Dissipation kinetics, decontamination, consumer risk assessment and monitoring of flonicamid and imidacloprid residues in capsicum under open field and polyhouse condition.

Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based detection of flonicamid, imidacloprid and 6-chloronicotinic acid residues was validated and analysed in capsicum fruit, processed products and soil. The standard concentrations (0.0025 to 0.25 µg mL-1) of insecticides had a good linear curve (r2>0.99). Limit of detection and limit of quantification values were 0.0025 and 0.01 mg kg-1, respectively. The accuracy (80.53 to 100.33 %) of capsicum matrices and soil (89.41 to 100.52 %) and precision (RSD <10%) were established. Dissipation of imidacloprid (20 and 40 g a.i. ha-1) and flonicamid (75 and 150 g a.i. ha-1) at single (X) and double dose (2X) was studied under open field and polyhouse conditions. Under open field conditions, the flonicamid and imidacloprid residues persisted with half-life of 1.98, 2.90 days (X) and 2.80, 3.14 (2X) days, respectively. While under polyhouse conditions, the flonicamid and imidacloprid residues persisted with a half-life of 2.84, 3.66 (X) and 3.24, 3.97 (2X) days, respectively. The metabolite, 6-CNA, was not detected in any samples under open field and polyhouse condition. Among decontamination treatments, cooking in boiling water for 10 minutes reduced 78 to 81.60 percent of imidacloprid and flonicamid residues in both doses. The estimated dietary risk assessment of imidacloprid and flonicamid residues (RQ <1) indicated that the risk is within the acceptable limit. In farmgate capsicum samples, residues of flonicamid (7 samples) and imidacloprid (11 samples) were detected. Market samples of capsicum products (powder, flakes and sauce) were not detected with residues of selected insecticides.

Dissipation, metabolism, accumulation, processing and risk assessment of fluxapyroxad in cucumber and cowpea vegetables from field to table.

Understanding the residue fate of fluxapyroxad is critical for food safety and human health. The present study profiled the dissipation, metabolism, accumulation, removal and risk assessment of fluxapyroxad in cucumbers and cowpeas from field to table. Greenhouse-field trials suggested that fluxapyroxad dissipated faster in cucumbers than in cowpeas, and M700F008 was the only detected metabolite at

Transport and transformation of perfluoroalkyl acids, isomer profiles, novel alternatives and unknown precursors from factories to dinner plates in China: New insights into crop bioaccumulation prediction and risk assessment.

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are contaminants of global concern, and the inadvertent consumption of PFAA-contaminated crops may pose a threat to public health. Therefore, systematically studying their source tracing, bioaccumulation prediction and risk assessments in crops is an urgent priority. This study investigated the source apportionment and transport of PFAAs and novel fluorinated alternatives (collectively as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFASs) from factories to agricultural fields in a fluorochemical industrial region of China. Furthermore, bioaccumulation specificities and prediction of these chemicals in different vegetables were explored, followed by a comprehensive risk assessment from agricultural fields to dinner plates which considered precursor degradation. A positive matrix factorization model revealed that approximately 70 % of PFASs in agricultural soils were derived from fluorochemical manufacturing and metal processing. Alarming levels of ∑PFASs ranged 8.28-84.3 ng/g in soils and 163-7176 ng/g in vegetables. PFAS with short carbon chain or carboxylic acid group as well as branched isomers exhibited higher environmental transport potentials and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) across a range of vegetables. The BAFs of different isomers of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) decreased as the perfluoromethyl group moved further from the acid functional group. Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX) showed relatively low BAFs, probably related to its ether bond with a high affinity to soil. Vegetables with fewer Casparian strips (e.g., carrot and radish), or more protein, possessed larger BAFs of PFASs. A bioaccumulation equation integrating critical parameters of PFASs, vegetables and soils, was built and corroborated with a good contamination prediction. After a total oxidizable precursors (TOP) assay, incremental perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) were massively found (325-5940 ng/g) in edible vegetable parts. Besides, precursor degradation and volatilization loss of PFASs was firstly confirmed during vegetable cooking. A risk assessment based on the TOP assay was developed to assist the protection of vegetable consumers.

Monitoring residue levels and dietary risk assessment of thiamethoxam and its metabolite clothianidin for Chinese consumption of Chinese kale.

