Cadmium Contamination in Farmland Soil and Water Near Zinc Mining Site

This study was a cross-sectional study conducted in Phatadpadaeng Subdistrict, Mae Sod District, Tak Province, Thailand. This study aimed to determine cadmium concentration in farmland soil and water as well as at the residence of farmers and households. As many as 48 samples of farmers' residence soil and water, twelve samples of households and six samples of farmland soil and eight samples of farmland water were investigated for cadmium concentration using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for the analysis of the difference of cadmium concentration between farmland soil and residence soil, farmland water and residence water. The results showed no statistically difference among all matrixes, however, farmland soil and farmland water showed highest concentration compared to those of resident farmers and households. The cadmium concentrations in all samples were far below the limit values. This study clearly showed that working conditions of farmers demonstrated higher level of cadmium compared to the living conditions. The cause of this contamination might be from the activities of the surroundings industry. Therefore, it would be recommended that farmers should consider for cadmium exposure while working in farm