Heavy elements in indoor dust from Serbian households: pollution status, sources, and potential health risks

Occurrence of five heavy elements (HEs) was analyzed in indoor dust (n = 45) in households from four settlements in Vojvodina Province, Serbia. Overall medians (mg/kg) of Pb (5.6), Ni (5.2), Cu (27), and Cr (6.8) were below soil background values, while median for Cd (1.1) exceeded it. Pollution load index showed that the households' microenvironment in examined region might be regarded as unpolluted. Integrated pollution index revealed low contamination by Pb, Ni, and Cr, but high with Cu and Cd. Source apportionment by principal component analysis and positive matrix factorization suggested two possible sources: outdoor pollution and household materials. Hazard index was below safe limit (<1), indicating no adverse non-carcinogenic health effects. Estimated total carcinogenic risk for children and adult population was not negligible. Results indicated that attention should be paid to the presence of HE in indoors to conduct effective control measures and to ensure the health of the population.