Alharbi Talal, Nour Hamdy E, Al-Kahtany Khaled, Zumlot Taisser, El-Sorogy Abdelbaset S
Geology and Geophysics Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
Heliyon. 2024 Aug 16;10(16):e36447. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36447. eCollection 2024 Aug 30.
This environmental assessment focuses on the coastal sediments of the Al-Khafji area in the Saudi Arabian Gulf, with an analysis of the human health risks posed by lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contamination. Single and integrated indices were used to detect contamination and evaluate these metals' non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic impacts on adults and children through ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation pathways. Sediment quality guidelines and contamination indices indicated the absence of significant contamination levels. The moderate contamination observed in scattered samples did not imply adverse biological effects due to the presence of these two metals in Al-Khafji sediments. The average values of the chronic daily intake (CDI) for both Pb and Cd were higher in children than adults across all three pathways, with ratios of 9.4, 4.7, and 4.7 folds, respectively. The hazard index (HI) values for Pb and Cd were below 1, confirming that the sediments of Al-Khafji are considered acceptable and safe in terms of these potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The average lifetime cancer risk (LCR) values for Pb and Cd were higher in children compared to adults, with ratios of 9.3 and 9.4 folds, respectively. However, all detected LCR levels do not represent a potential carcinogenic health hazard. Nevertheless, a regular monitoring program aimed at detecting early signals of environmental health depletion is recommended.
本环境评估聚焦于沙特阿拉伯海湾的海夫吉地区的沿海沉积物，分析铅（Pb）和镉（Cd）污染对人类健康造成的风险。采用单一指数和综合指数来检测污染情况，并通过摄入、皮肤接触和吸入途径评估这些金属对成年人和儿童的非致癌和致癌影响。沉积物质量指南和污染指数表明不存在显著污染水平。在分散样本中观察到的中度污染并不意味着由于海夫吉沉积物中存在这两种金属而产生不利的生物效应。在所有三种途径中，儿童体内铅和镉的慢性每日摄入量（CDI）平均值均高于成年人，分别为9.4倍、4.7倍和4.7倍。铅和镉的危害指数（HI）值均低于1，证实就这些潜在有毒元素（PTEs）而言，海夫吉的沉积物被认为是可接受且安全的。与成年人相比，儿童体内铅和镉的平均终身癌症风险（LCR）值更高，分别为9.3倍和9.4倍。然而，所有检测到的LCR水平并不代表潜在的致癌健康危害。尽管如此，建议开展一项定期监测计划，旨在检测环境健康恶化的早期信号。
