Assessment of the Health Effects of Heavy Metals Pollution of Agricultural Soils in the Iron Ore Mining Area of the Northern Piedmont of Mount Wutai, Shanxi Province, China

A study assessing the health risks of heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils near Mount Wutai, Shanxi Province, China, found that concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) exceed background levels, with Hg being the most prevalent. The research, using the USEPA health risk assessment model, identified iron ore mining as the primary source of As and Cd, posing a significant cancer risk to humans. Spatial analysis revealed uneven pollution distribution, with the highest levels near the Qingyang River, increasing toward the Yukou and Yangyan Rivers. Children face higher ingestion risks than adults, primarily through mouth and nose exposure.

Wang, D., Xu, Q., Zheng, Q., & Wu, L. (2020). Assessment of the Health Effects of Heavy Metals Pollution of Agricultural Soils in the Iron Ore Mining Area of the Northern Piedmont of Mount Wutai, Shanxi Province, China. Sustainability, 12(5), 1926. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051926