Assessing Oral Bioavailability Of Metals In Soil

The book also illustrates how bioavailability adjustments can be incorporated into risk assessments to generate risk-based cleanup values that are more site specific than those based on the default assumption of complete bioavailability. Although the book focuses on oral bioavailability of metals to human receptors, many of the basic principles described herein also can be applied to assessing bioavailability of organic compounds and for assessing bioavailability to ecological receptors."--BOOK JACKET.

Bioavailability refers to the extent to which humans and ecological receptors are exposed to contaminants in soil or sediment. The concept of bioavailability has recently piqued the interest of the hazardous waste industry as an important consideration in deciding how much waste to clean up. The rationale is that if contaminants in soil and sediment are not bioavailable, then more contaminant mass can be left in place without creating additional risk. A new NRC report notes that the potential for the consideration of bioavailability to influence decision-making is greatest where certain chemical, environmental, and regulatory factors align. The current use of bioavailability in risk assessment and hazardous waste cleanup regulations is demystified, and acceptable tools and models for bioavailability assessment are discussed and ranked according to seven criteria. Finally, the intimate link between bioavailability and bioremediation is explored. The report concludes with suggestions for moving bioavailability forward in the regulatory arena for both soil and sediment cleanup.

The Phase II objective was to provide information on the role of bioavailability in evaluating human exposures to chemicals in soil and how this scientific information can be used to enhance risk assessment and remediation decisions at soil-sites. The BPP Working Group formed a Metals Task Force and an Organics Task Force to help focus on timely developments in basic and applied science and regulatory policies for each chemical group. Emphasis was placed on providing a greater context for understanding and using bioavailability in assessing human health risks and potential remedies, as well as identifying information needs for future decision-making. Each Task Force developed similar areas for investigation and study, which are as follows: Relative Bioavailability and Risk Determination; Methods for Assessing Bioavailability from Soils; Assessment of Current Scientific Knowledge; Future Research Needs; Regulatory Policies; Case Studies; Conclusions and Future Dire.

The soil which is found in large cities offer distinctive challenges to the landscape architect or horticulturist responsible for maintaining these urban plantings. Often compacted, contaminated, or otherwise unsuitable for use in major landscape projects, these soils require practical methods which can insure a successful outcome of a landscape project. This applications-oriented, introductory reference addresses numerous topics in the field of urban soil science.

Bioavailability refers to the extent to which humans and ecological receptors are exposed to contaminants in soil or sediment. The concept of bioavailability has recently piqued the interest of the hazardous waste industry as an important consideration in deciding how much waste to clean up. The rationale is that if contaminants in soil and sediment are not bioavailable, then more contaminant mass can be left in place without creating additional risk. A new NRC report notes that the potential for the consideration of bioavailability to influence decision-making is greatest where certain chemical, environmental, and regulatory factors align. The current use of bioavailability in risk assessment and hazardous waste cleanup regulations is demystified, and acceptable tools and models for bioavailability assessment are discussed and ranked according to seven criteria. Finally, the intimate link between bioavailability and bioremediation is explored. The report concludes with suggestions for moving bioavailability forward in the regulatory arena for both soil and sediment cleanup.

This third edition of the book has been completely re-written, providing a wider scope and enhanced coverage. It covers the general principles of the natural occurrence, pollution sources, chemical analysis, soil chemical behaviour and soil-plant-animal relationships of heavy metals and metalloids, followed by a detailed coverage of 21 individual elements, including: antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silver, thallium, tin, tungsten, uranium, vanadium and zinc. The book is highly relevant for those involved in environmental science, soil science, geochemistry, agronomy, environmental health, and environmental engineering, including specialists responsible for the management and clean-up of contaminated land.