scholarly journals Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of air pollutant in a steel industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1950-1955
Author(s):  
Ameneh Golbaghi ◽  
Leila Nematpour ◽  
Zabiholah Damiri ◽  
Behzad Fouladi Dehaghi

Background: Chemical risk assessment is one of the major strategies that can help prioritize hazardous pollutants and decide on appropriate control measures. Objective: This study aim was evaluating carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of chemical and fume compounds in a steel industry in South Iran. Methods: This study conducted in one of the steel industry with 1600 workers. After sampling the inhalation air of workers exposed to various chemicals, the method provided by risk assessment information system (RAIS) was used to assess cancer carcinogenic and non-Carcinogenic risk based on the findings. Results: Asbestos with the content of 1.5×10-10, chromium 1.36×10-2, and lead 5.38×10-5 definitive cancer and definite cancer are in the category of minor cancer effects, respectively. In calculating the non-cancer risk, the risk factor for Quotient Hazard Non-cancer (HQ) in hydrogen sulfide, chromium, and manganese were 3.08×102, 5.71×10-2, and 9.13×102 respectively, indicating non-cancer risk in them. Conclusion: Based on the values provided by the environmental protection agency, it is observed that some pollutants in the steel industry during the study period will increase the risk of cancer and non-cancerous diseases for steel industry workers. Therefore, considering appropriate engineering and management controls can help prevent these effects. Keywords: Carcinogenic risk, Chemical contaminants, Non-carcinogenic risk.

Author(s):  
Sheldon Krimsky

This chapter explores the glaring scientific differences in the human health assessment of the popular herbicide glyphosate between European and American institutions. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that glyphosate is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans. Both IARC's and the EPA's carcinogenic risk assessment processes are discussed. This work reveals uncertainties in the sciences of toxicology and epidemiology, as well as assumptions made in their applications for evaluating glyphosate. These uncertainties, along with the political context of chemical risk assessment, are at the root of the divergent findings on the carcinogenic risks of glyphosate.


Dose-Response ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 155932581880640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenny Crump

Before around 1960, assessment of risk from exposure to toxic substances, including risk of cancer, was generally implemented using the NOAEL-safety factor approach that essentially assumed that an exposure threshold existed and exposures below the threshold carried no risk. In the 1970s there came a realization that cancer could develop from a mutation in a single cell and consequently it was unlikely that a threshold existed for substances that could cause such mutations, and that risk could increase linearly with exposure. During this time the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed and charged with protecting the public from a perceived high risk of environmental cancer. Faced with this difficult task, EPA decided to assess cancer risk by fitting a statistical model to dose-response cancer data and extrapolating to low dose using the fitted model. After some early experimentation EPA selected the Linearized Multistage Model for this fitting, which predicted risk increased linearly with exposure at low exposures. This approach led to an increased emphasis on statistical issues in risk assessment. Today, cancer risk assessment guidelines allow for different approaches depending upon the understanding of a substance's mode of action. However, a review of EPA's experience with current guidelines indicates that most cancer risk assessments still follow procedures similar to those initiated more than 40 years ago.


Author(s):  
Paulina Traczyk ◽  
Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska

Aims: Air quality changes with human health risk assessment were investigated. Methods: The measurement results obtained by the Regional Environmental Protection Inspectorate (REPI) in Kraków and our deposited particulate-matter (PM) analysis, as well as United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) methodology of risk assessment were used in the study. Results: Annual pollutant contents kept decreasing, with the exception of O3. However, the permissible annual levels were exceeded in the cases of PM10, PM2.5, and NO2. Increased contents of SO2, CO, C6H6, PM10, and PM2.5, as well as of As, Pb, Cd, Ni, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM particles during winter months indicated that house heating was the source of pollution. Due to no significant change in the monthly NO2 contents, this measurement was used as an indicator of traffic sources of pollution. In winter months, the allowable 24 h PM2.5 and PM10 contents were constantly exceeded. PM was identified as the most significant air pollutant. Enrichment factors revealed that deposited PM was enriched with heavy metals. The potential ecological risk (ERI) was determined to be very high for Cd, considerable for Zn, and low for As, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Tl. The total non-carcinogenic risk indices (HQ) for both adults (HQ = 15.0) and children (HQ = 26.4) exceeded the acceptable value of 1. The total carcinogenic risk indices (CR) for both adults (CR = 1.51 × 10−4) and children (CR = 1.77 × 10−4) exceeded the acceptable level of 1 × 10−4. Conclusions: In the years 2005–2020, a general decreasing tendency of annual pollutant contents was observed. However, the permissible contaminant contents were still exceeded. PM2.5, BaP, PM10, and NO2 were determined as the most dangerous pollutants in inhalational pathway.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 166-175
Author(s):  
Fatima Haque ◽  
Yi Wai Chiang ◽  
Rafael M. Santos

