Contamination levels and human health risk assessment of toxic heavy metals in street dust in an industrial city in Northwest China

This study investigated the content, distribution, and contamination levels of toxic metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in street dust in Lanzhou, an industrial city in Northwest China. Meanwhile, the risk these metals posed to the urban ecosystem and human health was also evaluated using the potential ecological risk index and human exposure model. Results showed that concentrations of these metals in the dust are higher than the background value of local soil, with Cu having the highest levels. The districts of Anning and Xigu had the most extreme levels of contamination, while Chengguan and Qilihe districts were lightly contaminated, which can be partly attributed to human activities and traffic densities. In comparison with the concentrations of selected metals in other cities, the concentrations of heavy metals in Lanzhou were generally at moderate or low levels. Heavy metal concentration increased with decreasing dust particle size. The pollution indices of Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were in the range of 0.289–2.09, 0.332–2.15, 1.38–6.21, 0.358–2.59, and 0.560–1.83 with a mean of 1.37, 1.49, 3.18, 1.48, and 0.897, respectively. The geo-accumulation index (I _geo) suggested that Zn in street dust was of geologic origin, while Cd, Cr, Pb, and Cu were significantly impacted by anthropogenic sources. The comprehensive pollution index showed that urban dust poses a high potential ecological risk in Lanzhou. Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects due to exposure to urban street dust were assessed for both children and adults. For non-carcinogenic effects, ingestion appeared to be the main route of exposure to dust particles and thus posed a higher health risk to both children and adults for all metals, followed by dermal contact. Hazard index values for all studied metals were lower than the safe level of 1, and Cr exhibited the highest risk value (0.249) for children, suggesting that the overall risk from exposure to multiple metals in dust is low. The carcinogenic risk for Cd and Cr was all below the acceptable level (< 10⁻⁶).

     

Associations between soil lead concentrations and populations by race/ethnicity and income-to-poverty ratio in urban and rural areas

Lead (Pb) is a well-studied environmental contaminant that has many negative health effects, especially for children. Both racial/ethnic and income disparities have been documented with respect to exposure to Pb in soils. The objectives of this study were to assess whether soil Pb concentrations in rural and urban areas of South Carolina USA, previously identified as having clusters of intellectual disabilities (ID) in children, were positively associated with populations of minority and low-income individuals and children (≤6 years of age). Surface soils from two rural and two urban areas with identified clusters of ID were analyzed for Pb and concentrations were spatially interpolated using inverse distance weighted analysis. Population race/ethnicity and income-to-poverty ratio (ITPR) from United States Census 2000 block group data were aerially interpolated by block group within each area. Urban areas had significantly higher concentrations of Pb than rural areas. Significant positive associations between black, non-Hispanic Latino, individuals and children ≤6 years of age and mean estimated Pb concentrations were observed in both urban (r = 0.38, p = 0.0007) and rural (r = 0.53, p = 0.04) areas. Significant positive associations also were observed between individuals and children with an ITPR < 1.00 and Pb concentrations, though primarily in urban areas. Racial/ethnic minorities and low ITPR individuals, including children, may be at elevated risk for exposure to Pb in soils.     

Legacies and health risks of heavy metals,polybrominated diphenyl ethers,and polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins/furans at e-waste recycling sites in South China

● Heavy metals and organic toxins may persist in legacy sites for a long time. ● Contaminants pose potential harms to the nearby community (HI > 1). ● PCDD/Fs had the risk of endocrine disruption and reproductive risk. ● Further intervention is needed to reduce pollution and related risks. Informal electronic-waste (e-waste) recycling sites pose substantial health risks to surrounding environments and populations, yet they are not properly regulated. In this study, the soil levels of copper, lead, cadmium, eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and 18 polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) were measured at two e-waste recycling sites in South China between 2014 and 2019. Both sites have been abandoned for natural restoration. Our results indicate that the mean Cd and PCDD/F levels at Site A in 2019 were higher than those recommended by current safety guidelines. Meanwhile, the highest exposure among children was 1.36 × 10⁻² mg/(kg·d) for Cu, followed by 5.05 × 10⁻³ mg/(kg·d) for Pb, 9.71 ng/(kg·d) for PBDEs, and 6.82 ng TEQ/(kg·d) for PCDD/Fs. Children were at elevated risk for health problem posed by Pb and Cu exposure at both sites (hazard quotient > 1) and by PCDD/Fs at Site A. Further risk assessment was conducted on the target organs and endpoints of heavy metals and PCDD/Fs. The hazard index (HI) for the target organ mixed-risk of heavy metals was high (HI = 1.27), as was that of PCDD/Fs (HI = 1.66), which can disrupt endocrine function and pose a risk of reproductive toxicity in children. Owing to incomplete cleaning, contaminants persist in soils over long periods and may harm nearby environments and communities. Our study demonstrates that heavy metal, PBDE, and PCDD/F contamination have not yet been remediated, and intervention is needed to reduce pollution and associated risks in areas affected by e-waste.     

