Influence of groundwater and wastewater irrigation on lead accumulation in soil and vegetables: Implications for health risk assessment and phytoremediation

The current study evaluated the effect of groundwater and wastewater irrigation on lead (Pb) accumulation in soil and vegetables, and its associated health implications. A pot experiment was conducted in which spinach (Spinacia oleracea), radish (Raphanus sativus), and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) were irrigated with groundwater and wastewaters containing varying concentrations of Pb. Lead contents were measured in wastewaters, soils and root and shoot of vegetables. We also measured health risk index (HRI) associated with the use of vegetables irrigated by wastewaters. Results revealed that Pb contents in groundwater and wastewater samples (range: 0.18–0.31 mg/L) were below the permissible limits (0.5 mg/L) set by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Application of Pb-containing groundwater and wastewater increased Pb concentration in soil and vegetables. Lead concentrations in all soils ranged from 10 to 31 mg/kg and were below the permissible limits of 300 mg/kg set by the European Union. Significant Pb enrichment was observed in the soils whereby all types of vegetables were grown and assessed for Pb risk. Our data showed that Pb contents, in all three vegetables (21–28 mg/kg DW), were higher than the permissible Pb limit of FAO (5 mg/kg Dry Weight (DW)). The HRI values were > 1.0 for radish and cauliflower. It is proposed that Vehari city wastewater/groundwater must be treated prior to its use for irrigation to avoid vegetable contamination by Pb, and as such for reducing Pb-induced human health risk.     

Health risk assessment via consumption of Pb and Cd contaminated vegetables collected from fresh markets in the lower north of Thailand

This study aimed to investigate the Pb and Cd contamination and health risk assessment for population via consumption of vegetables sold in fresh markets around the lower north of Thailand. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in various vegetables such as root/tuber, stem, inflorescence, fruit, and leaf vegetables were analyzed using an atomic absorption spec-trophotometer. Human health risks of these metals in vegetables were assessed based on target hazard quotient (THQ). The results indicated that more than 80% of the Pb and Cd in almost all vegetable samples exceeded the maximum allowable concentration by National Food Institute criteria with an average range of 0.96–3.39 and 0.48–1.40 mg/kg, respectively. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) of Pb and Cd via dietary consumption of vegetables were between 0.001–0.010 and 0.002–0.008 mg/kg/d, respectively. All EDIs of Pb contaminated vegetables were higher than the reference dose recommended by the USEPA except for leaf edible vegetables, while all EDIs of Cd contaminated vegetables were higher than the reference dose recommended by the USEPA. THQ indicated that the consumption of Pb contaminated root/tuber, stem, inflorescence, and fruit edible vegetables and Cd contaminated leaf vegetable for the local population in the lower north of Thailand could be a severe health risk problem.     

Evaluation of organic,conventional and intensive beef farm systems: health,management and animal production

The overall aim of the present study was to analyse and compare organic beef cattle farming in Spain with intensive and conventional systems. An on-farm study comparing farm management practices and animal health was carried out. The study also focussed on a slaughterhouse analysis by comparing impacts on the safety and quality of the cattle products. Twenty-four organic and 26 conventional farms were inspected, and farmers responded to a questionnaire that covered all basic data on their husbandry practices, farm management, veterinary treatments and reproductive performance during 2007. Furthermore, data on the hygiene and quality of 244, 2596 and 3021 carcasses of calves from organic, intensive and conventional farms, respectively, were retrieved from the official yearbook (2007) of a slaughterhouse. Differences found between organic and conventional farms across the farm analysis did not substantially reflect differences between both farm types in the predominant diseases that usually occur on beef cattle farms. However, calves reared organically presented fewer condemnations at slaughter compared with intensive and to a lesser extent with conventionally reared calves. Carcass performance also reflected differences between farm type and breed and was not necessarily better in organic farms.     

