PM10-Associated Heavy Metals and Health Risk Assessment in Charcoal Production Communities: A Case Study in Phitsanulok Province
Keywords:
Exposure, Human health risk, PM10, Charcoal kilnAbstract
This research aimed to assess the concentration and health risks associated with exposure to particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10) in charcoal production communities in Phitsanulok Province. The study area was divided into two zones: residential and charcoal kiln areas. Samples were collected using a personal sampling pump, and the concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Fe, Cd, Cu, and Pb) in the PM10 samples were determined using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). The results showed that the average concentration of PM10 in the kiln zone exceeded both Thailand's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. The mean concentrations of metals in PM10 were ranked as follows for the kiln zone: Fe (107.87 ng m-3 > Zn (86.83 ng m-3) > Pb (65.20 ng m-3) > Cu (17.39 ng m-3) > Cd (5.07 ng m-3). In the residential zone, the mean concentrations of Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd were 12.59, 16.43, 7.09, 1.86, and 1.08 ng m-3, respectively. All heavy metals were found to be well within the permissible safe limits set by the US. EPA, except for Cd. The health risk assessment, based on the Hazard Quotient (HQ), revealed HQ values ranging from 0.83 to 11.26 in the residential area and from 1.87 to 14.41 in the kiln area, both of which are greater than 1.0, indicating potential human health risks.
References
Asare, F., Owusu, F.W., & Gazo, R. (2022). Sustainable charcoal production drive in rural communities in Ghana, West Africa. Energy for Sustainable Development, 68, 364-372.
Das, S., Sultana, K.W., Ndhlala, A.R., Mondal, M., & Chandra, I. (2023). Heavy metal pollution in the environment and its impact on health: Exploring green technology for remediation. Environmental Health Insights, 17, 11786302231201259.
de Oliveira, B.F.A., Ignotti, E., Artaxo, P., do Nascimento Saldiva, P.H., Junger, W.L., & Hacon, S. (2012). Risk assessment of PM2.5 to child residents in Brazilian Amazon region with biofuel production. Environmental Health, 11, 1-11.
El-Batrawy, O.A. (2019). Air quality around charcoal making kilns and the potential health hazards. International Journal of Environment, 8(4), 180-188.
Garbero, V., Montalto, A., Lazovic, N., Salizzoni, P., Berrone, S., & Soulhac, L. (2012). The impact of the urban air pollution on the human health: A case-study in Turin. In D.G. Steyn & S. Trini Castelli (Eds.), Air pollution modeling and its application XXI Dordrecht (pp. 729-732). Springer Netherlands.
Gruszecka-Kosowska, A., Dajda, J., Adamiec, E., Helios-Rybicka, E., Kisiel-Dorohinicki, M., Klimek, R., ... & Wąs, J. (2021). Human health risk assessment of air pollution in the regions of unsustainable heating sources. Case study—the tourist areas of Southern Poland. Atmosphere, 12(5), 615.
Hamatui, N., Naidoo, R.N., & Kgabi, N. (2016). Respiratory health effects of occupational exposure to charcoal dust in Namibia. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 22(3), 240-248.
Juntarawijit, C., & Juntarawijit, Y. (2020). Cooking with biomass fuel and cardiovascular disease: A cross-sectional.
Kajina, W., Junpen, A., Garivait, S., Kamnoet, O., & Rousset, P. (2018). Charcoal produced from mangrove in center Thailand. In 7th International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environment (SEE 2018): Technology & Innovation for Global Energy Revolution (pp. 135-138). Bangkok, Thailand.
Kato, M., Demarini, D.M., Carvalho, A.B., Rego, M.A.V., Andrade, A.V., Bonfim, A.S.V., & Loomis, D. (2005). World at work: Charcoal producing industries in northeastern Brazil. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 62(2), 128-132.
Latif, M.T., Mei, C.S., Hanif, N.M., & Srithawirat, T. (2012). Levoglucosan as an indicator of biomass burning from selected tropical plants. EnvironmentAsia, 5(2), 22-27.
