Lead Occurrence in Children’s Biological Fluids from Baia Mare Area, Romania

Abstract

Baia Mare is a municipality in northwestern Romania and the main city of Maramures County. As it is located in a region having a lot of non ferrous metals and precious metals deposits, an intensive activity of mining and metallurgy has been developed. The municipality of Baia Mare currently has a total population of 137,976 of which some 7,128 peoples are living in Ferneziu area, situated in the northwest of the city. This population is the most exposed to high risks of current or historical heavy metal pollution because it is living within the very closed area around the metallurgical factory of lead smelter. This paper will deal with the actual and historical pollution with heavy metals and with the health problems caused by current air pollution and risks related to historical soil pollution. The most important risk sources for the people of Baia Mare are current air pollution and soil contamination resulted from historical pollution from two large metallurgical factories located within the town. The lead level in blood of children has drastically diminished during the last 20 years but there exists still about 40% of children having values over 10 μg/100 mL that indicate lead exposure and potential health risk. A special issue is registered in Ferneziu area which needs a special investigation.