BACKGROUND: Thiamethoxam is widely used to control pests in Chinese kale, popularly consumed leafy vegetables. The potential risk to the environment and human health has aroused much public concern. Therefore, it is important to investigate the degradation behavior, residue distribution and dietary risk assessment of thiamethoxam in Chinese kale. RESULTS: A sensitive analytical method for determination of thiamethoxam and its metabolite clothianidin residue in Chinese kale was established and validated through a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) technique with ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The recoveries were 85.4-101.2% for thiamethoxam and 79.5-108.1% for clothianidin, with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.9-10.2% and 1.8-6.0%, respectively. For the dissipation kinetics, the data showed that thiamethoxam in Chinese kale was degraded with the half-lives of 4.1 to 4.5 days. In the terminal residue experiments, the residues of thiamethoxam were 0.017-0.357 mg kg-1 after application 2-3 times with a preharvest interval (PHI) of 7 days under the designed dosages. The chronic and acute dietary exposure assessment risk quotient (RQ) values of thiamethoxam in Chinese kale for different Chinese consumers were 0.08-0.19% and 0.05-0.12%, respectively, and those of clothianidin were 0.01-0.04% and 0.02-0.04%, respectively, all of the RQ values were lower than 100%. CONCLUSION: Thiamethoxam in Chinese kale was rapidly degraded following first-order kinetics models. The dietary risk of thiamethoxam and clothianidin through Chinese kale was negligible to consumers. The results from this study are important reference for Chinese governments to developing criteria for the safe and rational use of thiamethoxam, setting maximum residue levels (MRLs), monitoring the quality safety of agricultural products and protecting consumer health. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals via consumption of dietary vegetables using wastewater for irrigation in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Health assumptions to the population due to the utilization of contaminated vegetables have been a great concern all over the world. In this study, an investigation has been conducted to ascertain metal concentrations in the wastewater, soil and commonly consumed vegetables from the vicinity of Gadoon Industrial Estate Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS) and total solids (TS) and heavy metals such as Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Moreover, possible health risks due to the consumption of vegetables have also been estimated. pH and TSS in wastewater were found to be higher than the permissible limit set by WHO (1996). These results revealed that Cr concentration in the wastewater was above the permissible limits of United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) which may lead to a detrimental effect on soil quality deterioration, ultimately leading to food contamination. ANOVA analysis demonstrated a significant difference in soil samples for Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Zn and Cu at p ≤ 0.001, for Mn at p ≤ 0.05 while no significant difference was observed for Fe respectively. ANOVA analysis also exhibited the highest mean value for Pb, Cr, Cd and Zn in vegetables. A substantial positive correlation was found among the soil and vegetable contamination. The transfer factor for Cr, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cd and Cu was greater than 0.5 due to contamination caused by domestic discharges and industrial effluents. Health assessment via consumption of dietary vegetables revealed a higher level than the permissible limit (HRI > 1) for Pb and Cd in children and adults. Enrichment factor (EF) due to consumption of vegetables was found higher for Pb and Cr respectively. Based on the findings of this study, there would be a significant risk to the consumers associated with consumptions of vegetables being cultivated in Gadoon Industrial Estate area of district Swabi. Therefore, strict regulatory control measures are highly recommended for the safety of vegetables originated from the study area.

Simultaneous determination and dietary risk assessment of clethodim and its metabolites in different fruits and vegetables.

Clethodim is one of the most widely used herbicides in agriculture and, after field application, is metabolised to several metabolites. The potential toxicological negative effects of these compounds are poorly understood. Thus, recently, within the risk assessment framework, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) proposed to include the minor metabolites in the definition of clethodim residue. In this work, an easy to use and reliable UHPLC method coupled with a triple quadrupole MS/MS was developed and validated for the detection and quantification of the herbicide clethodim and related metabolites clethodim sulphone, clethodim sulphoxide, metabolites M17R and M18R in apple, grape, olive and rice. The five analytes were extracted by using a modified QuEChERS procedure, while the active ingredients were determined in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) ion-switching mode. The proposed method showed calibration curve linearity with r2 ≥ 0.990 for all active ingredients (a.is.) both in solvent and matrix extracts. Limits of quantitation (LOQ) of the five compounds ranged from 9.44 µg/kg for M17R in olive extract to 11.01 µg/kg for clethodim in apple extract. Recoveries values ranged from 86% to 119% at two concentration levels (LOQ and 10xLOQ), while the intraday and interday precisions of the method were both below 10% in all cases. The method was successfully used for the quantification of the five a.is. in different food matrices. Furthermore, chronic dietary risk was investigated using a hazard quotients (HQ) method based on European dietary habits. The chronic dietary exposure risk quotients ranged from 1.0 × 10-5 (lower bound scenario) to 2.7 × 10-4 (upper bound scenario) which were significantly lower than 1. Data obtained indicate that the dietary exposure risks were acceptable for clethodim and its major and minor metabolites applied in apple, table grape, rice and table olive.

