Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of heavy metals in drinking water of Khorramabad, Iran

Heavy metal pollution in poultry feeds and broiler chickens in Bangladesh

The poultry industry poses a significant threat of heavy metal poisoning for the people of Bangladesh. The research was performed to assess the levels of heavy metals in chicken feed as well as other consumable sections of poultry fowl, and to determine the possible health hazards implicated. The levels of seven metals were evaluated in sixteen commercially available poultry feeds and in three edible portions of chicken obtained from several local markets in Rajshahi city. The metal concentrations were investigated via an atomic absorption spectrophotometer following the wet digestion method. The amount of Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Fe in poultry feeds were observed from 0.03 to 12.85 mg/kg, 0.01-1.64 mg/kg, 0.15-4.21 mg/kg, 2.65-45.83 mg/kg, 22.63-188.85 mg/kg, 0.09-2.64 mg/kg, and 0.54-41.01 mg/kg, respectively. In broiler chickens, the concentrations were determined from 0.87 to 3.15 mg/kg, 0.01-0.05 mg/kg, 0.19-1.09 mg/kg, 0.96-3.78 mg/kg, 4.45-23.53 mg/kg, 0.07-0.56 mg/kg, and 2.70-92.32 mg/kg, respectively. With the exception of Cu, Mn, and Fe, most heavy metal concentrations in chickens exceeded the highest allowed concentration set by FAO/WHO. The estimated EDI, THQ and TTHQ numbers for all metals examined were found to be below MTDI, indicating that consumption of chicken meat poses noncarcinogenic risk to individuals. Comparatively, ILCR associated with Cd and Pb are around the safety threshold, but Cr exceeds the permissible range and poses a significant risk.

Marketing of Freshwater and Marine Fish Species in Alexandria City, Egypt: Human Health Risk of Specific Metals

Fish intake may constitute a significant route by which humans are exposed to metals, especially people who depend on fish as a source of protein as Alexandrians. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the metal contents in muscles in eight commonly consumed freshwater (Tilapia, Catfish, and Common Carp) and marine fish species (Emperors, Groupers, Mackerels, Silver Pomfret, and Roving Groupers) collected from the local markets located in Alexandria City for a 1-year calendar year, 2022. Seasonal variations in the levels of the tested metals in the fish species, with significant differences between the species, were recorded. Also, the levels of Cu, Zn, Fe, Co, and Cd in all the tested fish species collected during the experiment did not exceed the guideline limits, while Ni, Cr, and Pb in fish collected during October-May, June-September, and February-May 2022, respectively, exceeded the permissible limits settled by FAO and WHO. Additionally, Mackerels and Roving Groupers had high-level contents of Mn that exceeded the permissible limits settled by European Commission. The accumulation of these metals in muscles of different fish species had relative variation in the accumulation, and Cu was the most predominant element in Tilapia, Zn in Catfish, Roving Groupers, and Mackerels, Fe in Common Carp, Groupers, Emperors, and Silver Pomfret, and Co in Tilapia. Consumption of fish with a high Metal Pollution Index (MPI) value may pose a potential public health risk. On the meantime, the calculated values of estimated daily intakes (EDI), hazard index (HI), and target health quotient (THQ) indicated no potential health risk for Alexandrians via the consumption of these fish species because they did not exceed the World Health Organization's acceptable daily intake.

Seasonal variations in groundwater chemistry and quality and associated health risks from domestic wells and crucial constraints in the Pearl River Delta

Groundwater quality is strongly compromised by polluted surface water recharge in rapidly developing urban regions. However, gaps still remain in the understanding of the critical contaminants controlling water quality and the health risks associated with groundwater consumption, particularly considering seasonal and climate changes in rainfall. This work focused on changes in groundwater quality and critical contaminants in domestic wells in the fast-developing Pearl River Delta (PRD) from the wet season to the dry season. The stable isotope δD and δ18O values indicated that groundwater was largely impacted by precipitation and has experienced strong evaporation. The groundwater generally exhibited oxidizing and slightly alkaline properties and was predominantly of the Ca-HCO3 type. Owing to the dominant water type of Ca-HCO3 and the high concentrations of Ca, concerns related to hard water arose, particularly during the wet season, which promotes the need for water softening before groundwater use. Although the heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and water quality index (WQI) indicated excellent or good water quality, 34% and 47% of the groundwater samples presented elevated concentrations of arsenic and nitrate, respectively, compared with the WHO recommended levels, and the contamination level was elevated during the dry season. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report the fluoride concentrations in the PRD groundwater, with median values below 0.5 mg L-1, underscoring the need for dietary fluoride supplementation. Health risk assessment confirmed the presence of both noncarcinogenic risks from arsenic and nitrate and cancer risk from arsenic in local populations resulting from groundwater consumption in the PRD region. This research emphasizes the importance of critical contaminants that constrain groundwater quality from different seasons with large variations in rainfall. Our work highlights the urgent need for the construction of adequate sanitation systems and for the control of agricultural nonpoint source pollution in rapidly urbanizing areas to safeguard both surface water and groundwater resources.

Sporting footpaths and toxic dust: a risk-based assessment of urban, suburban, and rural exposure

This study aims to assess the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in deposited dust (DD) from urban, suburban, and residential sporting footpaths (UFPs, SFPs, and RFPs) in Coimbatore, India, and evaluate the associated ecological and health risks. Dust samples were collected from sporting footpaths located in urban, suburban, and residential areas. The total concentrations of PTEs were found to be in USFs (1431 mg/kg), SFs (1073 mg/kg), and RSFs (892 mg/kg). EFs for cadmium exceeded 185, suggesting severe contamination. Ecological risk assessment indicated that cadmium was the primary contributor, accounting for 84.7% of the total ecological risk. Health risk analysis showed that children on USFs faced non-carcinogenic risks that were 5.5 times higher than those of adults, with the highest carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks observed in USFs, followed by SSFs and RSFs. This study highlights the significant pollution of sporting footpaths in urban areas, particularly with cadmium, which poses elevated risks to children's health. These findings suggest a need for targeted pollution management strategies to minimize exposure to PTEs, especially in areas with high pedestrian activity. Future research should focus on the long-term health impacts and evaluate pollution control measures for reducing PTE contamination in urban public spaces.

Risk assessment of potentially toxic elements and mapping of groundwater pollution indices using soft computer models in an agricultural area, Northeast Algeria

Groundwater (GW) quality and contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are major concerns for environmental sustainability, particularly in arid regions. The aim of this study was to assess the human health risks associated with GW contamination by PTEs in the Terminal Complex (TC) aquifer of the Tolga oasis, located in northeastern Algeria. Seventeen GW samples were analyzed using standard methods to determine contamination levels and associated health risks. Results showed that GW was generally contaminated with lead (Pb), which exceeded the WHO permissible limit of 0.01 mg/L in 76.47 % of the samples. Although some samples were rich in Cr and Mn, their levels were below WHO guidelines. Pollution indices, including Contamination Factor (CF), Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HMI), and Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI), indicated that over 50 % of the samples had medium to high pollution levels. These indices were further estimated using artificial neural network (ANN) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) machine learning models, whose performances were validated by Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency Coefficient (NSE). The Taylor diagram analysis showed that MLR models were more accurate than ANN models in estimating GW pollution indices. Mapping these indices using support vector machine (SVM) algorithms and applying chemometric statistical techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA), revealed that alteration of geological formations and anthropogenic activities significantly affected GW contamination by PTEs in the study area. The assessment of health risks associated with heavy metals revealed a significant non-carcinogenic risk, particularly for children, with 41.17 % of samples exceeding the hazard index threshold of 1 due to Pb exposure, while carcinogenic risks were low. This study establishes predictive models based on heavy metal pollution indices, providing crucial information on the spatial distribution of GW contamination. The results support the development of targeted mitigation strategies and intervention plans to safeguard GW resources and public health in the region.

The content of metallic trace elements in rice-containing products used in the diet of infants and young children - Health risks for consumers

Infants and young children are a group that is particularly sensitive to harmful substances. Therefore, products intended for consumption by infants and young children are subject to the requirements of food law and must meet high quality, microbiological, and chemical requirements. The study aimed to determine the content and assessment of exposure to selected metallic trace elements: arsenic, chromium, and nickel, in products marketed in Poland intended for consumption by infants (after 4 months) and small children (after 12 months). The research material consisted of 55 samples of products from 14 brands. The content of arsenic (<0.19-5.03 mg/kg), chromium (<0.08-0.88 mg/kg), and nickel (<0.41-3.24 mg/kg) was determined in the mineralized samples using the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET-AAS) method. The obtained values of element concentrations were used to estimate the non-cancer and cancer health risk of infants (6-11 months) and young children (1-2 years). Food for infants and young children does not pose a significant threat resulting from the chromium and nickel content in these products. Daily consumption of rice-based products by children carries the possibility of non-cancer and cancer risk, which is a consequence of the arsenic content in these products.

