Mean Concentrations Of Pb Research Articles

Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Fish, Water and Sediment of the New Calabar River

Aim: This study is aimed at determining the levels of some heavy metals in the water, sediment and fishes (Oreochromis niloticus, Periopthalmus koelreuteri, Micropogonias undulatus, Carassius auratus and Liza felcipinis) from new Calabar River located at Rumuolumeni Community in Obio/Akpor, Rivers State, Nigeria.
 Study Design: Fish, water and sediment samples were selected collected and analyzed for Pb, Cd, Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu and Zn.
 Methodology: The heavy metals concentration was determined by AAS. Health risk assessment of the samples was evaluated by Estimated daily intake (EDI), Toxic Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Carcinogenic Risk (CR).
 Results: P. koelreuteri had the highest mean concentration of Pb (3.82±0.11 mg/Kg); C. auratus samples had the highest mean concentration of Cd (3.82±0.06 mg/Kg); P. koelreuteri had the highest mean concentration of Fe and Cr (189.87±0.04 mg/Kg and 4.75±0.02 mg/Kg respectively); M. undulatus had the highest mean concentration of Cu (3.14±0.05 mg/Kg); O. niloticus had the highest mean concentration of Zn and Mn (38.48±0.02 mg/Kg and 17.25±0.02 mg/Kg respectively). Heavy metals concentration was significantly low (P=.05) when compared with the experimental groups. The sediment samples showed the following trends in concentration (mg/Kg): Fe>Mn>Zn>Cr>Cu>Pb>Cd. Water samples had very low levels of Pb, Cd, Cu and Cr (<0.001 mg/Kg) except Fe (8.68±0.01 mg/Kg), Zn (0.10±0.02 mg/Kg) and Mn 0.11±0.00 mg/Kg. Health risk assessment of the metals in the samples analyzed indicates that the EDI of all the metals were within permissible limits, THQ for all the metals analyzed (especially Pb and Cd) indicates a potential deleterious effect on humans who depend of these aquatic organisms for their protein sources while only Cr has CR values above permissible limits.
 Conclusion: Therefore the heavy metal levels of edible aquatic species within this area should be continuously monitored to ensure the safety of consumers of such organisms.

Risk Assessment and Source Identification of Toxic Metals in the Agricultural Soil around a Pb/Zn Mining and Smelting Area in Southwest China.

Mining and smelting activities are the primary sources of toxic metal pollution in China. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pollution risk and identify sources of metals in the arable soil of a Zn/Pb mining and smelting district located in Huize, in Southwest China. Topsoil (346) and profile (three) samples were collected and analyzed to determine the total concentrations of eight toxic elements (Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni). The results showed that the mean Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni concentrations were 9.07, 0.37, 25.0, 512, 88.7, 239, 1761 and 90.3 mg/kg, respectively, all of which exceeded both the Huize and Yunnan soil background levels. Overall the topsoil was quite acidic, with a mean pH of 5.51. The mean geoaccumulation index (Igeo) revealed that the pollution level was in the order of Pb > Zn > Cd > Hg > As > Ni > Cu > Cr. The ecological risk index (Ei) indicated that there were serious contamination risks for Cd and Hg, high risk for Pb, moderate risk for As, and Cd and Hg were the dominant contributors to the high combined ecological risk index (Er) with a mean parameter of 699 meaning a serious ecological risk. The Nemerow pollution index (Pn) showed that 99.1% of soil samples were highly polluted or worse. Horizontally, high concentrations of Cd, Hg, As, Pb and Zn appeared in the north and middle of the study area, while Cr, Cu and Ni showed an opposite trend. Vertically, as the depth increased, Cd, Hg, As, Pb and Zn contents declined, but Cr, Cu and Ni exhibited an increasing trend. The mobilities of the metals were in the order of Zn > Cd > Hg > As > Pb. Horizontal and vertical distribution, coupled with correlation analysis, PCA and CA suggested that Cd, Hg, As, Pb and Zn mainly came from the anthropogenic sources, whereas Cr and Ni had a lithogenic origin. The source of Cu was a combination of the presence of parent materials as well as human activities. This study provides a base for the local government to control the toxic metal pollution and restore the soil environment system and an effective method to identify the sources of the studied pollutants.

