Environmental Exposure to Chromium Compounds in the Valley of León, México

The effects on the environment and health of the operation of a chromate compounds factory and tanneries in the León valley in central México are discussed. Sampling and analysis of chromium were performed in water, soil, and human urine. Groundwater has been polluted in an area of about 5 km2by the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental health perspectives 1995-02, Vol.103 (Suppl 1), p.47-51
Main Authors: Armienta-Hernández, Maria Aurora, Rodríguez-Castillo, Ramiro
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chromates
Chromium
Chromium Compounds - analysis
Chromium Compounds - urine
Dams
Environmental Exposure
Environmental Health
Environmental pollution
Factories
Fresh Water
Groundwater
Groundwater contamination
Health
Humans
Industrial engineering
Manufacturing engineering
Mexico
Plants
Plumes
Routes of Contamination and Exposure
Soil Pollutants - analysis
Soil Pollutants - urine
Soil pollution
Soil samples
Soil water
Urine
Valleys
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical - urine
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Summary:The effects on the environment and health of the operation of a chromate compounds factory and tanneries in the León valley in central México are discussed. Sampling and analysis of chromium were performed in water, soil, and human urine. Groundwater has been polluted in an area of about 5 km2by the leaching of a solid factory waste, which results in concentrations up to 50 mg/l of hexavalent chromium. The plume shape and extension appear to be controlled by the prevailing well extraction regime. Total chromium was detected in the soil around the factory as a result of both aerial transport and deposition of dust produced in the chromate process and irrigation with tannery-contaminated water. Analysis of the impact of chromium in air and water on populations with various degrees of exposure revealed that highly harmful health effects were not observed.
ISSN:0091-6765
DOI:10.2307/3432012