ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL HUMAN HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH METAL(LOID) ACCUMULATION IN LAKE BOTTOM SEDIMENTS: A CASE STUDY IN NORTHERN POLAND

Abstract

This study assessed the potential human health risks associated with metal(loid)s (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) present in the bottom sediments of four lakes in northern Poland (Central Europe) that are used for tourism and recreation. Bibliometric analysis indicated that health risk assessments of metal(loid)s in water-body sediments are less frequently addressed than those in water or soil. Data for the health risk assessment were obtained from the official website of the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection (GIOŚ). The findings indicate that accidental ingestion is the primary exposure route for both adults and children, with children experiencing higher exposure to health effects. In two lakes, arsenic in bottom sediments posed a non-carcinogenic risk via ingestion (HQing > 1) to children and a carcinogenic risk to both adults and children (CRing > 1×10-4). No non-carcinogenic risk was identified for the other elements. However, in some cases, arsenic, cadmium, and nickel presented acceptable carcinogenic risks via ingestion or dermal exposure (CRing and/or CRdermal; in the range from 1×10-6 to 1×10-4).