Lead in mangrove root crab (Goniopsis cruentata) and risk assessment due to exposure for estuarine villagers

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated lead (Pb) content in mangrove root crabs Goniopsis cruentata and performed a risk assessment based on individual frequency of food consumption of the residents of an estuarine village in Brazil. The Pb content in the raw and two forms of processed crabs were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Based on consumption by the community, estimates of non-carcinogenic target hazard quotients (THQ) were calculated. The mean (± SD) Pb concentrations in raw tissues were: 0.17 (± 0.36), < 0.012 and 0.05 (± 0.09) mg kg−1 (gills, muscle and hepatopancreas), respectively. In the processed products, the highest levels were found in the traditional stew collected in April (2.84 mg kg−1), surpassing the maximum limit allowed. The THQ for consumption of traditional stew was < 1, classified as negligible risk. The G. cruentata of the Jaguaripe River estuary can be considered a safe food, but cooking should be avoided in lead-glazed pottery.

Heavy metal content and mobility in urban soils of public playgrounds and sport facility areas, Poland

Among the threats to air, soil, and water posed by urbanization, heavy metals appear particularly hazardous. Playgrounds and sport facilities are unique urban places, widely used by children and youth. The aim of this research was to evaluate heavy metal pollution in urban soils, identify relationships among topsoil metal distributions, and assess related health risks in two Polish cities – Warsaw and Bydgoszcz. According to the Regulation of the Polish Minister of the Environment guidelines for total content of Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cd and Co our study sites were classified as uncontaminated. Applied Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo; Müller, 1969) largely confirmed this classification, with only two of the investigated Warsaw areas “moderately polluted” with Pb. Generally, only Pb and Zn concentrations exceeded reference background levels for Polish soils. The highest concentrations of Pb and Zn were found in the city centers, the oldest areas where pollution risk is potentially the highest.Metal mobility and solubility were mainly correlated with total content, indicating potential risk from lead and zinc. At some sites in Warsaw, where mean Pb concentration was 87.25 mg kg−1 and Zn 207.25 mg kg−1, health risks from ingestion and inhalation seemed significant, particularly for children. In Bydgoszcz use of the studied playgrounds and sport facility areas did not pose a risk to human health.Finally, the study (especially in Warsaw) indicates the need for continued monitoring and suggests lowering permissible limits of these metals in soils, especially in recreational areas, may decrease childrens' exposure risk to these pollutants.

Estimates of potential childhood lead exposure from contaminated soil using the USEPA IEUBK model in Melbourne, Australia.

Soils in inner city areas internationally and in Australia have been contaminated with lead (Pb) primarily from past emissions of Pb in petrol, deteriorating exterior Pb-based paints and from industry. Children can be exposed to Pb in soil dust through ingestion and inhalation leading to elevated blood lead levels (BLLs). Currently, the contribution of soil Pb to the spatial distribution of children's BLLs is unknown in the Melbourne metropolitan area. In this study, children's potential BLLs were estimated from surface soil (0-2cm) samples collected at 250 locations across the Melbourne metropolitan area using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) model. A dataset of 250 surface soil Pb concentrations indicate that soil Pb concentrations are highly variable but are generally elevated in the central and western portions of the Melbourne metropolitan area. The mean, median and geometric soil Pb concentrations were 193, 110 and 108mg/kg, respectively. Approximately 20 and 4% of the soil samples exceeded the Australian HIL-A residential and HIL-C recreational soil Pb guidelines of 300 and 600 mg/kg, respectively. The IEUBK model predicted a geometric mean BLL of 2.5 ± 2.1µg/dL (range: 1.3-22.5µg/dL) in a hypothetical 24-month-old child with BLLs exceeding 5 and 10µg/dL at 11.6 and 0.8% of the sampling locations, respectively. This study suggests children's exposure to Pb contaminated surface soil could potentially be associated with low-level BLLs in some locations in the Melbourne metropolitan area.

Concentrations, dietary exposure, and human health risk assessment of heavy metals in market vegetables of Peshawar, Pakistan.

