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Spatial distribution and correlations among elements in smaller than 75 μm street dust: ecological and probabilistic health risk assessment

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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate spatial distribution, correlations among elements and ecological and probabilistic health risk assessment in smaller than 75 μm street dust in Kerman city, Iran. Street dust samples were collected from 35 different points. Elements were detected by ICP-AES. Pollution degree was characterized through Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) and Potential Ecological Risk (PER). The health risk was assessed using the Monte Carlo simulation method. The mean values of elements were in the order of Al > Mn > Zn > Cu > V > Pb > Cr > Ni > Li > As > Co > Mo > Sb > Cd > Ag. The results of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) showed that Al, As, Co, Li, Mn and V were possibly derived from natural sources (local soil), while traffic and mining activities were proposed as the main source of Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn. The order of EF and CF mean values decreased as follows: Mn > Ag > Cu > Zn > Pb > Sb > Mo > Li > Co > V > Cd > As > Cr > Ni. In addition, 73% of Cu and 35% of Zn, Ag and Mn had significant enrichment in the street dust samples. Also, Ag and Mn were categorized in the significant and very significant pollution category. In terms of the PER index, all samples could be classified at low-risk category. Ingestion of street dust was the significant route for exposure of residents of Kerman to the elements studied. No significant ecological hazards and health risks were observed from street dust in the study area in the period of the study. The improvement in the fuels quality and development of green spaces can be suggested to control natural and anthropogenic street dust pollution sources in the Kerman city.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Technology of Kerman University of Medical Sciences under grant number 98000337 and the code of research ethics certificate IR.KMU.REC.1398.312. The authors would like to acknowledge the Environmental Health Engineering Research Center of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Also, the authors are grateful to the Physiology Research Center of Kerman University of Medical Sciences for technically support and staff collaboration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Health Engineering Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

    Mohammad Malakootian, Alireza Nasiri, Amir Mohammad Sheikh Asadi & Maryam Faraji

  2. Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

    Mohammad Malakootian & Maryam Faraji

  3. Department of Public Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran

    Amir Mohammadi

  4. Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Gea Oliveri Conti

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  1. Mohammad Malakootian
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Correspondence to Maryam Faraji.

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Malakootian, M., Mohammadi, A., Nasiri, A. et al. Spatial distribution and correlations among elements in smaller than 75 μm street dust: ecological and probabilistic health risk assessment. Environ Geochem Health 43, 567–583 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-020-00694-0

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