Seasonal concentrations of lead in outdoor and indoor dust and blood of children in Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Because detrimental effects of exposure to lead (Pb) on human health have been observed, we previously investigated concentrations of Pb in water supplies and blood of adult residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The objectives of the present study were to: (1) examine seasonal rates of deposition of Pb in dust in several areas of Riyadh city, (2) measure concentrations of Pb in both outdoor and indoor dust, (3) compare concentrations of Pb in dust in Riyadh with those reported for other cities, and (4) quantify Pb in blood of children living in Riyadh. Mean, monthly deposition of PB in outdoor dust was 4.7 × 10¹ ± 3.6 tons km^?2, with a mean Pb concentration of 2.4 × 10² ± 4.4 × 10¹ μg/g. Mean, monthly deposition of Pb in indoor dust was 2.7 ± 0.70 tons km^?2, with a mean concentration of 2.9 × 10¹ ± 1.5 × 10¹ μg Pb/g. There was a significant (P < 0.01) correlation between concentrations of Pb in outdoor and indoor dust. There was no correlation between concentrations of Pb in indoor dust and that in blood of children of Riyadh, whereas there was a weakly significant (P < 0.05) correlation between concentrations of Pb in outdoor dust and that in blood of children. The mean (±SD) concentration of Pb in blood of children in Riyadh was 5.2 ± 1.7, with a range of 1.7–1.6 × 10¹ μg/dl. Concentrations of Pb in blood of 17.8 % of children in Riyadh were greater than 10 μg/dl, which is the CDC’s level of concern.     

渭河流域关中段地表水重金属的污染特征与健康风险评价

由于重金属的毒理性及其对水生生态系统的重要影响,水生环境的重金属污染已成为全世界关注的问题.渭河是黄河的第一大支流,近年来随着沿岸社会经济的发展,渭河的水质受到严重的威胁,但是对渭河流域地表水重金属的污染状况缺乏全面评估.以渭河流域关中段为研究区域,采集了该流域35个地表水样品,检测了12种重金属元素(Cr、Mn、Fe...     

Chemical characterization and health risk assessment of soil and airborne particulates metals and metalloids in populated semiarid region,Agra, India

Rapid industrialization and urbanization have contaminated air and soil by heavy metals and metalloids from biogenic, geogenic and anthropogenic sources in many areas of the world, either directly or indirectly. A case study was conducted in three different microenvironments, i.e., residential sites, official sites and official sites; for each sites, we choose two different locations to examine the elemental concentration in fine particulate matter and soil and health risk assessment. The concentration values of heavy metals and metalloid in the air and soil in the Agra region were measured using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometry. The exposure factor and health risk assessment for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects due to heavy metals and metalloid contaminants have been calculated for both children and adults by following the methodology prescribed by USEPA. For the elements As, Cr, Cd, Ni and Pb selected for the carcinogenic health risk assessment, the calculated results lie above the threshold ranges. We observed the lifetime exposure to heavy metals through mainly three pathways, ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact of soil and air from that particular area. Therefore, the overall hazard quotient (HQ) values for children are more than that of adults. The assessment of health risk signifies that there were mainly three exposure pathways for people: ingested, dermal contact and inhalation. The major exposure pathway of heavy metals to both children and adults is ingestion. The values of HQ are higher than the safe level (=1), indicating a high risk exists in present condition. Meanwhile, HQs value for children is higher than that for adults, indicating that children have higher potential health risk than adults in this region.