Health risk assessments of heavy metals in dust samples collected from classrooms in Ilorin, Nigeria and its impact on public health

Over the past three decades, heavy metals (HMs) in indoor dust have been a significant focus due to their environmental and health risks. This study assessed HM contamination (Co, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and As) in classroom and lecture theatre dust in Ilorin, Nigeria, across dry and rainy seasons. Dust samples from primary, secondary, and university settings were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry and ICP-OES. HM concentrations followed the order As > Pb > Co > Cr > Ni > Cd, all below background values. Indices like geoaccumulation (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), and pollution load index (PLI) indicated minimal contamination. The proportion of human health risks attributed to dermal contact, represented by HQderm and CRderm, accounted for 67.76 % and 30.30 % of the total hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR) during the dry season, and 86.76 % and 72.65 % during the rainy season, respectively. Health risks via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure showed children were more vulnerable than adults, with dermal pathways contributing significantly to overall risk. Principal component and geo-spatial analyses highlighted natural and anthropogenic HM sources. The findings provide critical data for policymakers to develop effective strategies for minimizing HM exposure in indoor environments.

Application of multi-indexing approach within a GIS framework to investigate the quality and contamination of ground water in Barisal sadar, Bangladesh

Groundwater quality and contamination pose significant challenges in coastal regions such as Barisal Sadar, Bangladesh, where dependency on groundwater is crucial for potable and agricultural uses. This study employed a multi-indexing approach inside a GIS framework to assess water quality, contamination scenarios, and health risks. It evaluates the physicochemical properties of groundwater samples, including heavy metals, to identify potential issues. The results reveal that water's pH is slightly alkaline, with moderate to high levels of turbidity and hardness. The mean electrical conductivity is 1522 μS/cm, and most regions are above the threshold value. Total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, and NaCl were found in elevated amounts, indicating water's impact on salinity. Heavy metal concentrations occasionally exceed permissible limits, indicating potential health hazards. The individual contamination indices range from low to high risk, whereas the weighted index signifies low to medium risk. The possible ecological risk was obtained within acceptable ranges except for some samples. The noncarcinogenic health risk remained below acceptable ranges (<1) throughout this investigation. In some instances, the carcinogenic risk of Cd and Ni was more significant than the international safe limit (1E-04). The water quality index indicates that 55 % of samples are rated excellent, 10 % moderate, 15 % poor, and 20 % very poor. The significant positive correlations among EC, TDS, TH, turbidity, salinity, NaCl, chloride, and calcium ions as per correlogram, principal component analysis (PCA) biplot, and heat map clustering, indicating similar sources of origin. Notwithstanding its constraints, this study represented one of the initial attempts in Barishal Sadar to investigate groundwater using numerous indices and GIS frameworks. In the end, policymakers can utilize this study's findings to monitor and control groundwater around the study area.

Potential toxic elements in surface water of Mokosh Beel, Gazipur, Bangladesh: Ecological and human health risk assessment for recreational users

Mokosh Beel, a significant wetland in Bangladesh, is increasingly impacted by industrial effluents, leading to potential ecological and human health risks. This study evaluates the surface water quality of Mokosh Beel by analyzing both physicochemical parameters (pH, DO, EC, TDS, and salinity) and the concentrations of potential toxic elements (PTEs) (i.e., Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Sb, and Zn). The findings reveal that most water quality parameters, except pH, exceeded local and international guidelines, indicating poor water quality. Among the PTEs, Mn (269.13 μg/L), Cr (33.20 μg/L), and Pb (71.47 μg/L) surpassed recommended safety limits. The spatial distribution analysis identified Mn and Pb as the primary pollutants based on the single-factor pollution index. The Nemerow pollution index indicated mild to moderate pollution, while the heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and heavy metal evaluation index (HEI) suggested a low degree of pollution at most sampling sites. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) linked the majority of PTEs to industrial sources, particularly from tannery, leather, and paint industries. The potential ecological risk index (PERI) showed minimal ecological risk, but the hazard index (HI) indicated non-carcinogenic risks for children, although adults were not significantly affected. Carcinogenic risk assessments highlighted Pb and Cd as key contributors, with risks exceeding the critical threshold for both children and adults. This study underscores the urgency of addressing industrial pollution to safeguard both ecological health and human well-being, particularly for vulnerable populations like children. Policymakers must implement sustainable water management strategies to mitigate the ongoing contamination of Mokosh Beel.

Exploring the multi-faceted health risks of heavy metals exposure in Sikkim's unique Himalayan ecosystem, India

Sikkim, located in the Eastern Himalayas, is a prominent tourist destination. The state exhibits a diverse climatic range spanning from subtropical to alpine zones. Springs and glacier-fed rivers serve as the primary water sources for both residents and tourists. Furthermore, rapid urbanization, climate change, altered precipitation patterns and frequent landslides have significantly stressed these water sources, especially in the lower subtropical regions, resulting in declining water quality. This study aimed to assess heavy metal contamination in surface water, considering both natural and anthropogenic sources, and its impact on different population groups. A total of 155 water samples were collected from households, rivers, springs and hot springs across pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Heavy metals (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were analyzed, and water quality was assessed using various water pollution indices. The findings revealed that the water is unsuitable for consumption without treatment. A novel approach, Monte Carlo simulation, was employed in health risk assessment, incorporating sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. This method provided greater accuracy in evaluating both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, with the results indicating moderate to high cancer risks through ingestion and dermal absorption. It is strongly recommended that treated water be used for drinking to mitigate exposure to heavy metal contamination in the region.

Metal contaminants in rice imported to Iran: A comprehensive assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks

BACKGROUND

Rice is a staple food in Iran, where significant imports from India and Pakistan are necessary to meet demand. However, imported rice has been found to contain harmful levels of heavy metals, posing health risks.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the levels of 34 metals in imported rice and evaluated the associated health risks for the Iranian population.

METHODS

Sixty samples of rice imported into the Iranian market from India, Pakistan, and Thailand were analyzed for 34 metals using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The metals included carcinogenic elements-Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), and Cadmium (Cd)-and non-carcinogenic: Sodium (Na), Iron (Fe), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Magnesium (Mg), Platinum (Pt), Silicon (Si), Gold (Au), Boron (B), Bismuth (Bi), Tungsten (W), Tin (Sn), Molybdenum (Mo), Chromium (Cr), Barium (Ba), Strontium (Sr), Aluminum (Al), Selenium (Se), Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co), Antimony (Sb), Titanium (Ti), Lanthanum (La), Lithium (Li), Vanadium (V), Beryllium (Be), Palladium (Pd), and Mercury (Hg). The health risks associated with the consumption of rice were assessed through the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Hazard Index (HI), Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR), cumulative cancer risk (∑ILCR), and Margin of Exposure (MOE) approaches.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed that the Cd level in 1 sample and Pb levels in 5 samples exceeded the maximum concentrations established by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran. The risk of cancer in adults exposed to As and Cd at mean concentrations was found to be higher than 1 in 100,000, while for Pb and Ni, the risk was greater than 1 in 10,000. In children, the ILCR for As and Cd at mean concentrations exceeded 10⁻⁴, indicating a moderate risk level, and for Pb and Ni, it reached 1 in 1000, emphasizing the need for enhanced public health safety measures. Additionally, ∑ILCR from all metals in both adults and children exceeded the 10⁻⁴ threshold. The MOE values for mean, median, and 90th percentile exposure to As, Pb, and Ni were below 10,000 in adults and children, indicating a significant health concern from rice consumption.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the potential health risks of consuming rice contaminated with heavy metals, particularly arsenic. Therefore, special attention should be directed towards monitoring and reducing toxic metal levels in imported rice, with interventions aimed at mitigating these risks.

Assessment of the water quality in the coastal Yaqui valley (Mexico): Implications for human health and ecological risks

This study examines the water quality in the Yaqui Valley in Mexico, a semi-arid region impacted by mining, agriculture, and aquaculture. Contamination sources, health risks and ecological impacts are investigated. Freshwater was found to be contaminated by dissolved As, presumed to result from mining activities in the mountains. Drainage water revealed an overall contamination by dissolved As and by suspended particles enriched with Al, Fe and Mn, associated with runoff processes. Intermittent contamination of drainage water by Cu, K+, NO3- and PO43- is attributed to the use of fertilizers or pesticides. In the coastal area, drainage water contains high concentrations of Na, Ca, SO42- and Cl, related to salinization processes, as well as higher concentrations of dissolved As, related to solid/liquid interactions that are enhanced by salinization. This drainage water discharges into the bay, degrading the seawater quality and increasing ecological risks. Outputs of this study can serve as a reference for the protection of this economically important coastal ecosystem. Concerning health risks, this study demonstrates that groundwater is also contaminated by dissolved As, believed to be associated with transfers from the geological basement to the dissolved phase of water, and other major chemicals related to salinization processes. The findings indicate that ingesting the groundwater poses a significant risk to human health with a primary exposure risk associated with dissolved As, particularly among children. This study presents crucial data for the Yaqui population, water managers and researchers, and provides novel insights into the management and mitigation of the identified risks.