东北有机及常规大豆对环境影响的生命周期评价

选择我国主要有机出口农产品之一——大豆作为研究对象,采用生命周期评价、DNDC模型、实地调研等方法建立大豆生命周期资源消耗和环境排放清单,分析比较了出口型有机大豆、国内消费型有机大豆以及国内消费型常规大豆的生命周期环境影响.结果表明:3种不同生产消费型大豆生命周期中资源消耗、酸化以及全球变暖对综合环境影响贡献最明显,基本上占到综合环境影响评价的30％左右,而富营养化和生态毒性的贡献率较低,小于10％.从生命周期的不同阶段分析,3种消费模式的大豆其运输阶段对于各分类环境影响的贡献率最大,都在50％以上,对资源消耗的贡献率更是在80％以上.从2种不同的生产模式看无论是全球变暖、酸化、资源消耗还是生态毒性都是有机大豆的环境影响综合指数小于常规大豆,对环境产生的负面影响较小.综合比较3种不同生产消费型大豆,国内消费的有机大豆生命周期综合环境影响最小,其环境影响综合指数比常规大豆的减少31％.但是出口有机大豆由于出口使运输距离延长,其生命周期综合环境影响最大.因此,环境管理关键是提倡有机产品本地消费以缩短运输距离,或者采用环保型能源以减少环境排放.     

Distribution of heavy metals in soils and vegetables and health risk assessment in the vicinity of three contaminated sites in Guangdong Province,China

Due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, human activities like industrial and agricultural production, transportation, aggravate heavy metal pollution in soil and continue to endanger vegetables and human health. In this study, three contaminated areas affected by heavy metal pollution in Guangdong Province were investigated in terms of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd concentrations in soil and vegetables. Further analyses of the contamination status and potential risks to the health of residents consuming these vegetables were conducted. Results showed the following average heavy metal concentrations in vegetables and soil: Shaoguan > Guangzhou > Dongguan, indicating that mining has caused massive soil-heavy metal pollution. The heavy metal concentrations and Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) showed the following trend: leaf-vegetables > fruit-vegetables > root-vegetables, and those of vegetable type were as follows: Cd > Zn > Cu > Pb. The Nemero pollution index (PI) of all research region soils and hazard index (HI) exceeded 1. Hence, more attention should be paid to the potential for adverse health effects caused by the consumption of vegetables produced in these sites . Thus, effective measures are encouraged, with a focus on children due to their vulnerability to these heavy metals.     

湘南某矿区蔬菜中Pb、Cd污染状况及健康风险评估

通过采集湘南某矿区周边农田中种植的蔬菜和对应耕作层土壤样品,探究了农田蔬菜Pb、Cd的污染状况,蔬菜和土壤重金属含量之间的相关性,蔬菜中重金属对人体的健康风险。结果表明:(1)污染区土壤重金属污染非常严重,叶菜类蔬菜重金属超出了食品卫生标准限值,但是果菜类蔬菜中重金属没有超出食品卫生标准限值。(2)不同蔬菜不同器官所含Pb、Cd有明显差异;不同种类蔬菜Pb、Cd含量不同,一般是叶菜类果菜类;同种蔬菜不同部位重金属含量的顺序也不同,一般为根茎叶果,或根叶茎果。(3)二类蔬菜中重金属Pb、Cd的富集系数顺序为叶菜类果菜类。(4)蔬菜中Pb、Cd含量与土壤中相对应元素含量均无显著相关性。(5)就农产品安全性而言,果菜类蔬菜比叶菜类蔬菜更适合在此矿区栽培。     

Health risk assessment from dermal exposure to pesticide residues on vegetables among greengrocers in fresh market,Bangkok, Thailand

