Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Shallow Groundwater of Coal–Poultry Farming Districts

Jiayu Chen, Herong Gui (), Yan Guo and Jun Li
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Jiayu Chen: School of Earth and Environment, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
Herong Gui: National Engineering Research Center of Coal Mine Water Hazard Controlling, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234000, China
Yan Guo: National Engineering Research Center of Coal Mine Water Hazard Controlling, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234000, China
Jun Li: National Engineering Research Center of Coal Mine Water Hazard Controlling, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234000, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the heavy metal (Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Pb, and Cr) pollution characteristics, sources, and human health risks in shallow groundwater in the impact zones of urban and rural semi-intensive poultry farms in Suzhou City. Ordinary kriging interpolation showed that poultry farming contributed substantially to the pollution of shallow groundwater by Mn, Zn, and Cu. Positive matrix factorization was applied to identify the sources of heavy metals, and the health risks were assessed based on the hazard index and carcinogenic risks of the various sources. Heavy metal enrichment was closely related to anthropogenic activities. In addition, four sources were identified: poultry manure (29.33%), natural source (27.94%), industrial activities (22.29%), and poultry wastewater (20.48%). The main exposure route of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to adults and children was oral ingestion. The non-carcinogenic risk of oral ingestion in children was higher than that in adults; the carcinogenic risk was higher in adults than in children. Poultry manure (42.0%) was considered the largest contributor to non-carcinogenic risk, followed by poultry wastewater (21%), industrial activities (20%), and natural sources (17%). Industrial activity (44%) was the primary contributor to carcinogenic risk, followed by poultry wastewater (25%), poultry manure (19%), and natural sources (12%).

Keywords: heavy metals; source identification; health risk assessment; poultry farms sites; PMF model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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