title: Concentrations of lead, cadmium and barium in urban garden-grown vegetables: the impact of soil variables.
abstract: Paired vegetable/soil samples from New York City and Buffalo, NY, gardens were analyzed for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and barium (Ba). Vegetable aluminum (Al) was measured to assess soil adherence. Soil and vegetable metal concentrations did not correlate; vegetable concentrations varied by crop type. Pb was below health-based guidance values (EU standards) in virtually all fruits. 47% of root crops and 9% of leafy greens exceeded guidance values; over half the vegetables exceeded the 95th percentile of market-basket concentrations for Pb. Vegetable Pb correlated with Al; soil particle adherence/incorporation was more important than Pb uptake via roots. Cd was similar to market-basket concentrations and below guidance values in nearly all samples. Vegetable Ba was much higher than Pb or Cd, although soil Ba was lower than soil Pb. The poor relationship between vegetable and soil metal concentrations is attributable to particulate contamination of vegetables and soil characteristics that influence phytoavailability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University, Bradfield Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Murray B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University, Bradfield Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Electronic address: has34@cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Hannah A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Shayler
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Health, New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower, Room 1743, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, USA.
authors.forename: Henry M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Spliethoff
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Health, New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower, Room 1743, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Center for Environmental Health, New York State Department of Health, Corning Tower, Room 1743, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237, USA.
authors.forename: Lydia G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Marquez-Bravo
authors.affiliation: Cornell University Cooperative Extension - NYC, 40 East 34th Street, Suite 606, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Gretchen S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ferenz
authors.affiliation: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Cornell University, Bradfield Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Russell-Anelli
authors.affiliation: Cornell University Cooperative Extension - NYC, 40 East 34th Street, Suite 606, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.affiliation: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Erie Association, 21 South Grove Street, East Aurora, NY 14052, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bachman
mesh_terms: D001464:Barium / Q000032:analysis*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis; D051639:Gardening; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D009519:New York City; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D001464:Barium; D007854:Lead
keywords: Barium; Cadmium; Lead; Plant metals uptake; Soil particle adherence; Urban vegetable gardening