     

Spatial relationships between lead sources and children’s blood lead levels in the urban center of Indianapolis (USA)

Urban children remain disproportionately at risk of having higher blood lead levels than their suburban counterparts. The Westside Cooperative Organization (WESCO), located in Marion County, Indianapolis, Indiana, has a history of children with high blood lead levels as well as high soil lead (Pb) values. This study aims at determining the spatial relationship between soil Pb sources and children’s blood lead levels. Soils have been identified as a source of chronic Pb exposure to children, but the spatial scale of the source–recipient relationship is not well characterized. Neighborhood-wide analysis of soil Pb distribution along with a furnace filter technique for sampling interior Pb accumulation for selected homes (n = 7) in the WESCO community was performed. Blood lead levels for children aged 0–5 years during the period 1999–2008 were collected. The study population’s mean blood lead levels were higher than national averages across all ages, race, and gender. Non-Hispanic blacks and those individuals in the Wishard advantage program had the highest proportion of elevated blood lead levels. The results show that while there is not a direct relationship between soil Pb and children’s blood lead levels at a spatial scale of ~100 m, resuspension of locally sourced soil is occurring based on the interior Pb accumulation. County-wide, the largest predictor of elevated blood lead levels is the location within the urban core. Variation in soil Pb and blood lead levels on the community level is high and not predicted by housing stock age or income. Race is a strong predictor for blood lead levels in the WESCO community.     

宝鸡市街道灰尘重金属污染的健康风险评价

对宝鸡市工业区、交通区和商业区等不同功能区所采集的街尘样品应用美国EPA人体暴露风险评价方法对灰尘重金属进行健康风险评价.结果表明,As、Hg、Pb、Cu、Zn、Cr、Co、Ni、Mn、V这10种重金属平均含量均高于陕西土壤背景值,其中Hg、Pb平均含量分别为陕西土壤背景值的37倍和20倍.健康风险评价表明,灰尘中10...     

Exposure assessment of heavy metals (Cd,Hg, and Pb) by the intake of local foods from Zhejiang,China

Considering the environmental pollution, food safety is of great concern to the consumers. The present study was conducted to assess the health risk of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) through the dietary intake in Zhejiang, China. Eight hundred and sixty two food samples including aquatic products, meat, vegetables, milk and dairy products, and cereal grains were analyzed. Only 2.44 % (Cd), 1.39 % (Hg), and 1.51 % (Pb) of the samples exceeded the maximum allowable concentration set by Chinese Ministry of Health. The average dietary intakes of Cd, Hg, and Pb were estimated to be 0.26, 0.14, and 0.55 μg/kg bw/day, respectively. Compared with the reference doses, the mean exposure of Cd, Hg, and Pb was all less than the tolerable intake value. Only at the 95th percentile level, Cd and Hg exposure exceeded the values of tolerable intakes by 40 and 277 %, respectively. It indicates that there is low health risk to the dietary exposure of Cd, Hg, and Pb for general people in Zhejiang province, China.     

中国典型土壤中铅的生物可给性的影响因素分析与健康风险评估

土壤铅污染及其危害备受关注.作为评估其对人体健康风险的科学指标之一,土壤铅的生物可给性的影响因素仍不甚明确.采集中国5种典型土壤(红壤、褐土、黑土、棕壤和黄壤),根据国标中一类建设用地的管制值制备成800 mg·kg-1的铅污染土壤样品,利用先进的基于生理学的体外试验方法(改进的PBET模型)研究经口部摄入的土壤铅的生...     