Source, transportation, bioaccumulation, distribution and food risk assessment of perfluorinated alkyl substances in vegetables: A review.

Contamination of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in agricultural products have attracted more and more attentions recently. In this review, relationship between PFASs and vegetables is summarized comprehensively. PFASs could transfer to cultivation soils by irrigation water, bio-amended soil, and atmospheric deposition mainly from industrial emissions. Carbon chain length of PFASs, species of vegetables and so on are key factors for PFASs migration and bioaccumulation in soils, plants and vegetables. Studies on food risk assessment of PFOA and PFOS show low consumption risk for most vegetables, however researches on other substances are lacking. In the future, we need to pay more attention on novel pollution pathway in cultivation, traceability research for considerable contamination, dietary exposure levels for different vegetables and more substances, as well as more exact and scientific food risk assessments. Additionally, effective means for PFASs adsorption in soil and removal from soil are also expected.

Water footprint: applying the water footprint assessment method to Australian agriculture.

BACKGROUND: Water footprint assessment is essential for the evaluation of water scarcity that considers both direct and indirect water consumption along the supply chain. This paper presents the estimation of water footprint for locally grown fruits and vegetables in Australia. Water footprint was calculated based on the framework developed in the Water Footprint Assessment Manual for the crops which are the most practicable to grow in Australia. Nine different crops (apples, grapes, tomatoes, oranges, peaches/nectarines, cherries, potatoes, carrots/turnips and almonds) in the agricultural industry were selected and identified as the most water-consumptive crop and least water-consumptive crop. For each type of crop, the three main water footprint components (blue, green, and grey water) were calculated. RESULTS: It was found that almond had the highest water footprint (6671.96 m3  ton-1 ) and tomato had the lowest water footprint (212.24 m3  ton-1 ) in Australia. From the global comparison, it is revealed that total water footprint for Australian crops is much higher than the corresponding international average values, except for tomatoes, potatoes and almonds. Also, almonds had the highest water footprint among the nine crops investigated. CONCLUSION: The study provides an insight into future sustainable cropping patterns in Australia, which suggest that tomatoes, carrots/turnips, potatoes and apples should continue to be grown in Australia, whereas stone fruit (e.g., almonds) should no longer be grown because of its high water footprint. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Probabilistic risk assessment of nitrates for Austrian adults and estimation of the magnitude of their conversion into nitrites.

Nitrates occur in food naturally, as contaminants or additives. The health implications attributed to ingested nitrates result primarily from their conversion into nitrites and subsequent methemoglobinemia, carcinogenicity induced by N-nitroso-compounds and cardiovascular, endocrine, metabolic, reproductive and developmental effects. The present study comprises a probabilistic tiered risk assessment of nitrates for Austrian adults through the diet with the application of the Monte Carlo simulation method in alternative optimistic and pessimistic scenarios. Risk estimates are of concern regarding the upper exposures, which exceed the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) in almost all scenarios and population groups. Exposure is elevated when all dietary sources are considered and the ADI is exceeded by already the mean intake for vegetarians. Leafy vegetables are major contributors to the intake. Contribution of cured meat is very low. Estimates of the conversion of nitrates into nitrites were used to assess the combined exposure to both species. When the average intake of nitrates and nitrites is considered, the mean exposure to nitrites is lower or close to the ADI for individuals with average conversion capacity. However, upper tail combined intake can lead to a multifold exceedance of the ADI of nitrites for individuals with both high and average conversion capacity.

Quantifying risk factors associated with light-induced potato tuber greening in retail stores.

Light conditions in retail stores may contribute to potato greening. In this study, we aimed to develop a potato tuber greening risk rating model for retail stores based on light quality and intensity parameters. This was achieved by firstly exposing three potato varieties (Nicola, Maranca and Kennebec) to seven specific light wavelengths (370, 420, 450, 530, 630, 660 and 735 nm) to determine the tuber greening propensity. Detailed light quality and intensity measurements from 25 retail stores were then combined with the greening propensity data to develop a tuber greening risk rating model. Our study showed that maximum greening occurred under blue light (450 nm), while 53%, 65% and 75% less occurred under green (530 nm), red (660 nm) and orange (630 nm) light, respectively. Greening risk, which varied between stores, was found to be related to light intensity level, and partially explained potato stock loss in stores. Our results from this study suggested that other in-store management practices, including lighting duration, average potato turnover, and light protection during non-retail periods, likely influence tuber greening risk.