The present study was carried out to assess heavy metal concentrations in ready-to-eat vegetables (RTEs) collected from open markets. Samples of RTEs including lettuce, coriander, and carrot were collected from five different local markets of Peshawar, Pakistan including Industrial estate, Board, Agriculture University, Firdos, and Hashtnaghri on four different dates, i.e., 21st March, 04th April, 19th April, and 05th May, 2016. The samples were analyzed through atomic absorption spectrophotometer to see the amount of heavy metals present in them. The elements studied were cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb). Maximum Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb concentrations in samples collected from different markets were 0.68, 5.28, 12.31, 7.61, and 25.04mgkg-1, respectively, whereas maximum Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb concentrations in RTEs collected at different dates were 0.59, 4.08, 14.85, 7.23, and 21.97mgkg-1, respectively. The mean Cd, Cr, and Pb concentrations exceeded the permissible limits, while Cu and Ni were found within the limits set by FAO/WHO in all studied RTEs. The daily dietary intake and hazard quotient (HQ) showed great variations. The HQ was found > 1 for Pb in all studied vegetables, while it was < 1 for Cd, Cr, Cu, and Ni with few exceptions. It can be concluded from the study that heavy metal concentrations were above the permissible toxicity levels and their continuous consumption may cause several health issues.

Comparative health risk of inhaled exposure to organic solvents, toxic metals, and hexavalent chromium from the use of spray paints in Taiwan.

The study investigated the exposure of spray painters to organic solvents, toxic metals, and hexavalent chromium over 21 working days in 2017. The results found these concentrations of 12 VOCs to be below the short-term exposure limit (STEL) established by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The mass concentration of total particulate matter (PM) exposure to workers was 20.01±10.78mg/m3, which exceeds OSHA's permissible exposure level of 15mg/m3. The mean concentration of the total metals for all particle sizes was 109.1±12.0μg/m3, and those for lead (496,017.0ng/m3) and iron (252,123.8ng/m3) were the highest of metal elements. Significantly, the mean concentrations of Pb and As exceeded OSHA's permissible exposure limits (PELs) of 0.05 and 0.01mg/m3, respectively. The total hexavalent chromium concentration was 1163.01ng/m3, and the individual particle sizes (PM1-2.5, PM1, and PM0.25) were strongly and positively correlated with the Cr(VI) concentrations for PM2.5. The study determined that approximately 56.14% of the hexavalent chromium inhaled during the spray-painting process was deposited in the upper respiratory system of the head airway region, followed by the alveolar and tracheobronchial regions, with fractions of 11.93 and 0.05%, respectively. Although the mean ratio of hexavalent chromium to total chromium was only 3.6% for all particle sizes, the cancer risk of the total particles in Cr(VI) (1.6×10-3) exceeded the acceptable risk value (10-6). The cancer risks of As and Cr(VI) associated with quasi-ultrafine particles, PM0.5-1, PM1-2.5, and PM> 2.5, also exceeded 10-6. Comparison of the carcinogenicity risk of VOCs and metals suggests that the adverse health effect of inhaled particles on spray-painting workers is more serious than that from VOC exposure.

Evaluation of lead and cadmium levels in Breast milk in Sanandaj, Iran

Although breastfeeding is the main nutrition source of infants, it could also be a source of exposure to toxic metals. The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in breast milk, investigate the effects of some sociodemographic parameters on these concentrations, and assess the correlations between these metals and infant growth. Breast milk samples (20-30 ml) were obtained from 100 women in the second month postpartum. Pb and Cd levels were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Mean concentration of Pb in the samples was 6.8 µg/l, and the concentration of Cd in the collected breast milk was lower than the limit of detection (0.1 µg/l). In 74% of the samples, Pb level was higher than the recommended limit by the World Health Organization (2-5 µg/l). In addition, mean weekly intake of Pb (6.65 µg/kg/week) and Cd (0.098 µg/kg/week) was lower than the tolerable weekly intake for infants. No correlations were observed between the Pb concentration in breast milk and the weight, length, and head circumference of infants at birth and after two months. According to the results, exposure to Pb exceeded the standard limit in the infants in the present study. Therefore, it is recommended that breast milk monitoring programs be conducted on larger sample sizes longitudinally.

Contamination of the Potable Water Supply in the Lead–Zinc Mining Communities of Enyigba, Southeastern Nigeria

Lead, zinc, and associated minerals have been mined in the Enyigba, Nigeria area for over 92 years, leaving accumulated sulphide dumps and contaminated mine water. Stream sediment, mine tailings, mine water, stream water, and groundwater were sampled and analysed to determine the sources of potentially harmful elements in domestic water. The mine water contained mean concentrations of Cd, As, Co, Cr, Mn, Pb, and Ni that greatly exceeded those of the stream water, but samples from the streams and groundwater exceeded Nigerian drinking water and WHO thresholds for Al, Fe, and Pb, except for acceptable Pb concentrations in the borehole. Mn concentrations in one stream also exceeded Nigerian and WHO threshold for drinking water. In addition to the Pb–Zn mining, geological weathering also contributed to Pb, Al, Fe, and Mn contamination in the area.

