Environmental trends of metals and PCDD/Fs around a cement plant after alternative fuel implementation: human health risk assessment

Identifier:  PC:3388

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/PC3388

Authors:  Schuhmacher, M; Mari, M; Domingo, JL; Nadal, M; Rovira, J; Sánchez-Soberón, F

Abstract:
This study was aimed at evaluating the potential impact of a cement plant after 4 years of alternative fuel implementation. In June 2015, concentrations of PCDD/Fs and metals were determined in soil, herbage and air in order to evaluate the potential changes with respect to previous surveys before (July 2011) and after (June 2013) alternative fuel implementation. Human health risks were also assessed. In soils, metal levels were similar to those obtained in June 2013 (p>0.05). In comparison with July 2011 the increment was only statistically significant for As and Cd (p<0.05). A notable increase of PCDD/Fs was noted when current levels in soils (1.14 ng WHO-TEQ/kg) were compared with those obtained in July 2011 (0.37 ng WHO-TEQ/kg) (p>0.05) and June 2013 (0.41 ng WHO-TEQ/kg) (p<0.05). This increase was mainly caused by the increment of PCDD/Fs in one sampling site, showing the heterogeneity of PCDD/F levels in soils possibly as a result of different punctual emissions along years. On the other hand, temporal trends of metals and PCDD/Fs in herbage showed a clear decrease indicating that the particle fraction of those pollutants would be potentially removed from leaf surfaces by wash off. In air, levels were similar to those found in previous surveys. Results of the PCA analysis showed that the change of fuel had not affected environmental profiles of metals and PCDD/Fs around cement plant. The exposure for the population living in the surroundings of the plant was evaluated showing that diet was the major contributor for both, metals and PCDD/Fs, with percentages over 97%, being the only exception As and Pb for which the dietary intake accounted for 43 and 71% of the total exposure, respectively. Environmental non-cancer and cancer risks were within the limits considered as assumable by international standards.