Incorporating Exogenous and Endogenous Exposures into Dietary Risk Assessment of Nitrates and Nitrites in Vegetables: A Probabilistic Integrated Toxicokinetic Modeling Approach.

This study aimed to estimate the dietary risk of nitrates and nitrites in vegetables based on internal dose in a probabilistic manner by integrating exogenous exposure based on measured concentrations in vegetables with endogenous exposure using a toxicokinetic (TK) model. We optimized and validated a previous TK model and incorporated Monte Carlo simulations to account for variability across different age populations for predicting internal dose. High levels of nitrates were detected in leafy vegetables (from 545 ± 274 to 1641 ± 873 mg/kg). Nitrite contents of vegetables were generally low (from 1.26 ± 1.40 to 8.20 ± 14.1 mg/kg). The dietary risk was found to be different based on internal versus external dose, suggesting that it is critical to include endogenous nitrite formation into risk assessment. Nitrate and nitrite exposure from vegetables is unlikely to result in appreciable risks for most populations but may be a potential risk for preschoolers.

Differences in cadmium absorption by 71 leaf vegetable varieties from different families and genera and their health risk assessment.

Leaf vegetables have strong capabilities to take up cadmium (Cd) compared to other vegetable varieties. Until now, the differences in Cd uptake and accumulation by leaf vegetables from different families and genera and the related health risks were unknown. To remedy this, we studied 71 leaf vegetables (multiple genotypes within 17 categories of vegetables) in soil cultivation experiments (3 Cd treatment levels). Results showed that at 2.12 mg kg-1 Cd treatment, the dry weight of only five genotypic varieties from the families Brassicaceae and Asteraceae significantly decreased compared to the control, suggesting their weak Cd tolerances. Vegetables from the Brassicaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, and Convolvulaceae families had stronger Cd absorption capabilities, whereas those from the Liliaceae and Amaranthaceae families had weaker ones. Cluster analysis found that the 17 vegetable categories could be divided into three groups: vegetables with high Cd accumulation capabilities were Lactuca sativa L.var. ramosa Hort. and Lactuca sativa var. longifoliaf. Lam. Vegetables with moderate Cd accumulation capabilities were bok choy, napa cabbage, choy sum, leaf mustard, Lactuca sativa L., Sonchus oleraceus L., celery, coriander, and water spinach. Vegetables with low Cd accumulation capabilities were cabbage, crown daisy, garlic chive, Allium ascalonicum, Gynura cusimbua, and edible amaranth. Estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) analysis results showed that 100% genotypes of vegetables from the Apiaceae and Convolvulaceae families had health risks; 100% genotypes of Lactuca sativa L., Sonchus oleraceus L., Lactuca sativa L. var. ramosa Hort., and Lactuca sativa var. longifoliaf. Lam from the Asteraceae family carried high risks. Of vegetables in the Brassicaceae family, 42.9% showed risks. Vegetables from the Amaranthaceae and Liliaceae families, Gynura cusimbua and crown daisy from the Asteraceae family, and cabbage from the Brassicaceae family all displayed relatively low risks (all 100%).

Assessment of radionuclide transfer factors and transfer coefficients near phosphate industrial areas of South Tunisia.

The activity concentrations of naturally occurring and anthropogenic radionuclides in agriculture soils as well as in several food products at four locations within the phosphate area of South Tunisia were investigated. Soil-to-plant transfer factors as well as feed-to-animal products transfer coefficients were determined for the first time for the region. Activity concentrations of 40K, 210Pb, 226Ra, 228Ra and 137Cs in soils of agriculture fields were lower than worldwide average values. The soil-to-plant transfer factors (TFs) for 40K in leafy vegetables were higher than those in fruit vegetables. Soil-to-grass transfer factor (Fv) values were in the following order: 40K > 210Pb > 226Ra. The grass-to-milk transfer coefficient (Fm) values for 40K and 210Pb ranged between 2 × 10-3 and 4 × 10-3(day L-1). The concentration ratios for the animal products (CRmilk-feed, CRmeat-feed and CRegg-feed) varied in the ranges of 2 × 10-2-4 × 10-2 L kg-1, 1 × 10-2-2 × 10-1 (L kg-1) and 5 × 10-2-1 (L kg-1)for 40K, 210Pb and 226Ra, respectively. Transfer parameters determined in the present study were compared with those reported in International Atomic Energy Agency reports and other published values. The absorbed gamma dose rate in air and the external hazard index associated with these natural radionuclides were computed to assess the radiation hazard of radioactivity in this region, and the results indicated that these areas are within set safety limits.

