Heavy Metal Contamination and Health Risk Assessment in the Vicinity of a Tailing Pond in Guangdong, China

Yaya Liang, Xiaoyun Yi, Zhi Dang, Qin Wang, Houmei Luo and Jie Tang
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Yaya Liang: School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, China
Xiaoyun Yi: School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, China
Zhi Dang: School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, China
Qin Wang: School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, China
Houmei Luo: School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, China
Jie Tang: School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 Waihuan East Road, Guangzhou 510006, China

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess heavy metal contamination and health risks for residents in the vicinity of a tailing pond in Guangdong, southern China. Water, soil, rice, and vegetable samples were collected from the area in the vicinity of the tailing pond. Results showed that surface water was just polluted by Ni and As, while groundwater was not contaminated by heavy metals. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, and As in the paddy soil exceeded the standard values but not those of Cr. In vegetable soils, the concentration of heavy metals was above the standard values except for Ni and As. Soil heavy metal concentrations generally decreased with increasing distance from the polluting source. Leafy vegetables were contaminated by Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni, while the non-leafy vegetables were contaminated only by Cr. There was a significant difference in heavy metal concentrations between leafy vegetables and non-leafy vegetables. Almost all the rice was polluted by heavy metals. Diet was the most significant contributor to non-carcinogenic risk, which was significantly higher than the safe level of 1. The total cancer risk was also beyond the safe range (10 ?6 –10 ?4 ). Results revealed that there is a risk of potential health problems to residents in the vicinity of the tailing pond.

Keywords: tailing pond; heavy metals; water; soil; vegetables; rice; contamination; health risk (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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