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3222708 
Journal Article 
Cadmium in agricultural soils, vegetables and rice and potential health risk in vicinity of Dabaoshan Mine in Shaoguan, China 
Wang Zhen-xing; Hu Xi-bang; Xu Zhen-cheng; Cai Li-mei; Wang Jun-neng; Zeng Dong; Hong Hong-jia 
2014 
21 
5 
2004-2010 
WOS:000336317700040 
Soil cadmium (Cd) contamination resulted from mining and
smelting is a major environmental concern, and health risk associated with Cd exposure to multi-
media through muti-pathway is increasing. Cd concentrations in soils, vegetables and paddy rice
were investigated, and potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks exposure to Cd
were estimated at six villages around the Dabaoshan Mine, South China. A total of 87 soil samples
were found to exceed the China's maximum permission level (MPL) for Cd, while the highest value
of 4.42 mg/kg was found near irrigation ditch associated with Hengshi River in Xinyi (XY)
Village. Cd contents in vegetables and rice exceeded the maximum permissible concentration by
more than five times in every village. Cadmium accumulation in plants is in the order of celery >
lactuca sativa L > Chinese cabbage > Romaine lettuce > asparagus lettuce > mustard > cabbage
mustard > cabbage. The mean hazard quotient (HQ) of all villages is in the range of [5.29,
25.75], and the mean values of cancer risk for investigated areas are more than 10 times greater
than the USEPA (2009) threshold limit value of 10(-4). Moreover, human non-carcinogenic and
carcinogenic risks are mainly attributable to paddy rice intake, followed by vegetables intake,
soil ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The results indicate that Cd has a huge potential
risk on human health for the local residents. 
cadmium; health risk; soil pollution; vegetables; paddy rice; dietary intake