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Monte Carlo-based probabilistic risk assessment for cement workers exposed to heavy metals in cement dust

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Abstract

This study assessed the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks of cement plant workers exposed to chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in cement dust using a probabilistic approach. Air samples were collected according to NIOSH 7900 and OSHA ID-121 methods and analyzed by an graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. The EPA inhalation risk assessment model and Monte Carlo simulation were utilized to assess the health risks. Sensitivity analysis was used to determine the influencing parameters on health risk. The average concentrations of As and Pb exceeded the occupational exposure limit (OEL), reaching a maximum of 3.4 and 1.7 times the OEL, respectively, in the cement mill. Individual metals' cancer risk exceeded the 1E–4 threshold in ascending order of Cd < As < Cr. The mean cancer risk of Cr ranged from 835E-4 (in raw mill) to 2870E-4 (in pre-heater and kiln). Except for Cd, the non-cancer risk of metals exceeded the standard (hazard index, HQ = 1) in the ascending order of Pb < As < Cr. The mean HQ of Cr ranged from 162.13 (in raw mill) to 558.73 (in pre-heater and kiln). After adjusting for control factors, the cancer and non-cancer risks remained over the respective recommended levels. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the concentration of Cr was the most influential parameter on both carcinogenic (78.5%) and non-carcinogenic (88.06%) risks. To protect the health of cement factory employees, it is recommended to minimize cement dust emissions, implement job rotation, and use raw materials with low levels of heavy metals.

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Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author.

Abbreviations

AT:

Average time

ADD:

Average daily dose

BW:

Body weight

CSF:

Cancer slope factor

ED:

Exposure duration

Ef:

Exposure frequency

t:

Exposure time

HI:

Hazard index

HQ:

Hazard quotient

IARC:

International agency for research on cancer

IR:

Inhalation rate

LADD:

Lifetime average daily dose

NIOSH:

National institute for occupational safety and health

OSHA:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

QRA:

Quantitative risk assessment

R:

Cancer risk

RFC:

Reference concentration

Rt:

Total cancer risk

TWA:

Time-weighted average

USEPA:

United states environmental protection agency

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Acknowledgements

We were grateful for the cooperation of all the participating workers, management of the cement factory for their assistance throughout the data collection.

Funding

This work was supported by the Urmia University of Medical Sciences (UMSU) grant (Project No.11086).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

    Abbas Jafari

  2. Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

    Somayeh Asadyari, Zahra Moutab Sahihazar & Mohammad Hajaghazadeh

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  1. Abbas Jafari
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  2. Somayeh Asadyari
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  3. Zahra Moutab Sahihazar
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  4. Mohammad Hajaghazadeh
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Contributions

MH and AJ designed the study. SA collected data. MH, AJ, and ZMS analyzed the data and wrote the initial draft. All of the authors revised and approved the paper and supplementary information.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammad Hajaghazadeh.

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The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Ethical approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Ethics Committee of Urmia University of Medical Sciences (UMSU) (approval number: IR.UMSU.REC.1400.340).

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Jafari, A., Asadyari, S., Moutab Sahihazar, Z. et al. Monte Carlo-based probabilistic risk assessment for cement workers exposed to heavy metals in cement dust. Environ Geochem Health 45, 5961–5979 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01611-x

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