Determination of airborne heavy metals and health risk assessment of populations exposed to metals in industrial area, Gebeng and Paka

• Main Authors: Siti Noor Syuhada, M.A., Azman, Azid, Ku Mohd Kalkausar, Ku Yusof, Mohd Saiful, Samsudin
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: H Social Sciences (General); HD Industries. Land use. Labor
• Online Access: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/1519/1/FH03-FBIM-18-18280.pdf; http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/1519/
• Institution: Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin

The aim of this study is focused on airborne heavy metal pollution in the industrial area. Paka and Gebeng are chosen as the industrial area with eight points respectively were selected for this study within two monsoon seasons. The samples were analysed for heavy metals (Cd, As, Cu, Fe. Pb and Zn) by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that the mean concentration value of As, Pb and Cd for Paka were 0.005 mg/L ± 0.001, 0.107 mg/L ± 0.088 and 0.010 mg/L ± 0.008 respectively. For Gebeng, the mean concentration value of As, Pb and Cd were 0.004 mg/L ± 0.002, 0.069 mg/L ± 0.059 and 0.005 mg/L ± 0.004 respectively. The results showed in the southwest monsoon, the mean concentration of heavy metals much higher than the target value by European Commission in Directive 2004/107/EC and Directive 2008/50/EC. The HQs and His of six metals are almost all lower than the safe level (=1) for children and adults, indicating no risks from these metals. On the whole, HI value decreased in the order of Fe>Cd>Pb>As>Zn>Cu. Fe and Cd exhibited higher values close to safe level, while Zn and Cu are lowest. The HI values of these metals for children are higher than those for adults. It could be concluded that the industrial and transportation emission were the major source of heavy metals in the atmosphere along the Paka and Gebeng industrial area. The human health risk assessment has proved to be a powerful tool to distinguish heavy metals and exposure routes of most concern in urban environments.