Cancer Risk of Inhalation Exposure to Cd, Cr, As, Be and Ni in Ambient Air
- 1 Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA
- 2 Oncology Diagnostic Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
- 3 Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA
- 4 Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA
Abstract
Particulate matter may comprise toxic trace elements with carcinogenic effects. Of these trace elements, Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), Beryllium (Be) and Nickel (Ni) are classified as probable human carcinogens. During the annual Hajj pilgrimage, 2.3 million pilgrims stay in Makkah, Saudi Arabia; the increased vehicle traffic contributes to elevated concentrations of particulate matter. We aimed to determine the excess cancer risk (ECR) associ ated with inhalation exposure in the Makkah population. This study was conducted i n the Arafat area, which is a highly-crowded area during Hajj. Inducti vely coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for trace element analysis. ECR resulting from inhalation exposure to each metal was calculated in accordance w ith the unit risk suggested by the Integrated Risk Information System. In summer, including Hajj, mean Cd, Cr, As, Be, and Ni atmospheric concentrations were 0.098, 0.008, 0.26, 0.03, and 0.012 μg/m 3 , respectively; in aut umn, values were 0.06, 0.006, 0.16, 0.002, and 0.01 μg/m 3 , respectively. ECRs were 1.08 × 10 − 4 , 7.21 × 10 − 4 , 4.0 × 10 − 6 , 4.6 × 10 − 6 , and 2.4 × 10 − 6 , respectively, exceeding the acceptable inhalation risk level (1.0 × 10 − 6 ) set by the US Environmental Protection Agency for each element. Higher atmospheric trace element concentrations in summer were due to high temperatures that increased atmospheric turbulence, leading to a greater amount of re-suspended dust from roads and blowing sand particles. These findings can be used by relevant authorities w hile developing regulations and strategies for developing air quality management to improve the health of pilgrims; however, larger prospective studies are req uired to estimate ECR in different seasons.
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