Elevated Uptake and Translocation Patterns of Heavy Metals in Different Food Plants Parts and Their Impacts on Human Health

Irrigation with contaminated wastewater is a common practice in cultivation of crops and vegetables in many developing countries due to the scarcity of available fresh water. The present study has investigated the transfer and mobilization trends of heavy metals in different crops and vegetables plants grown in contaminated soil and waterbody. The translocation patterns of metals from polluted sources into different organs of plants bodies such as roots and edible parts and associated health risks have been evaluated simultaneously. Total of 180 different environmental samples including food plants, agricultural soil, and irrigation water were collected and analyzed. Heavy metal concentrations (Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cd, As) in water, soil, and different parts of crops and vegetable plants were compared with the permissible levels reported by FAO/WHO, EU, and USEPA. Different metals contents within the food plants were found to be in the order of Fe > Mn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd > As. Pollution load index (PLI) data indicate that soil is highly polluted with Cd as well as moderately contaminated by As and Cu. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) analysis showed excessive accumulation of some heavy metals in crops and vegetables. Target hazard quotient (THQ) and target carcinogenic risk (TCR) analysis data showed higher carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for both adult and children from the consumption of metal-contaminated food items. The results of metal pollution index (MPI), estimated daily intake (EDI), and hazard index (HI) analyses demonstrated the patterns of metals pollution in different food plants.

Spatial distribution, ecological and human health risks of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in river Ravi, Pakistan: A comprehensive study

Significant quantities of potentially toxic elements have been and are still being discharged into Pakistan's rivers through natural sources and anthropogenic activities. The present study provides a comprehensive study of potentially toxic element contamination in the water and sediment of the Ravi River, Pakistan. The research aims to examine the extent of pollution, its ecological risks, and the potential human health impacts through detailed geospatial analysis and statistical correlation. Water and sediment representative samples were taken and analyzed for potentially toxic elements, including Cobalt (Co), Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), Nickel (Ni), Arsenic (As), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), and Manganese (Mn). Various pollution indices, such as the "Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Modified degree of Contamination (mCd), Nemerow comprehensive pollution index (Pt), Contamination factor (CF), Enrichment factor (EF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI)," were calculated to determine the contamination levels and ecological risks. The results indicated significant spatial variability in metal concentrations, with higher levels observed in industrial and urban areas (near Lahore). Cd and As were identified as the most critical pollutants, exhibiting high Igeo, CF, EF, and PERI values. The PLI revealed that several regions along the river are heavily polluted. Pt shows high comprehensive pollution near Lahore and moderate to high pollution in surrounding areas. According to mCd, most of the study area, especially sampling points near Lahore, ranges between 8 and 16, indicating a high degree of pollution. The Human Health Risk (HHR) assessment, considering ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact pathways, highlighted that children are particularly vulnerable, showing higher Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) values for several metals. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between certain metals, suggesting common sources of contamination, likely from industrial discharges and urban runoff. The comprehensive mapping and statistical analysis underscore the urgent need for implementing effective pollution control measures to mitigate the risks posed by potentially toxic element contamination in the Ravi River. This study provides critical insights for policymakers and environmental managers to prioritize areas for remediation and to develop strategies to protect both ecological and human health in the region.

Risk minimizing framework for solar photovoltaics

The complexity of risk assessment and the challenges in decision-making often impede the application of various models to renewable energy systems. This study introduces a comprehensive framework designed to streamline this process, facilitating informed decisions regarding the estimation of risks associated with solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies. Leveraging data and information available in the literature, the framework is particularly useful for manufacturers in selecting materials that balance low environmental risk with high efficiency. The framework emphasizes early-stage risk minimization by integrating changes during PV development, thereby promoting cleaner production systems. It's interconnected components encompass various approaches to risk assessment, control, and management, providing a structured methodology for risk reduction. Based on available information, the defined steps guide users through evaluating and mitigating risks. Applying risk minimization by metal substitution approach lowers the oral-ingestion and dermal-contact risk by a magnitude of four and six times, respectively. This framework will guide regulatory bodies throughout each step of the product life cycle, suggesting necessary changes and assessment strategies aligned with the perspectives of various stakeholders. By facilitating the identification and implementation of the most effective risk management strategies, the framework aims to advance the development of sustainable and safe PV technologies.

Assessment of heavy metal contamination in groundwater of rural areas of Kurdistan Province Iran: A comprehensive study

This study focuses on the contamination of groundwater by heavy metals (HMs) in the Kurdistan Province of Iran, an area heavily reliant on these water resources, especially in rural regions. This research aimed to quantify the concentrations of 20 HMs in groundwater sources and assess the associated health risks, including both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects, for different age groups. The study was conducted in 2024. We collected 155 groundwater samples from water resources of the villages in Kurdistan Province, west of Iran. The study encompassed comprehensive sampling of groundwater from various wells and springs throughout the province, which was subsequently subjected to thorough laboratory analysis utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) for the quantification of heavy metal (HM) concentrations. The highest concentrations of As, Co, Cu, and Mo were 7.90, 0.22, 2.48, and 1.68 μg/l, respectively. It was related to the cities of Qorveh, Sanandaj, Baneh, and Qorveh respectively. A Health Risk Assessment (HRA) was performed, indicating that, while the concentrations of most HMs were within the thresholds established by national and international standards, certain metals, such as arsenic and lithium, presented notable non-carcinogenic risks, especially to children. These metals were responsible for over 48 % of the cumulative hazard index (HI) across all ten cities evaluated. Furthermore, the HI for the adult demographic exceeded 1.0 (specifically 1.23) exclusively in Qorwe city. The study also identified a high carcinogenic risk associated with lead across the province, which has a carcinogenic risk of 7.3 × 10-03 in 10 studied cities, which is more than the guideline value of 10-04. The findings underscore the urgent need for continuous monitoring and the implementation of preventive measures to safeguard public health. The results provide crucial insights for policymakers and health authorities, facilitating informed decisions to mitigate the health risks posed by HM contamination in the region's groundwater.

Assessment of human health risks posed by toxic heavy metals in Tilapia fish (Oreochromis mossambicus) from the Cauvery River, India

Heavy metal toxicity is a serious threat to human health due to its bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and persistent nature in the environment including aquatic systems. In the recent past, heavy metal contamination in the environment has occurred due to various anthropogenic sources. The concentration of potentially toxic heavy metals was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy in Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), a highly farmed and consumed fish species in southern parts of India. The mean levels of Fe were found to be higher in major organs of the fish with the highest levels in liver (Mean 1554.4 ± 1708.7 mg/kg) and lowest in the muscles (Mean 130.757 ± 33.3 mg/kg). Correlation Matrix analysis revealed relationships between the occurrence of various heavy metals in different organs of fish and indicated similar origins and chemical properties. Target hazard quotient for Cd, Co, Pb, and Cr in the Liver, Co and Cr in the Gills, and Co in Muscle were > 1 for adults, which showed a significant health risk from the combined effects of these metals. The potential health risk to humans, according to the cancer risk (CR) assessment is attributed mainly to Cd and Cr levels. Overall, moderate fish consumption is advised to limit the bioaccumulation of heavy metals over prolonged exposure and associated health risks.

Hydrochar as a bio-based adsorbent for heavy metals removal: A review of production processes, adsorption mechanisms, kinetic models, regeneration and reusability

The spread of heavy metals throughout the ecosystem has extremely endangered human health, animals, plants, and natural resources. Hydrochar has emerged as a promising adsorbent for removal of heavy metals from water and wastewater. Hydrochar, obtained from hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, owns unique physical and chemical properties that are highly potent in capturing heavy metals via surface complexation, electrostatic interactions, and ion exchange mechanisms. This review focuses on removing heavy metals by hydrochar adsorbents from water bodies. The article discusses factors affecting the adsorption capacity of hydrochars, such as contact time, pH, initial metal concentration, temperature, and competing ions. Literature on optimization approaches such as surface modification, composite development, and hybrid systems are reviewed to enlighten mechanisms undertaking the efficiency of hydrochars in heavy metals removal from wastewater. The review also addresses challenges such as hydrochar regeneration and reusability, alongside potential issues related to its disposal and metal leaching. Integration with current water purification methods and the significance of ongoing research and initiatives promoting hydrochar-based technologies were also outlined. The article concludes that combining hydrochar with modern technologies such as nanotechnology and advanced oxidation techniques holds promise for improving heavy metal remediation. Overall, this comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights to guide future studies and foster the development of effective, affordable, and environmentally friendly heavy metal removal technologies to ensure the attainment of safer drinking water for communities worldwide.

PBPK model-based gender-specific risk assessment of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) using human biomonitoring data

Despite several screening levels for NDMA reported in water, soil, air, and drugs, the human risk assessment using biomonitoring concentrations has not been performed. In this study, gender-specific exposure guidance values were determined in humans, then biomonitoring measurements in healthy Korean subjects (32 men and 40 women) were compared to the exposure guidance values to evaluate the current exposure level to NDMA. For the human risk assessment of NDMA, the gender-specific physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed in humans using proper physiological parameters, partition coefficients, and biochemical parameters. Using the PBPK model, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed to describe the magnitudes of inter-individual variability and uncertainty on the single model predictions. The PBPK modeling and Monte Carlo simulation allowed the estimation of the relationship between external dose and blood concentration for the risk assessment. The procedure for the human risk assessment was summarized as follows: (1) estimating a steady-state blood concentration (Cavg) corresponding to the daily no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) administration in rats; (2) applying uncertainty factors (UFs) for deriving the human Cavg; (3) determining the exposure guidance values as screening criteria; (4) interpreting the human biomonitoring measurements by forward and reverse dosimetry approaches. Using the biomonitoring concentrations, current daily exposures to NDMA were estimated to be 3.95 μg/day/kg for men and 10.60 μg/day/kg for women, respectively. The result of the study could be used as a basis for implementing further risk management and regulatory decision-making for NDMA.