Analysis of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption by Children in School Canteens Depending on Selected Sociodemographic Factors.

Background and Objectives: Eating habits acquired or changed during childhood are likely to track into adulthood. Due to the fact that nutritional behaviours are not so strongly formed among children, it is easier to change and develop them in children than in adults. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of selected sociodemographic factors affecting fruit and vegetable consumption (i.e., age, parents' body mass index, parents' level education, duration of breastfeeding, child's time spent in front of computer/television) among children in school canteens. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 106 participants (52 girls, 54 boys) aged 6-12. The frequency of consuming fruits and vegetables at a school canteen was assessed using bar code cards for two weeks. Body composition estimates were obtained using a foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis, body height was measured using a stadiometer Seca 213. The questionnaire contained questions about selected factors which can have an influence on fruit and vegetable consumption. In the study group, 13.2% of participants were overweight and 17.9% were obese. Results: Our results showed a statistically significant relationship between age and fruit and vegetable consumption, and it increased with age in both sexes. Conclusions: Bearing in mind the various conditions discussed when shaping the eating habits of pre-school- and early-school-aged children, the importance of proper nutritional education should be stressed both among children and parents.

Sand as a solid support in ultrasound-assisted MSPD: A simple, green and low-cost method for multiresidue pesticide determination in fruits and vegetables.

Sand was studied as a solid support in ultrasound-assisted matrix solid-phase dispersion (UA-MSPD) for the extraction of different pesticide classes, including organophosphates, carbamates, triazoles and pyrethroids from fruits and vegetables, with determination by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS. The performance of sand was compared with that of different types of classic solid supports and alternative natural materials from renewable sources. The best results were obtained using 0.5 g sample, 1 g sand as a solid support, 20 mg activated charcoal and 5 mL ethyl acetate as elution solvent. Recoveries ranged from 55 to 140% with an RSD ≤ 20%. LOQs varied from 0.005 to 0.5 mg kg-1 for all analytes. Thiamethoxam, captan, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate and pyrimethanil were found in strawberry samples at concentrations from 0.01 to 0.06 mg kg-1. Acephate and tebuconazole were found in a tomato sample at concentrations of 0.45 and 0.30 mg kg-1, respectively. The method developed was efficient, simple, cheap, robust, and environmentally friendly.

Mycotoxin and cyanogenic glycoside assessment of the traditional leafy vegetables mutete and omboga from Namibia.

Sixty traditional leafy vegetables, comprising of mutete (Hibiscus sabdariffa) (n = 20) and omboga (Cleome gynandra) (n = 40) were analysed for fungal, plant and bacterial metabolites using liquid-chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. No European Union legislated mycotoxins were quantified and no vegetables contained levels above the FAO/WHO limit of 10 mg/kg for cyanogenic potential, suggesting comparative safety regarding regulated mycotoxins and cyanogenic glycosides. Quantified fungal metabolites included averufin and 3-Nitropropionic acid from Aspergillus flavus, beauvericin and equisetin from Fusarium, citrinin and curvularin from Penicillium and altertoxin -1 and tentoxin from Alternaria. Of the plant cyanogenic glycosides, linamarin was quantifiable in 65% of mutete at a maximum of 398 µg/kg but not in omboga, while lotaustralin was quantifiable in both omboga and mutete. The bacterial metabolite nonactin was detected in 27.5% of omboga samples (range: 0.2-7.3 µg/kg). Minimal variation in metabolite patterns was recorded for omboga samples from Oshana and Oshikoto regions.

Remediated marine sediment as growing medium for lettuce production: assessment of agronomic performance and food safety in a pilot experiment.

