Ecotoxicological and health risk assessment of toxic metals and metalloids burdened soil due to anthropogenic influence

Landfill area is one of developing countries' most common anthropogenically contaminated sites. The pressure of urbanization has led to increased waste generation in major cities, commonly deposited in landfills; hence, heavy metals contaminations are closer to the human environment than ever. The study assessed the environmental risk of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Colbat (Co), Cranium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), and Lead (Pb) in an abandoned landfill system and health-related risk using United State Environmental Protection Agency model. The Concentration of the elements descended as follows; Mn > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > Co > As > Cd and exceeded the WHO permissible limit. The Enrichment factor (EF) and potential ecological risk (ER) indicated no enrichment and low risk for all the elements except Cd (3.67, 426), with moderate enrichment and very high ecological risk. The hazard index (HI) value of the elements indicated no significant risk of non-carcinogenic effect for both Adults and Children except for Mn in Children with a value of 1.69 × 10⁰; however, the HI value of the elements descended as; Co > Mn > Zn > As > Cd > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr for adult and Mn > Cd > Co > Cr > As > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni for children. The total carcinogenic risk (TCR) value of the toxic metals descended as Ni > Cd > Cr > As > Pb for both adults and Children, while the metals showed no carcinogenic to acceptable risk to humans. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that the metals have similar sources and distribution which could be both lithogenic and anthropogenic influenced. Engaging the environment through sustainable practices will ensure efficient waste disposal and management.