Abstract:
Heavy metal concentrations in indoor dusts can have significant human health
risks through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption. The present study aims to
assess the health risks of four heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cd, Hg, and As) obtained
in indoor dust from selected public hospitals in populous cities situated in Metro Manila
and Batangas province. Non-carcinogenic risks were inferred by calculating the hazard
quotients (HQ) and hazard indices (HI) of the heavy metals, while carcinogenic risks
were stipulated by obtaining their cancer risk values. Results show that Ospital ng
Maynila possessed 1.44 mgkg-1 Pb, 0.02 mgkg-1 Cd, 0.74 mgkg-1 Hg, and 2.00 mgkg-1
As; Philippine General Hospital indoor dust yielded 0.53 mgkg-1 Pb, 0.48 mgkg-1 Hg, and
1.80 mgkg-1 As; Laurel Memorial Hospital had 0.23 mgkg-1 Pb, 0.35 mgkg-1 Hg, and 2.50
mgkg-1 As; and Lipa City District Hospital-Granja generated 0.15 mgkg-1 Pb, 0.19 mgkg-
1 Hg, and 1.50 mgkg-1 As. These concentrations all yielded HQ<1 and HI<1, indications
of their insufficiency to induce significant non-carcinogenic health detriments. Analysis
on the carcinogenic heavy metals, Cd and As, showed cancer values on the lower limit of
the carcinogenicity threshold, 1×10-6 - 1×10-4. This concludes that as of date, there is no
immediate concern over the heavy metal concentrations in the sample sites. However,
additional caution is advised for people who are susceptible for long-term exposure due
to the observed high carcinogenic risk that comes with chronic heavy metal dosage.
