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Abstract <p>Wildfires unleash hazardous substances such as heavy metals (HM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of which are carcinogenic. This study investigates the fate and transport of these pollutants and evaluates the interaction risks arising from their combined presence in various environmental media. Sediment and ash exhibited the highest PAHs concentrations (PAHs: 2000 and 1900&#xa0;µg/kg, respectively), followed by burnt soil (800&#xa0;µg/kg), surface water (600&#xa0;µg/L), and unburnt soil (170&#xa0;µg/kg). Similar trends were observed for HM, with elevated levels of Al, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn. During the postfire period, concentrations of HM and PAHs declined in soil and water due to degradation, volatilization, and transport. PAHs exhibited higher dermal risks (HQ<sub>int</sub> = 10.5) than oral (HQ<sub>int</sub> = 4.55) owing to their greater lipophilicity. For oral exposure, the interaction between HM and PAHs led to elevated noncarcinogenic risk in sediment (HI<sub>int</sub> = 22.5), while burnt soil showed the highest carcinogenic risk (ILCR<sub>int</sub> = 3.80 × 10⁻<sup>2</sup>) due to the enhanced mobility of As, Cd, and Ni. Sediment also posed the highest dermal interaction risks (HQ<sub>int</sub> = 65.7; ILCR<sub>int</sub> = 6.33 × 10⁻<sup>2</sup>) linked to high concentrations of HMW PAHs. Overall, this study provides insights into the environmental and human health risks posed by the interaction between HM and PAHs released during wildfires. The findings highlight the importance of understanding pollutant transport, persistence, and synergistic effects, which are crucial for improving risk assessment. This knowledge supports targeted mitigation strategies and strengthens emergency response planning to protect ecosystems and vulnerable populations in fire-affected regions.</p>

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Wildfire-Induced Contamination: Interactive Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月28日

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  • Jakki Narasimha Rao,
  • Tanushree Parsai

摘要

Abstract

Wildfires unleash hazardous substances such as heavy metals (HM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), many of which are carcinogenic. This study investigates the fate and transport of these pollutants and evaluates the interaction risks arising from their combined presence in various environmental media. Sediment and ash exhibited the highest PAHs concentrations (PAHs: 2000 and 1900 µg/kg, respectively), followed by burnt soil (800 µg/kg), surface water (600 µg/L), and unburnt soil (170 µg/kg). Similar trends were observed for HM, with elevated levels of Al, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Zn. During the postfire period, concentrations of HM and PAHs declined in soil and water due to degradation, volatilization, and transport. PAHs exhibited higher dermal risks (HQint = 10.5) than oral (HQint = 4.55) owing to their greater lipophilicity. For oral exposure, the interaction between HM and PAHs led to elevated noncarcinogenic risk in sediment (HIint = 22.5), while burnt soil showed the highest carcinogenic risk (ILCRint = 3.80 × 10⁻2) due to the enhanced mobility of As, Cd, and Ni. Sediment also posed the highest dermal interaction risks (HQint = 65.7; ILCRint = 6.33 × 10⁻2) linked to high concentrations of HMW PAHs. Overall, this study provides insights into the environmental and human health risks posed by the interaction between HM and PAHs released during wildfires. The findings highlight the importance of understanding pollutant transport, persistence, and synergistic effects, which are crucial for improving risk assessment. This knowledge supports targeted mitigation strategies and strengthens emergency response planning to protect ecosystems and vulnerable populations in fire-affected regions.