Environmental Levels of PCDD/Fs near Cement Plants in Catalonia, Spain. An Update of Human Health Risks

Identifier:  imarina:9387299

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9387299

Authors:  González N; Rovira J; Nadal M; Domingo JL

Abstract:
Cement production is an important industrial activity that generates large amounts of pollutants, including, among others, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). These environmental contaminants are persistent and bioaccumulative, potentially causing serious adverse effects on human health, including cancer. The present paper was aimed at providing an update of the environmental concentrations of PCDD/Fs around various cement plants located in Catalonia, Spain. The non-carcinogenic and the carcinogenic risks associated to PCDD/Fs exposure were also assessed for the population living near the facilities. According to the present results, the environmental burdens of PCDD/Fs were highly dependent on the surroundings, rather than the technical specifics characteristics of each facility. Thus, higher concentrations were found near cement plants located in urban areas, where other emission sources (e.g., heavy traffic, domestic heating, etc.) may be present. The surveillance studies showed long-term stable concentrations in air, while PCDD/Fs levels in soil and vegetation were more variable. Although inhalation was the most relevant pathway of environmental exposure, the main uptake of PCDD/Fs occurs -in general- via dietary intake. Cancer risks were higher for people living near cement plants in urban areas than in rural environments, but at levels that are considered as acceptable by international regulations. In turn, the non-carcinogenic risks suggest a low concern, as the hazard quotient was <1. Long-term surveys conducted in Catalan cement plants indicate that these facilities, which are periodically (every two years) monitored, should not be of concern for human health, in terms of PCDD/F exposure.