我国典型城市大气汞污染及对人体健康的影响

汞(Hg)是唯一以气态形式存在于大气环境中的有毒重金属污染物,对人体健康和生态系统具有多方面的潜在危害。本文首先描述了我国长春、兰州、北京、上海、武汉、广州、贵阳和重庆等一些典型城市的大气Hg时空分布特征、浓度水平以及季节变化规律;之后,就我国大气Hg的主要污染源进行了分析,指出:煤燃烧是我国大气Hg最主要的污染源,有色金属熔炼以及水泥和钢铁的生产也是重要的污染源;最后,通过分析大气Hg直接和间接暴露途径,阐述了大气Hg对人体的心血管和生殖系统等以及通过水生或陆生食物链的蓄积和放大作用对人体健康可能产生的不良影响。     

Assessment of bioaccessibility and exposure risk of arsenic and lead in urban soils of Guangzhou City,China

Soil ingestion is an important human exposure pathway of heavy metals in urban environments with heavy metal contaminated soils. This study aims to assess potential health risks of heavy metals in soils sampled from an urban environment where high frequency of human exposure may be present. A bioaccessibility test is used, which is an in vitro gastrointestinal (IVG) test of soluble metals under simulated physiological conditions of the human digestion system. Soil samples for assessing the oral bioaccessibility of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) were collected from a diverse range of different land uses, including urban parks, roadsides, industrial sites and residential areas in Guangzhou City, China. The soil samples contained a wide range of total As (10.2 to 61.0 mg kg⁻¹) and Pb (38.4 to 348 mg kg⁻¹) concentrations. The bioaccessibility of As and Pb in the soil samples were 11.3 and 39.1% in the stomach phase, and 1.9 and 6.9% in the intestinal phase, respectively. The As and Pb bioaccessibility in the small intestinal phase was significantly lower than those in the gastric phase. Arsenic bioaccessibility was closely influenced by soil pH and organic matter content (r ² = 0.451, p < 0.01) in the stomach phase, and by organic matter, silt and total As contents (r ² = 0.604, p < 0.001) in the intestinal phase. The general risk of As and Pb intake for children from incidental ingestion of soils is low, compared to their maximum doses, without causing negative human health effects. The exposure risk of Pb in the soils ranked in the order of: industrial area/urban parks > residential area/road side. Although the risk of heavy metal exposure from direct ingestion of urban soils is relatively low, the risk of inhalation of fine soil particulates in the air remains to be evaluated.     

Risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in smaller than 100-μm street dust particles from a valley-city in northwestern China

Concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn and Mo) in smaller than 100-μm street dust particles from Xining, a typical valley-city in northwestern China, were determined using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and their potential risks to local ecosystem and human health were assessed using potential ecological risk index and health risk model. The results indicate that the concentration of As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn and Mo in the smaller than 100-μm street dust particles from Xining ranges from 0.8 to 11.1, 339.4 to 767.7, 27.2 to 110.2, 185.7 to 5134.5, 15.1 to 115.2, 150.1 to 623.5, 16.8 to 74.1, 24.4 to 233.0, 169.9 to 475.7, 47.4 to 96.8, 33.1 to 231.1 and 0.2 to 4.3 mg kg^?1, with an arithmetic mean of 3.6, 415.6, 50.1, 573.0, 40.6, 409.1, 22.6, 52.7, 257.8, 57.1, 108.6 and 2.5 mg kg^?1, respectively. Compared to the background value of local soil, the smaller than 100-μm street dust particles from Xining have elevated concentrations of Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Sr and Mo. The contamination levels of Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Sr and Mo are higher than As, Mn, Ni and V. The comprehensive potential ecological risk levels of PTEs were moderate to considerable. The non-carcinogenic risks of PTEs studied on children and adults due to dust exposure are limited except for Cr to children. Cr in the dust may pose a potential health risk to children; this should draw more attention.     

新疆焉耆盆地农田土壤重金属污染及健康风险评价

为研究新疆焉耆盆地绿洲农田土壤重金属的污染及潜在健康风险,选取194个样点采集土壤样品,测定As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb和Zn共7种重金属元素含量。利用地质累积指数(I_(geo))评价农田土壤污染水平,采用US EPA健康风险评价模型,对农田土壤重金属污染的潜在健康风险进行评估。结果表明,研究区农田土壤7种重金属平均含量均未超出《食用农产品产地环境质量评价标准》中的限值,但Cd、Cr、Ni、Pb和Zn含量平均值分别超出新疆灌耕土背景值的1.67、1.41、1.30、3.01和6.78倍。农田土壤中Zn呈现轻度污染,Cd与Pb呈现轻微污染,As、Cr、Cu与Ni呈现无污染态势。健康风险评估结果表明,经手-口摄入是研究区农田土壤重金属日均暴露量及健康风险主要途径。农田土壤7种重金属通过3种暴露途径的非致癌风险商(HQ)与非致癌风险指数(HI),单项致癌风险指数(CR)与总致癌风险指数(TCR)均小于安全阈值,属于可接受风险水平。研究区农田土壤重金属对儿童的非致癌风险低于成人,致癌风险高于成人。研究区农田土壤中As与Pb是最主要的非致癌风险因子,As是最主要的致癌风险因子,研究区农田土壤中As对人体的健康风险应当引起重视。     

