Can secondary dusting in recreational areas expose children to heavy metals? A case study of Nowa Ruda in Lower Silesia

This study shows the problem of the presence of toxic trace elements in the surface layer of the substrate in public playgrounds and sports facility areas. The aim was to estimate the level of non-dietary exposure of children to zinc, copper, lead, chromium, and nickel as a result of secondary dusting of the soil and sand during the use of recreational areas in Nowa Ruda in Lower Silesia, Poland. The analysis of metal concentrations showed a heterogeneous distribution in the examined samples. The highest concentrations of metals were observed in playgrounds, sports fields, and sandboxes, respectively. No exceedances of the allowable values of the elements in soils were recorded, according to Polish legal regulations. Soil pollution indices indicate deterioration of surface layer quality in recreational areas in comparison to the local geochemical background for Polish soils. The results of the exposure assessment indicate a low risk of adverse health effects in children. Currently, the potential ecological risk index is also low. It is important to monitor the metal content in recreational areas and to protect the surface layer from secondary dusting in order to minimize the negative impact of environmental hazards on children’s health.