Derivation of Critical Soil Cadmium Concentrations for the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Based on Human Health Risks

Author(s)

Melo, Leonidas C. A. ^[1] ; Alleoni, Luis R. F. ^[1] ; Swartjes, Frank A. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] USP, Dept Soil Sci, ESALQ, BR-13418900 Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[2] Natl Inst Publ Hlth & Environm RIVM, Bilthoven - Netherlands

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: HUMAN AND ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT; v. 17, n. 5, p. 1124-1141, 2011.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

The main cadmium exposure pathway for humans is through diet. A database on Cd concentration in soils and accumulation in edible vegetables from tropical and temperate regions was organized, soil-plant relationships were derived, and then critical soil Cd concentrations were calculated based on human exposure parameters for the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Cadmium accumulation in leafy and root vegetables could be predicted by multiple regression analysis and most of the variance was explained when total Cd concentration and pH in soil were included as predictors. The calculated Cd bioconcentration factors (BCFs) for the tropical dataset were higher as compared to the temperate dataset. Consequently, critical soil Cd concentrations were from 1.7- to 3.2-fold lower for tropical conditions. Higher humidity and temperature at the tropics, as well as more weathered soils with lower retention capacity of Cd, may explain the higher Cd uptake and accumulation in tropical than in temperate regions. To protect human health, exclusive data regarding Cd in soils and edible vegetables from tropical regions should be used for the State of Sao Paulo to derive critical soilCd concentrations, instead of (additional) data from temperate regions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 07/56350-9 - Phytotoxicity of cadmium and barium and derivation of critical limits in São Paulo State soils
• Grantee: Leônidas Carrijo Azevedo Melo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate