Assessment of pollution and health risks from exposure to heavy metals in soil, wheat grains, drinking water, and atmospheric particulate matter

Heavy metal pollution is a global environmental issue that poses serious threats to human health. In the Bian East Industrial Cluster Zone of Kaifeng City, prolonged sewage irrigation and industrial activities have led to severe heavy metal contamination in various environmental media and crops. However, the health risks posed by heavy metals in different environmental media in this area are yet to be assessed. Thus, we measured the concentrations of multiple heavy metals in samples from different environmental media (soil, drinking water, and atmospheric particulate matter) and crops (wheat grains). A health risk assessment model was used to evaluate the health risks posed by heavy metals through different exposure pathways and estimate the contribution of each medium and heavy metal…