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Advances in Environmental Research Volume 5, Number 2, June 2016 , pages 79-94 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/aer.2016.5.2.079 |
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Human exposure of hazardous elements from different urban soils in Bangladesh |
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Md. S. Islam, Md. K. Ahmed and Md. H. Al-Mamun
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| Abstract | ||
| In order to evaluate the contamination and health risk, levels of six hazardous elements i.e., Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd and Pb in soils of 12 different land-uses were measured. The average concentration of Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, As and Cd in soils were 267, 239, 206, 195, 58 and 16 mg/kg, respectively. Levels of each metal exceeded the environmental action level for soils, which could pose significant risk to human. The metal concentrations were subsequently used to establish hazard indices (for adults and children) where the 5th and 95th percentile values were used to derive the hazard index through different exposure pathways (ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation). Considering the total exposure through each of the three pathways, the hazard index elucidates that there was a potency of non-cancer risk at most of the sites for both the adults and children. The findings of this study suggested that different land-use soils were severely contaminated with hazardous elements and attention is needed on the potential health risks to the exposed inhabitants. | ||
| Key Words | ||
| hazardous elements; land use; exposure pathways; health risk; Bangladesh | ||
| Address | ||
| Md. S. Islam: Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki,Patuakhali, 8602, Bangladesh Md. S. Islam, Md. H. Al-Mamun: Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, 79-7 Tokiwadai,Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Japan Md. K. Ahmed: Department of Oceanography, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh Md. H. Al-Mamun: Department of Fisheries, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh | ||
