Abstract:
Objective To assess lead exposure in traditional artisanal zinc smelting areas.
Methods Two areas that were involved in traditional artisanal zinc smelting in Shuitang Village and Hejiachong Village of Magu Town, Guizhou Province were selected as exposed area I and II. Another Shuitang area without lead related involvement, Kele Village, and Yaozhan Town were selected as control area I, II, and III. Soils from 2 exposed areas and 3 control areas, corns (roots, stems, leaves, and fruits), cabbages, Chinese cabbages, white turnips, potatoes, and livestock viscera (kidneys and livers of swines an chickens) from 2 exposed areas and Yaozhan Town were sampled for lead content determination. Blood and urine samples were collected from 2 exposed areas (130, 141) and Yaozhan Town (108, 108) for blood lead (BPb) and urine lead (UPb) detection.
Results In the exposed area I and II, the lead levels in soil were (144 572.917& #177;49 811.950) mg/kg and (38 520.833& #177;28 580.715) mg/kg, respectively; the average lead levels of 5 vegetables (corns, 0.273 1 mg/kg; cabbages, 0.008 9 mg/kg; Chinese cabbages, 0.053 3 mg/kg; white turnips, 0.004 4 mg/kg; potatoes, 0.033 6 mg/kg) and edible animal viscera swine livers, (6.966 7& #177;3.196 0) mg/kg; swine kidneys, (17.833 3& #177;10.662 4) mg/kg; chicken livers, (1.048 7& #177;0.546 5) mg/kg; chicken kidneys, (0.330 7& #177;0.221 5) mg/kg in the two exposed areas were significantly elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01). The residents' samples from the exposed areas also showed a higher level of BPb (169.446 μg/L) and UPb (26.820 μg/gCr) (P<0.01).
Conclusion The soils in traditional artisanal zinc smelting areas are contaminated by lead. The crops and livestock viscera demonstrate characteristics of lead migration and enrichment. The contents of BPb and UPb of exposed population are significantly higher than the controls.
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