Evaluation of Pb and Cd exposure in children 0 to 17 years of age by consumption of vegetable food cultivated in soils contaminated in Santo Amaro (BA)

This paper aims to estimate the exposure of children between 0 to 17 years old to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) via ingestion of vegetables cultivated in contaminated backyards located in the surroundings of a deactivated lead metallurgy in Santo Amaro, Bahia, Brazil. For the estimation of the exposure doses, the risk assessment on human health methodology, exposure analysis, was used, determining the concentrations of metals and socio-demographic variables of children. The estimated doses for both contaminants exceeded the values recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Maximum obtained values were 166.9 μg.kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ and 2.95 μg.kg⁻¹day⁻¹ for Cd and Pb, respectively, due to fruits consumption. The results show that the consumption of vegetables cultivated in the backyards by the population living near the deactivated metallurgical plant plays an important role in the exposition of the population to metals.

exposure; risk assessment; metals; soil contamination; vegetables; environmental liabilities