Health risk assessment trough exposure to heavy metals in urban and suburban dust emitted from workplace in Aqaba Industrial Estate, Jordan

Abstract

The present study assesses health risks associated with heavy metal Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Fe exposure to workplace residents activates in Aqaba Industrial Estate (AIE). The children’s and adults’ average daily intake (ADI), Quotation Index (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) were assessed. Non-carcinogenic health risk assessment for Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Fe (HQ>1) indicated strong chances of adverse effects on children and adults living around the workplace area. The HI>1 analysis for heavy metals, which is considered a threat to children and adults, but the highest risk contributor is the inhalation pathway. Child and adult cancer risk followed the same decreasing order, Pb> Cr > Ni Children were found to have higher than permissible limits (10-6), which is considered a threat to children as they cause a variety of diseases.