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. 2025 Jun 29;13(7):547.
doi: 10.3390/toxics13070547.

Trace Elements in Indoor Dust Exposure from Child Development Centers and Health Risk Assessment in Haze and Industrial Areas, Thailand

Susira Bootdee  1 , Sopittaporn Sillapapiromsuk  2 , Sawaeng Kawichai  3
Affiliations

Trace Elements in Indoor Dust Exposure from Child Development Centers and Health Risk Assessment in Haze and Industrial Areas, Thailand

Susira Bootdee et al. Toxics. .

Abstract

This study aimed to examine trace element concentrations in indoor dust and evaluate health risks in child development centers in haze and industrial areas of Thailand from November 2023 to April 2024. The samples were extracted using a microwave oven and analyzed via ICP-OES. The finding indicated that the levels of As, Cr, Pb, V, Fe, Mn, and Zn in the dust from child development centers in the industrial area were significantly higher than those in the haze area (p < 0.05). The presence of trace element contaminants in indoor dust is indicative of anthropogenic sources. Cd and Zn in both areas have shown significantly elevated risks, according to the probable ecological risk factor. Source apportionment identified traffic, road dust, and biomass combustion as the principal sources of pollution in the haze area, while traffic and combustion activities were significant in the industrial area. Non-carcinogenic risk assessments for children exposed to As, Pb, Cu, and Cr revealed potential health risks (HI > 1). Furthermore, the total cancer risk (TCR) linked to As, Cr, and Ni is considered acceptable within the criteria of 10-6 to 10-4. However, long-term exposure may increase the risk of cancer in children.

Keywords: haze pollution; health risk assessment; indoor school dust; industrial areas; trace elements.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of sampling sites in the child development centers in haze and industrial areas, Thailand.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Enrichment factor (EF) levels of the haze (HP) and industrial area (IA) in Thailand.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Levels of the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) in both areas: (a) haze (HP) and (b) industrial area (IA) in Thailand.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The HI of trace elements in dust inside child development centers in the haze (HP) and industrial areas (IA); (a,e) children aged 2 to <3 years, (b,f) children aged 3 to <6 years, (c,g) adults, and (d,h) HI values for As and Cr.
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