Abstract
PP-31-140 Background/Aims: The objective of this study was to evaluate the health risks for residents living at the vicinity of abandoned metal mines in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea. The abandoned mine tailings are remnants from an earlier flotation mill and mining operation that was in business from the early 1930 until 1970. Methods: The soil, stream water, drinking water, and crops in and around 2 abandoned mine areas, Woogok and Tohyun, and 2 control areas located in Gyeongsangbuk-do were analyzed for levels of Cd, Pb, Cu, As, and Hg. Potential chronic health effects were evaluated by medical examination. Blood and urine samples were collected for Pb, Cd, and As concentration determinations. Results: Some samples of soil and stream exceeded the Korean standard for soil contamination in farmland and the Korean standard of water contamination in streams, respectively. The amounts of oral intake of heavy metals were less than the acceptable daily intake level recommended by World Health Organization. Urine arsenic levels of the residents in the vicinity of the both abandoned mine sites (geometric mean: 10.07 μg/g Cr, 13.44 μg/g Cr) were significantly higher than that of the residents in the control areas (geometric mean: 8.19 μg/g Cr, 8.73 μg/g Cr). There were no significant differences between the mining and control areas in terms of blood pressure, Hb, BUN, creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, blood sugar, β2-microglobulin, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, bone density, and the prevalence of potential chronic diseases. Conclusion: The results of the assessment suggested that the 2 abandoned mine sites do not pose an apparent health risk to nearby residents. Nevertheless, the elevated urine arsenic levels in the residents of the abandoned mine site suggested that it might be an important source of heavy metals contamination. Therefore, a nationwide evaluation program is needed to assess the potential health risks of residents living in the vicinity of abandoned mine sites.
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