Evaluation of the Potential Health Risk Related to the Use of an Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant Sludge as Manure

Abstract

In this study, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cd, and Cr concentrations in Advanced Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant sludge (ABWWTP) (Turkey) were investigated. The health risks associated with the use of sludge as manure were also calculated. In this context, the metal pollution index (MPI) was determined to assess the pollution degree. According to the obtained data, the highest concentration in ABWWTP sludge was seen in Autumn as 411.33 +/- 20.5 mg/kg for manganese and the minimum value was seen in Winter as 0.77 +/- 0.04 mg/kg for cadmium. In this study, maximum MPI was calculated as 29.59 in the Summer season, while minimum MPI was calculated as 25.01 in the Spring season. In terms of ingestion and inhalation, we can list the highest HQ(ing)and HQ(inh)risk of metals in all seasons as male < female < children. The non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) and hazard index (HI) values in terms of ingestion, inhalation, and dermal ways calculated for all heavy metals in all seasons were less than 1. Also, the total HI values were < 1. There were no non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the usage of sludge as manure.