Beryllium in contaminated soils: implication of beryllium bioaccessibility by different exposure pathways
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Date
2022-01-05
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Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Inhalation exposure and beryllium (Be) toxicity are well-known, but research on bioaccessibility from soils via different exposure pathways is limited. This study examined soils from a legacy radioactive waste disposal site using in vitro ingestion (Solubility Bioaccessibility Research Consortium [SBRC], physiologically based extraction test [PBET], in vitro gastrointestinal [IVG]), inhalation (simulated epithelial lung fluid [SELF]) and dynamic two-stage bioaccessibility (TBAc) methods, as well as 0.43 M HNO3 extraction. The results showed, 70 ± 4.8%, 56 ± 16.8% and 58 ± 5.7% of total Be were extracted (gastric phase [GP] + intestinal phase [IP]) in the SBRC, PBET, and IVG methods, respectively. Similar bioaccessibility of Be (~18%) in PBET-IP and SELF was due to chelating agents in the extractant. Moreover, TBAc–IP showed higher extraction (20.8 ± 2.0%) in comparison with the single-phase (SBRC–IP) result (4.8 ± 0.23%), suggesting increased Be bioaccessibility and toxicity in the gastrointestinal tract when the contamination derives from the inhalation route. The results suggested Be bioaccessibility depends on solution pH; time of extraction; soil reactive fractions (organic–inorganic); particle size, and the presence of chelating agents in the fluid. This study has significance for understanding Be bioaccessibility via different exposure routes and the application of risk-based management of Be-contaminated sites. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.
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Keywords
Beryllium, Contamination, Radioactive waste disposal, Chelating agents, Soils, Inhalation, Hazards, Carcinogens, Diseases, Health hazards
Citation
Islam, M. R., Sanderson, P., Naidu, R., Payne, T. E., Johansen, M. P., Bari, A. S. M. F., & Rahman, M. M. (2022). Beryllium in contaminated soils: implication of beryllium bioaccessibility by different exposure pathways. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 421, 126757. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126757