Assessment of heavy metal pollution in urban soils and dusts from Regla town (Havana, Cuba) using X-ray fluorescence analysis

Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb contents in urban dust and surface soils from Regla town (Havana, Cuba) are determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis. The obtained results are compared with the metal contents reported for Havana and industrial areas from other Cuban and worldwide cities. The application of pollution, ecological risk and toxicological indexes allows to evaluate the impact induced by the local industries emissions to the population health. The calculated hazard index and cancer risk of all studied heavy metals suggested the acceptable range for both noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risk to children and adults.