Health risk assessment and geochemical characterisation of trace elements in street dust: a case study from a quarry-influenced urban area of Istanbul

Abstract Dust from intensive mining operations like quarrying is a major concern in urban areas and should be assessed from environmental and public health perspectives. This study investigates the geochemical properties of trace elements in street dust and their associated health risks, based on samples collected from 40 georeferenced sites across three densely populated districts of Istanbul (Sultangazi, Eyüp, and Gaziosmanpaşa) located near and affected by quarries. The concentration distribution of 21 elements (Si > Al > Fe > Mg > Na > Ti > Mn > Zn > Ba > Cu > Cr > V > Pb > Ni > Sb > Co > As > Cd > Hg > Mo > Sn) was determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), indicating that elements associated with natural sources are more dominant. The concentrations of potentially toxic elements exhibited wide spatial variability, with Co ranging from 6.14 to 4467.49 mg kg −1 , Cr from 36.78 to 2933.88 mg kg −1 , Zn from 47.75 to 3828.63 mg kg −1 , Pb from 6.89 to 1166.41 mg kg −1 , and As from 0.25 to 1032.63 mg kg −1 . Pollution levels were assessed, revealing extremely high contamination levels for Co based on the enrichment factor (EF = 107.99) and for Sn based on the geo-accumulation index (Igeo = 8.73). Human health risk assessment identifies ingestion as the dominant exposure pathway, with non-carcinogenic risk exceeding acceptable thresholds for children, particularly for Co, Cr, and As which their total hazard index was 2.65E+01. Carcinogenic risk via inhalation remains within acceptable limits. The findings emphasize the dominant role of particulate matter from quarries in contributing to urban street dust pollution. Moreover, the high levels of elements classified as potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in road dust, combined with quarrying activities, can lead to the accumulation of heavy metals in environmental components, disrupting ecosystem balance and posing significant environmental and human health risks to communities living in these areas.