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Benzene accumulation in horticultural crops
C D Collins1, J N Bell, C Crews
1T.H. Huxley School of Environment, Earth Sciences and Engineering, Imperial College, London, UK. c.collins@ic.ac.uk
Chemosphere
|February 9, 2000
Summary
Benzene exposure in apple, blackberry, and cucumber crops showed fruit retention, with accumulation in blackberry and apple leaves. Food chain ingestion of benzene is not significant based on this study.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Agricultural Science
- Food Safety
Background:
- Benzene is a common environmental pollutant with potential human health risks.
- Understanding benzene uptake in food crops is crucial for assessing dietary exposure.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated benzene retention and accumulation in diverse crop types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the retention and accumulation of benzene in apple, blackberry, and cucumber crops.
- To explore the factors influencing benzene uptake in different plant tissues (fruits and leaves).
- To evaluate the significance of the food-chain pathway for benzene ingestion.
Main Methods:
- Controlled exposure of apple, blackberry, and cucumber crops to elevated benzene levels.
- Quantification of benzene retention in fruits and accumulation in leaves.
- Comparative analysis of benzene distribution across different crop types and tissues.
Main Results:
- Benzene was retained in the fruits of all tested crops (apple, blackberry, cucumber).
- Benzene specifically accumulated in the leaves of blackberry and apple plants.
- Cucumber fruit retention is possibly due to deeper tissue, hindering benzene desorption.
Conclusions:
- Benzene retention occurs in crop fruits, with leaf accumulation observed in specific species.
- Tissue depth may influence benzene retention dynamics in cucumber fruits.
- Dietary exposure to benzene through the food chain is considered insignificant based on these findings.
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