Núria Ferré-Huguet

Risk Assessment of Metals from Consuming Vegetables, Fruits and Rice Grown on Soils Irrigated with Waters of the Ebro River in Catalonia, Spain

The concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were determined in samples of various edible vegetables (artichoke, cauliflower, lettuce, tomato), fruits (apple, mandarin, orange, pear) and rice grown in soils irrigated with water from the Ebro River in Tarragona Province (Catalonia, Spain). Although all food items were randomly acquired in various localities of the area, the local origin was always verified. Arsenic was only detected in rice (all samples) and apple (one sample), while Cd and Hg could not be detected in any of the samples. In general terms, metal concentrations were quite similar or lower than the levels recently reported in the literature. The health risks caused by metal exposure from consuming these agricultural products were assessed for the Catalan population living in the zone under evaluation. For all elements, when the lower bound values were considered, the Hazard Quotient (HQ) was <1, while using the Upper bound values, only for As (children and male seniors) HQ was >1. The intake of the analyzed elements through consumption of the nine selected food items does not mean additional health risks for the consumers of the area.

Estimating the environmental impact of micro-pollutants in the low Ebro River (Spain): an approach based on screening toxicity with Vibrio fischeri.

The aim of this study was to assess the likely impacts on the ecosystems due to agricultural, human, and industrial activities carried out in an ecologically important area of the Ebro River (Spain). For it, a screening site specific ecological risk assessment was conducted. Considering the presence of high levels of potentially toxic substances, such as metals and chlorinated organic compounds, aqueous and organic extracts were used to assess toxicity in sediments by using the photo-luminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri (Microtox) as screening response variable. Sediment samples collected during 2005-2006 in the last course of the Ebro River and its Delta have been analyzed. Toxic responses have shown strong relationships to the levels of pollutants in the area. Moreover, various sites presented some toxicity level, probably because of other factors associated with reducing environments into the sediments. Results indicate that Microtox bioassay is an appropriate tool to perform risk assessment studies at screening level.

Exposure to Metals through the Consumption of Fish and Seafood by the Population Living Near the Ebro River in Catalonia, Spain: Health Risks

ABSTRACT The health risks due to metal exposure from consuming various fish and seafood species were assessed for the Catalan population living near the Ebro River (Spain). The concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, manganese, nickel, and lead were determined in samples of mussel, clam, hake, sole, cuttlefish, sardine, and anchovy randomly acquired in various localities of the zone under evaluation. In general terms, metal concentrations were similar or lower than the levels recently reported in the literature. The current dietary intake of metals is analogous to that recently estimated for the non-exposed population of Catalonia. Metal exposure through fish and seafood consumption would only mean a slight increase of noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risk for arsenic, whereas the remaining elements showed risk values below the corresponding threshold levels.

Human Health Risk Assessment for Environmental Exposure to Metals in the Catalan Stretch of the Ebro River, Spain

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the environmental impact and the human health risks associated with metals exposure in the Catalan stretch of the Ebro River, Spain. The concentrations of the following elements were determined in soils and tap water: As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, and Pb. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were separately assessed for adults and children. Relatively low metal concentrations in tap water were found. It indicates that water intake is not a relevant source of metals for human health impact in the area under evaluation. In turn, the levels of metals in soils were similar or less than those found in a number of recent worldwide surveys. The presence of industrial facilities located upstream the Ebro River, including a chloralkali plant, should not mean additional non-carcinogenic risks for the population living in the area. The results of the current study allow us to establish that the concentrations of most carcinogenic elements (with the exception of As) should not mean potential health risks for the local population. However, because of the relatively high levels of geological origin found for As, a continued monitoring of these elements would be desirable.

Temporal Trends in Metal Concentrations in Soils and Herbage Collected Near a Municipal Waste Incinerator: Human Health Risks

ABSTRACT Emissions of metals by municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) are still an issue of concern for the health of residents in the vicinity of these facilities. Since 1991 a MSWI has been operating in Tarragona (Spain). In 1997, a modernization of the flue gas cleaning systems of the MSWI was completed. Since then, periodically soil and herbage samples have been collected near the facility and the concentrations of the following elements determined: As, Be, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl, and V. In 2002, a 4-year environmental surveillance program was initiated. The mean concentrations of these elements in various surveys performed between 1997 and 2005, as well as the temporal trends are reported. Human health risks, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic, were also assessed. Risks for adults and children were separately evaluated. Children were chosen because they are one of the most susceptible groups of a population. According to the current results, in principle, no significant health risks for the population living in the neighborhood of the facility can be expected due to metal emissions from the stack. However, a continuous environmental surveillance program is recommended because As levels in soils of Tarragona are slightly higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Preliminary Remediation Goals.

Monitoring PCDD/Fs in Soil and Herbage Samples Collected Near a Hazardous Waste Incinerator: Health Risks for the Population Living Nearby

ABSTRACT In 1998, we started a wide environmental surveillance program focused on evaluating the environmental impact of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) emitted by a new hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) (Tarragona County, Catalonia, Spain) and assessing the potential health risks for the population living nearby. The HWI began regular operations in 1999. Since then, periodical surveys have been performed. We report here the results concerning PCDD/F levels in 40 soil and 40 herbage samples collected in years 2004 and 2005, respectively, in the vicinity of the HWI. The human health risks derived from exposure to PCDD/Fs were also assessed. PCDD/F concentrations in soils ranged from 0.06 to 12.60 ng I-TEQ/kg, with median and mean values of 0.65 and 1.14 ng I-TEQ/kg, respectively. In herbage, PCDD/F concentrations ranged from 0.03 to 1.57 ng I-TEQ/kg, with median and mean values of 0.31 and 0.40 ng I-TEQ/kg, respectively. A comparison of these results with those from the baseline survey shows that, after six years of regular operation, the HWI did not significantly increase PCDD/F levels in soils and herbage in the surrounding environment. Moreover, PCDD/F emissions from the HWI do not mean additional significant risks for the health of the individuals living in the vicinity of the facility. The results of the current study together with those of recent investigations in municipal waste incinerators indicate that, when adequately controlled for PCDD/F emissions, modern waste incinerators should not portend any special concern for the populations living nearby.

Metals in the environment: design of HRA Heavy Metals, an online system for assessing human health risks

HRA Heavy Metals is a program designed for Health Risk Assessment (HRA) by determining human exposure to environmental metals for a specific subject. This online program is used to establish if the presence of metals in the area where the individual inhabits exceeds the safety limits established by the current legislation. The use of HRA Heavy Metals requires information on metal concentrations in tap water, superficial soils and air, corresponding to each particular subject. This paper describes in detail the basis of the program and its operation.