Human Health Risk Assessment from the Consumption of Vegetables Grown near a Copper Smelter in Central Chile

Abstract

The intake of trace elements (TEs) through the consumption of vegetables is a subject of great concern. This study intends to evaluate human health risks associated with consumption of vegetables grown near the Ventanas copper smelter (Valparaiso region, Central Chile). Experimental plots were established in the proximity of the smelter and in a control area. Leafy vegetables (lettuce, chard, and cabbage) and root vegetables (potato, carrot, and beetroot) were grown on the experimental plots. Daily intake of elements was estimated based on consumption habits. A hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated as a ratio between the daily intake and the reference dose that represents the maximum safe TE intake. Generally, concentrations of TEs in the edible tissues of vegetables were higher in the exposure area than in the control area. The most significant difference was for leafy vegetables, with arsenic (As) being the main TE of concern. Lettuce was also the vegetable of concern due to its relatively high consumption rate and a relatively high concentration of TEs in the plant tissue. In this study, we obtained an HQ value of~0.6 for inorganic As considering vegetable consumption pathway, for the age group of 1-5 years old. Likewise, our previous study reported a similar HQ value of~0.6 for inorganic As considering incidental soil and dust ingestion pathway, for the same age group. Importantly, HQ value surpasses 1.0 for inorganic As considering both exposure pathways. Thus, there is a health risk associated with soil As for inhabitants of Puchuncavi Valley.

Fitoextracción de metales desde suelos contaminados: ¿Oportunidad o utopía?

“…Si los contenidos de metales en las partes comestibles de las hortalizas están por debajo de los valores umbrales, puede que no sea necesario remediar este suelo. Sin embargo, la tasa de consumo de hortalizas y otras vías de exposición (por ejemplo, ingesta accidental del suelo por colocar manos sucias en la boca) también deben considerarse en esta evaluación (Lizardi et al, 2020).…”

Use of Halophytes for the Remediation of Metal-Affected Soils in Arid Environments

“…Leafy and root vegetables grown an average of 2.8 km from the Ventanas Copper Smelter in central Chile had higher metal concentration and lower growth than those grown in the background area. When vegetable types were compared, it was found that leafy vegetables from the exposed site assimilated a higher metal(loid) concentration and reached a high hazard quotient than those with underground eating parts, due to As accumulation and physical adherence to leaves (Lizardi et al 2020).…”

Remediation of Agricultural Soils with Long-Term Contamination of Arsenic and Copper in Two Chilean Mediterranean Areas

“…Our previous results showed that As concentrations in the edible tissues of vegetables grown near VS and CS are generally higher than in control areas (without copper smelter activities) [10][11][12]. The As concentration in lettuces surrounding VS and CS were 4.8-and 8.2-fold higher, respectively, than in control areas.…”