Heavy Metals and Radionuclides in Islamabad's Industrial Area: A Comprehensive Analysis of Soil and Water Pollution, Source Apportionment and Health Effects Using Statistical and Geospatial Tools

Abstract

Abstract Pollution in industrial areas around the world is a significant problem that is worsening day by day. Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan with a dedicated industrial zone. This study evaluated the heavy metal pollution levels in the soil and water of Islamabad’s industrial area using statistical, geospatial tools as well as their subsequent health and ecological hazards The results show that the soil of Islamabad’s industrial area is highly polluted with heavy and toxic metals. The risk posed by heavy metals to the eco-system was calculated using Ecological risk factor and was found to be above recommended level. Principal component analysis (PCA), Pearson’s correlation and inverse distance weighting interpolation (IDW) revealed that the soil near the steel mills, landfill and marble processing plants is extremely polluted with heavy metals. Health hazards from heavy metal exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact were also calculated. The average daily dose for both adults and children follows the trend, ADDING>ADDDER > ADDINH for soil. The hazard quotient and index follow the trend; HI > HQING > HQDER > HQINH except for Co and Ba. Cr posed a moderate carcinogenic risk to children via the three exposure pathways with the value being 4×10− 4. Natural radioactivity levels for Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 were found to be 25.96 ± 12.50, 15.84 ± 2.59, 469.48 ± 52.38 Bq/kg respectively. The risk to human health from gamma exposure was also evaluated using various radiation hazard indices. Elemental analysis of water samples coupled with geospatial analysis showed that water samples collected near the industrial complexes have elevated levels of metals. The water quality for irrigation was assessed and the water from Islamabad’s industrial area was found to be suitable for irrigation. This study also quantified the health hazards of heavy metals in water through ingestion and dermal contact. The non-carcinogenic health hazards were highest for cadmium, with children having 10 times higher exposure than adults. This study found that the soil of Islamabad’s industrial area is highly polluted with lower levels of natural radioactivity and the water near the industries also has elevated levels of heavy metals.