Health risks of heavy metals from long-range transboundary air pollution

The heavy metals cadmium, lead and mercury are common air pollutants , being emitted mainly as a result of various industrial activities. Although the atmospheric levels are low, they contribute to the deposition and build-up in soils. Heavy metals are persistent in the environment and are subject to bioaccumulation in food-chains. Cadmium exposures are associated with kidney and bone damage. Cadmium has also been identified as a potential human carcinogen , causing lung cancer. Lead exposures have developmental and neurobehavioural effects on fetuses, infants and children, and elevate blood pressure in adults. Mercury is also toxic in the elemental and inorganic forms, but the main concern is associated with the organic compounds, especially methylmercury, that accumulate in the food-chain, i.e. in predatory fish in lakes and seas, as these are the main routes of human exposure. Long-range transboundary air pollution is only one source of exposure to these metals but, because of their persistence and potential for global atmospheric transfer, atmospheric emissions affect even the most remote regions. This report, based on contributions from an international group of experts, reviews the available information on the sources, chemical properties and spatial distribution of environmental pollution with cadmium, lead and mercury caused by long-range transboundary air pollution, and evaluates the potential health risks in Europe. Keywords AIR-standards AIR POLLUTION-analysis AIR POLLUTANTS-adverse effects CHEMICALS-toxicity-adverse effects ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING RISK ASSESSMENT ISBN 978 92 890 7179 6 Address requests about publications of the WHO Regional Office for Europe to: Publications WHO Regional Office for Europe Scherfigsvej 8 DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark Alternatively, complete an online request form for documentation, health information, or for permission to quote or translate, on the Regional Office web site The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers' products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. …