Dust trace metals implications on school’s indoor air quality linked to human health risk at Khurianwala (Pakistan)

In an environment, trace metals (TMs) are characterized by high density and potential toxicity. Airborne dust particles distribute TMs in the environment including educational institutes that enters the human body and cause severe health issues. Therefore, this research aimed at quantifying the concentration of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) present in classroom dust and determine associated health risk through different environmental models by employing R-studio. Dust samples from 12 schools situated in rural and urban areas and close to the industrial zones in Khurrianwala, Faisalabad were analyzed on atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that the dust samples contained Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in ranges of 0.02–2.5, 2.5–24.3, 5.4–41.5, 3.6–55.8, and 5.8–146.7 mg kg⁻¹, respectively. The geo-accumulation index indicated that dust samples were contaminated with Cd and Pb. The contamination factor revealed that Ni and Cu contamination was minimal in all schools, while Cd and Pb showed moderate to high contamination at each school. Excluding rural regions, the pollution load index was high in industrial zone and urban regions. The hazard quotient indicated a little chance of non-carcinogenic risk in children from dust ingestion. The non-carcinogenic health hazard range (HI < 1) and the total cancer risk range (10⁻⁶ < TCR ≤10⁻⁴) were inferior for cancer-causing in adults and children, respectively. Findings of the study suggested that assessing the health risk caused by TMs contaminated dust in the school environment is essential to avoid any health complications in adults and children.