PBDEs and PCDD/Fs in surface soil taken from the Taizhou e-waste recycling area,China

The emerging issue of electronic wastes (e-waste) and the associated environmental problems has gained considerable attention from the scientific community in recent decades. In the present study, the levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the surface soil obtained from the Taizhou e-waste recycling area of China were investigated. Also the correlation among these chemicals and previously published data of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyls was analysed. We determined that the pollution levels of eight PBDEs congeners were serious, ranging from 27.9 to 3128.4 μg/kg. The concentration of PCDD/Fs was in the range of 218.3–3122.2 pg/g with a mean value of 659.5 pg/g. The PBDEs were not well-correlated with organic pollutants (PAHs and PCBs) in soil, whereas PCDD/Fs exhibited a significant positive correlation with the PCBs. The higher levels of persistent organic pollutants may pose potential adverse effects to soil quality and human beings and needs to be properly managed and remediated.     

龙塘镇电子垃圾拆解区土壤和河流底泥重金属赋存形态及生态风险

龙塘镇是珠三角电子垃圾拆解区之一,采用AAS方法对该地土壤和河流底泥沉积物中5种重金属(Cd、Cr、Cu、Zn和Pb)含量进行测定分析,结果显示周围农田土壤中Cd含量是《国家土壤质量标准》二级标准的3倍左右,是广东省土壤背景值的20倍左右;拆解区土壤Cd超标最为严重,最高达5.67倍,超过广东省土壤背景值达36.17倍;拆解区下游0—1500 m河流底泥中Cd、Cr、Cu、Zn和Pb含量大幅增加且部分金属超标,Cd在0—40 cm深度内含量总体逐渐降低,仍远超背景值,Cu含量采样深度内递减规律最显著且在0—10 cm内含量超标,Cr、Zn和Pb除部分点位在表层积累较多外,其余与背景值相差不大且未超标.采用BCR(the Community Bureau of Reference)法提取重金属不同形态可知,底泥中Cd主要以弱酸溶态和可还原态为主,Cu主要以可氧化态存在,Cr主要以残渣态存在,而Zn和Pb则以可还原态为主;其中Cd的可提取态比例较高(60%),容易释放出来形成"二次污染".潜在生态风险结果表明,河流底泥中Cd生态危害程度属于极强(Ei320);其他金属Cr、Cu、Zn和Pb危害风险程度属于轻微(Ei40);金属Cd对整个RI值贡献最大(88%),应重点加强对Cd污染的防控.     

Human health ambient water quality criteria for 13 heavy metals and health risk assessment in Taihu Lake

• The concentrations of 13 heavy metals in Taihu Lake were analyzed. • Aquatic vegetables intake was first included in deriving human health AWQC. • The human health AWQC for 13 heavy metals in Taihu Lake were derived. • Human health risk assessment for 13 heavy metals were conducted in Taihu Lake. Heavy metals are widely concerning because of their toxicity, persistence, non-degradation and bioaccumulation ability. Human health ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) are specific levels of chemicals that can occur in water without harming human health. At present, most countries do not consider the effects of aquatic vegetables in deriving human health AWQC. Therefore, the intake of aquatic vegetables (Brasenia schreberi) was added to the derivation of human health AWQC and a health risk assessment for 13 heavy metals in Taihu Lake. The human health AWQC (consumption of water, fish and aquatic vegetables) values of 13 heavy metals ranged from 0.04 (Cd) to 710.87 μg/L (Sn), and the intake of B. schreberi had a very significant effect on the human health AWQC for Cu, with a more than 62-fold difference. The hazard quotients of As (2.8), Cd (1.6), Cr (1.4) and Cu (4.86) were higher than the safe level (HQ= 1), indicating that As, Cd, Cr and Cu in Taihu Lake posed a significant health risk. Sensitivity analysis showed that the contribution rate of B. schreberi intake to the human health risk from Cu was 91.6%, and all results indicated that the risk of Cu in B. schreberi to human health should be of particular concern. This study adds the consideration of aquatic vegetable consumption to the traditional method of human health AWQC derivation and risk assessments for the first time, and this approach can promote the development of risk assessments and water quality criteria.     

