Determination of heavy metals in indoor dust from Istanbul, Turkey: Estimation of the health risk

Levels of eight potentially toxic heavy metals in indoor dust from homes and offices in Istanbul were investigated. The concentrations of heavy metals in indoor dust from homes + office ranged from 62 to 1800 μg g− 1 for Cu, 3–200 μg g− 1 for Pb, 0.4–20 μg g− 1 for Cd, 210–2800 μg g− 1 for Zn, 2.8–460 μg g− 1 for Cr, 8–1300 μg g− 1 for Mn, 2.4–25 μg g− 1 for Co, 120–2600 μg g− 1 for Ni. Results of the study were comparable to other studies conducted on indoor dust and street dust from a variety of cities globally. Considering only ingestion + inhalation, the carcinogenic risk level of Cr for adults and children (3.7 × 10− 5 and 2.7 × 10− 5) in Istanbul was in the range of EPA's safe limits (1 × 10− 6 and 1 × 10− 4), indicating that cancer risk of Cr due to exposure to indoor dust in Istanbul can be acceptable. According to calculated Hazard Quotient (HQ), for non-cancer effects, the ingestion of indoor dust appears to be the major route of exposure to the indoor dust that results in a higher risk for heavy metals, followed by dermal contact and inhalation pathways. However, compared to ingestion and dermal contact exposure, exposure through inhalation is almost negligible. Hazard Index (HI) values for all studied elements were lower than safe limit of 1 and this result suggested that none of the population groups would likely to experience potential health risk due to exposure to heavy metals from indoor dust in the study area.

► We investigate heavy metals in home and office floor dust from Istanbul.
► Levels of heavy metals in dust samples were comparable with other studies.
► Number of the occupants was the most significant factor affecting concentrations.
► Heavy metal exposure through indoor dust would pose health risk for public.