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Background <p>Heavy metal contamination of urban soils is an important environmental health concern, particularly in areas affected by intense anthropogenic activity. Children may be especially vulnerable because playground soils represent a potential source of long-term exposure. This study aimed to determine heavy metal concentrations in playground soils across Ankara, Türkiye, assess contamination levels and exposure-related health risks, and explore possible links between air pollution and soil contamination.</p> Methods <p>This cross-sectional ecological study included 54 playgrounds selected near Ankara’s 18 air quality monitoring stations. Soil samples were collected, homogenized, and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Heavy metal contamination and exposure-related health risks were assessed using established environmental and health risk assessment indices. Principal component analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to explore potential contamination sources and identify environmental factors associated with health risk.</p> Results <p>Iron and aluminum were the most abundant metals, whereas cadmium showed the lowest concentrations and mercury was not detected. Arsenic, nickel, and chromium exhibited the highest enrichment factor (EF) values, while arsenic contributed the highest non-carcinogenic Hazard Index (HI). Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk thresholds were exceeded in 38.9% and 44.4% of playgrounds, respectively. Principal component analysis identified four components explaining 73.2% of the total variance and suggested both natural and anthropogenic sources of contamination. Playgrounds located along main roads had a markedly higher likelihood of elevated carcinogenic risk (OR 14.1, 95% CI 1.8–108.4), while high traffic density was also associated with increased risk (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.0–31.2). Annual NO₂ concentrations were positively associated with chromium and nickel levels. Nickel was the primary contributor to the estimated carcinogenic risk (66.7%), followed by chromium (23.7%).</p> Conclusion <p>Heavy metal contamination in playground soils may constitute an important source of environmental exposure for children in urban settings. The findings indicate that traffic-related activities are likely to play a substantial role in shaping contamination patterns and associated health risks. Considering environmental contamination during playground planning and site selection may help reduce avoidable exposures among children.</p>

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Health risk assessment of heavy metal exposure in children’s playgrounds near air quality monitoring stations in Ankara, Türkiye

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月5日

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  • Şefik Yurdakul,
  • Egemen Ünal

摘要

Background

Heavy metal contamination of urban soils is an important environmental health concern, particularly in areas affected by intense anthropogenic activity. Children may be especially vulnerable because playground soils represent a potential source of long-term exposure. This study aimed to determine heavy metal concentrations in playground soils across Ankara, Türkiye, assess contamination levels and exposure-related health risks, and explore possible links between air pollution and soil contamination.

Methods

This cross-sectional ecological study included 54 playgrounds selected near Ankara’s 18 air quality monitoring stations. Soil samples were collected, homogenized, and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Heavy metal contamination and exposure-related health risks were assessed using established environmental and health risk assessment indices. Principal component analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to explore potential contamination sources and identify environmental factors associated with health risk.

Results

Iron and aluminum were the most abundant metals, whereas cadmium showed the lowest concentrations and mercury was not detected. Arsenic, nickel, and chromium exhibited the highest enrichment factor (EF) values, while arsenic contributed the highest non-carcinogenic Hazard Index (HI). Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk thresholds were exceeded in 38.9% and 44.4% of playgrounds, respectively. Principal component analysis identified four components explaining 73.2% of the total variance and suggested both natural and anthropogenic sources of contamination. Playgrounds located along main roads had a markedly higher likelihood of elevated carcinogenic risk (OR 14.1, 95% CI 1.8–108.4), while high traffic density was also associated with increased risk (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.0–31.2). Annual NO₂ concentrations were positively associated with chromium and nickel levels. Nickel was the primary contributor to the estimated carcinogenic risk (66.7%), followed by chromium (23.7%).

Conclusion

Heavy metal contamination in playground soils may constitute an important source of environmental exposure for children in urban settings. The findings indicate that traffic-related activities are likely to play a substantial role in shaping contamination patterns and associated health risks. Considering environmental contamination during playground planning and site selection may help reduce avoidable exposures among children.