A citizen science approach to identifying trace metal contamination risks in urban gardens

Taylor, Mark Patrick; Isley, Cynthia Faye; Fry, Kara L.; Liu, Xiaochi; Gillings, Max M.; Rouillon, Marek; Soltani, Neda Sharifi; Gore, Damian B.; Filippelli, Gabriel M.

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2021.106582

Cited by 54 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Our data support those of Taylor et al 30 that internationally, home age is a significant predictor of As, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn indoor dust concentrations. 30 DustSafe data show that every year since home construction was associated with an increase of 0.48 mg/kg As, 3.0 mg/kg Cu, 4.2 mg/kg Mn, 0.63 mg/kg Ni, 5.0 mg/kg Pb, and 22 mg/kg Zn in dust (Supporting Information Figure 9.10). The presence of a garden and interior and exterior peeling paint were associated with the largest percentage differences in As and Pb concentrations (Table 1).…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

“…111 Previously, industrial sources, 113−115 steel mills, ore crushing and welding, 116 and possibly fuel aditives 117,118 have been implicated in contributing Mn to the local environment. Australian soil Mn loadings, 30 however, show no clear correlation between the Mn concentration and distance from the city center, meaning that industrial and higher vehicle traffic areas were not comparatively enriched.…”

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confidence: 92%

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International Analysis of Sources and Human Health Risk Associated with Trace Metal Contaminants in Residential Indoor Dust

Isley

Fry

Liu

et al. 2021

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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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.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 92%

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confidence: 92%

International Analysis of Sources and Human Health Risk Associated with Trace Metal Contaminants in Residential Indoor Dust

Isley

Fry

Liu

et al. 2021

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Scientific information from the public is one of the most beneficial ways to help the public with pollution remediation and awareness. We have illustrated this with our accessible Pb dust logistic regression model and mobile app, and other recent large-scale community science endeavors have also increased metal pollution mapping and awareness (e.g., Taylor et al, 2021). We plan to conduct a follow-up study on the effectiveness of this type of simple intervention in engaging participants to have full-cycle involvement, going from initial usage of the mobile app to submittal of samples, to finally opening sample results once generated.…”

Section: Future Goals and Directionsmentioning

confidence: 87%

Using Community Science to Better Understand Lead Exposure Risks

et al. 2022

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Lead (Pb) is a naturally occurring heavy metal neurotoxicant that causes many deleterious effects in humans, even in small quantities (e.g., Assi et al., 2016;Dórea, 2019). It is a biologically non-essential element that is especially detrimental to young children (e.g., Koller et al., 2004). In the United States (U.S.), it has largely been phased out of products, most notably leaded gasoline and paint, but remains in many urban environments as a form of legacy pollution (e.g., Laidlaw et al., 2012). Thus, modern sources of Pb are primarily lead paint in older homes and soil/dusts that contain remnants of both leaded paint and gasoline. Ingestion and inhalation of paint, soil, and dust containing elevated levels of Pb still pose a health risk, particularly for children due to their increased handto-mouth behavior (e.g.,

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“…Urban soils often contain Pb concentrations exceeding recommended safe levels and significantly above the local regional background concentrations (BGS, 2012;Datko-Williams et al, 2014). Observations of raised urban soil Pb are reported globally in inner city areas with older housing and heavily trafficked roads (Filippelli & Laidlaw, 2010;Mielke et al, 2016;Resongles et al, 2021;Taylor et al, 2021;Wang et al, 2006). Soil Pb analyses on urban agriculture sites (UAS), known as allotments in the UK, frequently report samples exceeding health-based guidance values for Pb (Clark et al, 2008;Latimer et al, 2016;Mitchell et al, 2014;Pless Mulloli et al, 2004;Rouillon et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determinants of blood and saliva lead concentrations in adult gardeners on urban agricultural sites

Bramwell

Morton

Harding

et al. 2021

Environ Geochem Health

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Soil Pb concentrations at urban agriculture sites (UAS) commonly exceed recommended safe levels. There is a lack of evidence regarding uptake of Pb by gardeners using such sites for food crops. Our study aimed to elucidate whether gardening in soil with raised Pb levels results in Pb body burdens of concern to health, and to assess confounding factors influencing Pb body burden. Our cross-sectional case study measured Pb in saliva and blood of UAS gardeners (n = 43), soil and produce samples from their UAS, and home tap water. Blood and saliva Pb concentrations were compared with those from non-UAS gardener controls (n = 29). A health risk threshold of 5 µg dL−1 blood Pb level (BLL) was selected in keeping with international guidance. Detailed surveys investigated individuals’ anthropometrics and potential Pb exposures from diet, and historic and everyday activities. Saliva was not found to be a suitable biomarker of adult Pb exposure in this context. Predictors of higher BLLs were being older, being male and eating more root vegetables and shrub fruit. Eating more green vegetables predicted a lower BLL, suggesting a protective effect against Pb uptake. UAS gardeners’ BLLs (geometric mean 1.53; range 0.6–4.1 µg dL−1) were not significantly higher (p = 0.39) than the control group (geometric mean 1.43; range 0.7–2.9 µg dL−1). All BLLs were below 5 µg dL−1 except one resulting from occupational exposure. Having paired the UAS gardeners with closely matched controls, we found Pb in UAS soils (with range 62–1300 mg kg−1from common urban sources) unlikely to pose an additional risk to adult health compared to their neighbours who did not access UAS. As such, other Pb sources may be the dominant factor controlling BLL.

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A citizen science approach to identifying trace metal contamination risks in urban gardens

Cited by 54 publications

References 43 publications

International Analysis of Sources and Human Health Risk Associated with Trace Metal Contaminants in Residential Indoor Dust

International Analysis of Sources and Human Health Risk Associated with Trace Metal Contaminants in Residential Indoor Dust

Using Community Science to Better Understand Lead Exposure Risks

Determinants of blood and saliva lead concentrations in adult gardeners on urban agricultural sites

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