Abstract
In the paper, the pollution of playgrounds in Lublin with heavy metals was assessed. Since playgrounds are a place of activity of children—the most vulnerable group of city residents, identifying the degree of pollution and the related health hazards is particularly important. 50 playgrounds were investigated, and samples were collected from three types of places: soil in the playgrounds, soil beneath the swings and soil in the sandpits (a total of 91 samples); heavy metal levels were determined in the < 0.05-mm fraction. The mean heavy metal levels were Cd—4.7 mg kg−1, Cr—192.4 mg kg−1, Cu—16.3 mg kg−1, Hg—0.027 mg kg−1, Ni—12.7 mg kg−1, Pb—41 mg kg−1, and Zn—79.8 mg kg−1, and they were in the following order when normalised to the geochemical background: Cd > Cr > Zn > Pb > Hg > Ni > Cu. The highest mean levels occurred in the case of soil collected from beneath the swings (Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn) or soil in the playgrounds (Cu, Hg and Pb). Geochemical indices such as Igeo and EF indicate the lack of pollution or low level of pollution with Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn and Pb. Moderate or considerable pollution with Cd and, sporadically, with Hg occurred in some playgrounds. A significant ecological risk was found for all samples due to the presence of Cd and, for about 20% of the samples, the concentration of Hg. In all the cases analysed, the values of health hazard indices (HI, CR) for children are very low and well below the hazard threshold for each element.
Highlights
The occurrence of increased heavy metal levels is one of the significant threats to the human environment and health in urban areas (Wong et al 2006; Guney et al 2010; Charlesworth et al 2011; Xia et al 2011)
The highest mean concentrations occurred in samples collected from beneath the swings (Cd, Cr, Ni and Zn) and from the soil (Cu, Hg and Pb)
It can be concluded that clearly greater amounts of Cd and Cr occurred in Lublin than in other cities, Cu and Ni levels were similar to the levels provided by other authors, while Pb and Zn levels were slightly lower
Summary
The occurrence of increased heavy metal levels is one of the significant threats to the human environment and health in urban areas (Wong et al 2006; Guney et al 2010; Charlesworth et al 2011; Xia et al 2011). Their levels in the environment are determined by natural factors and anthropogenic supply, i.e. industrial emissions, motor vehicle traffic, fuel combustion (Kabata-Pendias and Pendias 1999; Pasieczna 2003). Wherever the soil is not protected by vegetation, heavy metals can be re-suspended and can occur at low heights—in human living space This creates the Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues.
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