An Assessment of Heavy Metals Soil Pollution and Health Risk Around Industrial District in Qayarah Area, Northern Iraq

Abstract

Industrial district as well as human and natural activity are the main source of pollution in Al-Qayarah city area . These sources release pollutants into nearby areas. Twenty-six soil samples were selected at a depth of (0-30) centimeters and heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb) were analyzed using ICP-MS technique, in addition to measuring some physicochemical properties of the soil such as pH, EC, OM. Contamination factor, enrichment factor, pollution loading index, and long-term carcinogenic risk estimation were calculated based on exposure through ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation. The average values of pH, EC, and OM% were 7.7, 3.37 dS/m, and 2.35% respectively. The average concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb were (6.40, 0.205, 18.68, 101.46, 159.06, and 9.93) ppm respectively.The significance of the contamination and enrichment factors, as well as the pollution loading index, for heavy elements ranged from low to medium values. The pollution loading index for the contaminated samples followed the following order:AB6>QR1>AB5>AB4>QF8>AB3>AB2>GS4>QF7>QR2>QF9.Whereas, the enrichment and pollution factors for heavy elements followed the following order: As>Ni>Cd>Cr>Pb>Co. The values of the total carcinogenicity factor through ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation were (1.2x10-4), (6.91x10-4), and (7.85x10-3) respectively, all exposure pathways to studied pollutants are in the following order : Carcinogenic inhalation hazard > Carcinogenic skin hazard > Carcinogenic oral hazard. Site AB6 is considered the most polluted due to the impact of most influential factors and a high probability of cancer risk.