Quantitative assessment of worldwide contamination of air, water and soils by trace metals

Nriagu, Jerome O.; Pacyna, Józef M.

doi:10.1038/333134a0

Cited by 3,840 publications

(1,845 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…They stated that coal combustion was the dominant source of human-related atmospheric mercury contamination in Asia ($42%). In assessing worldwide contamination of air by trace metals, Nriagu and Pacyna (1988) stated that the combustion of hard coal, lignites and brown coal in electric power plants and in industrial, commercial and residential furnaces was the major source of atmospheric mercury contamination from anthropogenic sources. The mercury content of coal from northeastern China was measured by Wang et al (2000) and it ranged from 0.003 to 1.649 mg/kg (mean ¼ 0.158 mg/kg).…”

Section: Diurnal Changes In Atmospheric Mercury Concentrationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fifty to seventy-five percent of mercury emission to the atmosphere is related to human activities (Nriagu and Pacyna, 1988;Nriagu, 1989;Xu et al, 1999). Major anthropogenic sources of mercury emission worldwide are: combustion of fossil fuel and coal, municipal waste combustors, sewage sludge and medical waste incinerators, mining activities, electric utility boilers, and manufacturing sources (Nriagu and Pacyna, 1988;Tatsutani, 1998). China is the world's third largest producer of energy and consumed 1.36 billion metric tons of coal in 1997 (59% more than 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Atmospheric mercury monitoring survey in Beijing, China

et al. 2002

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With the aid of one industrial, two urban, two suburban, and two rural sampling locations, diurnal patterns of total gaseous mercury (TGM) were monitored in January, February and September of 1998 in Beijing, China. Monitoring was conducted in six (two urban, two suburban, one rural and the industrial sites) of the seven sampling sites during January and February (winter) and in four (two urban, one rural, and the industrial sites) of the sampling locations during September (summer) of 1998. In the three suburban sampling stations, mean TGM concentrations during the winter sampling period were 8.6, 10.7, and 6.2 ng/m 3 , respectively. In the two urban sampling locations mean TGM concentrations during winter and summer sampling periods were 24.7, 8.3, 10, and 12.7 ng/m 3 , respectively. In the suburban-industrial and the two rural sampling locations, mean mercury concentrations ranged from 3.1-5.3 ng/m 3 in winter to 4.1-7.7 ng/m 3 in summer sampling periods. In the Tiananmen Square (urban), and Shijingshan (suburban) sampling locations the mean TGM concentrations during the summer sampling period were higher than winter concentrations, which may have been caused by evaporation of soil-bound mercury in warm periods. Continuous meteorological data were available at one of the suburban sites, which allowed the observation of mercury concentration variations associated with some weather parameters. It was found that there was a moderate negative correlation between the wind speed and the TGM concentration at this suburban sampling location. It was also found that during the sampling period at the same site, the quantity of TGM transported to or from the sampling site was mainly influenced by the duration and frequency of wind occurrence from certain directions. Ó

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Section: Diurnal Changes In Atmospheric Mercury Concentrationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric mercury monitoring survey in Beijing, China

et al. 2002

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“…It is released into the environment by various industrial and agricultural activities including mining, metal smelting and application of sewage sludge to agricultural land (Nriagu and Pacyna 1988;Chen et al 1999), sometimes resulting in accumulation of the metal in soils. Excessive Cd levels represent a threat to soil productivity and ecosystem stability, and also to human and animal health due to Cd accumulation in food chains (Jackson and Alloway 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uptake of cadmium from an experimentally contaminated calcareous soil by arbuscular mycorrhizal maize ( Zea mays L.)

et al. 2003

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“…Heavy metals are ubiquitous in the environment, and their entrance into the food chain through soil, water, and air circulation is an important environmental issue that includes risks to humans (Nriagu and Pacyna 1988;Wolkers et al 1994;Falandysz et al 2005). The literature dealing with heavy-metal contamination of game meat (Hernández et al 1985;Swiergosz et al 1993;Falandysz 1994;Wolkers et al 1994;Kottferová and Koréneková 1998;Guitart et al 2002;Lord et al 2002;Falandysz et al 2005;Lazarus et al 2008) highlights that heavy metals can reach concentration levels high enough to make some of these products unsafe for human consumption.…”

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confidence: 99%

Cadmium, Lead, and Chromium in Large Game: A Local-Scale Exposure Assessment for Hunters Consuming Meat and Liver of Wild Boar

Danieli

Serrani

Primi

et al. 2012

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol

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Heavy metals are ubiquitous in soil, water, and air. Their entrance into the food chain is an important environmental issue that entails risks to humans. Several reports indicate that game meat can be an important source of heavy metals, particularly because of the increasing consumption of game meat, mainly by hunters. We performed an exposure assessment of hunters and members of their households, both adults and children, who consumed wild boar (WB) meat and offal. We estimated the amount of cadmium, lead, and chromium in the tissues of WB hunted in six areas within Viterbo Province (Italy) and gathered data on WB meat and offal consumption by conducting specific diet surveys in the same areas. The exposure to cadmium, lead, and chromium was simulated with specifically developed Monte Carlo simulation models. Cadmium and lead levels in WB liver and meat harvested in Viterbo Province (Italy) were similar to or lower than the values reported in other studies. However, some samples contained these metals at levels greater then the EU limits set for domestic animals. The chromium content of meat or liver cannot be evaluated against any regulatory limit, but our results suggest that the amounts of this metal found in WB products may reflect a moderate environmental load. Our survey of the hunter population confirmed that their consumption of WB meat and liver was greater than that of the general Italian population. This level of consumption was comparable with other European studies. Consumption of WB products contributes significantly to cadmium and lead exposure of both adults and children. More specifically, consumption of the WB liver contributed significantly to total cadmium and lead exposure of members of the households of WB hunters. As a general rule, liver consumption should be kept to a minimum, especially for children living in these hunter households. The exposure to chromium estimated for this population of hunters may be considered to be safe. However, a specific and complete assessment of chromium speciation in relevant dietary and environmental situations should be conducted.

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Quantitative assessment of worldwide contamination of air, water and soils by trace metals

Cited by 3,840 publications

References 27 publications

Atmospheric mercury monitoring survey in Beijing, China

Atmospheric mercury monitoring survey in Beijing, China

Uptake of cadmium from an experimentally contaminated calcareous soil by arbuscular mycorrhizal maize ( Zea mays L.)

Cadmium, Lead, and Chromium in Large Game: A Local-Scale Exposure Assessment for Hunters Consuming Meat and Liver of Wild Boar

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