Estimating adults and children's potential health risks to heavy metals in water through ingestion and dermal contact in a rural area, Northern Tunisia

Assessing Heavy Metals in the Sele River Estuary: An Overview of Pollution Indices in Southern Italy

Rapid industrialization, coupled with a historical lack of understanding in toxicology, has led in an increase in estuary pollution, frequently resulting in unexpected environmental situations. Therefore, the occurrence of heavy metals (HMs) constitutes a major environmental issue, posing a serious risk both to aquatic ecosystems and public health. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of eight HMs (As, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in water, suspended particles, and sediment near the Sele River estuary (Italy) in order to assess their environmental impacts on the sea and health risks for humans. The results revealed an increasing order of HM concentration according to the scheme suspended particulate matter (SPM) > sediment (SED) > dissolved phase (DP) and a moderate contamination status in sediment. The health risk assessment indicated that the non-carcinogenic risk was negligible. Carcinogenic risk, expressed as the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), was negligible for Cd and Ni and within tolerable limits for As, Pb, and Cr. The findings suggested that, even if there are currently no specific limits for chemical parameters in the transitional waters of Italy, monitoring systems should be implemented to determine pollution levels and implement effective steps to improve river water quality and reduce human health risks.

Heavy metal(loid)s contamination and potential risk assessment via groundwater consumption in the district of Hangu, Pakistan

This study examined the concentration of heavy metal(loid)s (HM) in groundwater and associated health risks in the Hangu District, Pakistan. Seventy-one groundwater samples were selected from various sources to determine the concentration of twelve HM using the ICP-MS. The average concentrations of HM in groundwater were observed within acceptable guidelines proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Similarly, the groundwater of the study area based on the HM contamination index results was noted as an excellent group. Generally, the chronic daily intake (CDI) values for both adults and children were observed in the sequence of Fe > Zn > Ni > Mn > Cu > Sb > Cr > Mo > As > Pb > Co > Cd. The highest hazard quotient was computed for children through groundwater from the tube well. Moreover, both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic hazards of groundwater were observed in the order of tube well > dug well > spring > bore well. The present study suggests that children were more susceptible to health risks than adults.