Multi-criteria ranking and source identification of metals in public playgrounds in Queensland, Australia

Metals in soils may present health risks to people. Authorities therefore take various measures to minimise human exposure to metal contaminants, especially in recreational environments used by vulnerable persons, such as children. This study investigates the presence of metals in playground surfaces from public parks in two urban areas of south-east Queensland, Australia, in order to identify possible sources of metal contamination, and to evaluate the efficacy of remedial measures that have been taken. With the help of chemometrics data analysis procedures, the most important sources of metals are identified as being the natural geochemical environment, followed by two sources deriving from traffic emissions, and, lastly, paint. Remedial measures taken by the authorities to limit metal content are also shown to have been successful.

► The first multicriteria ranking and source identification of metals in playgrounds.
► Showed five main sources contributing to the metals in the playgrounds.
► These include crustal materials, traffic emissions and anthropogenic sources.
► The use of bark coverings reduced the playground's metal contents significantly.