Indoor metallic pollution related to mining activity in the Bolivian Altiplano |
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Authors: | Fontúrbel Francisco E Barbieri Enio Herbas Cristian Barbieri Flavia L Gardon Jacques |
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Institution: | a Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile b IRD-HSM (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), La Paz, Bolivia c Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, IGEMA Institute (Instituto de Investigaciones Geológicas y del Medio Ambiente), La Paz, Bolivia d Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, SELADIS Institute (Instituto de Servicios de Laboratorio para el Diagnóstico e Investigación en Salud), La Paz, Bolivia |
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Abstract: | The environmental pollution associated with mining and metallurgical activities reaches its greatest extent in several Andean cities and villages. Many locations in this area have accumulated through centuries a large amount of mining wastes, often disregarding the magnitude of this situation. However, in these naturally mineralized regions, there is little information available stating the exact role of mining and metallurgical industries in urban pollution. In this study, we demonstrated that the various metallic elements present in indoor dust (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, Sn, Zn) had a common origin and this contamination was increased by the proximity to the mines. Lead dust concentration was found at concerning levels for public health. In addition, wrong behaviors such as carrying mining workwear home contributed to this indoor dust pollution. Consequently, the constant exposure of the population could represent a potential health hazard for vulnerable groups, especially children. |
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Keywords: | Geostatistical analysis Household dust Human exposure Metallic trace element Mining pollution |
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