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Urban horticulture and community gardening have become more and more popular in the past years, however, the risk of bioaccumulation of atmospheric polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in vegetables grown in polluted areas cannot be neglected. In our study, the No. 227 OECD GUIDELINE FOR THE TESTING OF CHEMICALS: Terrestrial Plant Test: Vegetative Vigour Test was followed to assess foliar uptake of PAHs from aqueous extract of an urban aerosol. Using lettuce (Lactuca sativa) as a test organism, significant accumulation was experienced. The highest bioconcentration factors (BCFs) were experienced for naphthalene and for anthracene, pyrene and fluoranthene showed the lowest bioaccumulation potential. BCF of each PAH showed strong correlation with molecular weight. The standard protocol defined by the Guideline made it possible to assess bioaccumulation pattern under controlled laboratory conditions.

Urban gardening has become more and more popular in recent years, as people might prefer to grow their own vegetables from controlled sources. In addition, community building also plays a key role. However, air pollution in settlements is a serious hazard affecting the quality of home-grown vegetables. During the vegetation period, traffic is the main factor generating atmospheric particulate matter. These particles will, in turn, bind to potentially toxic compounds, of which heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the most widely studied and discussed. In addition to their potential toxicity, both groups contain carcinogenic species. Heavy metals, as well as PAHs, are capable of bioaccumulation, depending on the element or compound's characteristics and the vegetable species. Some leafy vegetables can accumulate these toxic materials in significant quantities. As dietary uptake is considered the major exposure route of both heavy metals and PAHs, the consumption of impacted vegetables might even pose human health risks. This recent review summarises available data reported on heavy metal and PAH accumulation in urban environments, specified by vegetable species. Also, the assessment of possible human impact is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution in settlements has become a continuously growing problem. Traffic, especially emission of diesel-powered vehicles, poses an important health risk. Emitted particles carry a wide range to potentially toxic chemicals, of them polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are the most important group of concern. Despite the risk of air pollution, rural gardens are very popular both for food production and for environmental benefit. On the other hand, several mutagenic and/or carcinogenic PAHs have been detected in leafy vegetables grown in impacted areas. In our study, the No. 227 OECD GUIDELINE FOR THE TESTING OF CHEMICALS: Terrestrial Plant Test: Vegetative Vigor Test was followed to assess foliar uptake of PAHs from aqueous extract of diesel aerosol sample. Significant differences were found in the bioaccumulation capacity of the tested vegetables as well as in their bioaccumulation pattern. In general, most vegetables showed good even strong correlation with individual PAHs of the diesel extract. In consistency with other studies, prevalence of 3- and 4-ring PAHs was experienced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]