Effects of Heavy Metal Pollution on Human Health: The Case Study in Aliağa Region of İzmir-Türkiye
Project no. 29739 · Status: Kapanmış (Yayın bekleniyor) · 2024
Summary
<p class="ql-align-justify">This study was conducted to determine the possible effects of heavy metal pollution on environmental media and human health in industrialized areas of Aliağa district, İzmir, Türkiye. Soil, edible plant, blood, and urine samples were collected from neighborhoods under high industrial pressure and from selected control areas with relatively lower pollution levels. In addition, questionnaires were administered to individuals over 18 years of age in order to evaluate lifestyle, dietary habits, and health indicators. A total of 387 individuals participated in the survey, and biological samples were obtained from 104 selected volunteers.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The results of soil analyses indicated elevated concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr), particularly in neighborhoods located near industrial facilities. Enrichment factor (EF) and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) results revealed significant anthropogenic contributions, especially for Cd, Pb, and Zn. According to the integrated risk assessment, Bozköy and Horozgediği were identified as the areas with the highest environmental risk levels.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Heavy metal analyses of plant samples showed that some elements accumulated at higher concentrations, particularly in leafy vegetables and wild edible plants. Daily intake of metals (DIM), hazard quotient (HQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR) calculations demonstrated that non-carcinogenic risks were generally within acceptable limits; however, some samples showed noteworthy long-term carcinogenic risk potential, especially for arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd).</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Evaluation of biological samples indicated that blood lead levels in the exposed group were significantly higher than those in the control group. In addition, the proportion of individuals with urinary arsenic levels above the reference range was higher in the exposed group. These findings support the possibility that environmental pollution may be reflected in human biological samples. Furthermore, the significantly higher prevalence of low HDL cholesterol levels in the exposed group suggests that heavy metal exposure may have not only toxicological but also cardiometabolic effects.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Overall, the study demonstrated that heavy metal exposure varied among neighborhoods in Aliağa, and environmental contamination was more pronounced in settlements located near industrial facilities. The findings indicate that such pollution may partially transfer through the food chain and be reflected in biological samples. Therefore, regular environmental monitoring programs, biological surveillance in high-risk neighborhoods, control of agricultural products, and implementation of public health protection measures are strongly recommended.</p><p></p>