Pesticide residues (PRs) in market vegetables have been reported regularly. Greengrocers may be exposed to several sorts of PRs on vegetables through hand contact. Health risk assessment from occupational exposure to PRs on vegetables is particularly concerning. This study was conducted among 91 vegetable vendors at a large fresh market in Bangkok. Hand wipe samples were collected in the dry season to extract and analyze PRs including organophosphates (OPs), pyrethroids (PYs), and carbamates (CAs) by gas chromatography (GC-FPD/GC-μECD) and liquid chromatography (LC–MS). The results showed that all wipe samples contained OPs, PYs, and CAs, mainly chlorpyrifos (0.01–0.14 µg/hands) and cypermethrin (0.42–11.64 µg/hands). The frequently detected PRs were aldicarb (87.2%), carbofuran (69.2%), permethrin (63.7%), and profenofos (60.0%). At 99th percentile values of PR exposure, average daily dose was 2.42 × 10^?5 mg/kg/d and hazard index did not exceed the acceptable level (0.287). Glove wearing, hand washing, and work-related factors were significantly associated with PRs on hands after adjusted for gender (p-value < 0.05). Greengrocers may therefore not be at risk from PRs on vegetables and exposure via hands during their work. However, these findings suggest that proper personal hygiene practices among greengrocers should be considered to prevent them from PR exposure and potential health risks.     

Health risk assessment of volatile organic compounds in urban areas

The atmosphere is the first medium containing hazardous compounds entering the living environment. Metropolitan areas contain many industrial complex areas with high emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and consequently also large-scale exposure groups. As respiration is the most important part of the human exposure pathway, the atmosphere should be treated with greater importance than other media. It is therefore very important to monitor the emission of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and measure the concentration of VOCs in the atmosphere of such areas. It is essential to establish basic measures in order to protect public health as part of overall national safety management. This study utilized the national air pollution monitoring network data from Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi, and investigated the differences in risk levels for humans considering various factors of the receptors, including gender and age. A total of 13 VOCs were categorized into carcinogens and noncarcinogens for risk assessment. The carcinogens 1,3-butadiene and benzene demonstrated a high level of cancer risk, ranging between 10^?4 and 10^?6, respectively. Noncarcinogens did not exceed Hazard Quotient (HQ) 1 in any area. The results will serve as important references for managing urban air environments and setting air quality standards.     

Potential health risk of heavy metals via consumption of rice and vegetables grown in the industrial areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

Heavy metals are toxic in nature, and their contamination in foodstuff is a matter of concern for human health. The present study was conducted to assess the concentrations of chromium, nickel, copper, arsenic, cadmium, and lead in rice and vegetables and their possible human health risks in Tangail district, Bangladesh. Metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion system. The average values of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb in rice and vegetables were 16.26, 16.11, 13.99, 2.28, 1.86, and 7.93?mg/kg, respectively. The average metal concentration in rice and vegetable species was in the decreasing order of okra?>?chili?>?bitter gourd?>?papaya?>?brinjal?>?bean?>?bottle gourd?>?rice?>?cucumber?>?sponge gourd?>?Indian spinach. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of all the metals except Cu were higher than the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The target hazard quotients (THQs) values of Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb exceeded the threshold value of 1 through consumption of rice and vegetables, indicating significant health risks to both adult and children. The target carcinogenic risk (TR) of As and Pb through consumption of rice and vegetables was higher than the USEPA threshold level (10^?4). From the health point of view, this study clearly revealed that consumption of these contaminated rice and vegetables definitely poses carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks.     

Soil microarthropods respond differently to simulated drought in organic and conventional farming systems