Bioaccumulation dynamics, noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of heavy metals in commercially valuable shellfish and finfish species from the world largest floating slum, Makoko, Nigeria

This study examined ten heavy metals in five species: Macrobrachium vollenhovenii, Penaeus monodon, P. notialis, Chloroscombrus chrysurus, and Pseudotolithus typus, from Makoko floating slum, Lagos Lagoon to discern their bioaccumulation potentials, sources of origin, and health implications. The concentrations were in this order: Fe (4.172-10.176) > Zn (1.310-5.754) > Mn (0.475-2.330) > Cu (0.238-1.735) > Pb (0.121-0.391) > Cd (0.055-0.283) > Co (0.056-0.144) > Ni (0.039-0.121) > Cr (0.022-0.095) > As (0.003-0.031) mg/kg. The MPDI denotes "low toxicity," and the BAF/BSAF revealed that benthic species had higher bioconcentration potentials. Multivariate analyses revealed that heavy metals exhibited mutual relationships during chemical transport, and their sources were both geogenic and human-induced. The HI values were below 1, and the TCR values were below the threshold of 1 × 10-4. This suggests that the probabilities of noncancer and carcinogenic risks in human populations due to long-term consumption of the evaluated species are unlikely.

High lead contamination in Mother's breastmilk in Bihar (India): Health risk assessment of the feeding children

Lead poisoning in the recent times has caused serious health threats in the exposed human population. It is estimated that about 815 million people are exposed to lead poisoning worldwide and in India total 275 million children are exposed to blood lead contamination. The present study was carried outed in 6 districts of Bihar to know the extent of lead exposure in the children through their mother's breastmilk. The biological samples such as breastmilk, mother's urine, child's urine, and mother's blood samples were collected for quantitative lead estimation. Moreover, the selected household water sources (handpump) and the food consumed by the individuals-wheat, rice and potato samples were also collected for lead quantification. The study reveals that the breastmilk had high lead content in 92% of the samples (highest value 1309 μg/L), in blood presence of lead was observed in 87% studied samples (highest value 677.2 μg/L). In mother's urine the highest lead value was 4168 μg/L (62%) and in child's urine the highest value was 875.4 μg/L (62%) respectively of the studied samples. Moreover, in the studied food samples, wheat had lead content in 45% the studied samples (highest value 7910 μg/kg). In rice in 40% of the studied samples (highest value 6972 μg/kg) and in potato 90% of the studied samples (highest value = 13786 μg/kg) were found with elevated lead content respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) and the cancer risk (CR) for lead contamination was very much higher in mothers followed by their children. The entire study indicated that lead exposure through food (wheat, rice and potato) has reached the mother's breastmilk and from their it has reached their child's body. This could cause serious hazards in the exposed children causing serious neurological damages, low IQ, low memory, and low mental growth in them. Therefore, a strategic action is required to control the present problem.

Status of trace metals and arsenic in sediments and catfish muscles (Clarias gariepinus) from the Eastern Tanzanian basin

Trace metals and metalloids are groups of chemical elements that naturally occur in low concentrations and cycle in the environment driven by natural processes and human activities. They have a persistent and bio-accumulative tendency in the environment, and certain trace metals and metalloids have become a public health concern. This study assesses the concentration of eleven trace metals and a metalloid in sediments and catfish muscle from five study sites in the Eastern Tanzanian River basin. Forty catfish tissues and fifteen sediment samples were collected and analyzed using ICP-MS. Concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Pb, and Zn did not exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guideline for pollution of sediments, while Al Cr, Al, Mn, and V with values ranging from (118.54 to 70154.55) indicating moderately polluted. The stations Java-Sadaani and Matandu showed the highest Cr, Ni, and Cu concentrations, but the potential ecological risk index (RI) was low (RI < 95). In the catfish muscle tissue, the levels of Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn did not surpass the EU and FAO/WHO limits and results ranged from 2.22 to 35.22mg/kg. Low levels of accumulation of Cd, Pb, and As were found in this study compared to catfish muscles from other studies, whereas the concentrations of other trace metals and metalloids analyzed had comparable results. Biota/sediment accumulation factors (BSAF) were all < 1. The weekly metal intake (MWI) results ranged from 6.89E-04 to 2.43E+01 μg/know-1week-1, indicating a low risk as the value did not exceed the FAO/WHO established Permissible Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI). The non-carcinogenic health risk result THQ was 4.43E-02 and the carcinogenic health risks result HI was 4.42E-05 which indicated tolerable levels of risks as both the values of the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and the Hazard Index (HI) was < 1, and the carcinogenic target risk (TR) is < 0.0001. The highest TR values were observed for Cr and Ni. We recommend a continued monitoring of the changes in trace metal levels in the environment and biota together with continuous public health education on the dangers of high levels of trace metals.

Potentially toxic metals in Northeast Ethiopian agricultural soils: implications for Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato) production and human health

Exposure to heavy metal-contaminated vegetables, irrigation water and agricultural soil is one of the most challenging environmental issues worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the health effects of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) including Cr, Cd, Fe, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Co from agricultural soil, irrigation water, and tomato plants collected from the Abuarie irrigation site, Northeast Ethiopia. The samples were digested using acid digestion method, and its concentration was quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy. The concentrations of PTMs in the soil, tomato, and irrigation water samples ranged from 49,020 ± 275 (Fe) to 11.85 ± 0.44 (Cd), 170 ± 1.98 (Fe) to 0.29 ± 0.006 (Cd) mg kg-1, and 0.24 ± 0.003 (Fe) to 0.025 ± 0.005 (Ni) mg L-1 , respectively. The results revealed Zn, Ni, Cd and Cr in soil, all metals in tomato, and Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb in irrigation water sample were above the World Health Organization threshold values. Moreover, the separate and cumulative exposure to farm soil, irrigation water, and consumption of tomato were investigated using the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) values, respectively. The results revealed that individual exposure to each sample type did not have a significant impact on health (HQ < 1). However, simultaneous exposure to all of the sample types (soil, tomato and irrigation water) at the same time had a high likelihood of affecting health (HI > 1). The total carcinogenic concentrations of Cr, Cd, Ni, and Pb were greater than 1 × 10-4, revealing that farmers have a high probability of developing cancer during their lifetime. Minimizing simultaneous exposure to soil, tomato, and irrigated water for local people is highly recommended to prevent the risk of PTMs.

Assessment of the health risks associated with heavy metal contamination in the groundwaters of the Leh district, Ladakh

There has been a significant rise in cancer-related mortality in the Ladakh region during the past 10 years. The most common type of case is gastrointestinal cancer, which has been linked in theory by medical research to lifestyle factors, high altitude conditions, and the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria brought on by poor hygiene. Nevertheless, the precise cause of the rise in cancer cases is still unknown. Concurrently, there has been a significant change in Ladakh's water use practices due to development, improved basic utilities, and related vocational shifts. The local population has become increasingly reliant on groundwater since it provides a year-round, continuous water supply for home and agricultural uses. In this study, we assessed heavy metal contamination in groundwaters and associated human health risks. The results indicate that 46-96% of the groundwater samples have heavy metal pollution with a health hazard index > 1, which means using these groundwaters for drinking, food preparation, and agriculture is likely to result in carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health hazards. The main heavy metal contaminants found in the groundwater of the Leh district include Cr, As, Hg, and U. According to the health risk assessment, 46-76% of the groundwater samples contain unsafe levels of Cr and As. Prolonged exposure to these levels is likely to cause gastrointestinal cancer in the local population. Acute to chronic exposure to U and Hg concentrations present in some groundwater samples is likely to result in various non-carcinogenic health risks.

Assessing heavy metal contamination and health risks in playground dust near cement factory: exposure levels in children

Heavy metals pose significant threats to human health, particularly children. This study aimed to assess heavy metal pollution in children's playgrounds using surface dust as an indicator and to ascertain the associated exposure levels and health risks. A total of one hundred twenty dust samples were collected from the surface of playground toys in areas surrounding the cement factory in Bursa, Türkiye, on precipitation-free days. The heavy metal content of the samples was analyzed using ICP-MS. The average total concentration of heavy metals ranged from 2401 to 6832 mg/kg across the sampling sites, with the highest values observed at PG4, PG3, PG2, and PG1, respectively. The most commonly detected heavy metals in the samples included Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, and Ni. Statistical analysis revealed significant positive correlations (p < 0.01) among Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Pb, As, and Ni, with Cu and Pb also showing correlation (p < 0.05). PCA analysis identified three principal components explaining 79.905% of the total variance. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index values for heavy metals were found to be below the safe threshold (HQ < 1). Quantitative techniques such as the geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor are used to determine pollution levels at the sampling sites. Overall, the results indicate that cement factories significantly contribute to heavy metal pollution, with observed values varying based on proximity to the emission source.

