Beryllium in contaminated soils: Implication of beryllium bioaccessibility by different exposure pathways

Md Rashidul Islam; Peter Sanderson; Ravi Naidu; Timothy E Payne; Mathew P Johansen; A S M Fazle Bari; Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126757

Beryllium in contaminated soils: Implication of beryllium bioaccessibility by different exposure pathways

J Hazard Mater. 2022 Jan 5:421:126757. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126757. Epub 2021 Jul 28.

Authors

Md Rashidul Islam¹, Peter Sanderson², Ravi Naidu¹, Timothy E Payne³, Mathew P Johansen³, A S M Fazle Bari⁴, Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman¹

Affiliations

¹ Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, NSW 2308, Australia.
² Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, NSW 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: peter.sanderson@newcastle.edu.au.
³ Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia.
⁴ Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan Campus, NSW 2308, Australia.

PMID: 34352522
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126757

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.

Keywords: Beryllium; Bioaccessibility; Exposure route; In vitro assay; Soil.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Arsenic* / analysis
Beryllium / toxicity
Biological Availability
Environmental Pollution
Soil
Soil Pollutants* / analysis
Soil Pollutants* / toxicity

Substances

Soil
Soil Pollutants
Arsenic
Beryllium