title: Heavy metals in soils along unpaved roads in south west Cameroon: Contamination levels and health risks.
abstract: Soils enriched with heavy metals from vehicular emission present a significant exposure route of heavy metals to individuals using unpaved roads. This study assessed the extent of Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn contamination of soils along unpaved roads in Cameroon, and the health risks presented by incidental ingestion and dermal contact with the soils using metal contamination factor (CF) pollution load index, hazard quotients (HQ) and chronic hazard index (CHI). CF values obtained (0.9-12.2) indicate moderate to high contamination levels. HQ values for Cr, Cd and Pb exceeded the reference doses. Moderate health hazard exists for road users in the areas with intense anthropogenic activities and high average daily traffic (ADT) volume according to CHI values (1-4) obtained. The economy and quality of life in cities with unpaved roads could be threatened by health challenges resulting from long-term exposure to heavy metal derived from high ADT volumes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North West University (Mafikeng Campus), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, 2735, South Africa. vm.ngole@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Veronica M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Ngole-Jeme
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001682:Biological Availability; D002163:Cameroon; D002648:Child; D004391:Dust; D004435:Eating; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005750:Gastric Juice / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012869:Skin Absorption; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants
keywords: Chronic hazard index; Contamination factor; Hazard quotients; Incidental soil ingestion; Vehicular emission