Quantitative soil ingestion studies employing a mass balance tracer approach have been used to determine soil ingestion rate for use in human health risk assessments (HHRAs). Past studies have focused on soil ingestion in populations living in urban/suburban environments and the results have been highly variable. Moreover, there is a paucity of reliable quantitative soil ingestion data to support human health risk assessments of other lifestyles that may be predisposed to ingesting soil, such as indigenous populations following traditional lifestyles. Thus, the primary objective of the research was to determine if populations following lifestyles typical of traditional land use practices in rural or wilderness areas ingest more soil than populations living in urban or suburban environments. Further, the research investigated the use of alternative mass balance tracers, specifically isotopes of the 238U and 232Th decay series, to reduce soil ingestion estimate variability. Mass balance tracer methods were developed and validated in a pilot canine study, and methods using isotope tracers were adapted to permit quantification of sediment ingestion in the benthic fish Moxostoma macrolepidotum (Shorthead Redhorse Sucker). A pilot human soil ingestion study of 7 subjects from an Aboriginal community in British Columbia was conducted over a 3-week period. The mean soil ingestion rate calculated using the daily means of the 4 elemental tracers with the lowest food-to-soil ratios (i.e., Al, Ce, La, Si) was observed to be approximately 74 mg d-1 (standard deviation 91 mg d-1), The median soil ingestion rate was 60 mg d-1, and the 90th percentile was 196 mg d-1. These soil ingestion rate estimates are higher than those currently recommended for HHRAs of adults, and higher than those obtained in most previous studies of adults. However, the estimates are much lower than the earlier qualitative assessments for subsistence lifestyles (i.e., 330-400 mg d-1). The study results also demonstrated that isotopes of the 238U and 232Th decay series radionuclide are not reliable mass balance tracers for estimating soil ingestion in humans; however, they may be useful for quantifying soil and sediment ingestion in wildlife.

Quantitative soil ingestion studies employing a mass balance tracer approach have been used to determine soil ingestion rate for use in human health risk assessments (HHRAs). Past studies have focused on soil ingestion in populations living in urban/suburban environments and the results have been highly variable. Moreover, there is a paucity of reliable quantitative soil ingestion data to support human health risk assessments of other lifestyles that may be predisposed to ingesting soil, such as indigenous populations following traditional lifestyles. Thus, the primary objective of the research was to determine if populations following lifestyles typical of traditional land use practices in rural or wilderness areas ingest more soil than populations living in urban or suburban environments. Further, the research investigated the use of alternative mass balance tracers, specifically isotopes of the 238U and 232Th decay series, to reduce soil ingestion estimate variability. Mass balance tracer methods were developed and validated in a pilot canine study, and methods using isotope tracers were adapted to permit quantification of sediment ingestion in the benthic fish Moxostoma macrolepidotum (Shorthead Redhorse Sucker). A pilot human soil ingestion study of 7 subjects from an Aboriginal community in British Columbia was conducted over a 3-week period. The mean soil ingestion rate calculated using the daily means of the 4 elemental tracers with the lowest food-to-soil ratios (i.e., Al, Ce, La, Si) was observed to be approximately 74 mg d-1 (standard deviation 91 mg d-1), The median soil ingestion rate was 60 mg d-1, and the 90th percentile was 196 mg d-1. These soil ingestion rate estimates are higher than those currently recommended for HHRAs of adults, and higher than those obtained in most previous studies of adults. However, the estimates are much lower than the earlier qualitative assessments for subsistence lifestyles (i.e., 330-400 mg d-1). The study results also demonstrated that isotopes of the 238U and 232Th decay series radionuclide are not reliable mass balance tracers for estimating soil ingestion in humans; however, they may be useful for quantifying soil and sediment ingestion in wildlife.

Quantitative soil ingestion studies employing a mass balance tracer approach have been used to determine soil ingestion rate for use in human health risk assessments (HHRAs). Past studies have focused on soil ingestion in populations living in urban/suburban environments and the results have been highly variable. Moreover, there is a paucity of reliable quantitative soil ingestion data to support human health risk assessments of other lifestyles that may be predisposed to ingesting soil, such as indigenous populations following traditional lifestyles. Thus, the primary objective of the research was to determine if populations following lifestyles typical of traditional land use practices in rural or wilderness areas ingest more soil than populations living in urban or suburban environments. Further, the research investigated the use of alternative mass balance tracers, specifically isotopes of the 238U and 232Th decay series, to reduce soil ingestion estimate variability. Mass balance tracer methods were developed and validated in a pilot canine study, and methods using isotope tracers were adapted to permit quantification of sediment ingestion in the benthic fish Moxostoma macrolepidotum (Shorthead Redhorse Sucker). A pilot human soil ingestion study of 7 subjects from an Aboriginal community in British Columbia was conducted over a 3-week period. The mean soil ingestion rate calculated using the daily means of the 4 elemental tracers with the lowest food-to-soil ratios (i.e., Al, Ce, La, Si) was observed to be approximately 74 mg d-1 (standard deviation 91 mg d-1), The median soil ingestion rate was 60 mg d-1, and the 90th percentile was 196 mg d-1. These soil ingestion rate estimates are higher than those currently recommended for HHRAs of adults, and higher than those obtained in most previous studies of adults. However, the estimates are much lower than the earlier qualitative assessments for subsistence lifestyles (i.e., 330-400 mg d-1). The study results also demonstrated that isotopes of the 238U and 232Th decay series radionuclide are not reliable mass balance tracers for estimating soil ingestion in humans; however, they may be useful for quantifying soil and sediment ingestion in wildlife.