BACKGROUND: The use of reclaimed dredged sediments as growing media may offer a profitable alternative to their disposal as a waste and at the same time meets the need of peat-substitute substrates in horticulture. When sediments are reused to cultivate food crops, issues related to human health rise due to potential accumulation of contaminants in the product. This pilot study aimed at verifying the suitability of a reclaimed dredged port sediment, used pure or mixed with peat, as a growing medium for lettuce cultivation. RESULTS: The pure sediment caused a reduction in crop yield, probably due to its unsuitable physical properties, whereas the mixture sediment-peat and pure peat resulted in the same yield. Although the sediment contained potentially phytotoxic heavy metals and some organic pollutants, no symptoms of plant toxicity were noted. Besides, no organic contaminants were detected in lettuce heads, and heavy metals amounts were not hazardous for consumers. Conversely, plants grown in the sediment were particularly rich in minerals like Ca, Mg and Fe, and showed higher concentrations of organic acids and antioxidants. CONCLUSION: The use of the sediment as a growing medium for lettuce was shown to be safe for both inorganic and organic contaminants. Nevertheless, considering crop yield results, the mixture of the sediment with other materials is recommended in order to produce a substrate with more suitable physicochemical properties for vegetable cultivation. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Application of catastrophe theory in comprehensive ecological security assessment of plastic greenhouse soil contaminated by phthalate esters.

Large amount of phthalate esters (PAEs) used as plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products has caused ubiquitous contamination to the environment and potential ecology security risk all around the world, especially in places plastic films were indispensably utilized due to the widely proposing of facility agriculture in China. A case of PAEs contamination in four suburb areas of Nanjing was analyzed and discussed in this study. A new frame work has been put forward based on multi-criteria evaluation model and mathematical method of catastrophe theory, using farming work, laboratory determination and relevant environmental standards to measure the ecology security risk of PAEs in study areas. The factors were selected based on the availability of the data and the local conditions. The assessment model involves the contamination status of PAEs in soil and vegetables, the contamination effects of PAEs to human and soil organisms and the contamination source of PAEs from plastic films and other products in the four study facility agriculture areas. An evaluation system of the model was composed of thirteen mesosphere indicators and twenty-five underlying indicators including total PAEs concentration in soils, single PAE concentration in soils, total PAEs concentrations in roots, leafy, solanaceous and stem vegetables, PAE human risks, soil microbial counts, microorganism diversity indices, atmospheric deposition of PAEs, whether sewage wastewater irrigation, planting mode of the facility agriculture areas and climate condition of study areas. The modified evaluation system was used in the assessment of ecology security of the same place based on the data of 2012, and the results suggested that the ecology security indicators were reliable and were agree well with the practical situation of the study areas. The results could provide guidance for the application of health risk assessment of soil environment for the strong objectivity of catastrophe theory compared with other evaluation methods.

Metal contents and potential health risk assessment of crops grown in a former mining district (Romania).

The Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contents in home-grown crops in a former mining district were determined in order to evaluate the non-carcinogenic long-term potential health risk related to crop consumption. The potential health risk was investigated by estimating the daily intake and the hazard quotients. For all crop categories, the daily intake and the target hazard quotient were below the threshold values for Cd, Cu, and Zn. The daily intake of Pb exceeded the oral reference dose, while the target hazard quotient for vegetables was above 1, indicating a potential health risk. The total target hazard quotient for the individual metals decreased in the following order: Pb>Cd>Cu>Zn. This study confirmed that the daily consumption of crops grown in contaminated soils could pose health risks to humans.

Metal accumulation in Raphanus sativus and Brassica rapa: an assessment of potential health risk for inhabitants in Punjab, Pakistan.

Pakistan is an agricultural country and due to the shortage of clean water, most of the irrigated area (32,500 ha) of Pakistan was supplied with wastewater (0.876 × 109 m3/year). Concentrations of heavy metals in radish (Raphanus sativus) and turnip (Brassica rapa) taken from vegetable fields in Sargodha, Pakistan, were measured. Untreated wastewater was used persistently for a long time to irrigate these vegetable fields. A control site was selected that had a history of fresh groundwater irrigation. Mean metal concentrations were found for irrigation water, soil, and vegetables. In irrigation water, concentrations of Mo and Pb at three sites and Se at sites II and III were higher than the recommended limits. In vegetables, concentrations of Mo and Pb were above the maximum permissible limits. High bioconcentration factor was observed for Zn (12.61 in R. sativus and 11.72 in B. rapa) at site I and high pollution load index was found for Pb (3.89 in R. sativus and 3.87 in B. rapa) at site II. The differences in metal concentrations found in samples depended upon different soil nature and assimilation capacities of vegetables at different sites which in turn depended upon different environmental cues. The entrance of metal and metalloids to human body may happen through different pathways; however, the food chain is the chief route through which metals are transferred from vegetables to individuals. Health risk index observed for metals, (Mo, As, Ni, Cu, and Pb) higher than 1 indicated high risk through consumption of these vegetables at three sites.