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Natural radioisotopes and chemical elements causing carcinogenic risks in soils of urban green spaces in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil?

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Abstract

In view of the relevance of urban parks and public squares to the well-being of the population, coupled with the presence of uraniferous phosphorite in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, State of Pernambuco, Brazil, this study aimed to evaluate the contribution of natural radionuclides and the toxic chemical elements As, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Sb found in the soils of urban green spaces to the population’s carcinogenic risks. Samples consisting of soils collected from a depth of 0–15 cm were analyzed by High Resolution Gamma Spectrometry, Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry, after chemical treatment. The annual effective dose rates were estimated to be lower than the threshold for individual exposure to ionizing radiation of 1 mSv year−1, even in green spaces close to uraniferous outcrops. There were As, Cd, Ni, and Pb hotspots in these soils, resulting in high values of Pollution Load Index (PLI) for practically all the studied green spaces. Although considerable non-carcinogenic risks were not found, two green spaces presented significant carcinogenic risks for adults. Furthermore, significant carcinogenic risks would be expected for children at all study sites.

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The authors declare that all the data generated and used during this study is included in the published text.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank CNPq, Fundação CAPES, FACEPE, and CNEN for their financial support, which made it possible to develop this study, as well as the Municipal Maintenance and Urban Cleaning of Recife (EMLURB) for authorizing access to the green spaces in the Metropolitan Region of Recife.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro Regional de Ciências Nucleares do Nordeste, Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear - CRCN-NE, CNEN, Av. Professor Luiz Freire 200, Recife, PE, 50740-545, Brazil

    Elvis Joacir De França, Marcelo Belmiro Gomes de Lira, Fabiano Silva Ferreira, Ítalo Brás Silva, Mechele Silva Santos, Crescêncio Andrade Silva Filho, Alesxandro Francisco Nascimento, Matheus Andrade Rocha Costa & Thiago Oliveira Santos

Authors
  1. Elvis Joacir De França
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  2. Marcelo Belmiro Gomes de Lira
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  3. Fabiano Silva Ferreira
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  4. Ítalo Brás Silva
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  5. Mechele Silva Santos
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  6. Crescêncio Andrade Silva Filho
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  7. Alesxandro Francisco Nascimento
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  9. Thiago Oliveira Santos
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Contributions

Elvis J. França: data processing, writing and reviewing; Marcelo B. G. de Lira, Fabiano S. Ferreira, Ítalo B. Silva, Mechele S. Santos, Matheus A. R. Costa: sampling, sample preparation, chemical treatment and analysis; Crescêncio A. Silva Filho, Alesxandro F. Nascimento, Thiago O. Santos: chemical analysis.

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Correspondence to Elvis Joacir De França.

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De França, E.J., de Lira, M.B.G., Ferreira, F.S. et al. Natural radioisotopes and chemical elements causing carcinogenic risks in soils of urban green spaces in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil?. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 332, 3943–3955 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-09098-7

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