J Korean Med Sci.  2008 Jun;23(3):452-458. 10.3346/jkms.2008.23.3.452.

Investigation on Health Effects of an Abandoned Metal Mine

• Kim S
• Kwon HJ
• Cheong HK
• Choi K
• Jang JY
• Jeong WC
• Kim DS
• Yu S
• Kim YW
• Lee KY
• Yang SO
• Jhung IJ
• Yang WH
• Hong YC

• KMID: 1786884
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2008.23.3.452

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.

Keyword

Abandoned Metal Mine; Health Risk; Biological Markers; Kidney Dysfunction

MeSH Terms

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

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Map of the study area. The study area is located at the southern coast of Gyeongsangnam-do. The exposed area, B village, is located at the mouth of a small stream at the creek opening to Goseong bay. Two abandoned copper mine sites (*A and *B) are located at the upstream of the B village.

• 

  Fig. 2 Concentration-gradient of cadmium in study area soil. Cadmium in soil shows two hot spots by concentration gradient graphics. One, the strongest, coincides with the entrance of the abandoned mine (A), and the other, smaller one, located at the mine tailing dam (B). Thus, the source of cadmium in the soil in this area is the abandoned mine. Unit, mg/kg; *, abandoned mine;●, household.

Reference

1. Thornton I. Sources and pathways of arsenic in south-west England: health implications. exposure and health effect of arsenic. 1995. University of Missouri;93–103.

2. Steinborn M, Breen J. Heavy metals in soil and vegetation at shallee mine, silvermines, co. Tipparery. biology and environment. proceedings of the royal Irish academy. 1999. 99B:37–42.

3. Aslibekian O, Moles R. Environmental risk assessment of metals contaminated soils at silver mines abandoned mine site, co tipperary, Ireland. Environ Geochem Health. 2003. 25:247–266.

4. Kim JY, Kim KW, Ahn JS, Ko I, Lee CH. Investigation and risk assessment modeling of As and other heavy metals contamination around five abandoned metal mines in Korea. Environ Geochem Health. 2005. 27:193–203.

5. Korean Minister of Environment. Available from: http://www.me.go.kr.

6. Mayan ON, Gomes MJ, Henriques A, Silva S, Begonha A. Health survey among people living near an abandoned mine. A case study: Jales mine, Portugal. Environ Monit Assess. 2006. 123:31–40.

7. Park JD, Park CH, Choi BS, Kang EY, Hong YP, Chang IW, Chun BY, Yeh MH. A study on urinary cadmium concentration and renal indices of inhabitant in an abandoned mine area. J Prev Med Public Health. 1998. 31:424–439.

8. Chung JH, Kang PS, Kim CY, Lee KS, Hwang TY, Kim GT, Park JS, Park SY, Kim DS, Lim OT, Sakong J. Blood Pb, urine Cd and health assessment of residents in the vicinity of abandoned mines in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Korean J Occup Environ Med. 2005. 17:225–237.

9. Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office. A close examination on the environmental pollution by abandoned mine. 2001.

10. U.S Environmental Protection Agency. Available from: http://www.epa.gov/SW-846.

11. Buchet JP, Lauwerys R, Roels H, Bernard A, Bruaux P, Claeys F, Ducoffre G, de Plaen P, Staessen J, Amery A, Lijnen P, Thijs L, Rondia D, Sartor F, Remy AS, Nick L. Renal effects of cadmium body burden of the general population. Lancet. 1990. 336:699–702.

12. Staessen JA, Roels HA, Emelianov D, Kuznetsova T, Thijs L, Vangronsveld J, Fagard R. Environmental exposure to cadmium, forearm bone density, and risk of fractures: prospective population study. Public health and environmental exposure to cadmium (PheeCad) study group. Lancet. 1999. 353:1140–1144.

13. World Health Organization (WHO). Cadmium. Environmental health criteria. 1992. Geneva: 134.

14. Aoshima K. Epidemiology of renal tubular dysfunction in the inhabitants of a cadmium-polluted area in the Jinzu river basin in Toyama prefecture. Tohoku J Exp Med. 1987. 152:151–172.

15. Berglund M, Bjerre B, Vahter M. Investigation of lead and cadmium exposure in Smedjebacke. Karolinska Institue Report. 1994. Institute of Environmental Medicine.

16. Passariello B, Giuliano V, Quaresima S, Barbaro M, Caroli S, Forte G, Carelli G, Iavicoli I. Evaluation of the environmental contamination at an abandoned mining site. Microchemical Journal. 2002. 73:245–250.

17. Lee SW, Lee BT, Kim JY, Kim KW, Lee JS. Human risk assessment for heavy metals and as contamination in the abandoned metal mine areas, Korea. Environ Monit Assess. 2006. 119:233–244.

18. Kim MJ, Ahn KH, Jung Y, Lee S, Lim BR. Arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc contamination in mine tailings and nearby streams of three abandoned mines from Korea. Bull Environ Contam Toxico. 2003. 70:942–947.