AbstractCalcium- and magnesium-rich alkaline silicate minerals, when applied to soil, can aid in carbon dioxide sequestration via enhanced weathering. The weathering of these silicate minerals is also associated with the release of heavy metals such as Ni and Cr, depending on the composition of the parent rock, and also labile Si. This paper critically analyses the risk associated with the release of Ni, Cr, and Si from alkaline silicate minerals as a result of enhanced weathering to evaluate its potential to be applied as a soil amendment. Based on the available data in the literature, this study evaluates the soil contamination level and quantifies the risk these elements pose to human health as well as the environment. To assess these potential threat levels, the geoaccumulation index was applied, along with the method recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency for health risk assessment. The main findings of this study indicate the potential release of Ni, Cr, and Si to exceed the soil quality guideline value. The geochemical index suggests that the analyzed samples are in the class 0–3 and represents sites that lie between uncontaminated zones to highly contaminated zones. The hazard index value for Ni and Cr is greater than unity, which suggests that Ni and Cr release poses a non-carcinogenic risk. The probability of labile Si concentration in the soil to exceed the critical value is found to be 75%.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roshanak Rezaei Kalantary ◽  
Neamatollah Jaafarzadeh ◽  
Mohammad Rezvani Ghalhari ◽  
Mohsen Hesami Arani

Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic pollutants containing several hydrocarbon rings affecting human health according to the published monitoring data. Most of these compounds can be absorbed by the soil and sediments due to the abundance of production resources of these compounds in the soil around the cities and sediments of the Iranian coast. Cancer risk assessment (CRA) is one of the most effective methods for quantifying the potentially harmful effects of PAHs on human health. In this study, the published papers that monitored PAHs in Iran’s soil and sediments were reviewed. The extraction of different data and their equivalent factors were performed according to BaP equivalent, which is the main factor for calculating CRA of PAHs. The highest concentrations of PAHs were found in the sediments of Assaluyeh industrial zones (14,844 μg/kg), Khormousi region (1874.7 μg/kg), and Shadegan wetland (1749.5 μg/kg), respectively. Dermal exposure to sediments was 96% in adults, and 4% in children, and ingestion exposure to sediment was 99% in adults and 99.2% in children. Children dermal exposure to soil was 53%, and the accidental exposure to soil was 47%. In adults, dermal exposure to soil was 96% and the accidental exposure was 4%. The results of the present study indicated a significant, the carcinogenic risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in sediments of southern regions and soils of central regions of Iran is significant.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (12) ◽  
pp. 960-970
Author(s):  
Mohsen Sadeghi-Yarandi ◽  
Ali Karimi ◽  
Vahid Ahmadi ◽  
Ali Asghar Sajedian ◽  
Ahmad Soltanzadeh ◽  
...  

1,3-Butadiene is classified as carcinogenic to humans by inhalation. This study aimed to assess cancer and non-cancer risk following occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a petrochemical plant producing acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer in Iran. Occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene was measured according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 1024 method. Cancer and non-cancer risk assessment were performed according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency method. The average occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene during work shifts among all participants was 560.82 ± 811.36 µg m−3. The average lifetime cancer risk (LCR) in the present study was 2.71 × 10−3; 82.2% of all exposed workers were within the definite carcinogenic risk level. Also, the mean non-cancer risk (hazard quotient (HQ)) among all participants was 10.82 ± 14.76. The highest LCR and HQ were observed in the safety and fire-fighting station workers with values of 7.75 × 10−3 and 36.57, respectively. The findings revealed that values of carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risk in the majority of participants were within the definitive and unacceptable risk levels. Therefore, corrective measures are necessary to protect these workers from non-cancer and cancer risks from 1,3-butadiene exposure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-77
Author(s):  
Nguyen Thanh Giao ◽  
Phan Kim Anh ◽  
Huynh Thi Hong Nhien

