Heavy metal concentrations in street dust from residential and industrial areas at Mukim Hulu Kinta Perak

Street dust forms due to the interaction of the atmosphere, lithosphere (pedosphere), and anthroposphere and can be regarded as an index of the environmental condition in urban areas because it may affect ecosystems and human health. This research aimed to ascertain the concentration of heavy metals (cadmium, lead, zinc, and copper) in street dust from residential and industrial zones; to compare the concentrations of these metals between the two areas; and to assess the human health risks associated with street dust exposure to heavy metals in Mukim Hulu Kinta, Perak. Seventy-two street dust samples were prepared by wet acid digestion method and analysed using the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy for the assessment of copper, cadmium, zinc, and lead concentrations. The results indicated a declining trend in metal concentrations of street dust, averaged from residential and industrial regions, in the following order: zinc > copper > lead > cadmium. Statistical study employing an independent t-test revealed a significant difference in Pb levels across residential and industrial zones (p = 0.004, t = -1.562, df = 70). No significant changes are observed in the levels of copper, cadmium, and zinc between the locations. All hazard quotients demonstrated that the values for copper, cadmium, zinc, and lead were below one, which is an acceptable threshold for human safety. Consequently, the residential and industrial zones demonstrate a safe concentration of heavy metals in street dust for the populace. To prevent enduring adverse consequences, Ipoh's expanding industrial and residential development underscores the imperative for ongoing air pollution management in the urban setting