Health risk assessment of exposure to asbestos ambient air of Tehran: Monte Carlo simulation

Asbestos is a natural fiber, that induce health risk such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.Exposure to asbestos in Tehran city in years of ۲۰۱۱ to ۲۰۱۷ was reported by air qualitycontrol company (AQCC). Health risk assessment is a suitable method for estimating healthhazard. The purpose of this study was to estimate cancer risk of exposure to asbestos inTehran. Results of asbestos monitoring in ambient air of the different regions of Tehranduring the years of ۲۰۱۱-۲۰۱۷ was received from AQCC. Health risk assessment wasconducted based on environmental protection agency (EPA) method using Monte Carlosimulation (MCS).Results showed mean concentration of asbestos in ambient air of Tehranhas generally reduced from۲۰۱۱ to۲۰۱۷ and only in years of ۲۰۱۱, mean concentration ofasbestos was higher than the recommended standard level. The maximum and minimumcarcinogenic risk were estimated ۲.۴۲E-۴ and ۵.۰۹ E-۵ in ۲۰۱۱ and ۲۰۱۷, respectively. In theyears of ۲۰۱۱ and۲۰۱۲, the cancer risk was considerable. The result of present studyindicated that the asbestos prohibition regulations had significant influence on reduction ofconcentration of asbestos in Tehran. The finding of this study could be helpful for healthpolicy makers.

Keywords:

Asbestos , Health risk assessment , Monte Carlo , Tehran , Air quality control