[Risk assessment of soil contamination in a residential area: the importance and role of human biological monitoring--a case report].
OBJECTIVE
High levels of arsenic, cadmium, mercury and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofuranes (PCDD/PCDF) were detected in the soil of a residential area located at the river Elbe near Hamburg (Germany). Soil contamination resulted from sediments from the Hamburg harbour and from the Elbe that were deposited in this area up to the late 1950ies. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the soil contamination in this area is associated with increased levels of arsenic, heavy metals and PCCD/PCDF in the blood and urine of selected residents living on highly contaminated grounds.


RESULTS
The blood levels of lead and PCDD/PCDF and the urine levels of arsenic, cadmium and mercury that were measured in 29 residents living on highly contaminated grounds were not elevated in relation to a control group. All individual values were in the range of the background exposure levels of the general population. There were no signs of an increased additional exposure related to soil contamination.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of this study it was agreed to refrain from an expensive redevelopment of this area. As a preventive measure some recommendations were given to the residents to minimize possible exposure to soil contaminants. Human biological monitoring studies should be an essential part of exposure and risk assessment of soil contaminations in residential areas in future studies and as a basis for adequate risk management.
Ewers
U
U
Hygiene-Institut des Ruhrgebiets, Abteilung für Umweltmedizin und Umwelttoxikologie, Gelsenkirchen. u.ewers@hyg.de
Boening
D
D
Albrecht
J
J
Rädel
R
R
Peter
G
G
Uthoff
T
T
D001151:Arsenic / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D001822:Body Burden; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D010575:Pesticides / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010575:Pesticides; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D001151:Arsenic
Gefährdungsabschätzung von Bodenverunreinigungen in einem belasteten Wohngebiet: Bedeutung und Funktion des Human-Biomonitoring -- ein Fallbeispiel.