The intake of cadmium in the Kempen, an area in the south of The Netherlands

Modeling diffusive Cd and Zn contaminant emissions from soils to surface waters

“…From the start of the zinc production till the 1970s these smelters emitted large amounts of cadmium and zinc leading to a diffusively contaminated area of 700 km 2 . These diffuse contaminants have led to various problems like human health problems (Kreis, 1990), disturbed soil ecosystems, too high Cd contents in agricultural crops (Copius Peereboom-Stegeman and Copius Peereboom, 1989), kidney problems in humans and cattle (Spierenburg et al, 1988), and emissions to groundwater and surface waters (Pedroli et al, 1990). Besides the diffusive contaminants, zinc slags from the factories have been used to pave roads and gardens.…”

Cadmium

“…In the Netherlands, estimates for the rural daily intake for Cd in the general population range from 20 J..lg day-l, to a maximum intake of 32 to 35 J..lg day-l (Copius Peereboom-Stegeman and Peereboom, 1989). This corresponds to approximately 184 J..lg Cd wk-I for the general population of the Netherlands.…”

The Impact of Climate Change on Metal Transport in a Lowland Catchment

“…Atmospheric deposition resulted in high and widespread accumulation of these metals in the upper soil layers surrounding the smelters (Van der Grift and Griffioen 2008 ; Bonten et al 2012 ). In addition, ore slags from these smelters were used to pave roads and gardens, resulting in leaching of Cd and Zn from these roads to groundwater (Copius Peereboom-Stegeman and Peereboom 1989 ; Bonten et al 2012 ). After 1974, atmospheric emissions have decreased drastically due to modifications in the production schemes of the ore smelters.…”