Distribution of heavy metals, stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) and risk assessment of fish from the Yellow River Estuary, China

This study measured the concentrations of eight heavy metals, including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni), and the stable isotope ratios of δ13C and δ15N in 129 fish samples collected from the Yellow River Estuary (YRE) of China. Accumulation characteristics and possible sources of these heavy metals (HMs) were analyzed. The levels of HMs presented high variations among sampling sites, higher concentrations of ∑HMs were observed at the sites closest to the estuary. Cu and Cd in fishes of the YRE were much higher than those found in the fishes of other rivers of China. Furthermore, the mean concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr and Cd were also significantly higher than those measured in the fishes of the same region twenty years ago. According to the results of correlation analysis and principal components analysis (PCA), Pb, Cr, Fe, Mn and Ni might be originated from similar sources. The values of δ13C and δ15N presented high variation in fishes, indicating a wide range of energy sources and trophic status of the investigated fish species. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cr and Cd in fishes were all lower than the recommended values enacted by the Chinese government. The human health risk assessment showed that the estimated daily intake (EDI) of these HMs did not exceed the permissible tolerable daily intake (PTDI) and oral reference dose (RfD), indicating a situation of no potential health risk for consumption of these fish species.

Heavy metal bioaccumulation by Miscanthus sacchariflorus and its potential for removing metals from the Dongting Lake wetlands, China.

Bioaccumulation of five heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in six plant organs (panicle, leaf, stem, root, rhizome, and bud) of the emergent and perennial plant species, Miscanthus sacchariflorus, were investigated to estimate the plant's potential for accumulating heavy metals in the wetlands of Dongting Lake. We found the highest Cd concentrations in the panicles and leaves; while the highest Cu and Mn were observed in the roots, the highest Pb in the panicles, and the highest Zn in the panicles and buds. In contrast, the lowest Cd concentrations were detected in the stem, roots, and buds; the lowest Cu concentrations in the leaves and stems; the lowest Mn concentrations in the panicles, rhizomes, and buds; the lowest Pb concentrations in the stems; and the lowest Zn concentrations in the leaves, stems, and rhizomes. Mean Cu concentration in the plant showed a positive regression coefficient with plot elevation, soil organic matter content, and soil Cu concentration, whereas it showed a negative regression coefficient with soil moisture and electrolyte leakage. Mean Mn concentration showed positive and negative regression coefficients with soil organic matter and soil moisture, respectively. Mean Pb concentration exhibited positive regression coefficient with plot elevation and soil total P concentration, and Zn concentration showed a positive regression coefficient with soil available P and total P concentrations. However, there was no significant regression coefficient between mean Cd concentration in the plant and the investigated environmental parameters. Stems and roots were the main organs involved in heavy metal accumulation from the environment. The mean quantities of heavy metals accumulated in the plant tissues were 2.2mg Cd, 86.7mg Cu, 290.3mg Mn, 15.9mg Pb, and 307mg Zn per square meter. In the Dongting Lake wetlands, 0.7 × 103kg Cd, 22.9 × 103kg Cu, 77.5 × 103kg Mn, 3.1 × 103kg Pb, and 95.9 × 103kg Zn per year were accumulated by aboveground organs and removed from the lake through harvesting for paper manufacture.

Spatial Distribution Study and Pollution Assessment of Pb in Soils in the Xijiang River Drainage of Guangxi