In Central Europe, summer droughts are increasing in frequency which threatens production and biodiversity in agroecosystems. The potential of different farming systems to mitigate detrimental drought effects on soil animals is largely unknown. We investigated the effects of simulated drought on the abundance and community composition of soil microarthropods (Collembola and Oribatida and Meso‐, Pro‐, and Astigmata) in winter wheat fields under long‐term conventional and organic farming in the DOK trial, Switzerland. We simulated drought by excluding 65% of the ambient precipitation during the wheat‐growing season from March to June 2017. The abundance of Collembola and Oribatida declined more consistently in conventionally managed fields compared to organically managed fields under simulated drought. The abundance of Collembola as well as Meso‐, Pro‐ and Astigmata, but not the abundance of Oribatida, increased in deeper soil layers due to simulated drought, suggesting vertical migration as a drought avoidance strategy. The species composition of Oribatida communities, but not of Collembola communities, differed significantly between drought treatments and between farming systems. Soil carbon content was a major factor structuring Oribatida communities. Our results suggest that organic farming buffers negative effects of drought on soil microarthropods, presumably due to higher soil carbon content and associated higher soil moisture and improved soil structure. This potential of organic farming systems to mitigate consequences of future droughts on soil biodiversity is promising and needs further exploration across larger climatic and spatial scales and should be extended to other groups of soil biota.     

Seasonal variations of mercury levels and human health risk in vegetables from Arid Oasis (Shihezi city), Xinjiang,Northwest China

The purpose of this study was to investigate the seasonal variations of mercury levels and human health risk in vegetables that were collected from farmland, home garden, and plastic greenhouse in summer and winter 2016 in Arid Oasis (Shihezi city), Xinjiang, Northwest China. The results showed that the levels of mercury in fresh vegetables were lower in winter (0.003–0.025 mg·kg^?1) than in summer (0.001–0.035 mg·kg^?1). Single factor pollution (P) in vegetables indicated that all vegetables were polluted in diverse levels. The exceeding rate in different vegetables was 0.00% to 88.89% in summer and 0.00% to 100% in winter compared with limits of pollutants in vegetables. The value of bio-concentration factor (BCF) revealed that the mercury absorption capacity of 10 species vegetables decreased in the following order: pea seedling > spinage > caraway > lettuces > pakchoi > celery > crowndaisy chrysanthemum > chives > spinach > shallot. The daily intake (DI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) of mercury for children (2–12 years), young adults (18–45 years), and quinquagenarian (>45 years) indicated that non-carcinogenic values were below the threshold values except one sampling sit from farmland around the industrial parks. Furthermore, the THQ of open field in summer was higher than plastic greenhouse in winter. Under the same pollution level, children had more non-carcinogenic risk than young adults and quinquagenarian.     

Emission sources and probabilistic health risk of volatile organic compounds emitted from production areas in a petrochemical refinery in Hainan,China

Abstract

The emission sources and health risks of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analyzed and evaluated in a typical petrochemical refinery in Hainan, China. The sources and levels of 9 VOCs in five production areas were identified and qualified, and the probabilistic risk assessment method was employed to obtain more reasonable and scientific outcomes specifically realized by inhalation risk model and Monte Carlo simulation. Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis were also conducted to determine the influential factors in the risk evaluation process. The results indicated that for the refinery benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene were the primary pollutants in these production areas, where the aromatic hydrocarbon extraction device (AHED) and xylene fractionation device areas are main contributors. In terms of non-carcinogenic risk, the largest hazard index existed in AHED area. The non-carcinogenic risk values for all production areas were not more than 1. The risk value of substances such as benzene still exceed the carcinogenic risk value of 10^?6, indicating these substances existed potential carcinogenic risk to workers. Meanwhile, the findings can help to accumulate basic data for VOCs research in different installations of refineries, and provide evidence for VOCs pollution prevention and control.     

Toxicological evaluation of multi-class pesticide residues in vegetables and associated human health risk study for adults and children

