HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF CONTAMINATED SOILS WITH CARGINOGEN POLLUTANTS
Journal Title: Present Environment and Sustainable Development - Year 2012, Vol 6, Issue 2
Abstract
Human health risk assessment of contaminated soils with carcinogenic pollutants is a multidisciplinary and participative procedure. For this reason, the opportunities of involving the beneficiaries and the entire community in considering human health for environmental assessment have to be improved. The present paper shows how to use the risk assessment as a method for investigation and evaluation of contaminated soils. The case study used to illustrate the functionality of the risk assessment model is related to an area contaminated mainly with heavy metals. The area is located in Central Romania, close to a specific pollution source – non-ferrous industry. Twenty four soil samples taken from two depth layers of: 0 – 0.2 m, respectively 0.2-0.4 m from an area of 4.000 m2 were analyzed. Results of the chemical analysis indicated relatively high concentrations of As, Be, Cd, CrVI, and Pb, which is matching with the existing pollution levels. Also, in the soil a pollution of organic nature, respectively contamination with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was identified, its concentration exceeding the intervention threshold established by the Romanian regulation for sensitive uses. Results of the risk assessment revealed a risk factor of contaminated soils of 10-4, with two orders of magnitude above the acceptable risk of 10-6 suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, the contribution of the categories of pollutants (organic/inorganic) to the estimated risk for each exposure pathway considered was illustrated. Therefore, the paper, through the case study presented, represents an example of an approach that should be considered by the decision-making factors in approving certain projects, but also by environmental specialists when performing the health risk assessment in relation to certain objectives. This aspect is especially important as the experience of those performing the human health risk assessments at the planning stage of programs/projects is insufficient and the collaboration with experts from the health sector is uncommon.
Authors and Affiliations
Cristina Dumitrescu, Diana Cocârţă, Ana-Maria Reşetar-Deac, Adrian Badea, Monica Biolan
Keywords
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