To obtain data for the accumulation of Pb and its risk in soils in the Xijiang River drainage of Guangxi, 2594 samples were collected from nonferrous metal mining soils, farmland soils (paddy soils and dryland soils), and the background soils in the drainage area. Geostatistical analysis combined with GIS was used to study the soil spatial distribution characteristics and pollution distribution of the soil Pb content. The results showed that the Pb background value of the soil was 51.84 mg ·kg-1 in the Xijiang River Basin, and the results of the single sample T test showed that the soil background value was significantly higher than that of a previous study (22.08 mg ·kg-1) and the soil background value (20.50 mg ·kg-1) in Guangxi province. The geometric mean concentration of Pb in the mining soils, dryland soils, and paddy soils were 655.9, 116.7, and 40.63mg ·kg-1, respectively, significantly higher than that in other soils. Using GB 15618-1995 and the baseline as the limiting value, the corresponding exceedance rate of the mining soils, dryland soils, and paddy soils were 57.69%, 16.40%, and 8.92% and 54.95%, 8.09%, and 2.03%. The mining soils and farmland soils had an obvious lead accumulation trend. There was an obvious spatial autocorrelation of Pb in the soil, and the structural variation was dominant. The content of Pb in the upper reaches of the Xijiang River reached the middle and lower reaches of the Xijiang River, and the soil Pb was characterized by an obvious decrease. The accumulation of high Pb content in the upper reaches of Diaojiang River is much larger than that in the lower reaches of Diaojiang River. The content of Pb in soil samples in the Xijiang River Basin was mainly rated between mild pollution and moderate pollution, and the pollution was concentrated in the municipal administrative area and the mining activity area. The pollution of the soil in Jinchengjiang and Nandan counties was closely related to the frequent local mining activities.

Tracing the Pollution Source Using Pb Isotopes in Sediments of the Coastal Region Surrounding the National Industrial Complex, Korea

Jeong, H.; Ra, K.; Kim, K.-T.; Kim, E.-S.; Lee, S.-Y., and Choi, M.-S. 2018. Tracing the pollution source using Pb isotopes in sediments of the coastal region surrounding the national industrial complex, Korea. In: Shim, J.-S.; Chun, I., and Lim, H.S. (eds.), Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2018 (Busan, Republic of Korea). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 85, pp. 1456–1460. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.166 sediment samples from Ulsan Bay and Shihwa Lake that is special management sea area were collected in 2014 not only to study the spatial distribution and pollution assessment of Pb but also to identify anthropogenic pollutions for Pb isotopes. The mean Pb concentrations of road-deposited sediments were higher than those of stream and coastal sediments in the study area. In all sediment samples, Ulsan showed an average concentration of 2 to 4 times higher than that of Shihwa. Pb concentrations in coastal sediments of more than 50 % were below the threshold effect level (TEL) of Korean marine sediment quality guidelines. The high exceedance of probable effect levels (PEL) showed in large harbors and near industrial facilities. Road-deposited sediments in Ulsan and Shihwa exceeded the class 2 (potentially toxic to benthic organisms) of Korean freshwater sediment quality guidelines. For both study areas, Pb isotope ratios tend to decrease with increasing Pb concentrations in sediments. In the case of Ulsan, high concentrations and low 206Pb/207Pb isotopic ratios were observed nearby the smelter and lead ore import harbor, indicating that Pb was released into the road surface during transportation using the vehicle and then moved to the marine area through the stream. However, Shihwa has a lot of small facilities (>19,000), it is difficult to clearly identify Pb pollution sources.

Investigation of the extent of contamination of heavy metals in agricultural soil using statistical analyses and contamination indices

ABSTRACTTo examine the level of contamination of Eshghabad region, Neyshabur, the concentration of heavy metals in soil was measured. For this purpose, 37 samples were taken from surface soil and the total concentration of heavy elements was measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The mean concentration of Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Fe was obtained to be 195, 87.3, 22.8, 274.8, and 2.5%, respectively. Using five valid indicators, the intensity of metal contamination in soil was calculated and compared. Furthermore, using statistical analyses, the relationships between the elements, their origins, and the spatial distribution of metals across various stations were investigated. The results indicated that the mean value of all of the studied metals (except for iron and copper) is greater than the mean concentration of metals in the Earth's crust. The indicators showed very high contamination for lead, while low to medium contamination for other elements of interest in the farming soils of the region. Statistical analyses indicated that there is a relatively similar contamination intensity across all of the studied stations. Considering the quality standards, the soils of this region are threatened by contamination of lead.