Beneficial effects of bioactive peptides extracted from Spirulina platensis and Gracilaria gracilis algae on bone regeneration/osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells are used in the treatment of many diseases, particularly in the repair of bone injuries. Algae with various medicinal applications are considered important natural resources. There is limited research on the effects of bioactive peptides from algae extraction on mesenchymal stem cells. In this study the impact of bioactive proteins, protein lysates and peptide fractions (<3, <30 and <50 kDa) isolated from two algae species, Spirulina platensis and Gracilaria gracilis on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) was investigated. The proteins were extracted ant hydrolyzed with trypsin enzyme to create peptides, which were then separated by ultrafiltration. hAMSCs were exposed to different concentrations of bioactive compounds (100, 300, 500 and 700 µg/ml) for varying time periods. Cell proliferation was assessed using the with 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and to evaluate differentiation into bone tissue, the amount of mineral deposition was measured with alizarin red staining, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity was determined using a colorimetric method. The expression of Runx2, Osteocalcin, and β-Catenin genes expression was analyzed using RT-qPCR on days 7, 14 and 21 post-treatment. The results indicated that the <3 kDa peptide fraction of S. platensis and G. gracilis had no cytotoxic effects, increased cell proliferation at a concentration of 300 μg/ml, and enhanced the expression of osteogenic marker genes, alkaline phosphatase enzyme a activity, and calcium deposition in the extracellular matrix. In general, fractions that show positive effects on hAMSC differentiation have the potential to treat bone defects and promote osteoregeneration.

Removal and risk assessment of emerging contaminants and heavy metals in a wastewater reuse process producing drinkable water for human consumption

This study focuses on the removal and risk assessment of twenty emerging contaminants (ECs) and heavy metals in a REMIX water treatment plant (RWTP) that produces drinking water from combination of wastewater reuse and desalination. The membrane biological reactor (MBR) exhibit removal rates exceeding 95% of pharmaceuticals like acetaminophen, trimethoprim, diclofenac, naproxen, and emtricitabine. The efficiency of brackish reverse osmosis (BWRO) in removing ECs is highlighted, showing substantial efficacy with reduction rates of 99.5%, 75.5%, and 51.2% for sulfamethoxazole, venlafaxine, and benzotriazole, respectively. The advanced oxidation process based on Fenton process reveals removal (>95%) of emtricitabine, efavirenz, and carbamazepine. The study confirms that the combination of treatment units within the RWTP effectively removes heavy metals (>90%), complying with acceptable limits. Risk quotient (RQ) calculations indicate the efficiency of the RWTP in EC removal, serving as benchmarks for public acceptance of reclaimed water. In the context of heavy metals, the study concludes negligible cancer risks associated with reclaimed water consumption over a lifetime. Quantitative structure-activity relationship and occurrence, persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity (OPBT) models were used to assess EC risk. The study screened and identified potential persistant, bio accumulating and toxic PBT ECs. Critical control points (CCPs) in the RWTP are identified, with brackish and seawater reverse osmosis (BWRO and SWRO) and advanced oxidation process (AOP) recognized as pivotal in hazard management. The study provides valuable insights on the removal of ECs and heavy metals in a wastewater reuse process and demonstrates potential of adopted process configuration in supplying safe drinking water from wastewater recycling.

Investigation of groundwater quality in the Southern Coast of the Black Sea: application of computational health risk assessment in Giresun, Türkiye

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs), especially arsenic in drinking water, pose significant global health risks, including cancer. This study evaluates the groundwater quality in Giresun province on the Black Sea coast of Türkiye by analyzing twelve groundwater resources. The mean concentrations of macronutrients (mg/L) were: Ca (10.53 ± 6.63), Na (6.81 ± 3.47), Mg (3.39 ± 2.27), and K (2.05 ± 1.10). The mean levels of PTEs (µg/L) were: Al (40.02 ± 15.45), Fe (17.65 ± 14.35), Zn (5.63 ± 2.59), V (4.74 ± 5.85), Cu (1.57 ± 0.81), Mn (1.02 ± 0.76), As (0.93 ± 0.73), Cr (0.75 ± 0.57), Ni (0.41 ± 0.18), Pb (0.36 ± 0.23), and Cd (0.10 ± 0.05). All PTE levels complied with WHO drinking water safety guidelines, and overall water quality was excellent. The heavy metal evaluation index (HEI < 10) and heavy metal pollution index (HPI < 45) indicate low pollution levels across all stations. Irrigation water quality was largely adequate, as shown by the magnesium hazard (MH), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Na%, and Kelly's ratio (KR). The total hazard index (THI) values consistently remained below 1, indicating no non-carcinogenic health risks. However, at station 10 (city center), the cancer risk (CR) for adults due to arsenic was slightly above the threshold (1.44E-04). Using principal component analysis (PCA), positive matrix factorization (PMF), and geographic information system (GIS) mapping, the study determined that most PTEs originated from natural geological formations or a combination of natural and human sources, with minimal impact from human activities. These findings highlight the safety and reliability of the groundwater sources studied, emphasizing their potential as a long-term, safe water supply for nearby populations.

Assessing drinking water quality based on water quality indices, human health risk, and burden of disease attributable to heavy metals in rural communities of Yazd County, Iran, 2015-2021

The water quality indices, health risk, and burden of disease attributable to heavy metals in rural communities of Yazd County, Iran during 2015-2021 were studied. The drinking water quality index (DWQI) based on 27 parameters (including heavy metals) and heavy metal pollution index (HPI) were used for assessing drinking water quality. The health risk and burden of disease from heavy metals in drinking water were estimated in terms of hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), and disability-adjusted life year (DALY). Based on the DWQI scores by community, the drinking water quality in rural communities of Yazd County was characterized as good for 61 %, fair for 25 %, marginal for 2 %, and poor for 12 %. The distribution of the rural communities into the HPI categories was as follows: 43 % for excellent, 36 % for good, 14 % for poor, and 7 % for unsuitable. In about 20 % of the rural communities, the average HI level of heavy metals was higher than the boundary limit of one. The highest average HQ level at the county level was related to arsenic (As) to be 0.44. In all the communities, the total ILCR values of the heavy metals were in the category of significant increased cancer risk (10-6 to 10-4). At the county level, As and cadmium (Cd) exhibited the two highest cancer risk levels to be 1.96 × 10-4 and 1.87 × 10-4 for ILCR, respectively. The DALY rate (per 100,000 people) induced by exposure to the heavy metals via drinking water was 13.9, which was considered relatively high as compared to that of other drinking water pollutants obtained in the previous studies. The drinking water quality improvement through decreasing Cd and As levels below the standard values can drastically reduce the attributable burden of disease and promote the public health in the rural communities.

Assessing microbiological and heavy metal pollution in surface waters associated with potential human health risk assessment at fish ingestion exposure

Fish represent a significant source of nutrients but also cause negative health effects due to their bioaccumulation capacity for pollutants. The aim of this study was to examine the transfer of metals from the water of several rivers (Somes, Tisa, Sasar, Lapus, Lăpusel) to fish (Caras sp) tissue (subcutaneous fat, muscles, liver, intestines, kidneys, gills, brain, and eyes) and to identify and assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Manganese (Mn), Cooper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr) and Zinc (Zn) through the ingestion of fish (muscles and subcutaneous fat tissues). The obtained results indicated that a diet consisting of fish is particularly vulnerable, particularly in children compared to adults. The risk assessment results were below the threshold limit, although the fish samples contained heavy metals, with values exceeding the permitted limits of Fe (4.41-1604 mg/kg), Cr (727-4155 µg/kg), Zn (4.72-147 mg/kg), and Ni (333-2194 µg/kg). The studied surface waters are characterized by low and high degrees of pollution with heavy metals, as indicated by the heavy metal pollution index scores (HPI: 12.4-86.4) and the heavy metal evaluation index scores (HEI: 1.06-17.6). The considerable pollution levels are attributed to the high Mn content (0.61-49.7 µg/kg), which exceeded the limit up to fifty times. A consistent set of physico-chemical analysis (pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, turbidity, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, Ca, Mg, Na, K) was analysed in water samples as well. Considering the water quality index scores (WQI: 16.0-25.2), the surface waters exhibited good quality. Microbiological results indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes and atypical colonies of coagulase-positive staphylococcus in fish. In contrast, the surface waters from which fish samples were collected were positive for Escherichia coli, and coliform bacteria intestinal Enterococci. Based on the study's results, it is recommended to exercise caution in the case of children related to the consumption of fish and using the waters for drinking purposes. This study provides important data of considerable novelty to the riparian population, researchers, and even policy makers on the quality status and potential levels of contamination of river waters, fish and the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in fish that may cause adverse effects on human health if consumed, and similarly the heavy metal pollution degree of waters and the non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals through ingestion and skin absorption of water in children and adults (the study area is a significant source of fisheries).

