Assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in kaolin dust and associated human health risks near mining areas in eastern Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 School of Mining Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Geology, College of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22059/ijmge.2026.409947.595357

Abstract

Following reports of silicosis outbreaks among refractory industry workers in eastern Iran, this study analyzed the chemical composition and mineralogical characteristics of mining-derived dust in Ghaenat city and its potential environmental impacts. This study was aimed to investigate the potentially toxic elements (PTEs) concentrations in mine dust and evaluate the human health risk assessment and health effects near mining areas. To achieve this goal, a series of instrumental analyses including XRD, XRF, and ICP-OES have been performed on dust particles. For the better risk assessment, the oral bioaccessibility of PTEs using a simple bioaccessibility extraction test (SBET) was also investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis of dust samples shows that quartz, kaolinite, pyrophyllite, and illite are more abundant, indicating the prevalence of silicates in the dust particles. Calculation of geoaccumulation index indicated that the median Igeo values decreased in the following order: As > S > Sr >> Al ≈ Li ≈ La ≈ Nd ≈ Cu ≈ Pb ≈ Fe ≈ Mg ≈ Zn. Bioaccessibility results revealed pronounced inter-element variability, with arsenic showing the highest bioaccessible fraction (up to 73.1%), particularly in samples collected from the mining area. Although all calculated hazard indices were below the accepted safety threshold, arsenic emerged as the primary contributor to potential health risk.

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References

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International Journal of Mining and Geo-Engineering
Volume 60, Issue 2
June 2026
Pages 123-130

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