Metal mines release toxic substances into the environment and can therefore negatively impact the health of residents in nearby regions. This paper sought to investigate whether there was excess disease mortality in populations in the vicinity of the mining area in Suxian District, South China. The spatial distribution of metal mining and related activities from 1985 to 2012, which was derived from remote sensing imagery, was overlapped with disease mortality data. Three hotspot areas with high disease mortality were identified around the Shizhuyuan mine sites, i.e., the Dengjiatang metal smelting sites, and the Xianxichong mine sites. Disease mortality decreased with the distance to the mining and smelting areas. Population exposure to pollution was estimated on the basis of distance from town of residence to pollution source. The risk of dying according to disease mortality rates was analyzed within 7–25 km buffers. The results suggested that there was a close relationship between the risk of disease mortality and proximity to the Suxian District mining industries. These associations were dependent on the type and scale of mining activities, the area influenced by mining and so on.
References
[1]
McMichael, A.J. Population, environment, disease, and survival: Past patterns, uncertain futures. Lancet 2002, 359, 1145–1148, doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(02)08164-3.
[2]
Jemal, A.; Center, M.M.; DeSantis, C.; Ward, E.M. Global patterns of cancer incidence and mortality rates and trends. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomark. Prev. 2010, 19, 1893–1907, doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-10-0437.
[3]
Thornton, I. Sources and pathways of arsenic in south-west England: Health implications. Arsen. Exposure Health 1994, 1994, 61–70.
[4]
John, B.; Maria, S. Heavy metals in soil and vegetation at shallee mine, silvermines, Co. Tipparery. Proc. R. Ir. Acad. 1999, 99B, 37–42.
[5]
Aslibekian, O.; Moles, R. Environmental risk assessment of metals contaminated soils at silver mines abandoned mine site, Co Tipperary, Ireland. Environ. Geochem. Health 2003, 25, 247–266, doi:10.1023/A:1023251102402.
[6]
Garcia-Sanchez, A.; Alonso-Rojo, P.; Santos-Frances, F. Distribution and mobility of arsenic in soils of a mining area (Western Spain). Sci. Total Environ. 2010, 408, 4194–4201, doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.05.032.
[7]
Wu, F.; Fu, Z.; Liu, B.; Mo, C.; Chen, B.; Corns, W.; Liao, H. Health risk associated with dietary co-exposure to high levels of antimony and arsenic in the world’s largest antimony mine area. Sci. Total Environ. 2011, 409, 3344–3351, doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.05.033.
[8]
Gonzalez-Montana, J.R.; Senis, E.; Gutierrez, A.; Prieto, F. Cadmium and lead in bovinemilk in the mining area of the Caudal River (Spain). Environ. Monit. Assess. 2012, 184, 4029–4034, doi:10.1007/s10661-011-2241-1.
[9]
Huertas, J.I.; Huertas, M.E.; Izquierdo, S.; Gonzalez, E.D. Air quality impact assessment of multiple open pit coal mines in northern Colombia. J. Environ. Manag. 2012, 93, 121–129, doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.08.007.
[10]
Hu, X.; Ding, Z. Lead/Cadmium contamination and lead isotopic ratios in vegetables grown in peri-urban and mining/smelting contaminated sites in Nanjing, China. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 2009, 82, 80–84, doi:10.1007/s00128-008-9562-y.
[11]
Bao, Q.-S.; Lu, C.-Y.; Song, H.; Wang, M.; Ling, W.; Chen, W.-Q.; Deng, X.-Q.; Hao, Y.-T.; Rao, S. Behavioural development of schoolaged children who live around a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong Province, China: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 2009, 9, 217, doi:10.1186/1471-2458-9-217.
[12]
Nordberg, G.F.; Jin, T.; Kong, Q.; Ye, T.; Cai, S.; Wang, Z.; Zhuang, F.; Wu, X. Biological monitoring of cadmium exposure and renal effects in a population group residing in a polluted area in China. Sci. Total Environ. 1997, 199, 111–114, doi:10.1016/S0048-9697(97)05486-7.
[13]
Watanabe, T.; Zhang, Z.-W.; Moon, C.-S.; Shimbo, S.; Nakatsuka, H.; Matsuda-Inoguchi, N.; Higashikawa, K.; Ikeda, M. Cadmium exposure of women in general populations in Japan during 1991–1997 compared with 1977–1981. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 2000, 73, 26–34, doi:10.1007/PL00007934.
[14]
Cheng, S. Heavy metal pollution in China: Origin, pattern and control. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 2003, 10, 192–198, doi:10.1065/espr2002.11.141.1.
[15]
Almeida-Filho, R.; Shimabukuro, Y.E. Detecting areas disturbed by gold mining activities through JERS-1 SAR images, Roraima State, Brazilian Amazon. Int. J. Remote Sens. 2000, 21, 3357–3362, doi:10.1080/014311600750019967.
[16]
Lattofovic, R.; Fytas, K.; Chen, J.; Paraszczak, J. Assessing land cover change resulting from large surface mining development. Int. J. Appl. Earth Observ. Geoinf. 2005, 7, 29–48, doi:10.1016/j.jag.2004.11.003.
