Characteristics and health risk assessment of heavy metal contamination from dust collected on household HVAC air filters

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Airborne particulate matter (PM) and associated heavy metals pose significant health risks.
• Accurate assessment of human exposure to these contaminants is challenging.
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system filters capture indoor PM, serving as a potential exposure proxy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess heavy metal exposure in Kuwaiti households using HVAC air filter dust.
• To identify sources of heavy metals in indoor environments.
• To evaluate the associated non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks for children and adults.

Main Methods:

• Collected and analyzed dust from household HVAC air filters in Kuwait.
• Quantified concentrations of various heavy metals (e.g., Fe, Al, Zn, Mn, As, Co, Cr, Pb).
• Performed source apportionment analysis and calculated Hazard Index (HI) and Total Cancer Risk (TCR).

Main Results:

• HVAC filter dust showed high levels of Fe, Al, Zn, and Mn, with lower As and Co concentrations.
• Identified both natural and anthropogenic sources, including vehicular emissions and industrial activities.
• Hazard Index (HI) exceeded 1 for both children and adults, indicating potential non-carcinogenic effects.
• Total Cancer Risk (TCR) was elevated for both age groups, particularly linked to Cr and Pb.

Conclusions:

• HVAC air filter dust is a valuable proxy for assessing household heavy metal exposure.
• Kuwaiti households face significant health risks from heavy metals in airborne particulate matter.
• Public health interventions are needed to mitigate exposure and reduce associated health risks.