title: Public health risk assessment associated with heavy metal and arsenic exposure near an abandoned mine (Kirki, Greece).
abstract: The 'Agios Philippos' lead-zinc mine in the Kirki region (NE Greece) is now closed, but its legacy of heavy metal contamination remains at the site. At present, management of the contaminated land is of major concern. The area is in a reclamation process and requires immediate remediation action, whereas human risks need to be carefully evaluated. In order to assess these risks, samples from around the mine were collected and analyzed and a scenario involving the oral, dermal, and inhaled doses of arsenic and heavy metals was formulated. A Monte Carlo approach was undertaken, in order to model the average daily dose and quantify the corresponding hazard index and cancer risk. A toxicological risk was associated with samples collected in the vicinity of the mine (floatation, mine tailings) and a pronounced carcinogenic risk for arsenic was evident at the broader occupational/environmental setting. These findings urge for immediate rehabilitation actions that will mitigate population exposures and promote long-term environmental safety in the area.
authors: a Medical Department , Democritus University of Thrace , Alexandroupolis , Greece .
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Nikolaidis
authors: Moysis
authors: M
authors: Orfanidis
authors: Dimitri
authors: D
authors: Hauri
authors: Stratos
authors: S
authors: Mylonas
authors: Theodore
authors: T
authors: Constantinidis
mesh_terms: D001151:Arsenic / Q000633:toxicity*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity*; D008906:Mining; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D001151:Arsenic