Assessment of trace elements concentration in road dust around the city of Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the concentrations and health effect of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) in road dust of selected locations in the city of Kuala Lumpur. Sampling was conducted for three times at four locations namely Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Raja Abdullah, Jalan TAR and Jalan Ayer Molek. The concentration of heavy metals in road dust was analyzed by using ICP-MS. The study found that Jalan TAR has the highest concentrations for the heavy metals Cd (0.23 ± 0.04 mg/kg), Cu (116.39 ± 38.77 mg/kg), Ni (83.29 ± 23.66 mg/kg), Pb (43.53 ± 7.00 mg/kg) and second highest for Cr (34.69 ± 3.57 mg/kg) and Zn (86.22 ± 23.07). The pollution level of heavy metals in road dust were assessed by Pollution Index and Pollution Load Index, showing that all locations are highly contaminated except Jalan Ayer Molek. Health risk assessment was determined to access the health effect of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic to adults and children caused by exposure of heavy metals in road dust. Based on the integrated HI for children at all locations are more than 1. Indicating great chance of non-carcinogenic effects. All incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILTCR) values for adult and children at all locations are within acceptable limit. Traffic and activities that take place in these four locations are the sources of heavy metals. Jalan TAR which is loaded with commercial activities is the most polluted location followed by Jalan Raja Abdullah (commercial area), Jalan Tun Razak (highway area) and Jalan Ayer Molek (residential area).