Assessment of Human Health Risk of some Heavy Metals in Surface Dust of Selected Urban Areas in Pakistan

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Sciences, The University of Lahore, Lahore 54000, Pakistan

2 Department of Environmental Science, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore 54000, Pakistan

3 Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying, INTI International University, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

4 Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

5 Provincial Reference Fertilizer Testing Laboratory, Raiwind, Lahore 54000, Pakistan

Abstract

This study offers critical insights into the public health threats linked to urban dust exposure by systematically analyzing the pollution levels, sources, and associated health hazards of heavy metals including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). The Secondary data was collected on surface dust heavy metals from selected studies for last decade (2013-2023) in Charsadda, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sargodha, and Murree. Health risk assessment was conducted to understand potential health risks for different urban communities. Nemerow Integrated Pollution Index (NIPI) was also estimated to distinguish heavy metals’ pollution from artificial and natural sources. The results showed that heavy metal concentrations in cities had surpassed the limits of natural causes, and as a result, natural variables, particularly Cd, had little effect on heavy metal concentrations. Average cadmium levels were alarming and were found higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines in all cities except Sargodha (0.4 mg/kg). Additionally, average concentrations of Pb (4.96 to 636.39 mg/kg), Cu (11.4 to 200 mg/kg), Ni (14 to 181 mg/kg), and Zn (35 to 1190 mg/kg) significantly exceeded WHO guidelines. The estimated Hazard Index (HI) indicated a high chronic risk associated with exposure to contaminated dust. Carcinogenic risk assessment placed all age groups in a high-risk category, with adult males exhibiting the greatest vulnerability for all heavy metals i.e. Pb (5.86×10⁻1), Ni (3.75×101), Cu (4.14×101), and Cd (1.31×101).  There is need to expand the urban green spaces and strengthen regulations to mitigate heavy metal pollution in urban areas. 

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References

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Pollution
Volume 11, Issue 2
February 2025
Pages 369-383

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