Anthropogenic contamination of residential environments from smelter As, Cu and Pb emissions: Implications for human health

Environmental Pollution
Kara L FryMark Patrick Taylor

Abstract

Communities in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC) are disproportionally affected by industrial pollution compared to more developed nations. This study evaluates the dispersal and associated health risk of contaminant-laden soil and dust at a copper (Cu) smelter in Tsumeb, Namibia. It is Africa's only smelter capable of treating complex Cu ores that contain high arsenic (As) contents (<1%). The analyses focused on the primary trace elements associated with ore processing at the smelter: As, Cu, and lead (Pb). Portable X-Ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) of trace elements in soils (n = 83) and surface dust wipes (n = 80) showed that elemental contamination was spatially associated with proximity to smelter operations. Soil concentrations were below US EPA soil guidelines. Dust wipe values were elevated relative to sites distal from the facility and similar to those at other international smelter locations (As = 1012 μg/m2 (95% CI 687-1337); Cu = 1838 μg/m2 (95% CI 1191-2485); Pb = 1624 μg/m2 (95% CI 862-2385)). Source apportionment for Pb contamination was assessed using Pb isotopic compositions (PbIC) of dust wipes (n = 22). These data revealed that the PbIC of 73% (n = 16/22) of these wipes corresponded to the Pb...Continue Reading

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Citations

Oct 8, 2020·Fish Physiology and Biochemistry·Matheus D BaldisseraAdalberto L Val
Jan 8, 2021·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Martín Federico Soto-Jiménez, Arthur Russel Flegal
Aug 28, 2021·Environmental Pollution·Jérémy LemaireFrançois Brischoux

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