Evaluating the population’s exposure to lead in Tg. Mures due to road traffic and making them aware of the risk of exposure to lead

Written by Domahidi János, Orbán Antónia, Fárr Anna-Mária, Fărcaş Ovidiu, Drăgoi Simona, Tarcea Monica, Marcos Tünde, Csiszér Attila, Péter Katica, Comşa Maria, Silvas Edit, Dénes Melinda, Iurian Anabela, Rácz Virág-Lilla

Road traffic represents a major source of pollution with Pb. Epidemiological studies have identified an association between chronic lead exposure and negative evolution of certain somatic parameters of foetus and child development. We are studying the ways of evaluating road traffic-caused lead exposure and the ways of reducing environmental lead pollution. To determine Pb from air and soil and M10 dust particles from air, we have chosen 3 arteries of heavy traffic, 3 of reduced traffic and 3 crossroads with heavy traffic, where we have collected air (10) and soil (33) samples. As standards we have collected air (7) and soil (9) samples from a green area. The average concentration of MP10 dust (in mg/m³) is 0.120 at the level of green areas and 0.210 at the level of streets and crossroads. The average Pb concentration (μg/m³) of the atmospheric air is 0.032 at the level of green areas and 0.064 at the level of streets and crossroads. The Pb concentration of soil is 0.077 mg/g at the level of green areas and 0.098 mg/g at the level of streets and crossroads. Recommendation: replacement of the worn-out car park; cleaning and wetting streets and roads more frequently; avoiding to go out with small children and pregnant women on the streets in peak hours of traffic; constructing detour roads for transit traffic.


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