DECA: A new model for assessing the foliar uptake of atmospheric lead by vegetation, using Lactuca sativa as an example

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2012-12, Vol.112, p.233-239
• Main Authors: Schreck, E., Bonnard, R., Laplanche, C., Leveque, T., Foucault, Y., Dumat, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - metabolism; Air pollution; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Atmospheric particulate matter; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Ecology, environment; Ecotoxicology; emissions; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental protection; Foliar uptake; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gardeners; Gardens; Gardens & gardening; General aspects; General aspects. Techniques; Health; Health risk assessment; Human; Human exposure; humans; Industrial plant emissions; kitchen gardens; Kitchens; Lactuca - metabolism; Lactuca sativa; large farms; Lead; Lead - analysis; Lead - metabolism; Lettuce; Life Sciences; Mathematical models; Methods and techniques (sampling, tagging, trapping, modelling...); Modelling; Particulate Matter - analysis; Particulate Matter - metabolism; Plant Leaves - metabolism; pollution; prediction; recycling; Regulatory agencies; Risk assessment; shoots; Toxicology; U.S.A; Uptakes; vegetable consumption; Vegetables; vegetation; Washing
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.07.006

In the context of peri-urban atmospheric pollution by industrial lead recycling emissions, metal can transfer to plant shoots. Home gardeners consuming their produce can therefore be exposed to metal pollution. The Human Health Risk Assessment Protocol (HHRAP) model from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) classically used in risk assessment provides foliar metal uptake predictions for large farms but is not adapted to cultures in kitchen gardens. Thus, this study developed a new model, entitled “DECA”, which includes individually measured parameters and the washing of vegetables before human consumption. Results given by DECA and HHRAP models were compared with experimental measurements of lettuce. The data calculated by the DECA model were highly correlated with the measured values; the HHRAP model overestimates foliar lead uptake. Moreover, strong influences of factor of washing and time-dependent variations of loss coefficient were highlighted. Finally, the DECA model provided important risk assessment data regarding consumption of vegetables from kitchen gardens. ► This article focuses on the development of a new model for lead uptake prediction. ► Model parameters were checked weekly on lettuces. ► The results show the importance of plant washing to reduce the ingestion of metals. ► The DECA model shows a better correlation with measured values. ► This article gives prediction data for risk assessment after vegetable ingestion.