Lead, cadmium, zinc, copper and nickel distributions in vegetables and soils of an intensely cultivated area and levels of copper, lead and zinc in the growers
A study has been made of an intensively cultivated horticultural area, in production for less than 40 years since the drainage of the marsh from which it was formed. The muck soil varies in depth from 6 to 30 feet. Heavy applications of fertilizer and pesticides maintain high productivity. Crops include onions, carrots, potatoes, lettuce, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, parsnip and beet. Distribution of the trace heavy metals lead, cadmium, nickel, copper and zinc in the soils, crops and people was studied. The effect of cultivation practices on metal accumulation was determined by comparisons with undrained parts of the marsh. Marked soil profile effects were seen for all metals, especially for Cu. Crop levels revealed that Cu was relatively tightly held in the organic soil compared with the other metals, the order being Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Cd. Cadmium and Pb occurred at highest levels in the foliage of salad and leaf crops. Blood metal levels and concentrations in hair of the growers and the workers in packing stations were compared. Significant differenecs occurred for both Pb and Cu. Differences also occurred between males, females and in different age groups. 10 references, 5 figures, 12 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Toronto, Ontario
- OSTI ID:
- 5974191
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-740696-
- Journal Information:
- Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: Trace Subst. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 8; ISSN PUMTA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560306 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Man-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BODY FLUIDS
CADMIUM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COPPER
DISTRIBUTION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FOOD
FOOD CHAINS
LEAD
MAMMALS
MAN
MASS TRANSFER
MATERIALS
METALS
NICKEL
PLANTS
PRIMATES
SOILS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VEGETABLES
VERTEBRATES
ZINC