Teores de metais pesados em solos urbanos e agrícolas da região metropolitana do Recife

Abstract

Contamination with heavy metals in urban soils may pose a risk to human health due to soil ingestion, inhalation of particulates and dermal contact, especially in playgrounds. In this sense, was evaluated the contamination by heavy metals (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in 21 playgrounds present in 16 urban parks in the Metropolitan Region of Recife. Additionally, we estimated the hazard index (PI) and cancer risk in children exposed to these environments. Contamination with As and Pb were most evident in playgrounds evaluated, however, high concentrations of Ba was also observed. The most serious cases were observed for As, Ba, Cd and Pb in 5 playgrounds in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, more specifically in the playgrounds Square Industrial M. Santos, of Park Dona Lindu and Square Profº Agamenom Magalhães. The concentrations ranging from 2.09 to 4.72 mg kg-1, in Área de Lazer de Jardim Paulista showing contamination by Cd and Ba (1.88 and 1114 mg kg-1, respectively) and in the playground of Área de Lazer de Cruz de Rebouças with Pb concentrations above 200 mg kg-1. Cancer risks for children exceeded the target value of 10-6 set by USEPA, considering routes oral ingestion and dermal absorption, representing more than 80% of the risk. The heavy traffic of vehicles is the human activity that best explains the contamination with Ba, Cd and Pb, while the application of wood preservatives is possibly the source of contamination by As in playgrounds of Park Dona Lindu.