Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Adsorbed in Particulates

The progress of concentrations of particular heavy metals was assessed in chosen localities in region Moravia, the Czech Republic, from 2007 to 2009. Particular metals were observed in localities with various types and characterization of zone. Pb, Ni, As and Cd were emphasized as a result of their toxicity and potential adverse health effect to the exposed population. The progress of metal concentrations and their health effects in the most polluted localities were examined. According to the results, the air pollution limit values were not exceeded. Based on the health risk assessment, the probability of developing tumorous diseases is acceptable, except for the increased probability of cancer risk from long-term exposure to As.


Authors:



References:
[1] M. Lipman, "Targeting the Components Most Responsible for Airborne
Particulate Matter Health Risks," in Journal of Exposure Science and
Environmental Epidemiology, vol. 20, 2010, pp. 117-118.
[2] V. Adamec, Transport, Health and Environment, Prague: Grada
Publishing. 2008.
[3] K. Donaldson, P. Borm, Particle Toxicology, Boca Raton: Tailor and
Francis Group, 2010.
[4] United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), "Health
Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants," Technology
Transfer Network: Air Toxics Web Site, (online) Available:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/hapindex.html.
[5] M. Yu, Environmental Toxicology: Impact of Environmental Toxicants
on Living Systems, Boca Raton: CRS Press LLC, 2001.
[6] Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic, "Methodical
Instruction No 12 for The Risk Analysis of Contaminated Area," in
Ministry of Environment Bulletin, vol. XV, article 9, Prague, 2005.
[7] United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Risk
Assessment Guidelines of 1986, EPA/600/8-87/045, Washington, DC:
US EPA, 1987.
[8] Czech Hydrometeological Institution (CHMI), Air Quality Protection
Division, Annual Tabular Overview, (online) Available:
http://portal.chmi.cz/files/portal/docs/uoco/isko/tab_roc/tab_roc_CZ.ht
ml.
[9] California Environmental Protection Agency (CAL EPA), Office of
Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Toxicity Criteria Database,
(online) Available: http://oehha.ca.gov/risk/ChemicalDB/index.asp.