Epidemiological Study on Metal Pollution of Ningbo in China

Zhou Li, Hong Su, Li Wang, Danbiao Hu, Lijun Zhang, Jian Fang, Micong Jin, Samuel Selorm Fiati Kenston, Xin Song, Hongbo Shi, Jinshun Zhao and Guochuan Mao
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Zhou Li: Department of Preventative Medicine, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Medicine School of Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo 315211, China
Hong Su: Department of Preventative Medicine, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Medicine School of Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo 315211, China
Li Wang: Ningbo Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Ningbo 315010, China
Danbiao Hu: Ninghai Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Ninghai 315600, China
Lijun Zhang: Jiangdong District Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Ningbo 315040, China
Jian Fang: Zhenhai District Maternal and Child Health Family Planning Center, Ningbo 315200, China
Micong Jin: Ningbo Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Ningbo 315010, China
Samuel Selorm Fiati Kenston: Department of Preventative Medicine, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Medicine School of Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo 315211, China
Xin Song: Department of Preventative Medicine, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Medicine School of Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo 315211, China
Hongbo Shi: Ningbo Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Ningbo 315010, China
Jinshun Zhao: Department of Preventative Medicine, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Medicine School of Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo 315211, China
Guochuan Mao: Ningbo Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Ningbo 315010, China

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Background : In order to search for effective control and prevention measures, the status of metal pollution in Ningbo, China was investigated. Methods : Nine of the most common contaminating metals including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and mercury (Hg) in samples of vegetables, rice, soil, irrigation water, and human hair were detected using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Three different districts including industrial, suburban and rural areas in Ningbo were studied through a stratified random sample method. Results : (1) Among all of the detected vegetable samples, Cd exceeded the standard limit rates in industrial, suburban and rural areas as high as 43.9%, 27.5% and 5.0%, respectively; indicating the severity of Cd pollution in Ningbo. (2) The pollution index (PI) of Cd and Zn in soil (1.069, 1.584, respectively) suggests that soil is slightly polluted by Cd and Zn. Among all samples, metal contamination levels in soil were all relatively high. (3) A positive correlation was found between the concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cu in vegetables and soil; Pb, Cu, Cr and Ni in vegetables and irrigation water, as well as, Cu and Ni in rice and irrigation water; and, (4) Higher Pb and Cd concentrations were found in student scalp hair in both industrial and suburban areas compared to rural areas. (5) Hg and Pb that are found in human scalp hair may be more easily absorbed from food than any of the other metals. Conclusions : In general, certain harmful metal pollutions were detected in both industrial and suburban areas of Ningbo in China.

Keywords: metal pollution; vegetable; rice; irrigation water; human hair (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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