Environmental risk presented by arsenic contamination of building and facility surfaces in a coking plant.

ABSTRACT

Arsenic contamination on the surface of buildings and facilities at a coking plant and associated health risk were studied. A total of 94 wipe samples from 56 buildings and facilities were collected, and As concentrations were found to range from 0.01 to 23.90 µg/100 cm(2). 20.2% of the samples exceeded the As level calculated to present health risk 4.02 µg/100 cm(2). Arsenic mean concentration was found to be highest on the surface of bricks, and coking zone showing the highest As risk. The findings of this study may provide clues to As pollution control and risk evaluation in coking plants.