Non-cancerogenic Risk to Human Health with Pb, Cu, and Zn Intake from Soil in the Area of Herzegovina

The aim of this paper was to determine the level of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, and Zn) concentrations in the total form. Following that determination, by using the Hazard Quotient Index (HQI) a non-cancerogenic risk to adult and children health by oral, digestive and dermal intake of heavy metals from the soil into the body has been calculated. The survey included three locations in the narrower part of Herzegovina in 2012, including Dubrave, Blagaj, and Mostar. Heavy metal analysis was performed according to the international standard ISO 11047 which specifies the atomic absorption spectrometry method for determining one or more elements in the soil extract. By calculating the HI (Hazard Index) at all locations, it was found that HI < 1 and therefore it does not pose a risk to adult health by heavy metals intake into body from the soil. By calculating HI at all locations for children, it was found that at the site of Mostar the value of HI for oral Pb intake from the soil is 3.03 and therefore poses a health risk.