Spatial variations and health risk assessment of heavy metal levels in groundwater of Qatar

The present work's objective is to give a comprehensive overview of the quality of groundwater in Qatar in terms of heavy metals content as well as investigating the cause and effect of the elevation in their levels above the WHO/US-EPA standards. The scope of the study included (1) physical and chemical analysis of 82 groundwater samples collected from various locations around Qatar, (2) development of ArcGIS maps depicting the variations in the levels, (3) assessment of the human health risks associated with the existing levels using three of the most used models which are: Hazard index (HI), Nemerow comprehensive pollution index (NCPI) and Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR). There is no extensive study ever reported to assess the health risks linked with the consumption of groundwater characterized with such heavy metals levels in Qatar. The chronic daily intake (CDI) of the investigated heavy metals (Ag, Mn, Cr, V, Mo and Sr) through ingestion and dermal pathways had a range of 1.4 × 10-5-6.7 × 10-1 mg/kg/day while the NCPI's range was reported at 0-4.39. Moreover, the HI and ILCR were found to have a range of 0-3.2 and 5.6 × 10-4-5.5 × 10-2, respectively. The assessment of health risks, conducted in the present work, could be beneficial in building the baseline of heavy metals levels in groundwater in Qatar. This will also help in the determination of any future contamination of groundwater.

Toxicological risk assessment using spring water quality indices in plateaus of Giresun Province/Türkiye: a holistic hydrogeochemical data analysis

Water scarcity is a growing concern due to rapid urbanization and population growth. This study assesses spring water quality at 20 stations in Giresun province, Türkiye, focusing on potentially toxic elements and physicochemical parameters. The Water Quality Index rated most samples as "excellent" during the rainy season and "good" during the dry season, except at stations 4 (40° 35' 12″ North/38° 26' 34″ East) and 19 (40° 44' 28″ North/38° 06' 53″ West), indicating "poor" quality. Mean macro-element concentrations (mg/L) were: Ca (34.27), Na (10.36), Mg (8.26), and K (1.48). Mean trace element values (μg/L) were: Al (1093), Zn (110.54), Fe (67.45), Mn (23.03), Cu (9.79), As (3.75), Ni (3.00), Cr (2.84), Pb (2.70), Co (1.93), and Cd (0.76). Health risk assessments showed minimal non-carcinogenic risks, while carcinogenic risk from arsenic slightly exceeded safe limits (CR = 1.75E-04). Higher arsenic concentrations during the rainy season were due to increased recharge, arsenic-laden surface runoff, and human activities. Statistical analyses (PCA, PCC, HCA) suggested that metals and physico-chemical parameters originated from lithogenic, anthropogenic, or mixed sources. Regular monitoring of spring water is recommended to mitigate potential public health risks from waterborne contaminants.

Health risk assessment of workers exposed to lead dust in informal e-waste recycling workshops

Informal recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) has attracted significant attention due to its economic benefits and rapid growth rate in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, unsafe conditions of recycling workshops possess chronic exposure to workers and lead to elevated blood lead concentrations (BLCs). Upon measuring the lead concentration in the dust of recycling workshops and the e-wastes in southwestern region of Iran, the related health risks were assessed in 30 exposed workers and 30 non-exposed habitants cases based on the determination of BLC. The average BLCs in exposed workers and non-exposed habitants cases were 24 μg/dL and 7 μg/dL, respectively. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) revealed heavy contamination of dust in informal e-waste recycling workshops (IERWs) (5023 μg/kg) and significantly lower levels in unexposed areas (49 μg/kg). Health risk assessment indicated that lead exposure from IERWs appears to be a potential threat to workers and indirectly to their families.

Holistic perilous index-based environmental appraisal of Metal(oid)s in the sole coral-bearing island of northeastern bay of Bengal

This study aimed to evaluate the concentration, distribution, along with the environmental and human health impact of eight heavy metals-Pb, Cr, Cu, Cd, Zn, Mn, Ni, and As-on St. Martin's Island in the northeastern Bay of Bengal, and in doing so to help implement new legislations to protect the island. Focusing on the island's significance as a tourist destination, with seafood being a prominent dietary component, three sample types (sediment, seawater, and crustaceans) were selected for a comprehensive assessment, considering seasonal variations. Concentration of metals was observed to be lower than the established standards in sediment samples, but in seawater samples, Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn were higher than US-EPA values for natural marine water. The metals displayed a decreasing trend of Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu > Mn > As > Cd > Cr in crustacean samples for both seasons. Crustacean samples displayed higher metal concentrations in winter than in monsoon. Pb exceeded the maximum allowable limit for crustaceans with a concentration of about 3 and 4 mg kg-1 in monsoon and winter respectively; being more than 6-8 times the standard for Bangladesh which is only about 0.5 mg kg-1. Health indices displayed that although adults may suffer less from carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic health effects, the risks are far greater for children. For both age groups, As and Ni displayed possibilities of developing cancer. Principal Component Analysis (PCA)shed light on the sources of metals and showed that most of them were from anthropogenic sources. Overall, this study found that the quality of the environment of the island was better in comparison to previous studies made before the pandemic, and so, if the trend continues, it may lead to a better environment for the organisms around the island and help to keep the negative physiological impacts from the consumption of these organisms to a minimal.

Human and ecological risk assessments of potentially toxic elements in sediments around a pharmaceutical industry

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in sediment can be highly hazardous to the environment and public health. This study aimed to assess the human and ecological risks of PTEs in sediments around a pharmaceutical industry in Ilorin, Nigeria. Physicochemical parameters and the concentrations of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), arsenic (As), and nickel (Ni) were analyzed in sediment samples collected from seven locations in the wet and dry seasons. Standard two-dimensional principal component analysis (PCA) and risk assessments were also conducted. The concentrations of Pb, Co, Ni, Cr, Cd, and As in the sediments ranged from 0.001 to 0.031 mg/kg, 0-0.005 mg/kg, 0.005-0.012 mg/kg, 0.001-0.014 mg/kg, 0.005-0.024 mg/kg, and 0.001-0.012 mg/kg, respectively. The mean concentrations of the total PTEs content were found in decreasing order of concentration: Pb > Cd > Ni > Cr > As > Co. PCA showed that some of the PTEs were highly concentrated in samples obtained at other locations as well as at the discharge point. The Hazard Index was mostly <1 across locations, indicating little to no probable non-cancerous effect. However, the incremental lifetime cancer risk for arsenic and nickel was high and required attention. The ecological risk assessment showed that lead and arsenic were the major PTEs pollutants in all locations. The study identifies PTEs profiles in sediments and emphasises the necessity of continual monitoring and action to stop long-term negative impacts on the local environment and public health.

Study on the effect of different contact times on the migration of heavy metals into different foodstuffs served in plastic cups

Heavy metal concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu leaching from single-use plastic cups were identified, and the risks associated with them were assessed in real time (up to 10 min). All samples (tea, carbonated beverage, and lassi) were placed in disposable plastic cups and held for less than 1 min, 5 min, and 10 min, respectively. Prior to digestion, the solids were ashed in a muffle furnace at 550 °C for 30 min. The filtrates were then tested for heavy metals. The samples were all confirmed to be contaminated with heavy metals. Heavy metals leached from the plastic cups in the following order: Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd. The samples' HI values were less than one, hence there was no evidence of a non-carcinogenic risk. The ILCR values for this heavy metal contamination in samples exceed 10-3, indicating a high carcinogenic risk. Lassi poses the highest possible carcinogenic risk. A rise in temperature and a drop in pH also resulted in heavy metal migration. Heavy metal leaching from plastic cups poses a serious health risk due to its toxicity. The proposed legislation should prohibit or restrict the serving of warm and hot beverages in plastic cups.

Groundwater in the coastal areas of Ghana: Quality and associated health risks

Self-supply water sources, particularly groundwater sources, play key roles in the water supply ecosystem of developing countries. Recent studies indicate that groundwater sources in coastal communities in Ghana are under threat from improper waste management practices, seawater intrusion and atmospheric aerosol deposition. In this study, Water Quality Index (WQI) and Nemerow's Pollution Index (NPI) were employed to assess groundwater quality in four coastal communities of Ghana. The health risks associated with metal pollution of groundwater were investigated using incremental life cancer risk and hazard quotient. pH of groundwater in all the studied communities were acidic during the rainy season. Electrical conductivity ranged from 0.44 to 2.61 mS/cm in the rainy season and from 0.43 to 2.45 mS/cm in the dry season for the four studied locations. Results also showed brackish conditions and mineralization of groundwater in Winneba, Accra, and Keta. Mean nitrate concentrations in Winneba and Accra were higher than the WHO standards for both the rainy and the dry season. Arsenic was higher than the acceptable level in Accra and Keta during the dry season, while iron was higher than the acceptable levels in Accra in both the rainy and dry seasons. Principal Component Analyses showed that Pb, As, and Fe had the highest loading in the first component in Essiama, while PO4 3-and Pb had the highest loading in the second component in Accra. WQI showed that the quality of groundwater in all the studied communities ranged from marginal to poor indicating that groundwater in the coastal communities often or usually departs from desirable quality. NPI revealed that NO3- , As, and Fe contribute to groundwater deterioration. Health risk assessment showed that As posed a high cancer risk in Accra and potential cancer risk in Essiama, Winneba, and Keta during the dry season. As also posed potential cancer risk in Accra during the rainy season. Non-cancer health risk was observed for As in Accra and Keta. The findings of this study suggest urgent regulations and monitoring strategies to improve groundwater quality in the coastal communities of Ghana.

