Environmental and health perspectives on trace elements in vacuum cleaner dust

Abstract

Reusable vacuum cleaner dust bags can accumulate harmful pollutants, including trace elements associated with dust. This study reports on the concentration, sources and effects of trace elements on human health found in vacuum cleaner bag dust from Khorramabad, Iran. Trace element concentrations in dust varied across regions, with samples from the central region exhibiting the highest concentrations and contamination while the western area the lowest. The total mean concentrations varied between 3082 μg/g and 22,051 μg/g, with Ca, Na, and Fe being most abundant, while Ag, Ti, Be, Cd, Li, V, and As were least concentrated. Several trace elements (B, Cr, Mo, Al, Fe, Sb, Ni, Pb, Cu, and Zn) exceeded their geochemical background levels and internationally recognized limits, indicating contamination or enrichment, particularly in urban areas due to industrial and traffic emissions. Pollution indices (enrichment factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and Nemerow Integrated Pollution Index (NIPI)) identified V, Li, K, Ba, Mo, P, Be and Al as major pollutants from human activities. Health risk from trace elements exposure ranged from low to moderate, with individuals aged 6 to 21 most affected. The mean lifetime cancer risks (LTCRs) of trace elements suggest that the inhalation pathway poses the lowest health risk to inhabitants across various age groups whilst the dermal pathway presenting the highest risk. Key targeted risk mitigation strategies for safe handling of vacuum cleaner bags to minimize direct skin contact and inhalation through re-suspension are recommended.