Human Health Risks from Metal Contamination in Dustfall

Abstract

In the current study, dustfall during 2019 was collected at 10 sites in Cairo, Egypt, to analyze the metal contents and assess the rate of metal deposition as well as the risks of exposure to metals by analyzing the results using techniques of contamination assessment methods to determine the Geoaccumulation Index of metal pollution (Igeo), hazard index (HI), and hazard quotient (HQ). The results of the current study show that the annual rate of dustfall during 2019 in Greater Cairo was 32.8 g/m2 per month. The highest deposition rate was recorded during the autumn, while the lowest deposition rate was recorded during the summer. According to Muller’s classification, it appears that the examined sites in Greater Cairo were virtually uncontaminated with Cr, Cu, Ba, Mn, Fe, and As; low nickel and zinc contamination; moderately contaminated with Pb, Cd, and Sb; and highly contaminated with Ag, Se, and B. Cancer risk values (R) indicate an increased risk of cancer developing between 1/1,000,000 persons to 1/10,000 persons. In the case of children, the R values for Ni, Cr, As, and Cd were above 1.0 × 10−4. This indicates an increased risk of cancer. The R values for Pb were less than 1.0 × 10−6 – 1.0 × 10−4 for Greater Cairo, indicating no significant cancer risk for this metal.