Topsoil and housedust metal concentrations in the vicinity of a lead battery manufacturing plant

The aim of the study was to determine the extent of heavy metal pollution i n the vicinity of a lead battery manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic, both in the general environment and within homes. Topsoils (0-5 cm) were s ampled from 100 sites along 4 transects which crossed the battery factory, the town centre and outlying rural areas. Housedust samples were collected from 15 plant-workers' homes and 15 non plant-workers' homes located at var ious distances from the factory. Samples were analysed for levels of Pb, Zn , Cd, Cu, As and Sb, using ICP-AES. Soil concentrations of Pb, Cd, As and S b peaked at the perimeter fence of the battery factory with Pb levels of up to 12 650 mu g g(-1). Concentrations of these metals decreased exponential ly within 500 m of the plant. Whilst the battery factory does appear to be a source of all the metals with the exception of Zn, emissions do not appea r to be transported to any great extent over distances of more than 0.5 km. Topsoil and housedust concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu, As and Sb in the g eneral Mlada Boleslav area do not appear to be significantly different from those recorded in a large scale survey of urban soils in the United Kingdo m. A comparison of housedust Pb concentrations in homes of plant workers an d non-plant workers suggests that there may be a small input of Pb into the home environment by battery plant employees.