Bioaccumulation of trace metals in edible terrestrial snails, Theba pisana and Otala spp., in a dumpsite area in Morocco and assessment of human health risks for consumers

This study assessed the bioaccumulation patterns of five trace metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, and Zn) in two edible snail species, Theba pisana and Otala spp., collected from a dumpsite in Safi City, Morocco. The results indicated that bioaccumulation might be species-specific, as metal concentration profiles varied between the two snail species. Additionally, higher metal levels in the dumpsite snails confirmed their potential as bioindicators of trace metal pollution in terrestrial environments. However, the distribution of trace elements within the edible parts of the snails showed marked unevenness, with the viscera accumulating more metals than the foot. The study also evaluated the potential human health risks associated with consuming these snails. Trace metal levels in the edible parts exceeded most international safety thresholds. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of trace metals through snail consumption were below the provisional tolerable daily intakes (PTDIs) for both children and adults, suggesting that daily consumption is generally safe. Nonetheless, the hazard index (HI) indicated that children might face health risks from long-term consumption of contaminated snails (HI > 1), while adults are less likely to experience such complications (HI < 1). The total target carcinogenic risk (TTCR) was below 1E-04 for both children and adults, indicating negligible to acceptable carcinogenic risks for all consumer groups.

Emerging role of osmoprotectant glycine betaine to mitigate heavy metals toxicity in plants: a systematic review

Heavy metals (HMs) toxicity has become one of the major global issues and poses a serious threat to the environment in recent years. HM pollution in agricultural soil is caused by metal mining, smelting, volcanic activity, industrial discharges, and excessive use of phosphate fertilizers. HMs above a threshold level adversely affect the cellular metabolism of plants by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which attack cellular proteins. There are different mechanisms (physiological and morphological) adopted by plants to survive in the era of abiotic stress. Various osmoprotectants or compatible solutes, including amino acids, sugar, and betaines, enable the plants to counteract the HM stress. Glycine betaine (GB) is an effective osmolyte against HM stress among compatible solutes. GB has been shown to improve plant growth, photosynthesis, uptake of nutrients, and minimize oxidative stress in plants under HM stress. Additionally, GB increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as CAT (catalase), SOD (superoxide dismutase), and POD (peroxidase), which are effective in scavenging unwarranted ROS. Since not all species of plants can naturally produce or accumulate GB in response to stress, various approaches have been explored for introducing them. Plant hormones like salicylic acid, ABA (abscisic acid), and JA (jasmonic acid) co-ordinately stimulate the accumulation of GB inside the cell under HM stress. Apart from the exogenous application, the introduction of GB pathway genes in GB deficient species via genetic engineering also seems to be efficient in mediating HM stress. This review complied the beneficial effects of GB in mitigating HM stress and its role as a plant growth regulator. Additionally, the review explores the potential for engineering GB biosynthesis in plants as a strategy to bolster their resilience to HMs.

Systematic literature review of heavy metal contamination of the Nigerian environment from e-waste management: Associated health and carcinogenic risk assessment

E-waste -the aftermath of large amount of electrical and electronic equipment ferried into Africa from which Nigeria receives a significant chunk, is composed of components known to be hazardous to health. Composition of series of heavy metals (HMs) in e-waste is traceable to many health conditions including cancer which is hitherto incompletely understood. This study harmonizes primary data on HMs from e-waste in different Nigerian environmental media including the air, soil, surface dust, water and plant. We estimated the possible health implications, single and aggregative soil and water pollution indices both in adult and children categories, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks secondary to HM exposure and mapped out the possible mechanism of carcinogenesis. Analysis showed that soil, water, surface dust and plant matrices in Nigerian environment are variedly but considerably contaminated with combination of HMs. The significantly high values of the hazard quotient and hazard index of both water and surface dust matrices are indicative of adverse health effect of the non-carcinogenic risk. The highest HQ is generated by Pb and Cr through dermal exposure to soil and surface dust with mean values of 1718.48, 1146.14, 1362.10 and 1794.61 respectively among Nigerian children followed by the oral exposure. This pattern of observation is similar to that obtained for adult category. HI due to Pb and Cr in soil constitutes the highest HI (2.05E+03 and 1.18E+03 respectively) followed by surface dust. However, this study precipitates the observation that children are more at health risk than adults in contaminated environment. Carcinogenic risk also follows the same pattern of expression in the Nigerian environment. We conclude that exposure to e-waste poses significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks and the induction of toxicity may be mediated via DNA damage, oxidative stress and inflammatory/immune cells dysfunction in Nigerian environment.

Examining carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risks related to arsenic exposure in Ethiopia: A longitudinal study

Background

The carcinogenic properties of arsenic make it one of the most hazardous chemicals globally. Nevertheless, the exact level of human exposure to arsenic and the associated risks of cancer and non-cancer effects through different pathways in Ethiopia are still uncertain.

Objective

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of both cancer and non-cancer outcomes among children and adults who have been exposed to arsenic through drinking water in the Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha district of Ethiopia.

Methods

For this study, a longitudinal study design was employed. A total of 45 groundwater sources were sampled using the census sampling method. The concentrations of total arsenic were measured using Agilent 7900 series inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risk assessments were conducted by calculating lifetime cancer risk and hazard quotients. Microsoft Office Excel was utilized to calculate human health risk indices, and descriptive statistical analysis were performed using SPSS software.

Results

Our findings revealed that during the dry season, the mean arsenic concentration in the groundwater samples was 11.15 ± 9.38 µg/L, while during the rainy season, it was 10.67 ± 8.16 µg/L. The total cancer risk for children, resulting from oral ingestion and skin contact, was 1.15 × 10-2 and 1.07 × 10-2 during the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. For adults, the total cancer risk from oral ingestion and skin contact during the dry and rainy seasons was 4.95 × 10-3 and 4.59 × 10-3, respectively. Furthermore, the total hazard quotients for children via oral ingestion and skin absorption were 25.9 and 24.0 during the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. For adults, the total hazard quotients from ingestion and dermal contact during the dry and rainy seasons were 11 and 10, respectively.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that the risks of cancer and non-cancer effects resulting from arsenic exposure through ingestion and dermal exposure were found to exceed the acceptable thresholds in both seasons. These results emphasize the urgent need for focused attention on the study population in the study area due to the high likelihood of experiencing adverse health outcomes.

Iron Plaque: A Shield against Soil Contamination and Key to Sustainable Agriculture

Soils play a dominant role in supporting the survival and growth of crops and they are also extremely important for human health and food safety. At present, the contamination of soil by heavy metals remains a globally concerning environmental issue that needs to be resolved. In the environment, iron plaque, naturally occurring on the root surface of wetland plants, is found to be equipped with an excellent ability at blocking the migration of heavy metals from soils to plants, which can be further developed as an environmentally friendly strategy for soil remediation to ensure food security. Because of its large surface-to-volume porous structure, iron plaque exhibits high binding affinity to heavy metals. Moreover, iron plaque can be seen as a reservoir to store nutrients to support the growth of plants. In this review, the formation process of iron plaque, the ecological role that iron plaque plays in the environment and the interaction between iron plaque, plants and microbes, are summarized.

Assessing health risks in bottled water: chemical compounds and their impact on human health

Bottled mineral and spring water constitute one of the main sources of drinking water. Relevant legal acts in each country individually regulate the highest permitted concentrations of harmful substances in these waters. However, current regulations do not take into account newly emerging contaminants such as BPA. Analysis of the chemical composition of 72 bottled waters from the Polish market showed that undesirable elements occur in quantities that do not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations. Special attention should be paid to bottled therapeutic water, which may contain elevated concentrations of some micronutrients, such as Al, B, Ba, Fe, Mn, or Sr contributing to the pattern of health risk with excessive consumption of this type of water. The presence of BPA was confirmed in 25 tested waters. The calculated hazard index values showed that the most exposed group are children up to 12 years of age. The greatest attention should be paid to waters with high mineralisation, for which the calculated risk values are the highest.

Treatment of marble industry wastewater by Brassica napus (L.) under oxalic acid amendment: efficacy as fodder and carcinogenic risk assessment

In the present study, Brassica napus, a food plant, was grown for phytoextraction of selected heavy metals (HMs) from marble industry wastewater (WW) under oxalic acid (OA) amendment. The hydroponic experiment was performed under different combination of WW with OA in complete randomized design. Photosynthetic pigments and growth reduction were observed in plants treated with WW alone amendments. The combination of OA in combination with WW significantly enhanced the growth of plants along with antioxidant enzyme activities compared with WW-treated-only plants. HM stress alone enhanced the hydrogen peroxide, electrolyte leakage, and malondialdehyde contents in plants. OA-treated plants were observed with enhanced accumulation of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) concentrations in the roots and shoots of B. napus. The maximum concentration and accumulation of Cd in root, stem, and leaves was increased by 25%, 30%, and 30%; Cu by 42%, 24%, and 17%; and Pb by 45%, 24%, and 43%, respectively, under OA amendment. Average daily intake and hazard quotient (HQ) were calculated for males, females, and children in two phases of treatments in phytoremediation of metals before and after accumulation into B. napus leaves and stems. HQ of metals in the leaves and stem was < 1 before metal accumulation, whereas > 1 was observed after HM accumulation for all males, females, and children. Similarly, the hazard index of the three study types was found > 1. It was observed that the estimated excess lifetime cancer risk was of grade VII (very high risk), not within the accepted range of 1 × 10-4 to 1 × 10-6. Based on the present study, the increased levels of HMs up to carcinogenicity was observed in the B. napus which is not safe to be consumed later as food.

