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The evaluation of heavy metals in transylvania, as predictor for the health status of the exposed population

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Abstract

It is well known and proven that heavy metal contamination of the soils can severely affect the health of the people living in the contaminated areas given the ease with which trace elements can enter the human body. In addition-to agricultural crop depreciation as well as soil erosion, soil pollution can negatively affect the natural function of ecosystems. While certain heavy metals in high doses can be harmful to the body, others such as cadmium, mercury, lead, chromium, silver and arsenic in minimal amounts have delusional effects on the body, causing acute and chronic intoxication. Our research is focused on the identification of heavy metals from the soil (O, Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, Pb, Si, Ti, Zn) in 3 areas in Transylvania where factories were in operation, using 4 methods: UV–VIS spectrometry, AAS, SEM-EDAX and X-ray diffractions. High levels of very toxic trace elements such as lead, aluminum, cadmium were found near the studied areas, especially using SEM-EDAX and AAS methods. Knowledge on the soil concentration of TEs, the time exposure and the side effects can lead us to predict the health status of the exposed population. In our study, by determinating the concentration of TEs we set out to formulate a prediction on the health status of the exposed population using literature data.

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  • 13 February 2022

    Reclamation of polluted soils for food production and human health: Part 2

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Acknowledgements

This study was realized within the Doctoral School- UMF “ Iuliu Hatieganu” Cluj- Napoca on Public Health Department.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health, University of Medicine and Phramacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 31 Avram Iancu Street, Fl 3, 40083, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Doriana Maria Popa & Cristina Borzan

  2. Department of Polymer Composites, Babes-Bolyai University, Institute of Chemistry Raluca Ripan, 30 Fantanele Street, 400294, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Mărioara Moldovan & Doina Prodan

  3. Nephrology-2nd Pediatric Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children, 5 Crisan Street, 400177, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Cornel Aldea

  4. 1st Pediatric Department, University of Medicine and Phramacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 68 Motilor Street, 400001, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Călin Lazăr, Cecilia Lazea, Mirela Crişan & Lucia Maria Sur

  5. Mother and Child Department, 3Rd Department of Paediatrics, Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 2-4 Campeni Street, 400217, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Sorin C. Man

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  1. Doriana Maria Popa
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  2. Mărioara Moldovan
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Correspondence to Doriana Maria Popa.

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This article is part of the special issue “Reclamation of polluted soils for food production and human health: Part 2” inadvertently published in the regular issue Vol. 43(1).

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Popa, D.M., Moldovan, M., Prodan, D. et al. The evaluation of heavy metals in transylvania, as predictor for the health status of the exposed population. Environ Geochem Health 43, 585–599 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-020-00750-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-020-00750-9

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