This article describes, for the first time in 10 years, the toxicological evaluation of pesticide residues in highly consumed vegetables (35 commodities) and health risk studies. Among 1075 vegetable samples consisting mainly of tuber, root, fruiting, and Brassica, 20% of samples contained 38 pesticides in the range of 0.005–18.7 mg/kg and 1% > maximum residue limits (MRLs). Organophosphates and chloronitrile were most frequently found (20%) in the pesticide class. The highest concentration of 18.7 mg/kg was noted for dichlofluanid. Fruiting vegetables (8%), especially tomatoes (5%), were the most contaminated, while multi-residues were determined in 5% of the samples. Risk assessment was performed by analytical results and consumption on the 97.5 percentile expressed as hazard index (HI) and hazard quotient (HQ). The highest chronic HI was calculated for diazinon in lettuce (32% Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) adults and 36% children) and for forbidden dieldrin in carrots (26%, 62% ADI). The highest acute HI was estimated for dichlofluanid in lettuce (69% Acute Reference Dose (ARfD)) for adults, whereas for children it was above the acceptance values of ARfD (168%). Organophosphate insecticides with common mode of action showed the greatest HQ (108% ADI). Vegetables may not be a serious problem for consumers, but investigations on pesticide residues are necessary to ensure food safety and the protection of human health, especially toward children who are more highly exposed to pesticides than adults.     

进境台湾果蔬主要病虫风险评估与早期监测预警

[目的] 定量评估进境台湾果蔬主要病虫在大陆的入侵风险,为早期监测预警提供依据。[方法] 首先,基于外来物种传入、定殖、扩散和危害的一般过程,构建了包括4个层次26个指标的进境台湾果蔬有害生物入侵综合风险评估指标体系,规范了风险指数的计算方法,评估了14种病虫随台湾果蔬入侵的综合风险;其次,利用气候生态位模型预测了它们在我国的适生区;最后,融合进境台湾果蔬到达港口、物流中转站、集散地和主要病虫的适生区的空间分布,通过空间叠加分析划定了它们在我国传入并定殖的风险区及其空间异质性。[结果] 14种被评估病虫在我国的综合风险值均大于0.7,属高风险等级。14种病虫在我国都存在广阔的适生区,但不同物种适生区的面积和空间分布存在差异。福建、广东、海南等东部和南部沿海地区是它们适生区的高度重叠区,超过95%的台湾果蔬到达港口、物流中转和集散地的集中分布区,潜在的入侵风险极高。[结论] 进境台湾果蔬贸易能够促进或加剧外来有害生物的入侵。研究进一步证实了台湾已经并将继续成为大陆外来有害生物入侵的踏板。建议进一步加强海关检疫、开展和完善监测预警等措施预防和控制有害生物入侵,为农业生物安全提供保障。     

Finding fault with health risk assessment: A typology for risk assessment criticism

Although systematic, quantitative assessment of environmental health risks is a staple of regulatory decision-making, complaints regarding its perceived failures and shortcomings are an intrinsic feature of the policy landscape. In this article, we (a) catalog the classic criticisms of conventional health risk assessment, (b) create a typology that orders the critiques according to their focus on either input errors or output biases, and (c) identify selected allegations that fall within each category. We also note that the risk assessment–risk management paradigm has evolved over the past several decades, partially in accordance with the general direction and spirit of these classic critiques. The debate continues today along familiar lines invoking the traditional critiques and rebuttals outlined here.     

Organic N and particulate organic matter fractions in organic and conventional farming systems with a history of manure application

Indicators of soil fertility are needed for the effective management of organic farming systems. Sustainable management hinges upon our gaining an improved understanding of C and N dynamics. The influence of cropping systems and amendments applied in the Lakeland Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial on total hydrolyzable organic N (THN) fractions and particulate organic matter (POM) was investigated after a decade in a conventional cash grain system (Conv) of continuous maize amended with inorganic fertilizer, an organic cash-grain system (Org-CG) that relied on legume N, and an organic animal-based system (Org-AN) that included alfalfa and manure additions. Maize yields had consistently ranked Org-CG < Conv < Org-AN. The THN and amino acid-N (AA-N) contents were ranked Org-AN > Org-CG > Conv. Amino sugar-N (AS-N) contents, which reflect microbially derived N, did not differ among systems and concentrations were quite high (346.5 mg AS-N/kg soil in the 0–50 cm depth). This, and soil variability were attributed to the sites’ history of manure application. The amount (1.3 g POM-C/kg soil) and proportion (≈7.5% of total SOC) of POM-C were quite low and did not differ among systems. Failure to accumulate SOC or POM in these soils, even under organic management, is attributed to rapid C decay and/or limited root growth. An N rate study was added the fall before samples were taken and N addition did increase yield in the Conv and Org-CG systems despite evidence of soil N surplus. This suggests that either amino N is unavailable to plants or that root N acquisition is limited by other constraints. Low POM-C contents accompanied by high AS-N and AA-N levels reveal an imbalance in these soils which are likely to be C limited. Based on this, we conclude excess N has prevented use of organic practices from enhancing soil quality at this site.     

