Environmental and toenail metals concentrations in copper mining and non mining communities in Zambia
Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
Elsevier
Faculty
Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science
School
Centre for Ecosystem Management
RAS ID
16004
Abstract
Copper mining contributes to increased concentrations of metals in the environment, thereby increasing the risk of metals exposure to populations living in and around mining areas. This study investigated environmental and toenail metals concentrations of non-occupational human exposure to metals in 39 copper-mining town residents and 47 non-mining town residents in Zambia. Elevated environmental concentrations were found in samples collected from the mining town residents. Toenail concentrations of cobalt (GM 1.39. mg/kg), copper (GM 132. mg/kg), lead (21.41. mg/kg) selenium (GM 0.38. mg/kg) and zinc (GM 113. mg/kg) were significantly higher in the mining area and these metals have previously been associated with copper mining. Residence in the mining area, drinking water, dust and soil metals concentrations were the most important contributors to toenail metals concentrations. Further work is required to establish the specific pathways of exposure and the health risks of elevated metals concentrations in the copper mining area.
DOI
10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.03.011
Access Rights
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Comments
Ndilila W., Callan A.C., McGregor L.A., Kalin R.M., Hinwood A.L. (2014). Environmental and toenail metals concentrations in copper mining and non mining communities in Zambia. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 217(1), 62-69. Available here