Mercury Content, and Health Risks Assessment in the Surface Soil from Selected Sites in Kirkuk, Northern Iraq

The current research aims to find the levels of mercury element in surface soils from selected locations Kirkuk Governorate and assess their ecological health risks it. Forty-one specimen were collected upper part Top soil at a depth 0-20cm analyzed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. results showed that total concentration this reached (47.19 μg/kg) Mercury high concentrations within sites sanitary incineration operations Al-Nasr hospital (72 μg/kg), some landfill Al-Zandan area value 89 μg/kg which is higher than internationally recorded values 70 μg/kg. enrichment factor rates for all samples it falls (deficiency minimal enrichment), contamination index rate low type, while risk appeared be risk(low potential risk), factors (Hazard Quotient) hazard study there are no non-carcinogenic effects three pathways inhalation, skin contact ingestion adults children .