| Title |
Comparison of Heavy Metal Pollutant Exposure and Risk Assessments in an Abandoned Mine Site |
| Authors |
최진원(Choi, Jinwon) ; 유근제(Yoo, Keunje) ; 구명서(Koo, Myungseo) ; 박준홍(Park, Joon-Hong) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.12652/Ksce.2012.32.4B.261 |
| Keywords |
폐광산;중금속오염;토양환경위해성 평가 Abandoned mines;heavy metal contamination;soil environmental risk assessment |
| Abstract |
In this study, soil environmental impact assessment using risk-based approach was compared with that using concentration-based approach. For this, heavy metal contaminant exposure was characterized in an abandoned mine area. According to the estimated carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, soil ingestion was identified as the most dominant exposure pathway. When contaminant concentrations exceeded the Korean Soil Contamination Warning Standards, their corresponding risk values also exceeded the Total Soil Risk Standard. Even the cases of satisfying the Korean Soil Contamination Warning Standards mostly showed higher risk levels than the Total Soil Risk Standard, re-confirming a more sensitivity of the risk-based assessment than concentration-based assessment. However, the in-depth analysis of the estimated non-carcinogenic risk values revealed a few cases for soil contact pathway showing contaminant concentrations higher than the Korean Soil Contamination Warning Standards although their non-carcinogenic risk values satisfied the level of Hazard Index Standard. The findings from this study support a necessity of shifting policy paradigm from concentration-based approach into risk-based approach for reliable risk assessment in abandoned mine areas, and also suggest a necessity of further fundamental studies regarding risk factors and standards. |