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

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 São 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 São Paulo to derive critical soil Cd concentrations, instead of (additional) data from temperate regions.

Key Words:

• vegetable consumption
• tropical soils
• bioconcentration factor
• soil pollution
• heavy metals

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP, Grant No 07/56350-9) for the financial support and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for the fellowship to Leonidas Melo during his stay at RIVM (The Netherlands). The Institute of Public health and the Environment (RIVM) is also gratefully acknowledged for the logistical support.

Notes

*Sub-tropical region.