Journals Information
Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 10(3), pp. 398 - 413
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2022.100308
Reprint (PDF) (708Kb)
Assessment of Potential Human Health Risks from Exposure to Select Heavy Metals in Road Dust Around Mining Sites in Carrascal, Surigao Del Sur, Philippines
Kaleb P. Arreza 1, Janice S. Garcia 2, Mark Joseph J. Buncag 1,3,*, Janice B. Sevilla-Nastor 2, Lorele C. Trinidad 4
1 Department of Environmental Science, College of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Mindanao State University, Philippines
2 School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baňos, Philippines
3 Social Sciences Division, National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), Philippines
4 National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), University of the Philippines Los Baňos, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Road dust samples around human settlements nearby mining areas in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, Philippines were investigated to quantify the levels of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) and assess the potential health risks from selected heavy metals. Metal concentrations of chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in road dust were analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer. Analytical results showed that the average concentrations of Cr, Ni, Mn, and Zn were very high at 15,668, 14,814, 7,054, and 684 mg/kg, respectively. Measured concentrations exceeded standards stipulated in international regulations and guidelines by several orders of magnitude. Mortality and morbidity cases with causes probably related to dust inhalation (e.g., upper respiratory tract infection and pneumonia) noticeably increased during the peak years of mining operations. Non-carcinogenic health risk assessment revealed that children are more prone to develop non-carcinogenic health effects than adults (HI values >1 for Cr, Ni and Mn for children and only Cr for adults), owing to their smaller body weight and activities exposing them to these metals via the ingestion route. Assessment of carcinogenic risk value or the lifetime probability of an individual to develop cancer due to exposure to Ni revealed that such risk is negligible. This study suggests that mining companies and government units should proactively take measures to reduce dust exposure (e.g., dust inhalation) of mine workers and residents in nearby communities. In developing management measures, children should be provided with attention given their greater risk of developing dust-related illnesses and diseases.
KEYWORDS
Heavy Metals, Mining, Road Dust, Potential Health Risk, Non-Carcinogenic Risk, Carcinogenic Risk
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Kaleb P. Arreza , Janice S. Garcia , Mark Joseph J. Buncag , Janice B. Sevilla-Nastor , Lorele C. Trinidad , "Assessment of Potential Human Health Risks from Exposure to Select Heavy Metals in Road Dust Around Mining Sites in Carrascal, Surigao Del Sur, Philippines," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 398 - 413, 2022. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2022.100308.
(b). APA Format:
Kaleb P. Arreza , Janice S. Garcia , Mark Joseph J. Buncag , Janice B. Sevilla-Nastor , Lorele C. Trinidad (2022). Assessment of Potential Human Health Risks from Exposure to Select Heavy Metals in Road Dust Around Mining Sites in Carrascal, Surigao Del Sur, Philippines. Environment and Ecology Research, 10(3), 398 - 413. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2022.100308.