Human health risks associated with heavy metals in soil in different areas of San Luis Potosí, México

• Published in: Human and ecological risk assessment 2016-02, Vol.22 (2), p.323-336
• Main Authors: Pérez-Vázquez, Francisco Javier, Flores-Ramírez, Rogelio, Ochoa-Martínez, Angeles Catalina, Carrizales-Yáñez, Leticia, Ilizaliturri-Hernández, Cesar Arturo, Moctezuma-González, Jocelyne, Pruneda-Álvarez, Lucia Guadalupe, Ruiz-Vera, Tania, Orta-García, Sandra Teresa, González-Palomo, Ana Karen, Pérez-Maldonado, Ivan Nelinho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: arsenic; Cadmium; Environmental health; Health; Health risk assessment; Heavy metals; lead; Lead (metal); mercury; Mercury (metal); Populations; Risk; Risk assessment; soil; Soil (material); Soil contamination
• ISSN: 1549-7860; 1080-7039; 1549-7860
• DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1064760

The aim of this study was to develop a health risk assessment in different areas of San Luis Potosí, México. Four heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, cadmium, and lead) were analyzed in soil from communities assessed. The mean arsenic concentration was significantly higher (p < .05) in the city of San Luis Potosí (51.85 mg/kg) compared to the other assessed areas (5.52–8.43 mg/kg). For cadmium, the mean concentration was significantly higher (p < .05) in Santa Maria Picula (7.46 mg/kg) than in the other areas (3.72–4.15 mg/kg). Regarding mercury levels, a significantly higher (p < .05) mean concentration was found in Mezquitic (1.54 mg/kg) compared to other areas (0.56–0.81 mg/kg). Lastly, when comparing the mean lead concentration in the city of San Luis Potosí (108 mg/kg), it was found to be significantly lower (p < .05) than in other areas (219–227 mg/kg). Subsequently, a probabilistic health risk assessment was performed, ingestion was the major exposure pathway for all four metals. Maximum cumulative hazard index (HI) values showed higher risk in all sampled locations (HIs > 1.0), suggesting that these sites can pose a non-carcinogenic risk to the populations (children) living in those areas. This study highlights the necessity of establishing a biomonitoring program for the surveillance of the child populations living in the assessed locations.