Quantitative soil ingestion studies employing a mass balance tracer approach have been used to determine soil ingestion rate for use in human health risk assessments (HHRAs). Past studies have focused on soil ingestion in populations living in urban/suburban environments and the results have been highly variable. Moreover, there is a paucity of reliable quantitative soil ingestion data to support human health risk assessments of other lifestyles that may be predisposed to ingesting soil, such as indigenous populations following traditional lifestyles. Thus, the primary objective of the research was to determine if populations following lifestyles typical of traditional land use practices in rural or wilderness areas ingest more soil than populations living in urban or suburban environments. Further, the research investigated the use of alternative mass balance tracers, specifically isotopes of the 238U and 232Th decay series, to reduce soil ingestion estimate variability. Mass balance tracer methods were developed and validated in a pilot canine study, and methods using isotope tracers were adapted to permit quantification of sediment ingestion in the benthic fish Moxostoma macrolepidotum (Shorthead Redhorse Sucker). A pilot human soil ingestion study of 7 subjects from an Aboriginal community in British Columbia was conducted over a 3-week period. The mean soil ingestion rate calculated using the daily means of the 4 elemental tracers with the lowest food-to-soil ratios (i.e., Al, Ce, La, Si) was observed to be approximately 74 mg d-1 (standard deviation 91 mg d-1), The median soil ingestion rate was 60 mg d-1, and the 90th percentile was 196 mg d-1. These soil ingestion rate estimates are higher than those currently recommended for HHRAs of adults, and higher than those obtained in most previous studies of adults. However, the estimates are much lower than the earlier qualitative assessments for subsistence lifestyles (i.e., 330-400 mg d-1). The study results also demonstrated that isotopes of the 238U and 232Th decay series radionuclide are not reliable mass balance tracers for estimating soil ingestion in humans; however, they may be useful for quantifying soil and sediment ingestion in wildlife.

Human activities over the years, especially the unconventional exploitation of oil sands deposits, downstream on the Athabasca River (AR), might have affected the water quality and ecological integrity of the river basin, thereby presenting a threat to the environment and human health. There have been concerns that the oil sands process-affected waters stored in tailing ponds may be percolating to surface waters as well as underground waters, contaminating neighboring watersheds with a cocktail of chemicals including Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are present both naturally and from human activities as pollutants in the environment. Forest fires, geologic activities, and oil seeps are examples of natural sources of PAHs in the environment. The major sources of PAHs in the Athabasca region are leaching of oil sands deposits and contamination from oil sands production. On occasions, forest fires contribute PAHs in the area. There has been no comparative data on the exposure of PAHs to fish along the AR and Slave River. I used an integrative monitoring of selected fishes as an indicator to achieve four objectives: i) describe the spatial and seasonal distribution of measurable concentrations of products of biotransformation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PBPAH) in bile of fish; ii) determine the levels of parent PAHs in the muscle of fish, and extrapolate the data to estimate potential risk to human consumers, and to identify which species and geographic regions, if any, pose the greatest risk to humans; iii) use patterns of contamination to provide a scientific basis for elucidating the source of contamination; and iv) perform fish health investigation by collecting morphometric health measures and perform a systematic assessment of the occurrence of lesions in the fishes. I sampled whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), jackfish/northern pike (Esox luscius), walleye (Sander vitreus), goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) and burbot (Lota lota) from Fort McMurray, Fort McKay, and Fort Chipewyan in Alberta, and from Fort Smith and Fort Resolution on the Slave River in the Northwest Territories. The rationale for selecting fishes included: their abundance along the basin (some have short ranges, e.g., northern pike); their dietary/nutritional and cultural significance to communities in the area; their feeding strategy, such as benthic, supra-benthic, or pelagic, trophic status, and patterns of migration and habits of spawning. I addressed the first objective in Chapter 2, where the total PBPAHs were determined. Concentrations of products of biotransformation of 2 and 3-ringed, 4-ringed, and 5-ringed PAHs were measured using synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. Spatial and seasonal differences were observed with greater concentrations of PBPAHs in samples of bile of fish collected from Fort McKay as well as greater concentrations of PBPAHs in bile of fish collected during summer compared to those collected in other seasons. Overall, PBPAHs were greater in fishes of lower trophic levels and fishes more closely associated with sediments. In particular, goldeye (Hiodon alosoides), consistently contained greater concentrations of all the PBPAHs studied. In Chapter 3, I achieved the second objective by measuring levels of parent PAHs in muscle of selected fishes and extrapolated the results to determine potential human health risks due to fish consumption. Dorsal muscle of fishes from upstream reaches of the AR close to oil sands extraction and upgrading activities, contained greater concentrations of individual PAHs than concentrations in muscle of fishes from further downstream in the Slave River. Risks posed by PAHs to humans were assessed using a B[a]P equivalents approach. According to the risk assessment results, the average lifetime risk of additional cancers for humans who consumed fish was less than 10-6. In Chapter 4, alkylated PAHs were also measured in fish muscle to achieve the third objective. The general presence of naphthalenes and phenanthrenes and the evaluation of molecular ratios (i.e., LMW/HMW alkyl-PAHs) allowed me to conclude that the major source of pollution is petrogenic, probably due to increases in oil sand activities around Fort McMurray and Fort McKay. I achieved the fourth objective in Chapter 5 by studying the health status and potential effects of industrial development on individuals of economically and culturally significant fishes. A resurgence in condition factor of all species after a low in 2011 was observed. Annual variation was also observed in condition factor and the incidence of anomalies or lesions. Morphometric data demonstrated relatively consistent health among fishes in both the Athabasca and Slave rivers. Analysis of condition factor and somatic indices did not demonstrate consistent differences along the river system. Overall, the health of fish as determined by the metrics employed in this study, does not appear to be adversely affected by the current level of development in the Alberta oil sands region. The data presented in this dissertation make invaluable contribution to the much needed monitoring program in the Athabasca and Slave Rivers. Overall, my findings provide baseline data on fish health, concentrations of parent and alkylated PAHs, and products of biotransformation of PAH in five species of large-bodied fishes consumed by humans in communities in the Lower Athabasca and Slave River basin. These results will be useful for establishing the status and trends and spatial distribution of PAHs during monitoring of the lower Athabasca basin and most importantly, as a valuable reference point before any potential permitted discharges of wastewaters from processing of oil sands to the AR.