[17]
Marsh, S.H.; Cotton, C.; Ager, G.; Tragheim, D.G. Detecting Mine Pollution Using Hyperspectral Data in Temperate, Vegetated European Environments. In Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Conference on Applied Geologic Remote Sensing, Veridian ERIM International Conferences, Las Vegas, NV, USA, 6–8 November 2000.
[18]
Kepner, W.G.; Watts, C.J.; Edmonds, C.M.; Maingl, J.K.; Marsh, S.E.; Luna, G. A landscape approach for detecting and evaluating change in a semi arid environment. Environ. Monit. Assess. 2000, 64, 179–195, doi:10.1023/A:1006427909616.
[19]
Chevrel, S.; Kuosmannen, V.; Belocky, R.; Marsh, S.; Tapani, T.; Mollat, H.; Quental, L.; Vosen, P.; Schumacher, V.; Kuronen, E.; et al. Hyperspectral Airborne Imagery for Mapping Mining Related Contaminated Areas in Various European Environments—First Results of MINEO Project. In In Proceedings of the 5th International Airborne Remote Sensing Conference, San Francisco, CA, USA, 17–20 September 2001.
Mars, J.C.; Crowley, J.K. Mapping mine wastes and analyzing areas affected by selenium-rich water runoff south-east Idaho using AVIRIS imagery and digital elevation data. Remote Sens. Environ. 2003, 84, 422–436, doi:10.1016/S0034-4257(02)00132-3.
[22]
Yu, H.Y.; Cheng, G.; Ge, X.S.; Lu, X.P. Object oriented land cover classification using ALS and GeoEye imagery over mining area. Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 2011, 21, 733–737, doi:10.1016/S1003-6326(12)61671-9.
[23]
Hu, Z.L.; Li, H.Q.; Du, P.J. Case study on the extraction of land cover information from the SAR image of a coal mining area. Min. Sci. Technol. 2009, 19, 829–834.
[24]
Hawkesworth, S.; Wagatsuma, Y.; Kippler, M.; Fulford, A.J.C.; Arifeen, S.E.; Persson, L.-A.; Moore, S.E.; Vahter, M. Early exposure to toxic metals has a limited effect on blood pressure or kidney function in later childhood, rural Bangladesh. Int. J. Epidemiol. 2013, 42, 176–185, doi:10.1093/ije/dys215.
[25]
Pan, J.; Plant, J.A.; Voulvoulis, N.; Oates, C.J.; Ihlenfeld, C. Cadmium levels in Europe: Implications for human health. Environ. Geochem. Health 2010, 32, 1–12, doi:10.1007/s10653-009-9273-2.
[26]
Wang, M.; Xu, Y.; Pan, S.; Zhang, J.; Zhong, A.; Song, H.; Ling, W. Long-term heavy metal pollution and mortality in a Chinese population: An ecologic study. Biol. Trace Elem. Res. 2011, 142, 362–379, doi:10.1007/s12011-010-8802-2.
[27]
Wu, J.; Chen, G.; Liao, Y.; Song, X.; Pei, L.; Wang, J.; Zheng, X. Arsenic levels in the soil and risk of birth defects: A population-based case-control study using GIS technology. J. Environ. Health 2011, 74, 20–25.
[28]
Turker, G.; ?zsoy, G.; ?zdermir, S.; Barutcu, B.; G?kalp, A.S. Effect of heavy metals in the meconium on preterm mortality: Preliminary study. Pediatr. Int. 2013, 55, 30–34, doi:10.1111/j.1442-200X.2012.03744.x.
[29]
Company profile. Available online: http://www.hnszy.com/szyweb/menu.go?method=style1 &&menuName=zzjg (accessed on 17 July 2013).
[30]
Statistical communique. Available online: http://sx.cztj.gov.cn/Article/ShowClass.asp?ClassID=6 (accessed on 15 July 2013).
[31]
World Health Organization (WHO). International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10); WHO: Geneva, Switzerland, 1994.
[32]
Neuberger, J.S.; Hu, S.C.; Drake, K.D.; Jim, R. Potential health impacts of heavy-metal exposure at the Tar Creek Superfund site, Ottawa County, Oklahoma. Environ. Geochem. Health 2009, 31, 47–59, doi:10.1007/s10653-008-9154-0.
[33]
Fernández-Navarro, P.; García-Pérez, J.; Ramis, R.; Boldo, E.; López-Abente, G. Proximity to mining industry and cancer mortality. 2012, 435–436, 66–73.
[34]
Dai, L. Bureau of Statistics of Hunan Province. In Hunan Statistical Yearbook; China Statistics Press: Beijing, China, 2011.
[35]
Sheng, L. National Bureau of Statisticas of China. In China Statistical Yearbook; China Statistics Press: Beijing, China, 2011.
[36]
Zong, Q.R.; Yang, R.; Zhou, X.; Tie, B. Characteristics of their fractionation in the area polluted by the heavy metals of lead-zinc ore tailing particulates. In J. Hunan Agric. Coll.; 1995; Volume 21, pp. 111–115. (in Chinese).
