Investigation on Health Effects of an Abandoned Metal Mine.
10.3346/jkms.2008.23.3.452
- Author:
Soyeon KIM
1
;
Ho Jang KWON
;
Hae Kwan CHEONG
;
Kyungho CHOI
;
Jae Yeon JANG
;
Woo Chul JEONG
;
Dae Seon KIM
;
Seungdo YU
;
Young Wook KIM
;
Kwang Young LEE
;
Seoung Oh YANG
;
Ik Jae JHUNG
;
Won Ho YANG
;
Yun Chul HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Abandoned Metal Mine;
Health Risk;
Biological Markers;
Kidney Dysfunction
- MeSH:
Aged;
Cadmium/*blood/*urine;
Copper/blood/urine;
Environmental Exposure;
*Environmental Monitoring;
Female;
*Food Contamination;
Hordeum;
Humans;
Korea;
Lead/blood/urine;
Male;
Middle Aged;
*Mining;
Oryza sativa;
Risk Factors;
Soil Pollutants/analysis;
Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis;
Zinc/blood/urine
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2008;23(3):452-458
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
To investigate potential health risks associated with exposure to metals from an abandoned metal mine, the authors studied people living near an abandoned mine (n=102) and control groups (n=149). Levels of cadmium, copper, arsenic, lead, and zinc were measured in the air, soil, drinking water, and agricultural products. To assess individual exposure, biomarkers of each metal in blood and urine were measured. beta2-microglobulin, alpha1-microglobulin, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase and bone mineral density were measured. Surface soil in the study area showed 2-10 times higher levels of metals compared to that of the control area. Metal concentrations in the groundwater and air did not show any notable differences between groups. Mean concentrations of cadmium and copper in rice and barley from the study area were significantly higher than those of the control area (p<0.05). Geometric means of blood and urine cadmium in the study area were 2.9 microgram/L and 1.5 microgram/g Cr, respectively, significantly higher than those in the control area (p<0.05). There were no differences in the levels of urinary markers of early kidney dysfunction and bone mineral density. The authors conclude that the residents near the abandoned mine were exposed to higher levels of metals through various routes.