Occurrence and health risk assessment of trace heavy metals via groundwater in Shizhuyuan Polymetallic Mine in Chenzhou City,China

The Shizhuyuan Polymetallic Mine in Chen-zhou City is an important multi-metal deposit in China. After a dam accident in 1985, there are still a number of mining plants, smelters and tailing ponds in this area. These had the potential to pollute the surrounding groundwater. In this study, groundwater samples were collected from 20 residents’ wells in this area during both dry and wet seasons. In particular, this study focused on the exposure and the health risk assessment of trace heavy metal in groundwater. Multiple statistical analysis and fuzzy comprehensive method were employed to reveal the distribution characteristics of heavy metal and to assess the groundwater quality. Results indicated that Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Ba, Hg and Pb were widespread with low exposure levels. There were 19 wells with low level exposure and one well with a moderate level exposure in the dry season. All of the wells were in low level exposure during the wet season. As and Mn exhibited potential non-carcinogenic concern, because their maximum hazard quotient (HQ) was higher than 1.0. This may cause adverse health effect on adults in dry season or on children in both seasons. Only As, showed that the maximum carcinogenic risk was more than 10⁻⁴, suggesting a high cancer risk for children in both dry and wet seasons. Therefore, analysis and reduction the concentrations of As and Mn in groundwater are needed in order to protect the health of residents and especially children in the area.     

拉萨河流域重金属污染及健康风险评价

在分析拉萨河水体重金属污染现状以及水质理化参数的基础上,对重金属含量进行Pearson相关性分析,并运用水环境健康风险评价模型对其进行了健康风险的初步评价.结果表明Cd、Pb、Cu、Mn、Ni和Zn未超过我国生活饮用水卫生标准（GB 5749—2006）的限值,As和Fe严重超标.8种重金属含量与pH值间均不存在显著相关性,其中Zn、Ni与Pb污染存在一定的同源性,而Ni与Cd来源不同,As、Mn、Fe、Cu之间污染具有多源性.污染物通过皮肤接触途径所造成的危害要远小于饮水途径,致癌物风险比非致癌物高2—8个数量级.其中As对总风险贡献率为99.60%,成为主要的风险污染物.拉萨河水体中污染物引起的总健康风险高于EPA推荐的标准值,具有显著的风险,应引起环境监测和环境管理部门的关注.     

典型电子垃圾拆解区二噁英污染特征、相分配及暴露风险

选取南方某典型电子垃圾拆解区不同作业区为研究对象,重点研究了拆解地大气中二噁英的污染特征、气相-颗粒相分配及呼吸暴露风险。通过对5个采样点（包括1个背景点）的研究发现,电子垃圾拆解作业区颗粒相ΣPCDD/Fs的质量浓度为：20.64-56.14 pg·m^-3,毒性当量为：I-TEQ 0.293-1.490 pg·m^-3;气相ΣPCDD/Fs的质量浓度为：3.861-19.29 pg·m^-3,毒性当量为：I-TEQ 0.384-2.150 pg·m^-3。背景点大气中二噁英浓度相对较低,颗粒相和气相样品中质量浓度值分别为：3.734 pg·m^-3和2.637 pg·m^-3,毒性当量仅为I-TEQ 0.176-0.267 pg·m^-3;要明显低于电子垃圾拆解区。基于污染物气相-颗粒相分配系数与蒸汽压的关系对二噁英的气-固分配行为研究显示,除了拆解混合作业区有较好的分配系数（-0.64）外,其它监测点位二噁英的气-固平衡状态较弱（-0.27--0.03）,更多的是以低分子量的单体化合物赋存于气相样品中。对拆解区二噁英呼吸暴露风险研究结果表明,儿童呼吸暴露风险要高于成年人;同时无论是儿童还是成年人,其二噁英的呼吸暴露量均要高于国内外城市报道的二噁英人体呼吸暴露量,说明本次监测的电子垃圾拆解区存在的潜在健康风险不容忽视。     

碳酸盐岩矿区河流沉积物中重金属的形态特征及潜在生态风险

黔西北土法炼锌及铅锌选矿厂对河流造成严重的重金属污染。河流沉积物中重金属的化学形态研究表明,同一采样点中不同重金属的形态分布和同一重金属在不同采样点中的形态分布均有较大差异。这可能与沉积物组分的不同亲和力,不同河段沉积物中粘土矿物、有机质、Fe Mn氧化物含量的不同以及人为活动(生活污水、选矿剂、矿渣等)的加入等有关,而碳酸盐岩地质背景的河床本身可能也有较大影响。潜在生态危害指数法研究表明,沉积物中重金属表现出强生态风险性,产生生态危害的主要重金属污染物是Pb,其后依次是Cd、Cu和Zn。     

