A New Approach Refined Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment of Shaoguan Smelter Based on Microenvironment - Guangdong Province, China, 2021.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: This study introduces a novel method for developing an advanced exposure conceptual model tailored for health risk assessment, focusing on microenvironments. Methods: The research was conducted at a major smelter in China to assess the health risks associated with trace metals (TMs) pollutants in the facility and the surrounding soil. Results: Deterministic risk assessment indicated that cobalt, cadmium, antimony, manganese, arsenic, plumbum, and mercury (Co, Cd, Sb, Mn, As, Pb, and Hg) necessitated further evaluation through probabilistic risk assessment to assess potential health risks to residents. The 95% quantile concentrations of other TMs were found to be within acceptable health risk limits. For the probabilistic risk assessment, exposure parameters such as body weight, respiration rate, and exposure duration were collected using a questionnaire. This targeted assessment of the residential microenvironment revealed it as the site of the highest carcinogenic (CR) and non-carcinogenic risks (NCR), with values ranging from 2.84×10-5 to 6.7×10-5 and 1.59 to 5.57, respectively. Conclusion: The primary contaminants posing the greatest health risks in residential and industrial areas have been identified as As, Pb, and Mn. The probabilistic health risk model, which focuses on microenvironmental factors, yields more precise results and offers a valuable tool for managing soil health risks.