The study was conducted to assess the health risks of workers due to exposure to toxic gases including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m, p-xylene, o-xylene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde at gasoline retail stations. In this study, data on the  concentrations of the toxic gases were collected from the previously published studies in the qualified scientific journals. The health risk assessment was followed by the process of the United States Environment Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). The results show that the concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m, p-xylene, o-xylene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde were in the range of 12.40 - 357.5, 12.47 - 574.17, 2.05 - 156.5, 4.57 - 218, 2.36 - 77.04, 3.64 - 153.93 and 1.27- 27.83 µg/m3 , respectively. Life time cancer risk for gasoline station workers due to exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde was calculated in the ranges of 2.13x10-5 - 6.14x10-4 , 4.96x10-7 - 3.79x10-5 , 4.81x10-6 - 2.03x10-4 , and 7.99x10-7 - 1.75x10-5 , respectively. For non-carcinogenic  compounds, the hazard index due to benzene, toluene, m, p-xylene, o-xylene were respectively in the range of 0.13 - 3.81, 7.97x10-4 -  0.04, 0.01 - 0.70 and 0.01 - 0.25. The findings revealed that there is high risk of cancer and non-cancer for the workers working at the gasolines stations if they are not taking good preventive measures. The calculation showed that the limit levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde should be reduced to 5.82x10-4 , 15.64, 4.13x10- 3 , 0.31, 7.57x10-4 and 1.59x10-3 mg/m3 , respectively to meet the safety levels for the workers at the gasoline stations. Keywords: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, life-time cancer risk, health


Author(s):  
Mahdi Sadeghi ◽  
Mina Noroozi

Introduction: Contamination of water with heavy metals has turned into a health concern, particularly in the developing countries. In this study, concentration of heavy metals and associated carcinogenic and non- carcinogenic risk was investigated in water samples collected from Gonbad-e Kavus, a high-risk area for cancer. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected from Gorgan River, Golestan reservoir and wells around villages with high prevalence in 2018. Samples were analysed through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. After determining the concentration of heavy metals in water samples from different sources, health risk assessment was carried out according to the Environmental Protection Agency.  Results: Arsenic in samples 6-9 was higher than 10 µg/L, calcium and magnesium in sample 5 was higher than 200 mg/L and 150 mg/L respectively, and sodium in all samples was higher than 50 mg/L.  According to the findings, these concentrations were higher than the maximum allowed limit in most water samples. Hazard quotient (HQ) in samples 8 and 9 were associated with arsenic and health risk in sample 1 was related to antimony. Furthermore, since all samples contained high amounts of lithium, water from this area better should not be consumed by children older than one year. Conclusion: Given the high rate of arsenic contamination, consumption of water in the study area could be health threatening for all individuals and is not recommended for children. This highlights the need for taking immediate actions to review the water treatment process and ensure safety of the drinking water in this area.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Amin Karami ◽  
Yadollah Fakhri ◽  
Shahabaldin Rezania ◽  
Abdol Azim Alinejad ◽  
Ali Akbar Mohammadi ◽  
...  

Excessive intake of fluoride can cause adverse health effects. Consumption of tea as a popular drink could be a potential source of fluoride exposure to humans. This research aimed to evaluate the fluoride concentration in tea among the Iranian people using the available data in the literature and to assess the health risk related to the consumption of tea in men, women, and children. The health risk assessment was conducted using the chronic daily intake and hazard quotient according to the approach suggested by the Environmental Protection Agency. The fluoride content in published studies varied noticeably, ranging from 0.13 to 3.27 mg/L. The results revealed that the hazard quotient (HQ) in age groups of women (21–72 years) and children (0–11 years) was within the safe zone (HQ < 1) which showed that there was no potential of non-carcinogenic risk associated with drinking tea in these groups. However, in one case of the men (21–72 years), the HQ > 1 which shows a probable risk of fluorosis. The order of non-carcinogenic health risks in the studied groups was in the order of men > women > children. The results of this can be useful for organizations with the responsibility of human health promotion.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document