A comprehensive perspective on potentially hazardous elements (PHEs) bound with particulate matters in ambient air of landfill sites: a systematic review and probabilistic risk assessment.

ABSTRACT

Air pollution from Potentially Hazardous Elements bound with particulate matter (PHEs bound PM) in landfill air is a significant concern for human health. To date, no comprehensive research has focused on the health risks of PHEs bound to PM in landfill air. This systematic review aimed to examine PHEs, including Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn) bound with PM in landfill air and assess the health risk for workers and waste management personnel. The systematically search was made in different electronic databases. After the screening, 18 most relevant studied focused on PHEs bound PM in landfill air were selected. The data extraction analysis indicated that mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, As, Ni, and Zn in landfill air were 0.3037, 0.0941, 0.4093, 0.0221, 0.2768, and 0.7622 µg/m3, respectively. Except for Pb, the concentrations of other PHEs bound to PM exceeded USEPA air quality standards. In addition, Non-carcinogenic risks from Cd, Cr, and Ni exposure exceeded permissible limits (HQ > 1), while As had an HQ value of 0.401. Carcinogenic risks from As, Cd, Ni, and Pb exposure were 1.31 × 10-5, 5.10 × 10-4, 3.51 × 10-5, and 2.03 × 10-6, respectively. Notably, the lifetime carcinogenic risk for workers exposed to Cr in polluted air (6.17 × 10-3) exceeded permissible limits (10-4 to 10-6). In conclusion, given the high carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of some PHEs bound PM in landfills, it is necessary to conduct more research on the health effects of interaction with these PHEs bound PM on communities and the environment in different countries. Also, it is necessary to evaluate the role of different landfill operational activities on atmospheric dispersion of PHEs bound PM) in landfill air.