Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Tropical Fruits and Agriculture Soils: Sources, Levels, and Health Risk Assessment.
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| Title: | Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Tropical Fruits and Agriculture Soils: Sources, Levels, and Health Risk Assessment. |
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| Authors: | Castañeda, Mateus1 (AUTHOR) jovan.castaneda@udea.edu.co, Avila, Boris Santiago1 (AUTHOR), Gallego Ríos, Sara E.1 (AUTHOR), Peñuela, Gustavo A.1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Environmental Forensics. Oct2025, Vol. 26 Issue 5, p605-619. 15p. |
| Subjects: | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Health risk assessment, Toxicity testing, Pollutants, Inspection & review, Food safety, Tropical fruit, Soils |
| Geographic Terms: | Antioquia (Colombia : Dept.) |
| Abstract: | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic pollutants formed during the incomplete combustion of carbon-based materials. These compounds are persistent in the environment and can be harmful, with some being toxic or carcinogenic. PAHs can accumulate in soil and be absorbed by plants, posing health risks when consumed. The objective of this study was to evaluate PAHs levels in cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana), purple passion fruit (Passiflora pinnatistipula), and Hass avocado (Persea americana L. Hass), as well as in the soils used for their cultivation, to assess the health risk associated with their consumption. In this study, 56 samples were collected: 21 samples of Hass avocado, 14 samples of cape gooseberry, and 21 samples of purple passion fruit, as well as soils for each plant. The PAHs found in the higher concentrations were fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, with maximum concentrations in Hass avocado of up to 17.5 μg/kg, 4.58 μg/kg, and 4.39 μg/kg, respectively. In purple passion fruit, the maximum values were 1.69 μg/kg, 1.15 μg/kg, and 1.20 μg/kg for fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, respectively. For cape gooseberry, fluoranthene and pyrene were the most prevalent PAHs, with concentrations of up to 6.09 μg/kg and 1.70 μg/kg, respectively. The sum of PAHs concentrations in all samples of soil were below the contamination threshold (200 μg/kg), with a maximum value of 137 μg/kg. This indicated that these soils are not contaminated. Furthermore, the human health risk analysis using Monte Carlo simulations revealed that, at the 95th percentile, non-carcinogenic risk levels were below the critical threshold of 1.0, indicating no health risk. These results suggest that fruits in La Unión, Antioquia, are not a significant source of exposure to PAHs for the population. However, the presence of fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and pyrene in fruit samples highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring. Practical recommendations include periodic PAHs monitoring in various foods and soils, as well as the development of national regulatory guidelines to establish reference thresholds for PAHs in food. This ensures food safety and promotes agricultural practices that minimize exposure to environmental contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Abstract: | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic pollutants formed during the incomplete combustion of carbon-based materials. These compounds are persistent in the environment and can be harmful, with some being toxic or carcinogenic. PAHs can accumulate in soil and be absorbed by plants, posing health risks when consumed. The objective of this study was to evaluate PAHs levels in cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana), purple passion fruit (Passiflora pinnatistipula), and Hass avocado (Persea americana L. Hass), as well as in the soils used for their cultivation, to assess the health risk associated with their consumption. In this study, 56 samples were collected: 21 samples of Hass avocado, 14 samples of cape gooseberry, and 21 samples of purple passion fruit, as well as soils for each plant. The PAHs found in the higher concentrations were fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, with maximum concentrations in Hass avocado of up to 17.5 μg/kg, 4.58 μg/kg, and 4.39 μg/kg, respectively. In purple passion fruit, the maximum values were 1.69 μg/kg, 1.15 μg/kg, and 1.20 μg/kg for fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, respectively. For cape gooseberry, fluoranthene and pyrene were the most prevalent PAHs, with concentrations of up to 6.09 μg/kg and 1.70 μg/kg, respectively. The sum of PAHs concentrations in all samples of soil were below the contamination threshold (200 μg/kg), with a maximum value of 137 μg/kg. This indicated that these soils are not contaminated. Furthermore, the human health risk analysis using Monte Carlo simulations revealed that, at the 95th percentile, non-carcinogenic risk levels were below the critical threshold of 1.0, indicating no health risk. These results suggest that fruits in La Unión, Antioquia, are not a significant source of exposure to PAHs for the population. However, the presence of fluoranthene, phenanthrene, and pyrene in fruit samples highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring. Practical recommendations include periodic PAHs monitoring in various foods and soils, as well as the development of national regulatory guidelines to establish reference thresholds for PAHs in food. This ensures food safety and promotes agricultural practices that minimize exposure to environmental contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 15275922 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/15275922.2025.2490479 |
