The Distribution of Carcinogenic Heavy Metals in Cyprus Soil

The number of cancer cases has been deliberately increasing both in Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities in Cyprus. The presence of various carcinogens in the environment is suspected to be the major cause of this increase. The main aim of this study was to identify the heavy metal contamination in Cyprus soil, mainly lead, cadmium and arsenic that are involved in cancer development. The collaborative investigations were accomplished by Cancer Research Fund (CRF) in North Cyprus (NC) and Frederick Institute of Technology in South Cyprus (SC). To achieve an analytical distribution, 260 composite soil samples (140 from NC and 120 from SC) were investigated for the presence of heavy metal contamination. The soil samples were obtained from Güzelyurt Bostancı, Yuvacık, Lefkoşa, Karpaz, Alevkayası, Kırnı and Mesarya in NC and from Dhali, Sotira, Omodos, Acheilia, Polis and Evrychu in SC. The results showed that the amount of lead in the mentioned areas was within the range of 5.7–224.9 ppm in NC and 4.7–121.7 ppm in SC. The cadmium content ranged between 0.2–1.89 ppm in NC and 0.2–0.59 ppm in SC. Arsenic was measured to be between 0.2–18.5 ppm in NC and 2.8–22.5 in SC. Since the limit of lead contamination in soil is determined to be 400 ppm by EPA, all the analyzed areas in Cyprus can be said to be safe and fit for agriculture. However, compared to SC higher concentrations were found in NC that may be due to the use of leaded petrol. Arsenic is another carcinogen that is implicated in cancers of skin, bladder, liver, lung, and prostate and diseases of heart and brain. Because of its various disease causing effects, the widely adopted limit of arsenic contamination is determined to be 10 ppm. The results of soil investigation indicate presence of high arsenic concentrations in majority of the samples showing contamination in the entire island. Cadmium is well known to have a triggering effect on the development of breast cancer. Since the contaminating concentration for cadmium was determined to be 1 ppm (EPA), the analyses imply a threat for NC only. The current study presents the results of heavy metal analyses in Cyprus soil and illustrates the areas with lead, cadmium and arsenic contaminations in the island. These data will enlighten the farmers for choosing the right place for agriculture. In addition to this, it will alert the related official authorities to take precautions for the removal of the contaminants and prohibit the use of agents that cause the respective contamination. In the long run, these will help increasing the health conditions of the both communities living in the island.