Risk of cadmium, lead and zinc exposure from consumption of vegetables produced in areas with mining and smelting past

Abstract

the study reveals links between disturbed geochemical environment being the result of mining and smelting activities with consumers exposure to toxic and carcinogenic metallic trace elements (Mtes). this study focused on evaluation on vegetable and soil pollution in family allotment gardens (fAGs), considering in the aspects of consumer exposure to cadmium, lead and zinc. Study material consisted of 219 soil samples from FAGs located in one of the most polluted areas in Poland, and 64 samples of edible plants. Contents of analyzed MTEs in topsoil in the studied area were spatially diversified and depended primarily on the location of industrial pollution sources. The average content of cadmium (0.52 mg kg −1 fresh weight) and lead (0.57 mg kg −1 fresh weight) in vegetables exceeded maximum permissible concentrations according to the european Quality Standards. Human health risk assessment was based on three scenarios of dietary exposure to cadmium, lead and zinc. in every scenario the highest average daily dose for all three elements was estimated for potatoes which are one of the main components of poles' diet. presented study showed that consumption of vegetables cultivated in fAGs located in Silesia Province may pose a significant health risk for their consumers. Lead and zinc mines are found all over the world. Some of them are still active, but the vast majority ended mining and processing activities years ago. However, the remains of their activities still pose a serious threat to the environment. Metallic trace elements (MTEs) such as Pb, Zn, Cd have been and are released into the environment (both natural and anthropogenic sources, e.g. volcanic eruptions, mining and extraction of different elements from their respective ores), posing a threat to the health of people exposed to them both through inhalation and food. Consumption of food (vegetables, fruits) grown in MTEs contaminated areas carries the risk of potential negative health effects 1-4. First family allotment gardens (FAGs) in Europe appeared at the end of the 18th century as charitable aid for city dwellers, in connection with deteriorating living conditions. Poor workers were given plots of land that they could spend on growing vegetables and fruits for their own needs 5,6. Most often, the gardens were established in places of low attractive or peripheral districts, near industrial plants, railways and car transport routes 7,8. In Europe, the development of allotment gardening was particularly evident in Denmark, France, Germany and the United Kingdom 9. Allotment gardens (AGs) are still an important component of urban greenery, performing many significant functions for a city and its inhabitants. It is estimated that currently in Europe there are about three million individual allotment gardens 10. Epidemiological studies indicate the health and social function of allotment gardens as the main functions 11. Despite many benefits from the functioning of allotments, it should be remembered that due to their location in industrial areas of citie...

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