Distribution of trace metals at two abandoned mine sites in Korea and arsenic-associated health risk for the residents

Two abandoned mine sites in Jeongseon, Korea were investigated to determine the distribution of six trace metals such as Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Hg, and As in soil, water, and rice, and to assess the health risks for the residents of the mine sites from their exposure to As via possible exposure pathways. Lead and arsenic were found to be the major contaminants. Health risk assessments conducted on As through soil ingestion, water ingestion, rice ingestion, and dermal contact with soil or water showed high non-carcinogenic (HI values of 12.8 and 8.3) and carcinogenic (risks of 22.0 ×10^?4 and 14.3×10^?4) at both mine sites, suggesting that the residents have high chance of developing adverse health effects from their chronic exposures. The ingestion of polished rice grown in the contaminated paddy soils accounted for 90% or higher of the total risk values. Therefore, appropriate measures need to be taken to prevent possible health effects, in particular from the ingestion of crop plants grown in the contaminated soils.