HEAVY METAL POLLUTION IN CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUNDS IN ORDU, TURKEY

Abstract

Construction, heavy traffic loads, industrial facilities and other anthropogenic activities may result in significant environmental problems, such as soil and air pollution in urban spaces. Such pollution sources then exert serious health risks on children playing in playgrounds constructed nearby. In the present study, surface dust and soil samples were used as indicators of pollution, and heavy metal pollution in playgrounds was assessed. A total of 93 surface dust and 93 soil samples were collected from 31 different playgrounds with different traffic and urban development levels to determine Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cr and Cd concentrations. Surface dust heavy metal concentrations varied between 22.84 and 121.30 mg kg(-1) for Cu, between 9.41 and 1017 mg kg(-1) for Zn, between 1.18 and 31.08 mg kg(-1) for Ni, between 0.39 and 5.58 mg kg(-1) for Cd and between 3.32 and 305.80 mg kg(-1) for Pb. Soil heavy metal concentrations varied between 17.18 and 92.70 mg kg(-1) for Cu, between 53.35 and 566.90 mg kg(-1) for Zn, between 8.61 and 39.10 mg kg(-1) for Ni, between 0.18 and 7.21 mg kg(-1) for Cd and between 2.74 and 72.44 mg kg(-1) for Pb. The present findings revealed the traffic, industry and other anthropogenic activities as the most significant factors exerting a heavy metal pollution on playgrounds.