Health survey among people living near an abandoned mine. A case study: Jales mine, Portugal.
Campo de Jales is a village surrounding the abandoned Jales mine. The area is heavily contaminated with heavy metals and dusts from large tailings piles as result of centuries of mining operations. The aim of this study is to investigate potential health threats associated with site contamination. The population studied comprised two groups: people living in Campo de Jales (n = 229) and a control group - people living in Vilar de Macada (n = 234). Lead and cadmium exposure and symptoms survey were carried out. The results showed a significant higher levels of blood lead and cadmium between the Campo de Jales residents (lead: 9.5 microgr/dl versus 7.7 microgr/dl; cadmium: 0.84 microgr/dl versus 0,65 microgr/dl) as well as to a higher prevalence of respiratory and irritation symptoms and great concern about his own health.


CONCLUSIONS
community is the scene of long-term health problems resulting from the site environmental contamination.
Mayan
Olga N
ON
Center of Environmental and Occupational Health, National Institute of Health Porto - Portugal. olgamayan@insa.min-saude.pt
Gomes
Maria J
MJ
Henriques
Amélia
A
Silva
Susana
S
Begonha
Andrea
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002104:Cadmium / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007220:Industrial Waste; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007220:Industrial Waste; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead