Assessing Global and Local Risks of Metals Added to Soils

[Assessing Risks of Metals Added to Soils in Europe and North America; Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry], 2006; Vol. 25(3):631-634

Newswise — Soil properties--primarily pH, organic matter, organic carbon and cation exchange capacity--greatly influence a metal's toxicity to the plants and animals associated with the soil. Therefore, a single regulatory threshold value based on total metal concentration is virtually useless for environmental protection. Such a threshold provides a highly uncertain level of protection.

Beyond the variation in soil properties, metals occur naturally in the environment. The relationship between these two factors needs to be understood; otherwise, over- or underestimation of a metal's risk to the environment is likely.

A special issue of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry provides state-of-the-science information related to the risks posed by metals in soils, covering the three main areas of ecological risk assessment: exposure, effects and risk characterization. Papers vary from specialized studies of exposure, bioavailability and toxicity to development of metal critical loads, which are concentrations that the environment can tolerate without harm.

"Together, the papers in this special issue greatly improve our ability to effectively conduct both risk assessment and risk management related to human and other metal inputs into soils," said Dr. Peter M. Chapman, a senior environmental scientist with Golder Associates, Ltd., and a member of the Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry editorial board.

To read the study, visit: http://www.allenpress.com/pdf/entc_25_3_631_634.pdf.

To view the entire issue, visit: http://entc.allenpress.com/entconline/?request=get-toc&issn=1552-8618&volume=25&issue=3

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry is the monthly journal of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). For more information about the Society, visit http://www.setac.org.