Heavy metal contamination in soils and vegetables and health risk assessment of inhabitants in Daye, China

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate the state of heavy metal contamination in soil and vegetables and assess the health risk of inhabitants in the mine-affected area and area far from the mine (reference area) in Daye, China. METHODS: The heavy metal concentrations in soil and vegetable samples were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Residents’ exposure parameters were obtained through a questionnaire survey. A health risk assessment model recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency was used to evaluate the residents’ risk of oral exposure. RESULTS: The copper, lead, cadmium, and arsenic concentrations in soil and in vegetables were higher in the mine-affected area than in the reference area. The health risk of residents in the reference area was within the acceptable range (hazard index < 1, carcinogen risk < 10(−4)). In the contaminated area, however, the mean hazard index was 2.25 for children and 3.00 for adults, and the mean carcinogen risk was 4.749 × 10(−4) for children and 0.587 × 10(−4) for adults. CONCLUSIONS: Potential health risks exist for inhabitants near the mine area. Cadmium and arsenic should be paid more attention as risk sources.