Pollution Characteristics And Risk Management Of Heavy Metals In Pesticide Factories

Pollution condition and characteristics of heavy metals in multi-medium were discussed in three representative pesticide factories in Zhangjiakou city, Hebei Province. Samples were collected and analyzed from facrories (solid waste, soils, dusts and groundwater) and around factories (surface soil and groundwater). Results showed that concentratuions of heavy metals in dusts (Zn, Hg, As), soils (As) and groundwater (As) in Plant B had exceed corresponding standards. The relatively high contents of Cu were found in Plant A and serious pollution of As were detected in Plant B, which should arouse enough attention. Concentrations of heavy metals (except Cd) in multi-media around plants were lower than corresponding standards and slight pollution conditions of heavy metals around plants were detected.Results of health risk assessment realved that serious non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic s were found in Plant B, in addition, unacceptable carcinogenic risk in ground water was also found in Plant A. The potential ecological risk index (PERI) method was applied to assess the ecological risk around each plant. Results showed that the average level of PERI in Region ? and Region ? reached slight grade and moderate grade, respectively. While the PERI in some sites of Region ? had reached the highly strong grade. Finally, corresponding countermeasures for improving the regional environmental quality were proposed based on the research results.