Strategies for Heavy Metal Remediation in Dust Accumulations

Dust, a ubiquitous component of both indoor and outdoor environments, serves as a significant reservoir and transport medium for heavy metals, posing substantial risks to human health and ecological stability. This comprehensive review synthesizes current knowledge on the remediation of heavy metal contamination in various forms of dust accumulations, including household, industrial, and road dust. It begins by identifying the primary heavy metals of concern―such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As)—and traces their origins to anthropogenic sources like industrial emissions, vehicular traffic, and agricultural practices. The article then elaborates on the severe environmental and health impacts, detailing pathways of exposure such as inhalation and ingestion, and the subsequent risks of respiratory illnesses, neurotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. A core focus is the critical evaluation of existing remediation technologies, categorized into physical, chemical, and biological methods. These include physical separation techniques like soil washing and thermal desorption; chemical treatments such as chemical extraction, solidification/stabilization, and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs); and biological approaches including bioremediation and phytoremediation. The review analyzes the mechanisms, efficacy, advantages, and limitations of each method. Finally, it proposes future research directions, emphasizing the need for integrated, synergistic remediation strategies, the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly technologies like nanoremediation, and the application of machine learning for predictive modeling and process optimization to address the complex challenge of heavy metal pollution in dust.

Keywords:

Heavy Metals , Dust Pollution , Remediation Technologies , Environmental Health , Synergistic Remediation