Health Survey Among People Living Near an Abandoned Mine. A Case Study: Jales Mine, Portugal

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment Vol. 123; no. 1-3; pp. 31 - 40
• Main Authors: Mayan, Olga N, Gomes, Maria J, Henriques, Amélia, Silva, Susana, Begonha, Andrea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrect Dordrecht : Kluwer Academic Publishers 01.12.2006; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abandoned mines; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; biological monitoring; Blood levels; Cadmium; Cadmium - blood; cadmium exposure; Case-Control Studies; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; contaminated sites; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants - blood; Environmental pollutants toxicology; Epidemiological Monitoring; Female; General aspects; Health problems; Health risks; Health Surveys; Heavy metals; Humans; Industrial Waste; Lead; Lead - blood; lead exposure; Male; Medical sciences; Metals and various inorganic compounds; Middle Aged; Mine tailings; mines; Mining; Olfaction Disorders - blood; Olfaction Disorders - epidemiology; Olfaction Disorders - etiology; Portugal - epidemiology; Respiratory Tract Diseases - blood; Respiratory Tract Diseases - epidemiology; Respiratory Tract Diseases - etiology; Toxicology; Portugal; Europe; Human; biological monitoring; Proximity; cadmium exposure; Epidemiology; Heavy metal; Residential zone; Pollutant; Symptomatology; mines; Health and environment; Industrial wasteland; Mine; Environment; contaminated sites; lead exposure; Public health
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-005-9078-4

Campo de Jales is a village surrounding the abandoned Jales mine. The area is heavily contaminated with heavy metals and dusts from large tailings piles as result of centuries of mining operations. The aim of this study is to investigate potential health threats associated with site contamination. The population studied comprised two groups: people living in Campo de Jales (n = 229) and a control group - people living in Vilar de Macada (n = 234). Lead and cadmium exposure and symptoms survey were carried out. The results showed a significant higher levels of blood lead and cadmium between the Campo de Jales residents (lead: 9.5 microgr/dl versus 7.7 microgr/dl; cadmium: 0.84 microgr/dl versus 0,65 microgr/dl) as well as to a higher prevalence of respiratory and irritation symptoms and great concern about his own health. In conclusion: community is the scene of long-term health problems resulting from the site environmental contamination.