Heavy metals in tailings and soils in the Pb-Zn mining areas of North-west Türkiye and health risk evaluations

Improper mining waste and tailing management in Pb-Zn mining areas (Balya and Koru) in the north-west Türkiye have not been researched sufficiently. Accordingly, concentrations of heavy metal were determined in mine tailing and soils taken from Balya and Koru, and a health risk evaluation caused by heavy metals was performed. Average Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in mine tailings in Balya are 35.2, 17.8, 354.7, 1735, 10, 10089, 3730 mg kg-1 and these values were determined as 9.9, 8.9, 101.5, 1308, 4.5, 1871, 1375 mg kg-1 in the tailings in Koru, respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals in the soil samples taken from both Balya and Koru were determined to be lower. The evaluation of heavy metals’ health risks was performed according to both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects. The primary route of heavy metals in adults and children has been determined by oral intake. For both children and adults, the order of the carcinogenic effects of heavy metals in mine tailings and soils in Balya and Koru was Cd > Pb > Ni > Cr. As the carcinogenic risk values of Cd and Pb for adults and children in mine tailing and soils in Balya were above the limit value, the children’s Cd carcinogenic risk values were found above the limit value in mine tailing and soils in Koru. The mining area in both Balya and Koru poses a risk to human health since it is close to settlements.