Response of soil microbial biomass and community structures to conventional and organic farming systems under identical crop rotations

In this study the influence of different farming systems on microbial community structure was analyzed using soil samples from the DOK long-term field experiment in Switzerland, which comprises organic (BIODYN and BIOORG) and conventional (CONFYM and CONMIN) farming systems as well as an unfertilized control (NOFERT). We examined microbial communities in winter wheat plots at two different points in the crop rotation (after potatoes and after maize). Employing extended polar lipid analysis up to 244 different phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) and phospholipid ether lipids (PLEL) were detected. Higher concentrations of PLFA and PLEL in BIODYN and BIOORG indicated a significant influence of organic agriculture on microbial biomass. Farmyard manure (FYM) application consistently revealed the strongest, and the preceding crop the weakest, influence on domain-specific biomass, diversity indices and microbial community structures. Esterlinked PLFA from slowly growing bacteria (k-strategists) showed the strongest responses to long-term organic fertilization. Although the highest fungal biomass was found in the two organic systems of the DOK field trial, their contribution to the differentiation of community structures according to the management regime was relatively low. Prokaryotic communities responded most strongly to either conventional or organic farming management.     

Selection on plant traits in hedgerow ground vegetation: The effect of time since conversion from conventional to organic farming

This paper aims at characterizing the response of hedgerow ground flora to conversion of the surrounding fields from conventional farming to an organic farming practice. The effect of time since conversion from conventional to organic farming on the neighbouring hedgerow vegetation was examined by measuring selection on plant species and plant traits in the ground flora of 57 hedgerows adjacent to agricultural fields subject to organic or conventional management. Species richness increased significantly with time since conversion to organic farming until a maximum was reached. There were significant changes in community weighted average trait value in seven out of fifteen plant traits, and in functional diversity in two out of three groups of traits. In contrast to hypotheses, transition to organic farming generally selected for plant species that are less adapted to competing for light, whereas there were no effects on life form and lifespan. When all plant traits were analyzed together in a regression tree analysis, 31% of the variance was explained by five plant traits in the pruned tree, indicating that factors other than farming practice have a large influence on hedgerow ground flora.     

从事有机农业对农民福祉的影响

从事有机农业的农民福祉得到改善是有机农业发展的前提条件。采用Narayan等提出的福祉框架,回顾了有关有机农业行为和支持该行为的公共部门措施对农民福祉影响研究的文献,以厘清从事有机农业与农民福祉间的关系。研究表明,农民有机农业行为对其收入、健康、社会关系、安全和自由与选择等福祉要素产生影响。收入是农民福祉的首要构成要素,但农民有机农业行为究竟是增加还是降低其收入,需要考察具体情境中产量、成本和价格的综合作用,没有一致性结论。农民有机农业行为对其社会关系的影响具有双向性,但它对他们的健康、安全和选择机会的影响是积极的。公共部门通过财政支付、支持合作、建立与完善有机认证制度和采购绿色化等措施支持有机农业,有助于改善有机农民的福祉。其中,财政支付是最重要的支持措施。研究认为不同情境的农民有机农业行为对其福祉影响的综合评价、农民有机农业行为与其福祉间因果关系的检验和公共部门有机农业政策对有机农民福祉贡献的检验,是今后研究的重要选题。