The relationship between children's non-nutrient exposure to cadmium, lead and zinc and the location of recreational areas - Based on the Upper Silesia region case (Poland)

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to identify the places that could pose a threat to children's health due to the significant concentration of heavy metals in the top layer of soil on which they actively spend their time.

Materials and methods: The research material consisted of 144 topsoil samples from 10 randomly selected playgrounds and 10 sports fields located in two cities in Poland. The content of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in the analyzed samples was determined by atomic absorption using the INTEGRA XL ICP spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma.

Results: From the 144 collected soil samples 48 (33%) exceeded the normative value for at least one of the three analyzed heavy metals. The maximum permissible concentration of all three elements was exceeded in the case of 15 samples. The heavy metals concentrations determined in the soil samples taken from the sports fields and playgrounds were in the following ranges, respectively: 0.3-43.0 mg/kg d. w. - Cd; 1.3-1393.8 mg/kg d. w.- Pb; 12.5-4315.8 mg/kg d. w. - Zn. Estimated children's exposure to heavy metals (Cd and Pb) via non-nutrient route indicates a significant risk which can be a place of recreation of the youngest children, as a result of secondary dusting during activity and games.

Conclusions: In one-third of the analyzed soil samples from playgrounds and sport fields significant contamination with heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn) was indicated. In extreme cases, the maximum permissible concentration was exceeded over 20-fold, constituting an important risk factor for children's health.

Keywords: Children's exposure; Heavy metals; Non-nutrient exposure; Risk assessment.