A Systematic Review on Concentration of Heavy Metal in the Ambient Air of Different Industries and the Health Risk Assessment

Abstract

Heavy metals are a group of pollutants that are found in ambient air of the industries. The metals can lead to cancerous and non-cancerous diseases in the exposed persons. In this systematic review, the concentration of heavy metals in the ambient air of industries and the related health risks were studied. In general, heavy metals with different average concentrations were found in various industries. Given the results, Zinc (539.96 µg/m³ ), Iron (216.04 µg/m³), Mercury (19.37 µg/m³), Lead (19.24 µg/m³), Arsenic (17/51 µg/m3), Chromium (12/18 µg/m³), Titanium (10/63 µg/m³ ), Nickel (9/09 µg/m³), Copper (8/11 µg/m³), Cadmium (6/7 µg/m³), Antimony (3/2 µg/m³), Manganese (2.99 µg/m³), Cobalt (1.32 µg/m³ ) were found in the air of the industries. For the zinc smelting, atomic energy, steel, roofing, printing, tape production, and cement, the highest concentration was for zinc (2518 µg/m³), lead (41/35 µg/m³), lead (45 µg/m³), lead (1/38 µg/m³), copper (20/20 µg/m³) and iron (216/04 µg/m³), respectively. All of the concentration in this research is reported in µg/m³. The average carcinogenic risk for the metals were 1.78×10-2, 3.32×10-3, 3.6×10-2, and 1.79×10-3 respectively for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and nickel. The average non-carcinogenic risk of chromium, manganese, and mercury were 8.06×104 , 77×10-4, and 1.22×10-2, respectively. According to the results, the variety of heavy metals in cement industry is more than in other industries, while the concentration of heavy metals in zinc smelting and atomic energy industries was more than remain. Zinc showed the highest average concentration and chromium showed the highest expected risk of carcinogenicity for occupational exposure.