Health risk assessment of trace elements exposure through multi-pathways in children's facilities : focused on elementary-schools and academies
The aim of this study was to calculate the health risks which children were exposed to trace metals through several pathways including air, floor dust, wipe and hand wipes in elementary-schools and academies. The samples were collected at children's facilities (50 elementary-schools and 46 academies) in summer (Aug ~ Sept, 2008), winter (Dec 2008 ~ Feb, 2009) and Spring (Mar ~ Apr, 2009) periods. The lifetime Excess Cancer Risks (ECRs) were estimated for carcinogen trace elements such as As, Cd, and Cr. For carcinogens, the Excess Cancer Risk (ECR) was calculated by considering the process of deciding Cancer Potency Factor (CPF) and Age Dependent Adjust Factor (ADAF) of the data of adults. Hazard Quotients (HQs) were estimated for the non-carcinogens trace metals like Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb. The average ECRs for young children were 1×10-9~1×10-8 (50%th percentile) level in all facilities. Non-carcinogens did not exceed 0.1 for all subjects in all facilities. For trace metals their risk based on health risk assessment was also observed to be acceptable.