Contamination features and health risk of heavy metals in suburban vegetable soils, Yanbian, Northeast China

ABSTRACTIn recent years, heavy metal contamination in suburban vegetable soils calls for significant concerns due to the rapid urbanization and industrialization. In present study, 110 suburban vegetable soil samples from Yanbian, Northeast China, were collected. Concentration characteristics, pollution level, health risk, and source identification were evaluated by using different quantitative indices. Concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd, and As in suburban soils were measured. Mean concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn Cd, and As were 34.9 ± 10.5, 73.5 ± 44.4, 29.6 ± 19.4, 23.4 ± 12.0, 88.5 ± 26.7, 0.16 ± 0.16, and 9.24 ± 3.79 mg/kg, which were showed significantly higher than corresponding background values of Jilin province, respectively. The soils were moderately heavy polluted by Cu and Cd based on the results of geo-accumulated index and pollution indices. The pollution load index indicated that almost all of the study area were middle or heavy polluted, especially in Antu County and Helong City. Children in Yanbian may pose non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks with the major exposure pathway of ingestion. Principle component analysis results suggested that Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cd were mainly associated with agricultural activities, Ni and Cr were defined as combined source (lithogenic and anthropogenic), and As was tended to be from excessive application of pesticides and industrial activities.

Heavy Metal Determination and Health Risk Assessment of Oyster Mushroom &lt;i&gt;Pleurotus tuberregium&lt;/i&gt; (Fr.) Singer, Collected from Selected Markets in Imo State. NIGERIA

Oyster mushroom Pleurotus tuberregium (Fr.)(Sing), Ǫsu, is a common mushroom which is used as food or medicine, more commonly as a soup thickener. This study investigated the presence of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu) in wild samples of Pleurotus tuberregium sclerotia consumed within Imo state. The oyster mushrooms purchased from different markets from Imo State were mineralized with H2SO4 and HNO3 and analyzed using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) Thermo Scientific model. The mean concentrations of Pb: 0.13 mg/kg (ranged 0.04±0.005mg/kg to 0.35±0.005mg/kg), Zn: 1.26mg/kg (ranged from 0.03 ± 0.007 mg/kg to 3.25 ± 0.01 mg/kg) and Ni and Cu were 0.0001mg/kg, 0.164mg/kg, respectively. These results were compared with the data from literature and levels set by regulatory authorities, with the conclusion that the consumption of oyster mushroom sclerotium does not pose a toxicological risk. The Zn, Pb, Ni and Cu content of the studied products would contribute to only about 7.4%, 30.3%, 0.001% and 1.91%, respectively of the provisional tolerable weekly intake of Zn, Pb, Ni and Cu. The Cu and Zn contents would contribute to nutritional intake of the metal in the general population. It is recommended that the outer layers of the sclerotia be properly scrapped and washed before use to reduce air-borne metal contamination.

Assessment of soil metal concentrations in residential and community vegetable gardens in Melbourne, Australia

Gardening and urban food production is an increasingly popular activity, which can improve physical and mental health and provide low cost nutritious food. However, the legacy of contamination from industrial and diffuse sources may have rendered surface soils in some urban gardens to have metals value in excess of recommended guidelines for agricultural production. The objective of this study was to establish the presence and spatial extent of soil metal contamination in Melbourne's residential and inner city community gardens. A secondary objective was to assess whether soil lead (Pb) concentrations in residential vegetable gardens were associated with the age of the home or the presence or absence of paint. The results indicate that most samples in residential and community gardens were generally below the Australian residential guidelines for all tested metals except Pb. Mean soil Pb concentrations exceeded the Australian HIL-A residential guideline of 300 mg/kg in 8% of 13 community garden beds and 21% of the 136 residential vegetable gardens assessed. Mean and median soil Pb concentrations for residential vegetable gardens was 204 mg/kg and 104 mg/kg (range <4–3341 mg/kg), respectively. Mean and median soil Pb concentration for community vegetable garden beds was 102 mg/kg and 38 mg/kg (range = 17–578 mg/kg), respectively. Soil Pb concentrations were higher in homes with painted exteriors (p = 0.004); generally increased with age of the home (p = 0.000); and were higher beneath the household dripline than in vegetable garden beds (p = 0.040). In certain circumstances, the data indicates that elevated soil Pb concentrations could present a potential health hazard in a portion of inner-city residential vegetable gardens in Melbourne.

Sclerocollum saudii Al-Jahdali, 2010 (Acanthocephala: Cavisomidae) as a sentinel for heavy-metal pollution in the Red Sea.

