Monte Carlo Simulation-Based Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Soil Pollution: A Case Study in the Qixia Mining Area, China

ABSTRACT

In recent years, heavy metal pollution accidents have occurred in many regions of China, and the public has become increasingly concerned about its health. Based on a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency model and using Monte Carlo simulation techniques, this article presents a procedure for health risk assessment of heavy metal pollution. A case study was conducted in the Qixia lead and zinc mining area. Based on the magnitude of heavy metal contamination in the mine factory, vicinal Qixia scenic site and village, the potential health risk calculated for a lifetime of exposure (through ingestion and dermal contact) was determined as the cumulative carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk for workers, tourists, and local residents (including children and adults), respectively. The risk assessment indicated that the carcinogenic risk is not significant. However, Pb poses a significant cumulative non-carcinogenic risk, which tends to be serious for workers. Additionally, local children are more vulnerable than adults to the risks associated with heavy metal contamination. Accordingly, risk alleviation and preventive measures should be taken, especially for children and workers.

Key Words:

• heavy metal
• environmental exposure
• health risk assessment
• Monte Carlo simulation

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by the Sino-America Collaborative Research Program (Grant No. 2010DFA91910), National Natural Science Youth Foundation (Grant No. 40901266), National Meta-Program for Science & Technology of Water Pollution Control (Grant No. 2009ZX07527-008), and Jiangsu Province Innovation for PhD Candidate (Grant No. CX10B_023Z).