Impact of particle size on heavy metal contamination in human health from sandstorms in Iraq

Background

The Middle East, including Iraq, is undergoing significant climate change, which has accelerated desertification, drought, and dust storms. Rapid industrialization and urbanization, which frequently contaminate the atmosphere with hazardous metals, are to blame for these changes.

Methods

The human health risks of six common heavy metals, including lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni), were examined in dust particles that were collected from five major administrative districts in Iraq in order to understand the impact of particle size on heavy metals in a sandy dust storm. The hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (RI) were used to evaluate the health risk for both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic substances.

Results

smaller particles' Cu and Cd concentrations generally increased from 63 μm to 75 μm, and the maximum Cr content was discovered in the particles (75 μm). The HI values of heavy metals were less than 1 and suggested that these elements did not offer a non-cancer risk to either adults or children. TCR values for Ni were higher than 1 × 10⁻⁶ in particle size (63 μm, 75 μm, and 200 μm) for children. Moreover, TCR values for Cr were higher than 1 × 10⁻⁶ in particle size (63 μm and 200 μm) with the exception that Cr in all sites were higher than TCR 1 × 10⁻⁴ in particle size (75 μm) for children

Conclusion

The amounts of six metals varied according on the size of the dust storm's particles. Given their health hazard, these metals' health concerns, particularly those of chromium and nickel for children, should receive significant attention.