Health Risk Due to Heavy Metal(loid)s Exposure Through Fine Particulate Matter and Sedimented Dust in People Living Next to a Beach Contaminated by Mine Tailings

Abstract

The non-carcinogenic hazard index (HI) and the carcinogenic risk index (CRI) due to exposure to metal(loid)s were assessed in children and adults living adjacent to a beach contaminated with mine tailings. Chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) were determined in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sedimented dust (SD) in school and residential microenvironments. The HI in children was 13.8, 8.1, 5.4, 2.4, 2.3 and 1.8-times greater than the safety threshold (1.0) for Cr, As, Pb, Mn, Cu, and Cd, respectively; 84.1 % explained by dermal contact and 10.9 % by ingestion of SD. The CRI for Cr and As was 3.7 and 3.2 times above the acceptable risk (> 1 × 10–4), explained by the inhalation of PM2.5 and SD, respectively. In adults, the CRI for As and Cr was 46.0 and 2.8 times greater than 1 × 10–4; As risk is explained by dermal contact and inhalation of SD, and Cr by inhalation of PM2.5. This study reports a high risk of potential adverse health effects on children and adults due to exposure to these elements present in the particles and dust studied.

Socio-Environmental Risks Linked with Mine Tailings Chemical Composition: Promoting Responsible and Safe Mine Tailings Management Considering Copper and Gold Mining Experiences from Chile and Peru

“…After the mine tailings settle, consolidate, and dry out due to climatic action, a large part of the process water migrates either by evaporation or seepage, leaving the material mine tailings as no longer as a slurry but as a solid material susceptible to wind action [ 106 ]. Practical experience in both cycloned tailings sand dams and mine tailings storage reservoir areas has shown that if particulate material emission control measures are not applied the possibility of wind migration of particles with potential contaminants is high [ 7 , 107 ]. For this reason, the following dust generation mitigation alternatives must be implemented: (i) coverage of mine tailings with layers of soil or top soil; (i) implementation of phytostabilization with the use of native flora species; (iii) application of chemical binding agents; and (iv) dust retainers, among others [ 13 ].…”

“…This risk occurs because the particle size of mine tailings makes them prone to wind erosion, causing impacts on the health of people in surrounding communities and direct physical damage to the environment [ 106 ]. Particulate material is transported through the air for distances that can reach kilometers in certain cases, transporting heavy metals that can enter the respiratory tract of living beings and bioaccumulate in the lungs due to the small granulometry (on the order of particle diameters of 5.0, 2.5 and 1.0 μm), causing both acute and chronic damage to health [ 107 ].…”

“…Chronic exposure to Cd can cause damage to the kidneys, liver, and skeletal and cardiovascular systems, as well as loss of vision and hearing and development of malignant tumors in the lungs, breasts, prostate, pancreas, urinary bladder, and nasopharynx. Heavy metals disrupt Zn metabolism, resulting in Zn deficiency, which can impair the function of the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands, ovaries, and testicles, thereby reducing fertility [ 107 ].…”

Cancer Burden Disease Attributable to PM2.5 and Health Risk by PM2.5-bound Toxic Species in Two Urban Chilean Municipalities

“…There are still few studies carried out in Chile that have reported the association between the components of PM2.5 and health effects. Elements such as K, S, Se, V, Cr, Cu, Zn, EC (Elemental Carbon) have been associated with various effects such as respiratory, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases, both in children and adults (Prieto-Parra et al, 2017;Valdés et al, 2012: Cakmak et al, 2009Cáceres et al, 2021).…”