Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.4491/KSEE.2015.37.11.619

Comparative Study on the Human Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination between Two Abandoned Metal Mines in Korea  

Lim, Tae-Yong (Department of Geology and Research Institute of Natural Science (RINS), Gyeongsang National University (GNU))
Lee, Sang-Woo (Department of Geology and Research Institute of Natural Science (RINS), Gyeongsang National University (GNU))
Park, Mi Jeong (Institute of Mine Reclamation Technology, Mine Reclamation Corporation (MIRECO))
Lee, Sang-Hwan (Institute of Mine Reclamation Technology, Mine Reclamation Corporation (MIRECO))
Kim, Soon-Oh (Department of Geology and Research Institute of Natural Science (RINS), Gyeongsang National University (GNU))
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers / v.37, no.11, 2015 , pp. 619-630 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study was conducted to propose the methodology of human risk assessment specialized to domestic mine areas and to quantify the human risk of heavy metal (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) contamination around two abandoned metal mines. To attain the goals, we established a relevant exposure scenario, including 7 exposure pathways and extracted a variety of exposure factors reflecting the characteristics of inhabitants around abandoned metal mine areas. Finally, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were compared between two areas, exposure pathways, heavy metal contaminants, and receptors. The total excess carcinogenic risks of two mine areas of concern were calculated to be larger than the acceptable carcinogenic risk ($1{\times}10^{-6}$), indicating those two areas are not safe for carcinogenic hazard. In addition, the hazard indices of two areas were computed to be higher than unit risk (1), suggesting that the areas of concern have non-carcinogenic risk. Ingestion of crop and intake of groundwater were evaluated to be main exposure pathways contributing to carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks within the areas. Also, the results show that carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic hazards were mostly attributed to As and As, Cd, and Pb, respectively.
Keywords
Human Risk Assessment; Abandoned Metal Mines; Heavy Metal Contamination; Carcinogenic Risk; Non-carcinogenic Risk;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 3  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Jung, M. C. and Jung, M. Y., "Evaluation and management method of environmental contamination from abandoned metal mines in Korea," J. Korean Soc. Mineral Energy Res., 43(5), 383-394(2006).
2 Ministry of Environment, "Investigation of soil contamination in abandoned mine (chungbuk province),"(2004).
3 Hwang, E. H., Wee, S. M., Lee, P. K. and Choi, S. H., "A study on the heavy metal contamination of paddy soil in the vicinity of the seosung Pb-Zn mine," J. Soil and Groundwater Environ., 5(2), 67-85(2000).
4 US EPA, "Framework for inorganic metals risk assessment (EPA/630/P-04/068),"(2004).
5 An, Y. J., Baek, Y. W., Lee, W. M., Jeong, S. W. and Kim, T. S., "Comparative study of soil risk assessment models used in developed countries," J. Soil Groundwater Environ., 12(1), 53-63(2007).
6 Brand, E., Otte, P. F. and Lijzen, J. P. A., "CSOIL 2000: an exposure model for human risk assessment of soil contamination (A model description) (RIVM report 711701054/2007),"(2007).
7 Environmental Agency, "CLEA software (version 1.05) handbook,"(2009).
8 ASTM, "Standard guide for Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA),"(2010).
9 Ministry of Environment, "Guidelines for risk assessment of soil contaminants,"(2006).
10 Ministry of Environment, "Investigation of environments of abandoned mines,"(2005).
11 Ministry of Environment, "Investigation of environments of abandoned mines,"(2007).
12 National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), "Investigation of health effect on inhabitants around abandoned metal mines,"(2007).
13 National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), "Investigation of health effect on inhabitants around abandoned metal mines,"(2008).
14 National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), "Investigation of health effect on inhabitants around abandoned metal mines,"(2009).
15 National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), "Investigation of health effect on inhabitants around abandoned metal mines,"(2010).
16 National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), "Investigation of health effect on inhabitants around abandoned metal mines,"(2011).
17 Ministry of Environment, "Korean exposure factor handbook," (2007).
18 Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS), "KOSIS 100 indices," http://kosis.kr/nsportalStats/nsportalStats_0102Body.jsp?menuId=6&NUM=156,(2013).
19 Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), "A protocol for derivation of environmental and human health,"(2006).
20 Lee, J. Y., "A study on the body surface area of Korean adults," Ph.D Thesis, Seoul National University, Korea,(2005).
21 US EPA, "Exposure factor handbook,"(1997).
22 US EPA, "Risk assessment guidance for superfund volume I : Human health evaluation manual, Part F, Supplemental guidance for inhalation risk assessment,"(2009).
23 NEPC, "Guideline on exposure scenarios and exposure setting, National Environment Protection Council," Adelaide, South Australia,(1999).
24 EA, "CLEA UK Handbook (Draft), Support document for the CLEA UK software Beta Version 1.0," Environmental Agency, Bristol, United Kingdom,(2005).
25 US EPA, "Risk assessment guidance for Superfund Volume I : Human health evaluation manual (Part E, Supplemental guidance for dermal risk assessment),"(2004).
26 Health Canada, "Federal contaminated site risk assessment in Canada. Part I : Guidance on human health preliminary quantitative risk assessment,"(2007).
27 Kim, J. Y., Lee, J. H., Kunhikrishnan, A., Kang, D. W., Kim, M. J., Yoo, J. H., Kim, D. H. and Lee, Y. J., "Transfer factor of heavy metals from agricultural soil to agricultural products," Korean J. Environ. Agric., 31(4), 300-307(2012).   DOI
28 Ministry of Environment, "Guidelines for risk assessment of soil contaminants,"(2015).
29 US EPA, "Soil screening guidance: Technical background document,"(1996).