The application of an in vitro gastrointestinal extraction to assess the oral bioaccessibility of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils from a former industrial site.
The total and bioaccessible concentration of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil from a former industrial site was investigated. Typical total concentrations across the sampling sites ranged from 1.5 mg kg(-1) for acenaphthylene up to 243 mg kg(-1) for fluoranthene. The oral bioaccessibility of PAHs in soil was assessed using an in vitro gastrointestinal extraction (Fed Organic Estimation human Simulation Test, FOREhST method). The oral bioaccessibility data indicated that fluorene, phenanthrene, chrysene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene had the highest % bioaccessible fraction (based on their upper 75th percentile values being >60%) while the other PAHs had lower % bioaccessible fractions (means ranging between 35 and 59%). Significantly lower bioaccessibilities were determined for naphthalene. With respect to method validation and inter-laboratory comparison, the total and bioaccessible concentrations of benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b)anthracene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and dibenzo(a,h)anthracene was compared to published data derived using the same samples. The total PAH concentrations at the site were compared with generic assessment criteria (GAC) using the residential land use scenario (with plant uptake at 6% soil organic matter). Concentrations of 7 of the PAHs investigated within the soils could lead to an unacceptable risk to human health at this site.
Department of Chemical and Forensic Sciences, University of Northumbria at Newcastle, Ellison Building, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK.
Damien
D
Lorenzi
Jane
J
Entwistle
Mark
M
Cave
Joanna
J
Wragg
John R
JR
Dean
D005591:Chemical Fractionation / Q000379:methods*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants