Research on the Identification of Carcinogenic Substances in Some Environmental Components in Ilfov County

Abstract

Identifying potentially carcinogenic substances in the environment represents the primary action step that should be taken in order for us to claim to have a healthy and safe agriculture. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and our foods and waters may not be as safe as we believe them to be. The present elaborate had the purpose of identifying possible carcinogenic contaminants, in a direct correlation with the culture environment - water source and soil, in Ilfov county, Romania. Water: 14 samples were collected from household wells, targeted for the analysis of various chemical and physical parameters, including nitrates, nitrites, pesticides, dioxins, furans, etc. The results have shown a scattered level of pollution with nitrates of the groundwater aquifers, due to the incorrect administration of fertilizers that has especially affected the individual wells from the investigated areas. Soil: 32 crop soil samples were harvested from the upper level (0-20cm, belonging to the same areas as the water samples. Various quantities of mineral nitrogen were determined, either as nitrates or as nitrites. No carcinogens, from the groundwater aquifers investigated, with sufficient levels to contaminate the soil and affect the agricultural products were identified. The analysed water is fit for agricultural irrigations, but is not to be used for human consumption. For soils, the extremely spread distribution of the nitrogen proves that the nitrogen based fertilizers are being used in an irrational manner, thus the danger for environment pollution and for the alteration of animal and human health. The presence of potentially toxic metals was also investigated, elements that, except for arsenic, turned out to be within normal limits.The investigated elements from the Berceni, Glina, Popești-Leordeni and Ulmi areas do not present any significant dangerous quantities which proved the fact that the local agricultural technology is functioning normally, producing vegetal and animal foods free of elements with a potentially carcinogenic effect. The rest of the investigated areas, respectively Buda, Bragadiru, Măgurele, Vidra and Copăceni, have shown the presence of potentially carcinogenic elements that exceed the normal limit, most likely based on an improperly implemented agricultural technology.