Metal contamination of home garden soils and cultivated vegetables in the province of Brescia, Italy: implications for human exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

For the past century, ferroalloy industries in Brescia province, Italy produced particulate emissions enriched in manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and aluminum (Al). This study assessed metal concentrations in soil and vegetables of regions with varying ferroalloy industrial activity levels.

Methods

Home gardens (n=63) were selected in three regions of varying ferroalloy plant activity durations in Brescia province. Total soil metal concentration and extractability were measured by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), aqua regia extraction, and modified Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction. Unwashed and washed spinach and turnips cultivated in the same gardens were analyzed for metal concentration

SUBMITTER: Ferri R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4388796 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature