Assessing Heavy Metal Contamination and Health Risks in Urban Street Dust: Insights from Pakistan's Industrial Growth

Abstract

This study investigates the pollution status and spatial distribution of heavy metals in road dust from Multan, a heavily industrialized city in southern Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 92 dust samples were collected from roads, industrial zones, and parks to analyze the concentrations of eight heavy metals: Cu, Zn, As, Cr, Hg, Pb, Mn, and Ni, except for Mn, Hg, and Ni, the concentrations of the other metals exceeded those typically found in the upper continental crust. Traffic, industrial activities, and residential zones were identified as the primary sources of heavy metal contamination. Pb and As primarily originate from traffic emissions, and Cr, Zn, and Mn are linked to industrial sources. Health risk assessments indicated that arsenic (As) posed the highest carcinogenic risk, followed by chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb). Non-carcinogenic risks were below the threshold for most metals, but children were the most vulnerable to heavy metal exposure. This study highlights the urgent need for improved environmental management and urban planning to mitigate the health risks associated with heavy metal pollution in urban street dust. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and local authorities to take proactive steps in reducing exposure and protecting public health in industrialized urban environments like Multan.