudototal values higher than the maximum reference value range. The enrichment factor pointed to As as having significant to very high enrichment in all of the villages. In addition, Cd presented the maximum EF values in all of the villages, and was thus classified as having a very high enrichment. Particles enriched in As, Ca, Fe, Cu, Al, and Ti were identified by SEM-EDS in weathered agglomerates, and were linked to mine wastes and long-distance transport through both wind and/or traffic. The arsenic bioaccessibility fraction (%BAF) presented low values in the studied samples, possibly because of the low complex solubility of Fe with adsorbed As, limiting the release of arsenic and reducing its bioaccessibility. The concentrations of bioaccessible Cd for the G and GI phases were within the reference range, while for Cu, they were above and for Pb they were lower than the reference value range. The results show that the pseudototal fraction risk is overestimated when compared with BAF%; nevertheless, the total G and GI risks were above the carcinogenic target risk (1 × 10−6) in most of the samples. The carcinogenic risk of the bioaccessible contaminants showed that As represented the higher risk for developing cancer over a lifetime, with ingestion being the main risk route.

PM2.5-bound trace elements in a critically polluted industrial coal belt of India: seasonal patterns, source identification, and human health risk assessment

The concentration of trace elements like Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, and As in atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5) was estimated to investigate their seasonal variation, potential sources, and health risk at Jharia coalfield, India, during May 2018 to April 2019. Measured PM2.5 (170 ± 45 μg/m3) exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (2009) by a factor of 4.25, the Clean Air Act, National Ambient Air Quality Standards (40 CFR part 50) by a factor of 11, and Air Quality Guidelines of World Health Organization (2005) by a factor of 16. Mean concentration of the trace elements were observed in the order of Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Co > Ni > Cd > As, highest being perceived at the monitoring sites affected by coal mine fire. The significantly higher HQ values posed by PM2.5-bound Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and As and higher HI values (multi-elemental exposure) indicated potential non-carcinogenic risk to the residents of Dhanbad. Higher ECR values in the coal mining areas of JCF indicated higher carcinogenic risk to the population (adults > children) of Dhanbad due to inhalation of PM2.5-bound Cr. Spontaneous combustion of coal in the mines, active mine fire, associated mining activities, heavy vehicular emission, and re-suspended road dust were recognized as the potential sources of the trace elements from the results of PCA and Pearson correlation analysis.