HUMAN HEALTH RISK IMPLICATION FROM CADMIUM AND LEAD CONTAMINATION AT LEAD-ZINC MINE AREA, NORTHERN VIET NAM

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) accumulation in soil, vegetables, and residential hair in the vicinity of Cho Dien mine. Health risk assessment of those was also evaluated based on vegetables contamination, including the average daily dose (ADD) and hazard quotient (HQ) calculation. The concentration of Cd and Pb in soil was 2.1 and 8.4 times higher than QCVN 03-MT:2015/BTNMT. The highest concentrations of both metals were found at 56.2 mg/kg and 23.266 mg/kg near mine areas and tailings dam. Among eight vegetables investigated, the common leafy species consumed by local people, Sauropus androgynous and Ipomoea aquatic, were the most contaminated plants. Sauropus androgynous tended to be accumulated higher Cd (10.8 mg/kg) while Ipomoea aquatic was accumulated more Pb (17.3 mg/kg). Health impact monitoring revealed that Cd and Pb concentrations in hair samples were up to 0.93 and 84.2 mg/kg, respectively. Consumption of vegetables would lead to potential health risks especially for children, since the values of HQ of Cd and Pb for vegetables would sum up to almost 1. Thus, long-term Cd and Pb exposure by regular consumption of locally grown vegetables poses potentially health problems to the local population.