Distribution, contamination, and health risk assessment of heavy metals in

surface of soil from parts of Hyderabad, Telangana, India

ABSTRACT
The aim of project is to assess the levels of heavy metal contamination in soils and
its effects on human health in the Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Soils are collected
randomly from 15 sampling stations located in the hyderabad. The samples are
analyzed for arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb). The
index of geo-accumulation (Igeo), ecological risk index (ERI), hazard index (HI),
hazard quotient (HQ), cancer risk (CR), life time cancer risk (LCR) are used to
estimate the heavy metal concentration and its consequence to human health. Results
indicates whether the metals (As, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb) are limited zone or exceed. If
Cr concentration exceeds the maximum recommended limit in 93% of soil samples
it will cause respiratory effects. The HI values of Cu, Ni, and Zn are all less than the
recommended limit of HI = 1, indicates that are no non-carcinogenic risks from these
elements for children and adults. LCR for As and Cr concentrations of the soils are
higher than acceptable value, indicates significant carcinogenic risk due to higher
concentration of these metals in the soil collected regions. The chronic daily intake
of metals is of major concern as their cumulative effect could result in several health
complications of children and adults in region. If the metals are exceeds the
permission limits, the necessary precautions should be taken to eradicate the health
risk in the region.
Keywords: Soil contamination, heavy metals, Index of geo-accumulation,
ecological risk index, health risk, hazard index.

Niharika – 15H51A0133
Abulayub – 15H51A0102
Raja Shekar – 15H51A0119
Ram Singh – 15H51A0146