[37]
Zeng, Q.R.; Zhou, X.H.; Tie, B.Q.; Yang, R.B. Pollution characteristic and treatments of heavy metals in a lead-zinc ore area. Rural Eco-Environ. 1997, 13, 12–15. (in Chinese).
[38]
Zhai, L.; Liao, X.; Chen, T.; Yan, X.; Xie, H.; Wu, B.; Wang, L. Regional assessment of cadmium pollution in agricultural lands and the potential health risk related to intensive mining activities: A case study in Chenzhou City, China. J. Environ. Sci. 2008, 20, 696–703, doi:10.1016/S1001-0742(08)62115-4.
[39]
Liu, H.; Probst, A.; Liao, B. Metal contamination of soils and crops affected by the Chenzhou lead/zinc mine spill (Hunan, China). Sci. Total Environ. 2005, 339, 153–166, doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.07.030.
[40]
Liao, X.-Y.; Chen, T.-B.; Xie, H.; Liu, Y.-R. Soil as contamination and its risk assessment in areas near the industrial districts of Chenzhou City, Southern China. Environ. Int. 2005, 31, 791–798, doi:10.1016/j.envint.2005.05.030.
[41]
Jung, M.C. Contamination by Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in mine wastes from abandoned metal mines classified as mineralization types in Korea. Environ. Geochem. Health 2008, 30, 205–217, doi:10.1007/s10653-007-9109-x.
[42]
Obiri, S. Determination of heavy metals in water from boreholes in Dumasi in the Wassa west district of western region of Republic of Ghana. Environ. Monit. Assess. 2007, 130, 455–463, doi:10.1007/s10661-006-9435-y.
[43]
Bosso, S.T.; Enzweiler, J. Bioaccessible lead in soils, slag, and mine wastes from an abandoned mining district in Brazil. Environ. Geochem. Health 2008, 30, 219–229, doi:10.1007/s10653-007-9110-4.
[44]
Kachur, A.N.; Arzhanova, V.S.; Yelpatyevsky, P.V.; von Braun, M.C.; von Lindern, I.H. Environmental conditions in the Rudnaya River watershed—A compilation of Soviet and post-Soviet era sampling around a lead smelter in the Russian Far East. Sci. Total Environ. 2003, 303, 171–185, doi:10.1016/S0048-9697(02)00351-0.
[45]
Peplow, D.; Edmonds, R. Health risks associated with contamination of groundwater by abandoned mines near Twisp in Okanogan County, Washington, USA. Environ. Geochem. Health 2004, 26, 69–79, doi:10.1023/B:EGAH.0000020974.52087.cb.
[46]
Türkdo?an, M.K.; Kilicel, F.; Kara, K.; Tuncer, I.; Uygan, I. Heavy metals in soil, vegetables and fruits in the endemic upper gastrointestinal cancer region of Turkey. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 2002, 13, 175–179.
[47]
Wong, O.; Whorton, M.D.; Foliart, D.E.; Lowengart, R. An ecologic study of skin cancer and environmental arsenic exposure. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 1992, 64, 234–241.
[48]
Wang, M.; Song, H.; Chen, W.-Q.; Lu, C.; Hu, Q.; Ren, Z.; Yang, Y.; Xu, Y.; Zhong, A.; Ling, W. Cancer mortality in a Chinese population surrounding a multi-metal sulphide mine in Guangdong province: An ecologic study. In BMC Public Health; 2011; Volume 11, p. 319.
[49]
Marsh, G.M.; Esmen, N.A.; Buchanich, J.M.; Youk, A.O. Mortality patterns among workers exposed to arsenic, cadmium, and other substances in a copper smelter. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2009, 52, 633–644, doi:10.1002/ajim.20714.
[50]
García-Pérez, J.; Pollán, M.; Boldo, E.; Pérez-Gómez, B.; Aragonés, N.; Lope, V; Ramis, R.; Vidal, E.; López-Abente, G. Mortality due to lung, laryngeal and bladder cancer in towns lying in the vicinity of combustion installations. Sci. Total Environ. 2009, 407, 2593–2602, doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.12.062.
[51]
García-Pérez, J.; López-Cima, M.F.; Boldo, E.; Fernández-Navarro, P.; Aragonés, N.; Pollán, M.; Pérez-Gómez, B.; López-Abente, G. Leukemia-Related mortality in towns lying in the vicinity of metal production and processing installations. Environ. Int. 2010, 36, 746–753, doi:10.1016/j.envint.2010.05.010.
[52]
Liao, X.Y.; Chen, T.B.; Xiao, X.Y.; Huang, Z.C.; An, Z.Z.; Mo, L.Y.; Li, W.X.; Chen, H.; Zheng, Y.M. Spatial distributions characteristics of arsenic in contaminated paddy soil. Geogr. Res. 2003, 22, 635–643. (in Chinese).
[53]
Xie, H.; Liao, X.-Y.; Chen, T.-B.; Lin, J.Z. Arsenic in plants of farm land and its healthy risk: A case study in an As-contaminated site in Dengjiatang, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province. Geogr. Res. 2005, 24, 151–159. (in Chinese).