Manalis, N., Grivas, G., Protonotarios, V., Moutsatsou, A., Samara, C., & Chaloulakou, A. (2005). Toxic metal content of particulate matter (PM10), within the Greater Area of Athens. Chemosphere, 60(4), 557-566.
Mencarelli, A., Greco, R., Balzan, S., Grigolato, S., & Cavalli, R. (2023). Charcoal-based products combustion: Emission profiles, health exposure, and mitigation strategies. Environmental Advances, 13, 100420.
Morakinyo, O.M, Mukhola, M.S. & Mokgobu, M.I. (2021). Health risk analysis of elemental components of an industrially emitted respirable particulate matter in an urban area. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(7), 3653.
Njenga, M., Karanja, N., Munster, C., Iiyama, M., Neufeldt, H., Kithinji, J., & Jamnadass, R. (2013). Charcoal production and strategies to enhance its sustainability in Kenya. Development in Practice, 23(3), 359-371.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (2003). NIOSH manual of analytical methods (NMAM), method 0600 particulates not otherwise regulated, respirable (4th ed.). Washington, DC: NIOSH.
Pennise, D.M., Smith, K.R., Kithinji, J.P., Rezende, M.E., Raad, T.J., Zhang, J., & Fan, C. (2001). Emissions of greenhouse gases and other airborne pollutants from charcoal making in Kenya and Brazil. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 106(D20), 24143-24155.
Plum, L. M., Rink, L., & Haase, H. (2010). The essential toxin: Impact of zinc on human health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 7(4), 1342–1365.
Pramchoo, W., Geater, A.F., Jamulitrat, S., Geater, S.L., & Tangtrakulwanich, B. (2017). Occupational tasks influencing lung function and respiratory symptoms among charcoal-production workers: A time-series study. Safety and Health at Work, 8(3), 250-257.
Shao, L., Hou, C., Geng, C., Liu, J., Hu, Y., Wang, J., … & BéruBé, K. (2016). The oxidative potential of PM10 from coal, briquettes and wood charcoal burnt in an experimental domestic stove. Atmospheric Environment, 127, 372-381.
Srithawirat, T., & Latif, M.T. (2015). Concentration of selected heavy metals in the surface dust of residential buildings in Phitsanulok, Thailand. Environmental Earth Sciences, 74(3), 2701-2706.
Srithawirat, T., Latif, M.T., & Sulaiman, F. (2016). Indoor PM10 and its heavy metal composition at a roadside residential environment, Phitsanulok, Thailand. Atmósfera, 29, 311-322.
Thongchom, T., On-si, N., Puongphan, C., &, Neamhom, T. (2021). Health risks from indoor PM10 and effects of sick building syndrome in office workers. Thai Journal of Public Health, 51(2), 170-180.
Toan, P.V., Kim, L., Thanh, N.T., Toan, H.L., Tuan, L.A., Minh, H.V.T., & Kumar, P. (2023). Emission and reduction of air pollutants from charcoal-making process in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. Climate, 11(7), 149.
Tzanakis, N., Kallergis, K., Bouros, D.E., Samiou, M.F., & Siafakas, N.M. (2001). Short-term effects of wood smoke exposure on the respiratory system among charcoal production workers. Chest, 119(4), 1260-1265.
US. EPA. (2009). Risk assessment guidance for superfund volume I: Human health evaluation manual (part F, supplemental guidance for inhalation risk assessment). Washington, DC: US. EPA.
US. EPA. (2011). Exposure factors handbook. Washington, DC: US. EPA.
US. EPA. (2014). Appendix A to 40 CFR, part 423-126 priority pollutants. Washington, DC: US. EPA.
US. EPA. (2021). Regional screening levels (RSLs). Washington, DC: US. EPA.
Yadav, S., & Satsangi, P.G. (2013). Characterization of particulate matter and its related metal toxicity in an urban location in South West India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 185(9), 7365-7379.
Yongjie, Y., Yuesi, W., Tianxue, W., Wei, L., Ya'nan, Z., & Liang, L. (2009). Elemental composition of PM2.5 and PM10 at Mount Gongga in China during 2006. Atmospheric Research, 93(4), 801-810.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Food Health and Bioenvironmental Science
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.