Distribution,seasonal variation and inhalation risks of polychlorinated dibenzo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-dioxins and dibenzofurans,polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the atmosphere of Beijing,China

Spatial distribution, seasonal variation and potential inhalation risks of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were investigated in the atmosphere of Beijing, using passive air samplers equipped with polyurethane foam disks. Concentrations of ΣPCDD/Fs, ΣPCBs and ΣPBDEs ranged from 8.4 to 179 fg WHO₂₀₀₅-TEQ/m³, 38.6–139 and 1.5–176 pg/m³, respectively. PCDFs showed higher air concentrations than those of PCDDs, indicating the influence of industrial activities and other combustion processes. The non-Aroclor congener, PCB-11, was detected in air (12.3–99.4 pg/m³) and dominated the PCB congener profiles (61.7–71.5% to ∑PCBs). The congener patterns of PBDEs showed signatures from both penta-BDE and octa-BDE products. Levels of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs at the industrial and residential sites were higher than those at rural site, indicating human activities in urban area as potential sources. Higher air concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs were observed in summer, which could be associated with atmospheric deposition process, re-volatilization from soil surface and volatilization from use of technical products, respectively. Results of inhalation exposure and cancer risk showed that atmospheric PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs and PBDEs did not cause high risks to the local residents of Beijing. This study provides further aid in evaluating emission sources, influencing factors and potential inhalation risks of the persistent organic pollutants to human health in mega-cities of China.     

Cultivars and oil extraction techniques affect Cd/Pb contents and health risks in oil of rapeseed grown on Cd/Pb-contaminated farmland

● Organic solvent extracted fewer Cd/Pb in rapeseed oil than physical pressing. ● Brassica rapa transferred fewer Cd and Pb from seed to oil than Brassica napus . ● Carcinogenic risk mainly from Cd and worth more concern than noncarcinogenic risk. ● Organic solvent specially SLB pose less heath risk for oil than physical pressing. ● Rapeseed oil posed higher carcinogenic risk for rural residents than urban. Substitute planting with rapeseed offers promise for safely using large areas of Cd/Pb-contaminated farmland. Cd/Pb distributions during rapeseed oil production were investigated and health risks posed by the oil were assessed. Tests were performed using three cultivars (Brassica rapa SYH and ZS100 and Brassica napus QY-1) and four oil extraction techniques (mechanical and low-temperature pressing and n-hexane and subcritical low-temperature butane extraction). The amounts of Cd and Pb in oil were 0.73%–8.44% and 3.14%–11.76%, respectively, of the amounts in rapeseed and were strongly affected by the cultivar and oil extraction technique. The heavy metal (HM) concentrations were lower in solvent-extracted oil (particularly subcritical low-temperature butane extracted oil, in which HMs were not detected) than mechanically pressed oil. The Cd and Pb transfer indices were lower (meaning larger proportions of HMs were retained by the rapeseed meal) for B. rapa than B. napus. This was attributed to a high HM binding protein content of B. rapa seed. Health risks to humans were assessed using a probabilistic risk assessment model. The carcinogenic risk was mainly (97.1%–99.9%) caused by Cd and poses more concern than non-carcinogenic risk. Stronger health risks are posed by mechanically pressed than solvent-extracted oil, and higher carcinogenic risks are posed to people living in rural areas than urban areas. Substitute planting with B. rapa and extracting oil with organic solvent (preferably subcritical low-temperature butane) are optimal for safely utilizing Cd/Pb-contaminated soil. Attention should be paid to the health risks posed by Cd in oil to rural populations.     

南京城郊零散菜地土壤与蔬菜重金属含量及健康风险分析

采集南京城郊零散菜地土壤和青菜配对样品各18个,用原子吸收光谱仪测定了铜、锌、铅、镉的质量分数。结果表明,南京城郊零散菜地土壤中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd质量分数的变化范围分别为39.38±9.85、254.79±132.77、67.77±57.52、1.03±1.28 mg/kg;重金属质量分数在土样之间存在较大的变异性,反映了人为活动已对南京城郊土壤重金属污染产生了明显的影响。在城郊零散菜地土壤上种植的青菜,其叶中Cu、Zn、Pb、Cd质量分数的变化范围分别为5.00±1.57、62.21±16.05、5.90±3.09、0.73±0.39 mg/kg,其中Pb、Cd质量分数全都超过国家食品卫生标准。依据USEPA推荐的RfD值和我国居民平均食物消费结构进行计算,结果表明这些零散菜地的蔬菜重金属污染可能给食用者带来健康风险;食用其中一些污染严重的蔬菜而摄入Pb、Cd引起的健康风险分别高达90.66%和42.17%。     

