Health risk assessment and identification of the contribution of pollutant sources of some heavy metals in street dust in Boroujerd city using the Positive matrix factorization (PMF)

Document Type : Complete scientific research article

Authors

1 Phd student, Department of Environment ,Arak Branch,Islamic Azad University,Arak,Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University,, Arak , Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University,, Arak , Iran

4 Associate Professor, Department of Environment ,Arak Branch,Islamic Azad University,Arak,Iran

10.22069/ejsms.2026.23300.2178

Abstract

Abstract
Background and Objective: Among the complex components of street dust are heavy metals, which have become an urban and environmental problem due to their high toxicity, concealment, persistence, and bioaccumulation, and have attracted much attention. The presence of heavy metals in street dust causes them to accumulate in the human body and thus become health hazards. The study aimed to assess the health risk and identify the contribution of pollutant sources of some heavy metals in street dust in Borujerd city using the using the Positive matrix factorization (PMF).

Materials and Methods: 41 street dust samples were collected. The samples were obtained as a composite (mixture of 3 samples together at a distance of 5 to 10 m) and with an approximate weight of 100 g and the samples were transferred to the laboratory for heavy metal analysis and finally the total (semi-total) concentration of As, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu and Ni metals was first extracted by acid digestion method using 4 N nitric acid. The Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was used to identify and contribute the pollutants.

Results: The average concentrations of lead, cadmium, copper, nickel, zinc and arsenic were 66.61, 0.97, 19, 49.76, 264.43 and 40.04 mg/kg respectively. Therefore, the trend of heavy metal concentrations based on the average is as follows: Zn > Pb > Ni > As > Cu > Cd. According to the PMF results, the share of each factor in the total share of sources was obtained. Of which natural source (F1), vehicle tire coating source (F2), industrial gas source (F3) and transportation source (F4) constitute 27.1%, 17.3%, 29.6% and 26% of the total share, respectively. The trend of changes in total CDI is as follows: Zn > Pb > Ni > As > Cu > Cd. The highest and lowest CDI values ​​in both age groups for all heavy metals were in the order of ingestion > dermal absorption > respiration. Also, the total CDI values ​​were higher for children than adults. According to the risk assessment results, the HI value of lead and arsenic metals for children was higher than the threshold (HI=1), indicating that these metals may have high risks of non-cancerous diseases for children, but for adults, the HI value for all metals was calculated to be less than 1. The risk of cancer through inhalation for children and adults is also almost negligible.
Conclusion: The concentrations of heavy metals in street dust in the study area were mostly influenced by industrial gases. Overall, the results of this study provide useful information for local authorities to select and develop sustainable policies to control and reduce pollution emissions.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Journal of Soil Management and Sustainable Production
Volume 16, Issue 1
July 2026
Pages 133-149

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