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

Overview

Cadmium, lead and mercury, common air pollutants, are emitted mainly as a result of various industrial activities and 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 accumulates in the food-chain, the main route of human exposure.

Exposure to these metals through long-range transboundary air pollution affects even the most remote regions. This report reviews 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.