HHRISK: A code for assessment of human health risk due to environmental chemical pollution

Abstract

Chemical environmental pollution is currently one of the most concerning environmental problem on a global scale, due to the high risks posed to ecological systems and human health. Risk assessment methodologies are valuable tools for preventive management and the mitigation of human health risks. However, the application of these methodological tools involves several steps and the knowledge of many variables, which can hinder its correct implementation. The main objective of this work was the development of the computational code for human health risk assessment: HHRISK (Human Health Risk). This code allows for an agile and accurate risk assessment based on the methodology established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Different from other published methods, the HHRISK code includes a new spatiotemporal matrix for the analysis of the aggregated risk (for multiple exposure pathways) and the cumulative (for exposure to multiple chemicals). HHRISK was applied to two case studies published dealing with the assessment of risk to human health through exposure to toxic metals, obtaining satisfactory results. The concordance between the average results obtained with the HHRISK and those reported by the authors confirm the validity of the implemented model. The inclusion of a greater spatiotemporal detail of the risks allowed to carry out a more accurate analysis and to propose new subsidies for a more efficient risk mitigation management by affected place and period of time.

Keywords: Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects; Heavy metal pollution; Human health risk assessment; Spatiotemporal analysis.