Health risk assessment of occupational exposure to heavy metals among workers in the iron and steel industry

Heavy metals (HMs) emitted into the atmosphere from various sources pose numerous health risks, including cancer, respiratory and skin disorders, and neurological effects. This research aimed to conduct comprehensive quantitative and semi-quantitative risk assessments concerning HMs exposure among employees within the Iron and Steel industry. The study included a group of 149 workers exposed to HMs. Air sampling and analysis were conducted according to the NIOSH 7300 method. The semi-quantitative risk assessment followed the delineations provided by the Singapore Health Department, while the quantitative assessment adhered to the methodology outlined by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. The study outcomes delineated those levels of exposure to heavy metals across all operational units were lower than the air exposure limits recommended by the ACGIH. According to the semi-quantitative risk assessment, a majority of workers were categorized within the negligible-risk level. Furthermore, mean carcinogenic risk values attributed to Cr surpassed the acceptable threshold of 1 × 10^-4. The research findings also indicate the presence of non-carcinogenic risks associated with Mn and Cr exposure among the workforce. Thus, it is imperative to institute strategies aimed at mitigating workers' exposure to HMs, including the implementation of engineering controls and the establishment of regular monitoring protocols.