Potentially toxic elements from different environmental compartments of the river watershed in eastern Serbia - assessment of the human health risk

This study assessed human health risks due to exposure to potentially toxic elements (PTES) in soil and river water in eastern Serbia. Concentrations of As, Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cr were measured in soil and river water from the Vlasina watershed area. The concentrations of Cl-, SO42- and NO3- were also measured in the river water. According to the Regulation of the Republic of Serbia, the water quality of the investigated rivers corresponds to the surface water quality Class I and II. The content of PTEs in soil was below soil guideline values. Children were more sensitive than adults when exposed to PTE in water and soil. Arsenic was the dominant contributor to the total non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for exposure to PTE in water. For PTE in soil, As had the dominant contribution to non-carcinogenic risks, and Ni to carcinogenic risks. All hazard index (HI) values for adults and children are less than 1, which indicates that the impact of PTEs in the examined river water and soil on human health is insignificant. Ingestion route is a major contributor to both total non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks.