Detection of Air Pollution with Lead, Cadmium, and Zinc in Selected Industrial Areas of Baghdad

Spatial Assessment of Airborne Atmospheric Heavy Metals Across Key Monitoring Stations in Baghdad

The present study concerns the geographical assessment of atmospheric airborne heavy metals in the main monitoring stations of Baghdad during the months of May and June 2025. The heavy metals of interest are Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Air samples were collected with standardized one hour sniffer-based sampling, and the levels of heavy metals were determined in a laboratory. Geostatistical mapping and spatial interpolation were used to visualize distribution patterns and pollution hotspots across the metropolitan landscape. Results show a clear spatiotemporal variability driven by sources of legacy contamination, seasonal weather, industrial pollutants and traffic intensity. In both months, high atmospheric dispersion of river-channel airflow dynamics resulted in continually lower levels of heavy metals in the areas along the Tigris River, especially in central Al-Karkh and parts of Al-Khadimiya. However, high Zn concentrations, above 14 ppm in May, were observed near Karadaa and Al-Zafaraniya where there is a lot of traffic, construction and private generator use. Most of the metals showed higher concentrations in May (e.g., Cr: 0.84–2.31 ppm) than in June (0.231–1.16 ppm) which can be indicative of seasonal changes in air stability and emission strength. Fe showed the opposite trend, increasing from 4.05-9.91 ppm in May to 6.06-10.2 ppm in June. This increase was probably because of stronger summer winds and increased dust resuspension. Furthermore, spatial maps show much lower Fe concentrations along the Tigris corridor, supporting the moderating effect of dispersion due to river transport. The results show the combined impact of seasonal weather patterns and anthropogenic emissions on airborne metal pollution in Baghdad and highlight the urgent need for focused air quality control measures in high exposure areas

Human health risk assessment of heavy metal pollution in airborne dust from Zakho City, Iraq

Variations and Correlations Among Concentrations of Heavy Metal in the Selected Industrial Settings in Major Cities of Nigeria

The study investigated the variation and correlations among the concentrations of heavy metals in the selected industrial settings in major cities of Nigeria. The industrial effluent samples were collected from the selected manufacturing/processing industries in Obagi Flow Station in Rivers State, Adire Kampala market in Abeokuta in Ogun State; Leather Research Institute in Zaria in Kaduna State, Berger and Dulux paints in Ikeja and Dynamics Battery Company in Ikeja in Lagos State; from which the laboratory analyses were carried out on Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr) and Cadmium (Cd) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The industrial effluents were collected from 4 points in each station; this includes the direct effluent to the drain, the point of entry into the receiving water body,500 meters downstream the point of entry and 500meters upstream the point of entry(control). Findings revealed that The result also indicate that the nature of industrial activity influenced the level of some heavy metals in the industrial effluent. The concentration of Cr was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the industrial effluent from the leather industry in Zaria than the concentration in the effluent from other industries. Significantly higher levels (p < 0.05) of Cd and Ni were also found in Kaduna chemical and paint industry than in the effluent water discharged from other types of industrial activities, while significantly lower levels of Pb and Co (p < 0.05) were recorded in Abeokuta. Furthermore, the concentration of Cd, Cr, Hg and Ni in the industrial effluents showed no significant difference (p<0.05) between the point of discharge and the control, while Pb and Co were significantly lower in the control. The relationship between Cobalt and Nickel in the industrial effluents showed a very high and significant correlation (r= 0.785; p<0.01). The study concluded that the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Hg and Ni in the industrial effluents showed no significant difference between the point of discharge and the control, while Pb and Co were significantly lower in the control. The significant correlations among some heavy metals are an indication that they could co-exist to generate potential combined environmental and health risks. The study recommended among others that the determination of heavy metals in aquatic organisms be carried out in the study area in order to provide possible evidence of bio-accumulation of these heavy metals in the organisms.

Assessment of Lead and Cadmium concentrations in Soil and Wastewater within the Delhi NCR: Health and ecological risk implications

Heavy metal pollution presents a significant public health and environmental hazard, especially in industrial areas where pollutants concentrate in soil and water. Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are highly hazardous heavy metals associated with neurotoxicity, carcinogenesis, and environmental degradation. The fast development of electronic, textile, plastics, metal and agricultural products in Delhi NCR has intensified Pb and Cd pollution, requiring immediate evaluation and remediation measures. This work examines the environmental and toxicological hazards of Pb and Cd concentrations in the soil and water of residential regions of Kasna, Okhla, and Bawana industrial areas. It also looks at pollution indicators to ascertain the degree of contamination and its effects on ecosystems and human health. Using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), soil and water samples from the research sites were collected and subjected to physicochemical analysis regarding heavy metal contents. Pb levels above allowed limits; Cd poses significantly more environmental concern. The geoaccumulation index (Pb: 1.151, Cd: 4.562) and ecological risk index (Pb: 25.28, Cd: 1081.44) indicated extreme contamination. Industrial activity was shown by statistical analysis to be the leading cause of pollution, which might cause possible bioaccumulation in ecosystems and human exposure via inhalation, consumption, and skin contact. This research emphasizes how urgently strict environmental rules and remedial plans are needed for Pb and Cd toxicity reduction. The results provide epidemiological proof tying industrial pollution to public health hazards and environmental damage. Public health protection, environmental preservation, and sustainable industrial practices depend on addressing this pollution.

