1. Pollution, sources, and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in urban areas around industrialization and urbanization-Northwest China.
- Author
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Li, Feng-jie, Yang, Hong-wei, Ayyamperumal, Ramamoorthy, and Liu, Yang
- Subjects
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HEALTH risk assessment , *HEAVY metals , *HEAVY metal toxicology , *SOIL pollution , *URBAN soils , *DUST , *INDUSTRIAL pollution , *PLANT-soil relationships - Abstract
Heavy metal pollution in urban soils and dust is mostly caused by extensive anthropogenic activity during urbanization and industrialization. In this research study, the pollution characteristics, sources, ecological and human health risks of heavy metals in urban soil, and dust have been thoroughly evaluated. The research findings demonstrate that dust has a higher level of contamination than urban soil, such as Pb, Cu, and Zn metals are more contaminated in both urban soil and dust throughout the city, and Hg and As are also found in locations with a high concentration of heavy industrial companies. This implies that traffic emissions are still a significant source of metals in urban areas, though industrial companies also contribute. The health risk assessment model used to calculate human exposure revealed that the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of selected metals in soil and dust were generally in the low range, except for the carcinogenic risk from Cr in children. Statistical analysis revealed that Cr and Ni concentrations were mainly of natural origin, Cu and Zn have been sourced from traffic, whereas Pb, Hg, and As have been sourced from industrial activities. The overall recommendation is that the road traffic environment and municipal construction facilities need to be improved to ensure the sustainable development of the city's environment, while pollution from industrial waste is strongly controlled. [Display omitted] • Heavy metal pollution in urban soil and dust was evaluated as a result of industrialization and urbanization. • In recent years, heavy metal pollution from industrial activities in Lanzhou has decreased. • Traffic activity is a major contributor to heavy metal pollution in Lanzhou's soil and dust. • Suggestions on strengthening municipal construction and management were put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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