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Probabilistic Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Intake via Vegetable Consumption around Pb/Zn Smelters in Southwest China

Author

Listed:
  • Guanghui Guo

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Degang Zhang

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Yuntao Wang

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

Abstract

Vegetable contamination in mining and smelting areas has resulted in high dietary intakes of heavy metals, which pose potential health risks to local residents. In this study, paired soil-vegetable samples were collected around Pb/Zn smelters in Southwest China. Probabilistic risks to local residents via vegetable consumption were evaluated with a Monte Carlo simulation. The mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the soils were 116.76, 3.59, 158.56, 196.96, and 236.74 mg/kg, respectively. About 38.18%, 58.49%, and 52.83% of the vegetable samples exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations for As, Cd, and Pb, respectively. The daily dietary intake of As, Cd, and Pb exceeded the provisional tolerable daily intakes for local residents, with children showing the highest intake via vegetable consumption. The percentages of the target hazard quotients of As, Cd, and Pb for local residents exceeding the safe value of one were about 95%, 50%, and 25%, respectively. The 95th percentiles of the hazard index for children, adolescents, and adults were 15.71, 11.15, and 9.34, respectively, indicating significant risks to local residents, especially children. These results highlight a need to develop effective strategies to reduce heavy metal contamination and exposure to protect human health.

Suggested Citation

  • Guanghui Guo & Degang Zhang & Yuntao Wang, 2019. "Probabilistic Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Intake via Vegetable Consumption around Pb/Zn Smelters in Southwest China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:18:p:3267-:d:264506
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Per Sander & Bo Bergbäck & Tomas Öberg, 2006. "Uncertain Numbers and Uncertainty in the Selection of Input Distributions—Consequences for a Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Contaminated Land," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(5), pages 1363-1375, October.
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    2. Zhichao Jiang & Xiyuan Xiao & Zhaohui Guo & Yunxia Zhang & Xiaoxiao Huang, 2023. "Impact of Vanadium-Containing Stone Coal Smelting on Trace Metals in an Agricultural Soil–Vegetable System: Accumulation, Transfer, and Health Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Liang Xiao & Yong Zhou & He Huang & Yu-Jie Liu & Ke Li & Meng-Yao Li & Yang Tian & Fei Wu, 2020. "Application of Geostatistical Analysis and Random Forest for Source Analysis and Human Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Arable Land Soil," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-19, December.
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    5. Yangbin Mao & Maomao Wang & Hewen Wei & Ning Gong & Feijuan Wang & Cheng Zhu, 2023. "Heavy Metal Pollution and Risk Assessment of Vegetables and Soil in Jinhua City of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, February.

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