Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals from cement factory dust

Background: The release of metals from industrial factories is one of the most important sources of environmental pollution. The present study aimed to determine the concentration of heavy metals like cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) in dust around the cement factory. Methods: A total of 22 dust samples were collected from areas around the cement factory in Isfahan province in spring and summer and transferred to laboratory for chemical digestion. Risk index (RI), integrated pollution index (IPI), mean of contamination degree (mCd), and contamination factor (Cf i) were calculated to determine the contamination status. Results: The concentration of heavy metals in the falling dust around the factory was expressed as Cd <Ni <Pb <Mn