4.7 Article

Heavy metal contamination assessment and probabilistic health risks in soil and maize near coal mines

Journal

FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
Volume 10, Issue -, Pages -

Publisher

FRONTIERS MEDIA SA
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1004579

Keywords

probabilistic health risk; heavy metal; soil; maize; Monte Carlo simulation; coal mines

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This study analyzed the contamination status of heavy metals in soil and maize near coal mines, and evaluated the associated human health risk. The results showed that nickel was the most severely polluted heavy metal, and its concentration in maize exceeded the risk control standard in China. The exposure to heavy metals in soil and maize posed health risks to residents, especially children. Ingestion of heavy metals had the highest health risk, followed by dermal contact and inhalation. Arsenic and chromium in soil, and chromium and nickel in maize had the greatest impact on human health risk.
ObjectiveCoal mining activities have continuously introduced heavy metals into the soil-crop system, causing increasing damage to crops. This study integrated the analysis of the heavy metal contamination status and human health risk in soil and maize near coal mines to help formulate control strategies for soil quality, maize production, and safe consumption. MethodThis study was carried out on maize agricultural land near a coal mining plant. Heavy metal contamination was assessed by the geo-accumulation index (I-geo), enrichment factor (EF), and bioaccumulation factor (BCF). The Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the probabilistic health risk of heavy metals exposure in soil and maize. The relationship between the concentration of heavy metal in the soil and that in maize was further visualized by correlation analysis and random forest analysis. ResultsThe results revealed that the mean concentrations of soil Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Sn, Zn, Pb, and Hg were all above the local background level. Ni was the most severely polluted heavy metal in maize and had a concentration higher than the risk control standard for corn in China (NY 861-2004). The I-geo values of all heavy metals were low, and EF values showed enrichment in V, Cr, Ti, Ni, and As. The assessment of probabilistic health risk exposed by heavy metals in soil and maize indicated that 1.16 and 1.46% of residents exceeded the carcinogenic risk level due to heavy metal exposure from soil and maize, respectively. Children were the most sensitive to maize and soil heavy metal exposure in the contaminated area. Ingestion of heavy metals was associated with the highest health risk to residents, followed by dermal contact and inhalation. As and Cr in soil and Cr and Ni in maize had the greatest impact on human health risk. Furthermore, maize heavy metals were affected the most by soil Cr, Cd, and V. ConclusionThese results may provide useful information for human carcinogenic risk associated with soil and maize heavy metal exposure due to coal mining activities.

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