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Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils from Witwatersrand Gold Mining Basin, South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Caspah Kamunda

    (Center for Applied Radiation Science and Technology, North West University (Mafikeng), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa)

  • Manny Mathuthu

    (Center for Applied Radiation Science and Technology, North West University (Mafikeng), Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa)

  • Morgan Madhuku

    (iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Private Bag X11, Wits 2050, South Africa)

Abstract

The study evaluates the health risk caused by heavy metals to the inhabitants of a gold mining area. In this study, 56 soil samples from five mine tailings and 17 from two mine villages were collected and analyzed for Asernic (As), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) using ICP-MS. Measured concentrations of these heavy metals were then used to calculate the health risk for adults and children. Their concentrations were such that Cr > Ni > As > Zn > Cu > Co > Pb > Hg > Cd, with As, Cr and Ni higher than permissible levels. For the adult population, the Hazard Index value for all pathways was found to be 2.13, making non-carcinogenic effects significant to the adult population. For children, the Hazard Index value was 43.80, a value >>1, which poses serious non-carcinogenic effect to children living in the gold mining area. The carcinogenic risk was found to be 1.7 × 10 −4 implying that 1 person in every 5882 adults may be affected. In addition, for children, in every 2725 individuals, 1 child may be affected (3.67 × 10 −4 ). These carcinogenic risk values were both higher than acceptable values.

Suggested Citation

  • Caspah Kamunda & Manny Mathuthu & Morgan Madhuku, 2016. "Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils from Witwatersrand Gold Mining Basin, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:7:p:663-:d:73153
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Caspah Kamunda & Manny Mathuthu & Morgan Madhuku, 2016. "An Assessment of Radiological Hazards from Gold Mine Tailings in the Province of Gauteng in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Joshua O. Olowoyo & Ntebo Lion & Tshoni Unathi & Oluwaseun M. Oladeji, 2022. "Concentrations of Pb and Other Associated Elements in Soil Dust 15 Years after the Introduction of Unleaded Fuel and the Human Health Implications in Pretoria, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Enkhchimeg Battsengel & Takehiko Murayama & Keisuke Fukushi & Shigeo Nishikizawa & Sonomdagva Chonokhuu & Altansukh Ochir & Solongo Tsetsgee & Davaadorj Davaasuren, 2020. "Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Soil of the Ger District in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-21, June.
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    7. Busisiwe Shezi & Renée Anne Street & Candice Webster & Zamantimande Kunene & Angela Mathee, 2022. "Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil in Preschool Facilities around Industrial Operations, Kuils River, Cape Town (South Africa)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-14, April.
    8. Ababo Workineh Tadesse & Tekleweini Gereslassie & Qiang Xu & Xiaojun Tang & Jun Wang, 2018. "Concentrations, Distribution, Sources and Ecological Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Soils from Wuhan, Central China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, December.
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    10. Marcelo Sampaio Ocampos & Luana Carolina Santos Leite & Elaine Silva de Pádua Melo & Rita de Cássia Avellaneda Guimarães & Rodrigo Juliano Oliveira & Karine de Cássia Freitas & Priscila Aiko Hiane & A, 2023. "Indirect Methods to Determine the Risk of Damage to the Health of Firefighters and Children Due to Exposure to Smoke Emission from Burning Wood/Coal in a Controlled Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-20, April.
    11. Ana Cristina González-Valoys & José María Esbrí & Juan Antonio Campos & Jonatha Arrocha & Eva María García-Noguero & Tisla Monteza-Destro & Ernesto Martínez & Raimundo Jiménez-Ballesta & Eric Gutiérre, 2021. "Ecological and Health Risk Assessments of an Abandoned Gold Mine (Remance, Panama): Complex Scenarios Need a Combination of Indices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-22, September.
    12. Mirela Miclean & Oana Cadar & Erika Andrea Levei & Radu Roman & Alexandru Ozunu & Levente Levei, 2019. "Metal (Pb, Cu, Cd, and Zn) Transfer along Food Chain and Health Risk Assessment through Raw Milk Consumption from Free-Range Cows," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-14, October.
    13. Long Ma & Jilili Abuduwaili & Zhassulan Smanov & Yongxiao Ge & Kanat Samarkhanov & Galymzhan Saparov & Gulnura Issanova, 2019. "Spatial and Vertical Variations and Heavy Metal Enrichments in Irrigated Soils of the Syr Darya River Watershed, Aral Sea Basin, Kazakhstan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-16, November.
    14. Ronnel C. Nolos & Christine Joy M. Agarin & Maria Ysabel R. Domino & Pauline B. Bonifacio & Eduardo B. Chan & Doreen R. Mascareñas & Delia B. Senoro, 2022. "Health Risks Due to Metal Concentrations in Soil and Vegetables from the Six Municipalities of the Island Province in the Philippines," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-26, January.
    15. Ana C. Gomes Rosa & Elaine S. de Pádua Melo & Ademir S. A. Junior & Jacqueline M. S. Gondim & Alexsandro G. de Sousa & Claudia A. L. Cardoso & Lucilene F. Viana & Alexandra M. A. Carvalho & David J. M, 2022. "Transfer of Metal(loid)s from Soil to Leaves and Trunk Xylem Sap of Medicinal Plants and Possible Health Risk Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-18, January.
    16. Bassam Tawabini & Mubarak Al-Enazi & Mansour A. Alghamdi & Ashraf Farahat & Ahsan M. Shemsi & Marwan Y. Al Sharif & Mamdouh I. Khoder, 2023. "Potentially Harmful Elements Associated with Dust of Mosques: Pollution Status, Sources, and Human Health Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-30, February.

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