Risk of heavy metal(loid)s, morphology, and mineral composition in atmospheric dustfall from university campuses in Wuhan, China.

Understanding the human health risks posed by heavy metal(loid)s in atmospheric particulate matter is critical, especially for students on congested college campuses. For this investigation, atmospheric dustfall samples were obtained from university campuses in Wuhan City. The concentration of Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni, As, Cr, Co, Ba, Sb, Cd, and V were determined. Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, and Sb levels were higher than the Hubei Province soil background values. The particle morphology and mineralogy results show that atmospheric dustfall particles were spherical primarily and needle-like, and the main mineral composition of atmospheric dustfall was carbonate and silicate. The spatial distribution indicated that the heavy metal(loid)s showed apparent spatial heterogeneity. According to the pollution assessment results, Cd and Sb were the principal pollutants in Wuhan University's atmospheric dustfall and caused severe ecological risks to the environment. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk values for both male and female college students were within the safe range, the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk values for male and female college students were (0.20, 0.35) and (2.46 × 10^–6, 2.72 × 10^–6), respectively, and the school's teachers and students can be adequately protected. When compared to urban air pollution, college pollution is lower and may be regarded as a background point for pollution, which is helpful for monitoring, management, and prevention of urban air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]