华北平原地区某铅冶炼厂附近土壤重金属有效性研究(Heavy Metal Availability in Soil near a Lead Smelter in the North China Plain)

为研究华北平原地区某铅冶炼厂对附近农田土壤和居民点内土壤重金属有效性的影响,在距离冶炼厂烟囱1000m和2500m处设置A1和A2两个采样断面(两断面间有一居民点),采取0～20cm土样,测定DTPA-Ni、Cu、Pb、Zn和Cd含量.结果表明,A1断面DTPA-Ni、Cu、Pb、Zn和Cd平均含量均低于A2断面.A1断面土壤DTPA-Pb和Cd变化范围分别为7.18～37.8和0.250～0.950mg·kg-1,平均值分别为25.2和0.580mg·kg-1;A2断面DTPA-Pb和Cd变化范围分别为14.7～133和0.280～2.35mg·kg-1,平均值分别为59.9和1.16mg·kg-1.所有样品的DTPA-Ni、Cu和Zn含量均小于5.5mg·kg-1.随着采样点距离冶炼厂烟囱距离的增加,土壤中DTPA-Ni、Cu、Pb、Zn和Cd含量呈非线性下降,可用幂方程(Ni、Cu和Pb)或对数方程(Zn和Cd)拟合.用Pb和Cd的拟合方程计算得到的研究区内居民点中心位置土壤DTPA-Pb和Cd含量分别为30.0和0.731mg·kg-1,高于地带性土壤背景值.DTPA-Ni、Cu、Pb、Zn和Cd的含量之间均存在极显著线性正相关关系(p<0.01).以上结果表明,冶炼厂造成研究区内土壤Pb和Cd有效性远高于正常水平,并导致Ni、Cu和Zn有效性有一定程度的升高,附近居民点内居民受到土壤高铅和高镉有效性的威胁;土壤铅和镉升高的范围达到距离冶炼厂烟囱2.8km以外区域.     

上海市大气降水中~(210)Pb、~7Be的变化特征

7Be、210Pb等放射性核素已被广泛应用于区域及全球物质传输途径示踪的研究中。2009年8月到2010年10月在上海市普陀区华东师范大学校园设采样点采集了51场大气降水样品,分析了单次降水事件中7Be和210Pb的含量以及湿沉降通量的变化特征,并对比不同季节的变化特征。结果表明:1)单次降水事件中7Be的浓度变化范围为0.21~5.99 Bq/L,210Pb浓度的变化范围为0.01~0.90 Bq/L。7Be和210Pb的月均浓度具有明显的季节变化特征:7Be的浓度高值出现在冬季,夏季浓度最低;210Pb浓度高值出现在秋、冬季节,夏季浓度最低;7Be/210Pb高值主要出现在春、秋季节。2)7Be、210Pb沉降通量与降水量有一定相关性,但单次降水事件7Be和210Pb浓度与降水量并没有很好的相关性。7Be和210Pb沉降通量存在着较好的相关性,指示7Be、210Pb沉降路径有着较好的一致性。     

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.     

