Spatial distribution and health risks assessment of heavy metals in e-waste dumping sites from Pakistan

Abstract

Abstract The current research work is done to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Hg, Cr) in the surface soil of recycling centres located in different provinces of Pakistan and to quantify and compare the environmental risk by using different geostatistical techniques. The impact of recycling activities on the soil microbial community is also investigated through soil enzyme activities and microbial community profiles. Recycling activities increased the levels of pH, EC, and decreased the levels of K, N, P, and organic matter compared to the soil without recycling activities. The Cr at all sites whereas Hg at only two sites (AL and AM) exceeds the World Health Organization standards (WHO) for soil. A fluctuating soil enzyme activity trend was observed among all the sites but the maximum enzyme activity was observed for urease followed by phosphatase and catalase. Contamination factor (Cf), Pollution load index (PLI), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) results showed all the recycling sites are highly contaminated with Cu, Cd, and Pb. No non-carcinogenic health risk was observed for both children and adults as HI is less than 1. There was a strong probability of adverse health effects among children and adults living near recycling centers due to Cu and Cr poisoning (1.59 ×10− 5 to 4.28 × 10− 5). Therefore, there is a dire need to introduce sustainable e-waste recycling techniques as well as to make stringent e-waste management policies to reduce further environmental contamination.