Heavy metals content in ashes of wood pellets and the health risk assessment related to their presence in the environment

. The Hazard Index (HI), calculated for non-cancerous substances for children was 2.23E-01, and the total Risk index was 4.54E-05. As for adults, HI was 1.51E-02, while the Risk index value was 3.21E-06. Human health risk calculated through HI and Risk index for children and adults associated with analyzed pellets is not of significant concern. The calculated enrichment factor and metal pollution index for wood pellet ashes indicate the risk of soil contamination with heavy metals. From this point of view, analyzed samples of ashes could be a serious contaminant of soil, so further monitoring is required.