Human Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium Exposure in Dry Deposition of Atmospheric Dust (Uncertainty Analysis)

 Background and purpose: The atmospheric suspended particulate matter is a major route of human exposure to different kinds of environmental pollutants especially toxic heavy metals. The aim of this study was to assess the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of cadmium in dry deposition of atmospheric dust in Qazvin, Iran. Materials and methods: Glass traps were used for sampling dry atmospheric dust. To determine the concentration of cadmium (Cd), the samples were injected into ICP-OES after preparation. Then, the risk of carcinogenicity and non-carcinogenicity of Cd was calculated in children and adults. Results: The mean concentration of Cd was 0.0164 mg/kg. Cumulative non-carcinogenic risk (HI) in all exposure pathways for children and adults were 2.31E-4 and 1.94 E-4, respectively. The cumulative carcinogenic risk (TCR) in children and adults were 4.72 E-9 and 9.21 E-9, respectively. Conclusion: The risk of carcinogenicity and non-carcinogenicity due to the presence of cadmium in atmospheric dust and exposure in children and adults was found to be lower than acceptable limits. However, due to increasing air pollution in the future, it may cause harmful effects to the health of citizens.