Health risk assessment from habitants of Araró, Michoacán, México, exposed to arsenic by dust, using Monte Carlo probabilistic method

Abstract

Arsenic (As) is a globally distributed metalloid that is emitted from natural sources, including geothermal processes, as well as from anthropogenic activities. The village of Araró, in the state of Michoacán, is located in the Trans-Mexico volcanic belt, which is a highly active geothermal site in central Mexico. The aim of this study is to evaluate the health risk to residents of the town from As exposure from dust through oral, dermal and inhalation pathways, using Monte Carlo simulation. Forty dust samples were randomly collected in Araró village, and these were analyzed using portable X-ray fluoroscopy. The As levels obtained for dust samples ranged from 5.94 to 42.53 mg/kg. Point estimation of hazard quotient (HQ) and its probability distribution was assessed using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) formulas and Monte Carlo simulation, respectively, for oral, dermal and inhalation pathways. Anthropometrical data were obtained from the Health and Nutrition National Survey 2018. Mean average daily dose (ADD) for all age groups (preschooler, Elementary (6–12), adolescent and adult) were below safety limits. A total of 4 and 6% of preschooler and Elementary dermal ADDs were above safety limits. For oral and dermal exposure in children, HQ and hazard index (HI) mean values were higher than other age groups, despite safety limits not being reached. Also, it was found that dermal carcinogenic risk (CR) value for adults may represent a potential cancer risk. Despite a relatively low reported concentration of As it is important that more As exposure routes be explored to determine the severity of the problem because previous studies have shown high As concentrations in drinking water.

Keywords

• Arsenic
• Monte Carlo simulation
• Risk assessment
• Geothermal site
• Dust exposition