Environmental Engineering Research

Korean Society of Environmental Engineers (대한환경공학회)
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Risk Assessment for Farmers in the Vicinity of Abandoned Nokdong Mine in South Korea

  • Park, Jeong-Hun (Department of Environment and Energy Engineering, Chonnam National University) ;
  • Choi, Kyoung-Kyoon (Soil Technology Research Institute, Chonnam National University)
  • Received : 2012.03.30
  • Accepted : 2013.08.27
  • Published : 2013.12.30
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Abstract

A risk assessment of environmental media was performed for the inhabitants in the area of the abandoned Nokdong metal mine. Soil, groundwater, and crop samples were collected from September to October 2008 around the mine. After pretreatment of these samples, metal concentrations were measured, and a risk assessment was performed using the Korean soil-contamination risk assessment guidelines. Lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) intake rates were the highest for inhalation of soil dust. The cancer risks from ingestion of As-contaminated groundwater, inhalation of As-, Cd-, and Pb-contaminated soils, and contact of As-contaminated soils exceeded the acceptable risk. The sum of all carcinogenic risks was $9.29{\times}10^{-3}$. The non-carcinogenic risk was highest for ingestion of As-contaminated water (11.0), followed, in descending order, by inhalation of Hg-contaminated soil and ingestion of Pb-contaminated water. Most of the risks were associated with As, Cd, Pb, and Hg contamination, and therefore, these metals were considered to be potential toxic carcinogens and non-carcinogens for humans in this area. In this study, the non-carcinogenic risks of ingestion of contaminated water or crops, as well as those associated with the inhalation of soil dust were observed.

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References

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