Spatial distribution and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments from a typical plateau lake wetland, China

Surface sediment (0-15 cm) samples were collected from 31 different grid points throughout the Yilong Lake in April 2004. Samples were subjected to a total digestion technique and analyzed for As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Zn in order to study spatial distribution characteristics based on Kriging method and assess their ecological risks posed by these heavy metals. Results showed that the mean concentrations of these heavy metals were lower than potential effect levels. Patches of higher heavy metal concentrations occurred in the inflow area of the Cheng River and northeast area nearby the road and railway. The higher concentrations of As and Cr also appeared in the east area (lake outlet), while the patches of lower concentrations were uniformly distributed at the southwest corner between Luosewan and Xiaoguoxi. The heavy metal loads such as As, Cd and Pb might come from the common sources due to industrial sewage and traffic pollution, while higher concentrations of Ni, Cr, and Zn in these sediments were dominated by parent rocks. However, Cu originated from both sources. Sediments with respect to As, Cd and Cu were grouped below the effect range low (ERL) at all sites, and with respect to Cr and Pb were grouped into the range from ERL to the effect range median (ERM) at more than 50% of sampling sites. The mean heavy metal toxic units in the Yilong Lake decreased following the order Pb > Cr > As > Ni > Zn > Cd > Cu, with higher contributions to the sum of toxic units of Pb, Cr and As.     

铜仁市土壤-玉米重金属含量及其健康风险

为了解铜仁市玉米地土壤和玉米籽粒重金属的含量分布特征,并评估当地居民通过玉米籽粒摄入重金属的健康风险.于2018年7月采集了铜仁市自然土壤样品65个、玉米地土壤样品122个和玉米样品100个,并分析其Cd、Pb、Cu、Zn、Ni、As、Hg含量,通过重金属摄入量评价居民膳食暴露的健康风险.结果表明,自然土壤Cd、Pb、...     

Residual levels and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in freshwater fishes from Lake Small Bai-Yang-Dian, Northern China

The residual levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the liver, brain, gill and muscle tissues of four common edible freshwater fish species including crucian carp, snakehead fish, grass carp and silver carp collected from Lake Small Bai-Yang-Dian in northern China were measured by GC-MS. The distribution and composition pattern of PAHs in the fish tissues, and the effects of lipid contents in fish tissues and the octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) of PAHs congeners on them were analyzed. The human health risk of PAHs though fish consumptions was estimated. The following results were obtained: (1) The average residual levels of total PAHs (PAH₁₆) on wet weight base in the different tissues of each fish species ranged from 4.764 to 144.254 ng/g ww. The differences in the average residual levels on wet weight base for PAH₁₆ within four fish species were not statistically significant (P > 0.05); however, these within four fish tissues were statistically significant (P < 0.01). (2) There were very similar distribution patterns of PAH congeners among both the fish tissues and the fish species, as indicated by statistically significant positive interrelationships (R = 0.58-0.97, P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs predominated the distribution in the fish tissues, accounting for 89.97% of total PAHs. Phe was the most dominant component, according for 37.79% of total PAHs, followed by Ant (18.59%), Flo (12.59%), Nap (10.79%), Fla (9.82%) and Pyr (6.43%). (3) The PAHs residues and distribution in the fish tissues are dependent on both the Kow of PAH congeners and the lipid contents in the fish tissues. There was a significant positive relationship (R = 0.7116, P < 0.0001) between lipid contents and PAHs residual levels. The statistically significant negative relationships (P < 0.05) were found between LogKow and log-transformed PAHs contents on wet weight base for all fish tissues except for the muscle tissue of snakehead fish, the brain and liver tissues of crucian carp. (4) The risk levels of total PAHs were lower than 10⁻⁵ for the muscle tissues of four studied fish species and for the brain tissues of grass carp and snakehead fish; while these were higher than 10⁻⁵ for the brain tissues of crucian carp and silver carp. The risk levels of total PAHs in the liver tissues of four studied fish species except for snakehead fish exceeded 10⁻⁵ for 2-4.5 times. However, the potency equivalent concentration (PEC) of total PAHs in four studied fish tissues were still lower than the maximum permissible BaP limits for crops and baked meat and for plants in the national criterions. The distributions of PAH congeners in fish were well simulated by a level III fugacity model, especially for low molecule weight PAHs.