Trace Metal Concentrations in Rainwater, Sources, and Health Risks: A Case Study of Hanoi, Vietnam

Atmospheric wet deposition, where pollutants, including metals, are washed from the atmosphere by rain, is a significant concern, particularly in urban and industrial areas, given the risks to human and ecosystem health. This study investigated the concentrations, sources, and potential health risk of 10 metals in 102 rainwater samples collected in Hanoi city during the period 2023–2025. The results showed that zinc-(Zn) was the most abundant metal, followed by iron-(Fe), manganese-(Mn), nickel-(Ni), copper-(Cu), lead-(Pb), chromium-(Cr), arsenic-(As), cadmium-(Cd), and mercury-(Hg). Although the mean values of these 10 metals were within the limits of the Vietnam technical regulation for drinking water, the maximal values of Fe, Mn and Pb were higher than the permissible values. Single-factor pollution index (Pi), and Nemerow pollution index (PN) showed a low pollution level of rainwater. Both the hazard index (HI) and the total carcinogenic risk demonstrated low potential health risks. Enrichment factor (EF) values revealed strong anthropogenic impacts on three metals (Hg, Cd, and Zn), whereas the remaining metals were from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Increasing population, urbanization, and industrial production, with the combustion of fossil fuel, domestic and agricultural waste, and urban construction, are probably major sources. Our results provide scientific evidence for policy-makers in environmental and ecosystem protection and provide data for the estimation of metal loads from wet deposition at regional and global scales. 10 rainwater metal concentrations were measured in Hanoi city in 2023–2025. Concentrations decreased in the order: Zn > Fe > Mn > Ni > Cu > Pb ~ Cr > As > Cd > Hg. Maximal values of Fe, Mn and Pb exceeded the limits for drinking water. Pi and PN indices revealed low pollution levels, whereas HI and total CR demonstrated low potential health risks. Hg, Cd, and Zn originated from anthropogenic activities, whereas the remaining metals were from both natural and anthropogenic sources. 10 rainwater metal concentrations were measured in Hanoi city in 2023–2025. Concentrations decreased in the order: Zn > Fe > Mn > Ni > Cu > Pb ~ Cr > As > Cd > Hg. Maximal values of Fe, Mn and Pb exceeded the limits for drinking water. Pi and PN indices revealed low pollution levels, whereas HI and total CR demonstrated low potential health risks. Hg, Cd, and Zn originated from anthropogenic activities, whereas the remaining metals were from both natural and anthropogenic sources.

Investigating the risk of heavy metal contamination in an industrial and a non-industrial zone in Gazipur district, Bangladesh

Heavy metal contamination has become a significant public health concern, particularly in rapidly industrializing and developing countries such as Bangladesh. Chronic exposure to toxic metals can cause serious health effects like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and kidney and liver failure. This study aims to evaluate the pollution level and associated health risks of heavy metal contamination in both industrial and non-industrial zones of the Turag River area in Gazipur District, Bangladesh. A total of 36 samples of soil and water were collected from 18 locations, covering both industrial and non-industrial zones from the Turag River. Five heavy metal concentrations, including arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and copper (Cu), were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Spatial mapping, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were conducted to identify the hotspot region, find possible sources, and categorize the metals or sites having a similar pattern. Pollution levels were evaluated using indices including the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and ecological risk factor (Er). Additionally, health risks were measured using the hazard index (HI) and the total cancer risk over lifetime (LCR). Our study reported that heavy metal concentrations in soil and water followed the order Cr > Cu > Pb > As > Cd in both zones, while industrial water samples showed Cu > Cr > Pb > As > Cd. In the industrial zone, the mean ± SD concentration of Cr in soil was found to be 52.22 ± 41.89 mg/kg, and Cu in water was found to be 1.70 × 10^(-2) ± 1.0 × 10^(-2) mg/L. The Igeo index indicated that Cd and Cu ranged from uncontaminated to moderately contaminated in both zones. Similarly, the CF and PLI indices showed low to moderate pollution levels from all types of metals, while Cu in industrial water showed a high level of pollution with a CF value of 8.52. Er values show that Cd and Cr pose a moderate ecological risk in both zones. All the pollution indices for most of the metals showed higher values in the industrial zone compared to the non-industrial zone. Moreover, carcinogenic risks were found for children in both zones, especially for Cr and As in soil. The results highlighted that heavy metal contamination and related health risks were more severe in the industrial zone, posing a significant threat to public health, particularly among children. Strict regulations and law enforcement on industrial emissions are essential to mitigate the risks.