Human Exposure and Risk Assessment of Soil Pollution with Persistent Organochlorine Compounds in Bulgaria

Fina Kaloyanova-Simeonova1, Zlatka Bratanova1, Stefka Bratinova2, Gyula Dura3, Jordan Simeonov4, Veska Kambourova1, and Tomislav Rizov1

1 National Center of Hygiene, Medical Ecology and Nutrition, Sofia, Bulgaria
2 Agency for Environment and Waters, Sofia, Bulgaria
3 National Institute of Environmental Health, József Fodor National Center for Public Health, Budapest, Hungary
4 National Center of Oncology, Sofia, Bulgaria

Corresponding author: Zlatka Bratanova
    National Center of Hygiene, Medical Ecology and Nutrition
    15 Dimitar Nestorov
    Sofia 1431, Bulgaria.
    Telephone: (+ 359 2) 5812542
    Fax number: (+ 359 2) 9581277

CEJOEM 2001, Vol.7. Nos.3-4.:263-275


Key words:
Soil pollution, persistent pesticides, risk assessment, modelling, human risk


Abstract:
Summarized data of soil monitoring (1997–1999) are presented for the following persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs): aldrin, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor (HC), hexachlorbenzene (HCB), methoxychlor, cis-heptachlorepoxide (cis-HCE), a-hexachlorocyclohexane (a-BHC) and lindane. In Bulgaria, the first four have been banned since 1969, and HC since 1991. The data for soil pollution demonstrate that they still exist in the environment in almost all regions of the country. DDT is the principal pollutant: samples were positive in 98%. In limited cases its levels are up to 13 mg/kg, higher than the cleanup limits in Bulgaria (4 mg/kg). In several cases, low ratio of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) to DDT indicates recent illegal use of DDT. HCB have been detected in 68% of samples up to 0.004 mg/kg; HC in 25%, up to 0.002 mg/kg; cis-HCE, in 48% up to 0.096 mg/kg; metoxychlor in 30%, up to 0.25 mg/kg; a-BHC in 31%, up to 0.009 mg/kg; g-BHC, in 31%, up to 0.019 mg/kg; aldrin in 16%, up to 0.0027 mg/kg; dieldrin in 12%, up to 0.23 mg/kg; endrin in 14%, up to 0.01 mg/kg. All pesticides found were usually at low concentrations, similar to those announced for other countries where there is a limitation of the use of persistent OCPs.
    Estimation of risk for adults and children in four different scenarios (agricultural, industrial, recreational, and urban) was performed using Human Exposure to Soil Pollutants (HESP) model. Soil monitoring data (maximum and average concentrations) were used. In 11 districts of the monitored 15, the risk for health from soil pollution with DDT exists. It is considerable in 5 districts. Of the other persistent OCPs according to HESP calculations, only maximal concentrations of dieldrin represent more than negligible risk. The most important adverse health effect is the potential occurrence of cancer.


Received:  17 September 2001
Accepted:  13 March 2002

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