Measurement of metal bioaccessibility in vegetables to improve human exposure assessments: field study of soil–plant–atmosphere transfers in urban areas,South China

The quality of cultivated consumed vegetables in relation to environmental pollution is a crucial issue for urban and peri-urban areas, which host the majority of people at the global scale. In order to evaluate the fate of metals in urban soil–plant–atmosphere systems and their consequences on human exposure, a field study was conducted at two different sites near a waste incinerator (site A) and a highway (site B). Metal concentrations were measured in the soil, settled atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and vegetables. A risk assessment was performed using both total and bioaccessible metal concentrations in vegetables. Total metal concentrations in PM were (mg kg^?1): (site A) 417 Cr, 354 Cu, 931 Zn, 6.3 Cd and 168 Pb; (site B) 145 Cr, 444 Cu, 3289 Zn, 2.9 Cd and 396 Pb. Several total soil Cd and Pb concentrations exceeded China’s Environmental Quality Standards. At both sites, there was significant metal enrichment from the atmosphere to the leafy vegetables (correlation between Pb concentrations in PM and leaves: r = 0.52, p < 0.05) which depended on the plant species. Total Cr, Cd and Pb concentrations in vegetables were therefore above or just under the maximum limit levels for foodstuffs according to Chinese and European Commission regulations. High metal bioaccessibility in the vegetables (60–79 %, with maximum value for Cd) was also observed. The bioaccessible hazard index was only above 1 for site B, due to moderate Pb and Cd pollution from the highway. In contrast, site A was considered as relatively safe for urban agriculture.     

Garden soil and house dust as exposure media for lead uptake in the mining village of Stratoni,Greece

The relationships between two exposure media, garden soil and house dust, were studied for Pb uptake in Stratoni village in northern Greece, an industrial area of mining and processing of sulphide ore. Lead data for the two media were assessed in terms of total and bioaccessible content, measurement and geochemical variability, and mineralogical composition. It was found that total Pb was enriched in house dust samples by a factor of 2 on average. Total Pb concentration in soil samples had a maximum of 2,040 mg/kg and reached a maximum of 7,000 mg/kg in house dust samples. The estimated variability due to measurement uncertainty was dominated by the sampling process, and the proportion of sampling variance was greater for soil samples, indicating a higher degree of Pb heterogeneity in soil on the given spatial scale of sampling strata. Although the same general spatial trend was observed for both sampling media with decreasing Pb concentration by increasing distance from the ore-processing plant, Pb in dust samples displayed the highest concentrations within a 300–600-m zone from the ore-processing facility. The significant differences which were observed in Pb speciation between the studied media were explained by differences in mineralogical composition of outdoor soil and indoor dust. Lead-enriched Fe and Mn oxides predominated in soil samples while fine galena grains (<10–20 μm diameter) were the major Pb-bearing phase in dust samples. The integrated exposure uptake biokinetic model was used to predict the risk of elevated blood lead levels in children of Stratoni. Model prediction indicated an average probability of 61 % for blood-Pb to exceed 10 μg/dl. The results underline the importance of house dust in risk assessment and highlight the effect of outdoor and indoor conditions on the fate of Pb in the particular environment of Stratoni.     

Lead,copper and zinc in atmospheric and fluvial particulates from the Caracas Valley,Venezuela

The atmospheric particulates from the Caracus Valley in Venezuela and the fluvial particulates transported by the Tuy River into the Caribbean sea have been evaluated for Pb, Cu and Zn with the purpose of determining the contamination levels in the study area. The atmospheric particulate samples were collected in the city of Caracas using a low volume sampler whereas the fluvial particulate were collected at the mouth of the Tuy River. The particulate samples were analysed by flame or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry depending upon the concentration levels of the heavy metal under study. The results obtained for the fluvial particulates enabled estimates to be made of the total anthropogenic flux of Cu (383 ton year^–1), Pb (528 ton year^–1) and Zn (865 ton year^–1). These results yield annual per capita inputs for Cu (96 g),Pb (132 g) and Zn (216 g) which greatly exceed those from global anthropogenic emissions. The weighted average concentration of Pb (1.13 %) found in the atmospheric particulates was much higher than those for Cu (140 mg kg^–1) and Zn (200 mg kg^–1) and reflects the high motor car traffic in the Caracas Valley. The anthropogenic/natural ratios estimated in this study were as follows: 2.6 for Pb; 1.5 for Cu and 1.5 for Zn. This indicates that anthropogenic inputs for Cu, Pb, and Zn in the study area exceed those from natural sources, cars being the major source for Pb and industrial activities the major sources for Cu and Zn.