Browsing by Subject "trace metals"

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    A citizen science approach to identifying trace metal contamination risks in urban gardens
    (Elsevier, 2021-10) Taylor, Mark Patrick; Isley, Cynthia F.; Fry, Kara L.; Liu, Xiaochi; Gillings, Max M.; Rouillon, Marek; Soltani, Neda S.; Gore, Damian B.; Filippelli, Gabriel M.; Earth Sciences, School of Science
    We launched the VegeSafe program in 2013 to assist Australians concerned about exposure to contaminants in their soils and gardens. VegeSafe analyses garden soils provided by citizens for trace metals at our laboratory at little to no cost, with easy-to-follow guidance on any intervention required. The response was overwhelming—Australians submitted 17,256 soils from 3,609 homes, and in turn VegeSafe researchers now have unparalleled household-scale data, providing new insights into urban trace metal contamination. The results are sobering, with 35% of homes, particularly those that are older, painted and located in inner cities having soils above the Australian residential guideline (300 mg/kg) for the neurotoxic trace metal lead (Pb). Exposure pathway, blood Pb concentration and vegetable uptake modelling showed the communities in these locations were most at risk. VegeSafe is transformative: 94% of participants better understood contaminants, 83% felt safer in their home environment and 40% undertook remedial action based on their results. The two-way nature of this program enables education of citizens about environmental contaminants, advances public health, and delivers impactful science.
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    International Analysis of Sources and Human Health Risk Associated with Trace Metal Contaminants in Residential Indoor Dust
    (ACS, 2021-12) Isley, Cynthia Faye; Fry, Kara L.; Liu, Xiaochi; Filippelli, Gabriel Michael; Entwistle, Jane A.; Martin, Adam P.; Kah, Melanie; Meza-Figueroa, Diana; Shukle, John T.; Jabeen, Khadija; Famuyiwa, Abimbola O.; Wu, Liqin; Sharifi-Soltani, Neda; Doyi, Israel N. Y.; Argyraki, Ariadne; Ho, Kin Fai; Dong, Chenyin; Gunkel-Grillon, Peggy; Aelion, C. Marjorie; Taylor, Mark Patrick; Earth Sciences, School of Science
    People spend increasing amounts of time at home, yet the indoor home environment remains understudied in terms of potential exposure to toxic trace metals. We evaluated trace metal (and metalloid) concentrations (As, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and health risks in indoor dust from homes from 35 countries, along with a suite of potentially contributory residential characteristics. The objective was to determine trace metal source inputs and home environment conditions associated with increasing exposure risk across a range of international communities. For all countries, enrichments compared to global crustal values were Zn > Pb > Cu > As > Cr > Ni; with the greatest health risk from Cr, followed by As > Pb > Mn > Cu > Ni > Zn. Three main indoor dust sources were identified, with a Pb–Zn–As factor related to legacy Pb sources, a Zn–Cu factor reflecting building materials, and a Mn factor indicative of natural soil sources. Increasing home age was associated with greater Pb and As concentrations (5.0 and 0.48 mg/kg per year of home age, respectively), as were peeling paint and garden access. Therefore, these factors form important considerations for the development of evidence-based management strategies to reduce potential risks posed by indoor house dust. Recent findings indicate neurocognitive effects from low concentrations of metal exposures; hence, an understanding of the home exposome is vital.