Urban gardening has been experiencing increased popularity around the world. Many urban gardens are located on sites that may be contaminated by trace elements or organic compounds due to previous use. The three main exposure pathways to the human body for soil contaminants are (a) ingestion of soil directly, (b) consumption of produce containing or superficially contaminated with a contaminant, (c) and inhalation of soil dust. The first two modes have received much attention; however, the contribution of the inhalation route has not been investigated adequately. Two inhalation risk studies were carried out in urban gardens located in Kansas City, MO, by collecting dust while 25-m² plots were rototilled. Microclimatic variables were monitored, and total inhalable dust mass was determined using a personal sampling train including a small pump and air filter. Soil lead (Pb) concentration was assessed at both sites. For Study 1, particle size distribution of collected particles was estimated through analysis of scanning electron microscope images of filters. Little dust was collected at either site. Most particles captured, however, appeared to be <4 μm in diameter. The amount of dust emitted was correlated with soil moisture. Tilling reduced soil aggregate size and blended soil, resulting in a more homogeneous distribution of Pb. Dust inhalation while tilling is likely not a major Pb exposure risk for gardeners, but given the preponderance of very small particles in what was captured, care should be taken to prevent dust from entering the respiratory system.

中文翻译：

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棕色地带城市花园土壤污染物的潜在人类吸入暴露：呼吸新鲜空气？

城市园艺在世界范围内越来越受欢迎。许多城市花园位于可能因先前使用而被微量元素或有机化合物污染的地点。人体接触土壤污染物的三种主要途径是 (a) 直接摄入土壤，(b) 食用含有污染物或表面被污染物污染的产品，(c) 和吸入土壤粉尘。前两种模式备受关注；然而，吸入途径的贡献尚未得到充分研究。在密苏里州堪萨斯城的城市花园中进行了两项吸入风险研究，通过在 25 米²地块被旋转。监测微气候变量，并使用包括小型泵和空气过滤器的个人采样系统确定可吸入灰尘总量。对两个地点的土壤铅 (Pb) 浓度进行了评估。对于研究 1，通过分析过滤器的扫描电子显微镜图像估计收集到的颗粒的粒度分布。两个站点都收集了很少的灰尘。然而，捕获的大多数颗粒的直径似乎小于 4 μm。排放的粉尘量与土壤湿度有关。耕作减少了土壤团聚体和混合土壤，导致铅的分布更均匀。耕作时吸入灰尘可能不是园丁接触铅的主要风险，但考虑到捕获的颗粒中非常小的颗粒占优势，