The Application of CLEA Model in Accessing Health Risks of PAHs in Soil

The concentrations of PAHs in 29 soil samples in a little town in southern Jiangsu were detected. Based on these soil concentration data and parameters from existing studies for this area, we use contaminated land exposure assessment (CLEA) model developed by Environment Agency of United Kingdom to analyze the Average Daily Exposure (ADE) and subsequent health risks of the local residents for their exposure to PAHs in soil. The health risk assessment shows that oral of and dermal contact to soil are the two main pathways for PAHs exposure. Compared to children and teenagers (0-16), the adults (16-65) have higher accumulative carcinogenic risk. However, the annual mean carcinogenic risk of the children is higher than adults. Generally speaking, women have a little higher carcinogenic risk than men. The health risks of all the groups exceed 10, which need to be concerned.