Currently, fish helminth parasites, especially cestodes and acanthocephalans, are regarded as sentinel organisms to elucidate metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Here, 34 specimens of the fish Siganus rivulatus were collected in the Red Sea, from a seriously polluted, small lagoon named Sharm-Elmaya Bay, at Sharm El-Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt; 22 (64.7%) were infected by Sclerocollum saudii (Acanthocephala: Cavisomidae). Thus, 22 natural infrapopulations (26-245 individuals) of this parasite were collected from infected fish. Samples of water and sediments from the bay, samples of muscle, intestine and liver from each fish, and samples from the parasite were taken for analysis of heavy metals (cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb)). Both Cd and Pb concentrations in sediments were higher than those in water. The concentration of these metals were significantly higher in tissues (intestine, liver and muscle) of non-infected fish than those in infected fish, with Pb concentrations consistently higher than those of Cd, and both were drastically decreased in the order: liver &gt; intestine &gt; muscle. Metal concentrations in this acanthocephalan were much higher than those in its fish host. There were strong negative relationships between metal concentrations in tissues (intestine, liver and muscle) of infected fish and infrapopulation size, and between metal concentrations in the acanthocephalan and its infrapopulation size. These relationships strongly suggest competition for these metals between the fish host and its acanthocephalan parasite, and intraspecific competition among acanthocephalan individuals for available metals in the fish intestine. Bioconcentration factors were relatively high, since the mean Cd concentration in S. saudii was 239, 68 and 329 times higher than those in intestine, liver and muscle tissues, respectively, of its fish host. Also, mean Pb concentration was 55, 13 and 289 times higher than those in these tissues, respectively. The host-parasite system described here seems to be promising for biomonitoring of metal pollution in the Red Sea.

Accumulation of Heavy Metals from Battery Waste in Topsoil, Surface Water, and Garden Grown Maize at Omilende Area, Olodo, Nigeria.

Land pollution is a threat to sustainable agricultural development and food security in developing countries. Consumption of farm products from contaminated areas can generate health hazards to the diverse consumers along the food chain through the different pollutants in the products. This study is designed to determine the accumulation of Pb, Cd, and Fe in topsoil, surface water, and maize leaf, stem, grains, and root, cultivated in a garden nearby Ori‐Ile battery waste dumpsite, Omilende Area, Olodo, Nigeria. Soil samples, garden maize parts, and surface water samples are collected from the study area using standard procedures. Corresponding reference samples are collected from Moor Plantation, Ibadan. All collected samples are analysed for Pb, Cd, and Fe concentrations. Mean Pb, Cd, and Fe concentrations in topsoil are found to be significantly higher than 157.0 ± 39.8, 2.2 ± 1.2, and 976.3 ± 353.9 mg kg−1, respectively, which are obtained from reference soil and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency limits (Pb: 164 mg kg−1 and Cd: 50 mg kg−1). The soil contamination factor values obtained are greater than 6, indicating severe pollution. Downstream has the highest Pb, Cd, and Fe concentrations. In maize parts, the root has the highest concentration of Pb (40.95 ± 1.98 mg L−1) and Cd (2.84 ± 0.19 mg L−1), which are significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) than those from the reference site. A high concentration of heavy metals found in topsoil further bio‐accumulates in maize parts. Consequently, this garden maize is unfit for consumption.

Lead concentration in the muscles of slaughtered buffalos in northwest regions of Iran.

BackgroundThe topic of food safety has become a major public health issue worldwide. Over recent decades, the growing concern for food safety has brought about greater research regarding the risks associated with the consumption of produce that has been contaminated by pesticides, heavy metals and/or toxins.ObjectiveThe study was conducted to determine the concentration of Pb in the muscle of buffalos slaughtered in the northwest regions of Iran (Ardabil, Urmia and Tabriz cities).MethodsThe present was a descriptive cross-sectional study in the northwest regions of Iran during 2013 to 2014. A total of 30 muscle samples from individual buffalos were analyzed for Pb concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (ASS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0. All results were computed as mean standard deviation and subjected to one-way analysis of variance to establish whether the differences in Pb concentrations in meat samples from different cities were significant or not. The Statistical significance was determined at p<0.05.ResultsThe results showed that the mean concentration of Pb in muscle samples were measured 0.043±0.035 ppm. The highest Pb concentration (0.11 ppm) was detected in the buffalo muscle samples from Urmia city. In total, 25 muscle samples (80.33%) were contaminated with Pb and concentration of Pb in 3.33% of contaminated samples exceeded the permissible limits advised by the European Commission (EC) (0.1 ppm).ConclusionWe recommend identifying Pb sources in order to eliminate or control Pb contamination of food, and monitor environmental exposures and hazards to prevent lead poisoning.