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Health Risk Assessment of Metal Fumes in an Iranian Mineral Salt Company Publisher



Kalteh S1 ; Mozaffari S2 ; Molaei I3 ; Maleki R4
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Occupational Health and Safety, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Environmental Engineering, Tehran West Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Journal of Air Pollution and Health Published:2020


Abstract

Introduction: Salt is a crucial mineral for human health, however, workers of salt factories may be exposed to hazardous pollutants such as heavy metals. Heavy metal fumes are considered toxic for human health. This study aimed to investigate concentration and assess health risks posed by toxic fumes in a salt factory. Materials and methods: Three units in the factory including salt laboratory, maintenance and metalworks were sampled for Arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co) and lead (Pb) according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH7300 method, and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometers (ICP-AES). Results: All hazardous levels of fumes were below the permissible limit. The highest concentration of toxic fumes (Cr) was found in the maintenance unit. With 0.0758 mg/m3, the highest total concentrations of heavy metals (tHM) was found in the maintenance unit (tHM for Salt laboratory=0.0281 mg/m3 and metalworks=0.0103 mg/m3). In salt laboratory, the metal fumes concentrations were ordered as Pb>As>Cd>Cr>Co; in maintenance unit: Cr>Pb>As>Co>Cd; in metalworks: Cr>As>Pb>Co>Cd. The total hazard quotient (tHQ) and Life Time Cancer Risk (LCR) in salt laboratory unit were 5.11 and 4.93E-01, respectively; in maintenance the tHQ=9.35E+01 and Life Time Cancer (LCR) =5.90E-01; in metalworks tHQ=6.57 and LCR=4.95E-02. Conclusion: The pollutant levels were below the acceptable limit. Yet, the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks that they pose are not negligible. Therefore, enhancing the efficiency of the ventilation system and additional monitoring on wearing protective equipment as preventive strategies are proposed. © 2020 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.