Are children’s sandpits safe for children’s health?
Authors:
K. Uhrinová 1; J. Buchancová 1; Ľ. Šošková 2; M. Kapasný 2; J. Zibolenová 1
Authors‘ workplace:
Ústav verejného zdravotníctva, Jesseniova lekárska fakulta UK, Martin, Slovensko
vedúca prof. MUDr. H. Hudečková, PhD., MPH
1; Regionálny úrad verejného zdravotníctva, Žilina, Slovensko
vedúci MUDr. M. Kapasný, PhD., MPH
2
Published in:
Čes-slov Pediat 2013; 68 (5): 301-308.
Category:
Original Papers
Overview
Purpose of the study:
Pollution of the environment increases which causes bigger amount of toxic metals in soil, water and air. A lot of children’s sandpits are situated so that there might occur their chemical and micro-biological pollution which represents a risk to harm children’s health, especially of the preschools age. The purpose of the work was to evaluate the environment of children’s sandpits from all their aspects.
Material and methods:
The material contained 102 samples of sand took from five districts of the Žilina region (Žilina, Martin, Liptovský Mikuláš, Dolný Kubín, Čadca). 76 samples were taken from preschool institutions and 26 from town playgrounds. The sampling was done in the period of March 2009 and October 2012. Heavy metals (Pb, As, Cr, Ni, Cd, Cu, Zn) were stated by means of atom absorption spectrometry (AAS). Concentration of mercury was stated on the mercury analyser. Analysis of the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was done by the method of highly effective liquid chromatography (HLPC) with the detection on the fluorescent detector. Culture methods were used to state micro-biological pollution.
Results:
Measured values of the chemical indicators (Pb, Hg, As, Cr, Ni, Cd, Cu, Zn, PAH) of all 102 samples complied with the regulation MZ ČR No. 135/2004 Sb., which states hygienic requirements for swimming pools, saunas and hygienic limits of sand in sanpits. Within micro-biological analysis from the whole amount of the sand samples 10 of them did not comply with the regulation NR SR No. 521/2007 Z. z. In 4 samples the indicator of thermotolerant coliform bacteria was higher, in 3 samples the indicator of faecal streptococcus and in two cases there were two indicators at the same time which did not comply – thermotolerant coliform bacteria and faecal streptococcus. Presence of geohelmint eggs was affirmed in 1 sand sample. Within mechanical pollution there were found: stones, leaves, branches, grass, paper and plastic waste, fragments of glass, cigarette butts, and excrements.
Conclusion:
In the sand samples there were all values of metals and PAH considerably under the limits of the regulation MZ ČR č. 135/2004 Sb. From the results it is clear that sand in children’s sandpits might be a source of bacterial and parasitic infections. In the interest of children’s protection and support of their health, it is necessary constantly implement a complex of effective preventive measures.
Key words:
heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, micro-biological and parasitic pollution, districts of the Žilina region, prevention
Sources
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Labels
Neonatology Paediatrics General practitioner for children and adolescentsArticle was published in
Czech-Slovak Pediatrics
2013 Issue 5
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