Assessing metal(loid)s-Induced long-term spatiotemporal health risks in Coastal Regions, Bay of Bengal: A chemometric study

Despite sporadic and irregular studies on heavy metal(loid)s health risks in water, fish, and soil in the coastal areas of the Bay of Bengal, no chemometric approaches have been applied to assess the human health risks comprehensively. This review aims to employ chemometric analysis to evaluate the long-term spatiotemporal health risks of metal(loid)s e.g., Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd, As, Cr, Pb, Cu, and Ni in coastal water, fish, and soils from 2003 to 2023. Across coastal parts, studies on metal(loid)s were distributed with 40% in the southeast, 28% in the south-central, and 32% in the southwest regions. The southeastern area exhibited the highest contamination levels, primarily due to elevated Zn content (156.8 to 147.2 mg/L for Mn in water, 15.3 to 13.2 mg/kg for Cu in fish, and 50.6 to 46.4 mg/kg for Ni in soil), except for a few sites in the south-central region. Health risks associated with the ingestion of Fe, As, and Cd (water), Ni, Cr, and Pb (fish), and Cd, Cr, and Pb (soil) were identified, with non-carcinogenic risks existing exclusively through this route. Moreover, As, Cr, and Ni pose cancer risks for adults and children via ingestion in the southeastern region. Overall non-carcinogenic risks emphasized a significantly higher risk for children compared to adults, with six, two-, and six-times higher health risks through ingestion of water, fish, and soils along the southeastern coast. The study offers innovative sustainable management strategies and remediation policies aimed at reducing metal(loid)s contamination in various environmental media along coastal Bangladesh.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in some vegetables-Erbil City-Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Heavy metals can have significant impacts on human health due to their toxicity and potential to accumulate in the body over time. Some heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic, are particularly harmful even at low concentrations. The estimation of hazards of vegetable intake to human health as well as explore the of heavy metals accumulation in different vegetables (cucumbers, tomato, eggplant, and bell peppers) collected in Erbil city from different source locally and imported from nearby country are conducted. The heavy metals concentration (cooper, zinc, lead and cadmium) was measured and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometry. The maximum concentration of Pb was 27.95 mg/kg and the minimum was 6.49 mg/kg; for Cd, the concentration was 1.43 and 0.99 mg/kg, 74.94 and 5.14 mg/kg for Zn; and for Cu, the result was 56.25 and 8.2 mg/kg for the maximum and minimum, which they are within limits described by Food Agricultural Organization, but more than health limits and health risks calculated by mean of hazard quotient (HQ) techniques for Cu and Pb which they are more than 1. The local sample that collected in Erbil city show less concentration of heavy metals and low HQ in comparison with imported samples. The carcinogenic risk study shows elevated risk of accumulative consuming of edible part of those plant which they exceed the permissible limit that is 10-6.

Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human health risk assessments of heavy metals contamination in drinking water supplies in Iran: a systematic review

The contamination of water due to heavy metals (HMs) is a big concern for humankind; particularly in developing countries. This research is a systematic review, conducted by searching google scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, Springer, and Scopus databases for related published papers from 2010 to July 2021, resulting in including 40 articles. Among the analyzed HMs in the presented review, the average content of Cr, Pb, Ba, Al, As, Zn, and Cd exceeded the permissible limits suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) and 1,053 Iranian standards. Also, the rank order of Hazard Quotient (HQ) of HMs was defined as Cd>As>Cr>Pb>Li for children which means Cd has the highest non-carcinogenic risk and Li has the least. This verifies to the current order As>Cr>Pb>Fe=Zn=Cu>Cd for adults. The corresponded values of HQ and Hazard Index (HI) in most cities and villages were investigated and the results indicated a lower than 1 value, which means consumers are not at non-carcinogenic risk (HQ). Carcinogenic risk (CR) of As in the adult and children consumers in most of the samples (58.82% of samples for both groups) were investigated too, and it was more than>1.00E-04 value, which determines that consumers are at significant CR.

Health risk and pollution associated with trace metals in the waters of the Ebolowa municipal lake basin (Central Africa): evidence from hydrochemistry, quality indices, and statistical analyses

The aim of this study was to investigate the status of trace metals (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Zn) and health and carcinogenic risk associated then in the Ebolowa Municipal Lake (EML) basin. To this end, 21 water samples were collected from the EML and its two tributaries, Mfoumou and Bengo'o, and analyzed by Quantofix method (nanocolors and visiocolor ECO) by using the MACHEREY-NAGEL photometer. The data were processed using multivariate statistics. The results showed that all the physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, and TDS), with the exception of TDS, comply with were within WHO limits. The distribution of trace metals at the three sites investigated was as follows: Zn (80-400 ± 1.58 µg/L) > Cu (50-150 ± 9.38 µg/L) > Fe (10-40 ± 0.71 µg/L) > Pb (1-20 ± 3.02 µg/L) > As (1-9 ± 0.44 µg/L) > Ni (1-9 ± 1.48 µg/L). However, the highest values were observed in the EML and the Mfoumou River, where Pb pollution was noted. Statistical analysis showed that anthropogenic inputs increase the presence of Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Trace Metal Pollution Index values were below 15 at all sites, illustrating low levels of pollution. The trace metal evaluation index values for the Bengo'o stream are pure (mean = 0.6), slightly affected in the Mfoumou stream (mean = 2.0), and moderately affected in the EML (mean = 2.2). The toxicity load index values illustrate that the waters studied are toxic. The non-carcinogenic (HI) and carcinogenic (CR) health risk index values suggest a risk linked to oral ingestion in the LME and Mfoumou watercourses. The latter appears to be the main source of allochthonous pollutant input to the EML.

Combined use of principal component analysis/multiple linear regression analysis and artificial neural network to assess the impact of meteorological parameters on fluctuation of selected PM2.5-bound elements

Based on the data of the State of Global Air (2020), air quality deterioration in Thailand has caused ~32,000 premature deaths, while the World Health Organization evaluated that air pollutants can decrease the life expectancy in the country by two years. PM2.5 was collected at three air quality observatory sites in Chiang-Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket, Thailand, from July 2020 to June 2021. The concentrations of 25 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Sr, Ba, and Pb) were quantitatively characterised using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Potential adverse health impacts of some element exposures from inhaling PM2.5 were estimated by employing the hazard quotient and excess lifetime cancer risk. Higher cancer risks were detected in PM2.5 samples collected at the sampling site in Bangkok, indicating that vehicle exhaust adversely impacts human health. Principal component analysis suggests that traffic emissions, crustal inputs coupled with maritime aerosols, and construction dust were the three main potential sources of PM2.5. Artificial neural networks underlined agricultural waste burning and relative humidity as two major factors controlling the air quality of Thailand.

A comprehensive research on open surface drinking water resources in Istanbul using remote sensing technologies

Istanbul is a megacity with a population of 15.5 million and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe. Due to the rapidly increasing population and urbanization, Istanbul's daily water needs are constantly increasing. In this study, eight drinking water basins that supply water to Istanbul were comprehensively examined using remote sensing observations and techniques. Water surface area changes were determined monthly, and their relationships with meteorological parameters and climate change were investigated. Monthly water surface areas of natural lakes and dams were determined with the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) applied to Sentinel-2 satellite images. Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images were used in months when optical images were unavailable. The study was carried out using 3705 optical and 1167 SAR images on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. Additionally, to determine which areas of water resources are shrinking, water frequency maps of the major drinking water resources were produced. Land use/land cover (LULC) changes that occurred over time were determined, and the effects of the increase in urbanization, especially on drinking water surface areas, were investigated. ESRI LULC data was used to determine LULC changes in watersheds, and the increase in urbanization areas from 2017 to 2022 ranged from 1 to 91.43%. While the basin with the least change was in Istranca, the highest increase in the artificial surface was determined to be in the Büyükçekmece basin with 1833.03 ha (2.89%). While there was a 1-12.35% decrease in the surface areas of seven water resources from 2016 to 2022, an increase of 2.65-93% was observed in three water resources (Büyükçekmece, Sazlıdere, and Elmalı), each in different categories depending on their size. In the overall analysis, total WSA decreased by 62.33 ha from 2016 to 2022, a percentage change of 0.70%. Besides the areal change analysis, the algae contents of the drinking water resources over the years were examined for the major water basins using the Normalized Difference Chlorophyll Index (NDCI) and revealed their relationship with meteorological factors and urbanization.