Evaluation of Toxic Heavy Metals and Health Risk in Airborne Particulate Matter at Qassim region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Particulate matter (PM) significantly influences air quality, visibility, climate change, the earth’s radiative balance, and human health. The significance of carrying out this investigation in its entirety is due to the small amount of data that has been collected and published in Qassim region (26.2078º N, 43.4837º E). Understanding the origins of PM and its chemical species in Qassim districts is advantageous for the purpose of identifying impacts on one’s health Characterization of pollution sources also will assist in the success of mitigation strategies and solve the issue of increased PM concentrations in outdoor areas. Therefore, this study described the physical and chemical properties of PM by measuring the PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations in Qassim’s central urban and rural areas. In urban Qassim, the average PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations were 12.23, 33.16, and 155.38 µg/m3, respectively. On the other hand, the average PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations reached 8.18, 23.03, and 93.57 µg/m3 in rural Qassim, respectively. The findings revealed that fine particle concentrations have risen over allowable levels due to dust storms. A total of 18 elements and 8 chemical compounds were determined and identified. The compound concentrations of Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, TiO2, K2O, BaO, MnO, Fe2O3 and the essential elements Sr, V, Al, Cu, Ca, Fe, Cr, As, Zr, K, Br, Ba, Pb, Mn, Ni, Zn, Rb and Ti were determined using XRF and XRD. The findings revealed that fine particle concentrations have risen over allowable levels due to dust storms. The main elements in the trace elements were Ca, Fe, Al, Sr, K, and Mg, indicating significant contributions from the soil (Ca, Fe, Al, Mg), as well as from industrial and vehicle emissions (Sr, Ca, Al, Fe, K). V, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sr, As, Mn and Br fall under the anthropogenic category of trace elements, while Al, S, Na, Mg, Rb, K, Zr, Ti, Fe, Mn, Sr, Y, Cr, Ca, Ni, Zn and Cu are obtained from the earth's crust. HIGHLIGHTS The study measured levels of toxic heavy metals in airborne particulate matter (PM) in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia The results indicated that the concentrations PM were higher than the recommended guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO), which poses a potential health risk to the population The study suggests that the major sources of heavy metals in the Qassim region are from dust storms and anthropogenic activities such as industrial activities and traffic emissions The study highlights the importance of regular monitoring of heavy metals in PM and the need for effective pollution control measures to protect public health GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT