Exploring human health risk assessment based on the screening of primary targeted metal and chemical balance simulation of ionic speciation in an industrial area, China

Fangfang Miao; Yimei Zhang; Shan Lu; Shuai Li; Yaxiao Duan; Yuxian Lai; Qinglu Fang; Zhiying Li; Qianguo Lin; Xi Liang; Kaiwen Yao

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130353

Exploring human health risk assessment based on the screening of primary targeted metal and chemical balance simulation of ionic speciation in an industrial area, China

Chemosphere. 2021 Aug:277:130353. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130353. Epub 2021 Mar 21.

Authors

Fangfang Miao¹, Yimei Zhang², Shan Lu³, Shuai Li⁴, Yaxiao Duan⁵, Yuxian Lai⁶, Qinglu Fang⁷, Zhiying Li⁸, Qianguo Lin⁹, Xi Liang¹⁰, Kaiwen Yao¹¹

Affiliations

¹ MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China. Electronic address: 953442609@qq.com.
² MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China; Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Functional Material, Suzhou Research Academy of North China Electric Power University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215213, China. Electronic address: zhangym@ncepu.edu.cn.
³ Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China. Electronic address: mff0628@126.com.
⁴ Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Functional Material, Suzhou Research Academy of North China Electric Power University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215213, China. Electronic address: 1147650338@qq.com.
⁵ MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China. Electronic address: 2590480384@qq.com.
⁶ MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China. Electronic address: 2386643733@qq.com.
⁷ MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China. Electronic address: mist0123@163.com.
⁸ MOE Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental System Optimization, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China. Electronic address: mff0628@163.com.
⁹ Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Functional Material, Suzhou Research Academy of North China Electric Power University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215213, China; Business School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH89JU, UK. Electronic address: mist0123@sina.com.
¹⁰ Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Functional Material, Suzhou Research Academy of North China Electric Power University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215213, China; Business School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH89JU, UK. Electronic address: 444168613@qq.com.
¹¹ College of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China. Electronic address: mist0127@hotmail.com.

PMID: 33794436
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130353

Abstract

A comprehensive human health risk assessment methodology based on major hazard element screening and morphological evolution simulation is proposed. The primary targeted metal (PTM) screened by classical health risk assessment was introduced into chemical balance simulation to obtain speciation distribution and corresponding risk. According to the results of risk assessment of morphological evolution of primary targeted metal (PTM), a potential methodology for the remediation is proposed, which could reduce the risk level efficiently and quickly by changing the pH of soil environment with additional acid and alkali substances. A case study was performed in a dye factory in Suzhou city, Jiangsu Province, China. The results of classical health risk assessment showed that the regional health risk index for children exceeded tolerance value of 1, in which Cr accounted for high risk level of 61%. Chemical balance simulation results showed that CrO₄^2- and CaCrO₄ had the highest risk index, and the change of pH value would affect the proportion of CrO₄^2- and CaCrO₄ in Cr⁶⁺ ionic speciation, which may indirectly change the risk level. It is recommended to adjust the pH of the soil environment to quickly reduce regional human health risk. This study will provide a theoretical basis for public health protection and site restoration management.

Keywords: Chemical balance simulation; Classical human health risk; Ionic speciation; Primary targeted metal (PTM); Risk modification.

MeSH terms

Child
China
Cities
Environmental Monitoring
Humans
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Risk Assessment
Soil
Soil Pollutants* / analysis

Substances

Metals, Heavy
Soil
Soil Pollutants