Arsenic contamination and potential health risk implications at an abandoned tungsten mine, southern China

In an extensive environmental study, field samples, including soil, water, rice, vegetable, fish, human hair and urine, were collected at an abandoned tungsten mine in Shantou City, southern China. Results showed that arsenic (As) concentration in agricultural soils ranged from 3.5 to 935 mg kg−1 with the mean value of 129 mg kg−1. In addition, As concentration reached up to 325 μg L−1 in the groundwater, and the maximum As concentration in local food were 1.09, 2.38 and 0.60 mg kg−1 for brown rice, vegetable and fish samples, respectively, suggesting the local water resource and food have been severely contaminated with As. Health impact monitoring data revealed that As concentrations in hair and urine samples were up to 2.92 mg kg−1 and 164 μg L−1, respectively, indicating a potential health risk among the local residents. Effective measurements should be implemented to protect the local community from the As contamination in the environment.