Origin and assessment of health risk index of heavy metals (Cadmium and Lead) in the dust of buildings of the Science and Research Unit

The increase in population and the development of urban and industrial infrastructure have caused an increase in atmospheric pollutants and numerous environmental problems. The aim of this study was to find the origin and measure the health risk index of heavy metals (Cadmium and Lead) in the dust falling from the buildings of science and research unit. For this purpose, the sampling of atmospheric particles (dust) from the interior spaces of the buildings was done in 20 points by passive method. The obtained concentrations of the studied metals were used to calculate various health risk indices, enrichment index, land accumulation index, ecological risk index, carcinogenic risk index and HI risk index. The average concentration of studied metals in different stations for cadmium and lead metals was evaluated as 5.4081±0.85 and 170.9257±71.9418 mg/kg, respectively. There was a statistical difference between the average concentration of metals in such a way that this noticeable difference was observed with lead metal (P<0.05) and cadmium metal (P<0.05). The enrichment factor showed a significant difference between lead (P<0.05) and cadmium (P<0.05). There was a difference between cadmium (P<0.05) and lead (P< 0.05) accumulation index. Ecological risk index was evaluated low in all stations except stations 8 and 18. Daily chronic absorption from the gastrointestinal tract for lead metal was calculated at the highest level. The non-carcinogenicity index of the gastrointestinal tract for lead metal was evaluated as high. The respiratory tract also showed a very low risk. In general, the results showed that the studied area has heavy metal pollution, which has the capacity of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk for sensitive groups of the society.