**2. Material and methodology**

The combustion of fossil fuels leads to the presence of Cd, Zn, As, Se, Cu, Mn, V, in the ashes and particulates of combustion. Some heavy metals (Se, Te, Pb, Mo, Li) are added to fuels and

Corrosion of metals contained in various materials (Cu, Pb pipes and roofs, Cr, Ni, Co in stainless steel, Cr, Pb painting) can cause soil pollution. Agro-livestock activities can also cause soil pollution (As, Cu, Zn can be added to feed pigs and poultry, Cd, As, Pb, Mn, Cu, Zn can

Pollution by heavy metals and many organic contaminants is practically irreversible (Euro‐

Exposure to heavy metals is normally chronic (exposure over a longer period of time), due to food chain transfer. Acute (immediate) poisoning from heavy metals is rare, but possible, through ingestion or dermal contact. Chronic problems associated with long-term heavy metal

**1.** Lead [20-60] – is well known to be toxic and its effects have been more extensively reviewed than the effects of other trace metals. Lead can cause serious injury to the brain, nervous system, red blood cells, and kidneys. Exposure to lead can result in a wide range of biological effects depending on the level and duration of exposure. Various effects occur over a broad range of doses, with the developing young and infants being more sensitive than adults. Lead poisoning severe enough to cause evident illness is now very rare. Lead can be harmful after uptake from food, air, water or contaminated dust. Lead is a particularly dangerous chemical, as it can accumulate in individual organisms, as well as

**3.** Arsenic – is associated with skin damage, increased risk of cancer and problems with circulatory circulatory system, affects kidneys and the central nervous system [64, 65, 66,

**6.** The most common problem caused by cationic metals (metallic elements whose forms in soil are positively charged cations e.g., Pb2+) are mercury, cadmium, lead, nickel, copper, zinc, chromium and manganese. The most common anionic compounds (elements whose forms in soil are combined with oxygen and are negatively charged e.g., MoO42-) are

This study tried to assess the level of soil contamination with heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, manganese, nickel, total chromium, zinc, cobalt, copper and arsenic) in 34 counties

lubricants to improve their properties. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9].

exposures are [10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19] for:

pean Commission, 2012).

286 Environmental Risk Assessment of Soil Contamination

entire food chains.

67, 68, 69].

**1.1. The aim of the study**

be present in phosphate fertilizers and pesticides). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9].

**2.** Cadmium – affects kidney, liver, and GI tract [28, 30, 61, 62, 63].

**4.** Chromium is associated with allergic dermatitis in humans [70, 71].

in Romania. No previous data exists as a reference level of soil pollution.

**5.** Mercury is associated with kidney damage [72, 73, 74, 75].

arsenic, molybdenum, selenium, and boron.

Excess heavy metal accumulation in soils is toxic to humans and other animals.

Sampling was done in 2012, in the fall (September – October). Soil samples were taken from max 20 cm deep, from areas around children's units like nurseries, kindergartens, schools or playgrounds for children. The samples were taken in county capital cities. Also, soil samples were taken from areas of land used for agricultural purposes like farmlands and gardens.

For metal analysis, 0.2 g of ground soil were digested with aqua regia using microwave digestion (EN 13346 :02) followed by filtration and adjusting the volume in a volumetric flask. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr were measured using the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ISO 11464:2006, SR ISO 11047/1999, EPA 6020). Concentrations of Zn, Mn, Co, Ni, Cr were measured using flame AAS (atomic absorption spectrometry) and concentrations of Hg and As were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry with cold vapour (HVG-AAS) and SR EN 1485/2007. [76, 77]

Despite the importance of soil pollution for our society, there is no EU legislation specifically targeting the protection of soil [78, 79]. A regulation regarding the soil pollution exists in Romania (Order nr. 756, November, the 3th, 1997). In this Order [80], the following definitions are of importance: environmental impact, types of land uses that require a certain soil quality, soil characterized by a maximum acceptable level of pollutants - sensitive and less sensitive soil, remediation targets, potentially significant pollution, significant pollution, threshold alert – (concentrations of pollutants in air, water, soil or emissions / discharges, which are designed to alert the competent authorities of a potential impact on the environment and determines the triggering of additional monitoring and / or reduction of concentrations of pollutants in emissions / evacuations), intervention threshold, reference sample [80].


**Table 1.** Reference values for traces of heavy metals in soil - Heavy metals (mg/kg dry substance). Values are stipulated in Order 756/1997 for the approval of the Regulation on the assessment of environmental pollution [80].