The conventional battery for genotoxicity testing is not well-suited to assessing the large number of chemicals needing evaluation. Traditional in vitro tests lack throughput capacity, provide little mechanistic information, and have poor specificity in predicting in vivo genotoxicity. The Health Canada GeneTox21 research program is developing a multi-endpoint platform for modernized in vitro genotoxicity assessment. The GeneTox21 assays include the TGx-DDI transcriptomic biomarker (i.e., 64-gene expression signature to identify DNA damage-inducing (DDI) substances), the MicroFlow® assay (i.e., a flow cytometry-based micronucleus (MN) test), and the MultiFlow® assay (i.e., a multiplexed flow cytometry-based reporter assay that yields mechanism-of-action (MoA) information). As part of GeneTox21 development, the objective of this study was to investigate the utility of the TGx-DDI transcriptomic biomarker, multiplexed with the MicroFlow® and MultiFlow® assays, as an integrated testing strategy for screening data-poor substances prioritized by Health Canada’s New Substances Assessment and Control Bureau. Human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells were exposed to 3 control and 10 data-poor substances, using a 6-point concentration range. Cells were exposed for 4 hours with or without exogenous metabolic activation. Gene expression profiling was conducted using the targeted TempO-SeqTM assay, and the TGx-DDI classifier was applied to the dataset. Classifications were compared with those based on the MicroFlow® and MultiFlow® assays. Benchmark Concentration (BMC) modeling was used for potency ranking. The results of the integrated hazard calls indicate that five data-poor compounds are genotoxic in vitro, causing DNA damage via a clastogenic MoA, and one is positive via a pan-genotoxic MoA. Two compounds are likely irrelevant positives in the MN test; two are considered possibly genotoxic causing DNA damage via an ambiguous MoA. From quantitative analyses of concentration-response data, we observed nearly identical potency rankings for each assay with two main potency groups being observed. This ranking was maintained when all endpoint BMCs were converted into a single score using the Toxicological Prioritization (ToxPi) approach. Overall, this study contributes to the establishment of a modernized approach for effective genotoxicity assessment and chemical prioritization for further regulatory scrutiny. We conclude that integration of the TGx-DDI biomarker with other GeneTox21 assays is an effective NAM-based strategy for genotoxicity assessment of data-poor compounds.

A contaminação dos solos por elementos potencialmente tóxicos (EPTs) provoca alterações na estrutura e no funcionamento dos ecossistemas, além de oferecer riscos à saúde pública. Os EPTs estão presentes naturalmente no ambiente, sendo constituintes de rochas e sedimentos. Entretanto, atividades antropogênicas como emissões industriais, uso de efluentes urbanos, dejetos de animais, biossólidos, fertilizantes e defensivos agrícolas podem contribuir para aumento da concentração dos EPTs. O solo é um dos principais meios de exposição dos EPTs aos seres humanos. Logo, é importante quantificar os teores dos EPTs nos solos e sua distribuição na microbacia para poder avaliar o risco a saúde humana. Os efeitos dos elementos tóxicos que chegam ao solo sobre a diversidade e funcionalidade da biota podem ser avaliados por meio de testes ecotoxicológicos. Alguns organismos são bons indicadores ambientais por participarem de processos biológicos importantes do solo. Os principais organismos utilizados são os colêmbolos, artrópodes terrestres com alta diversidade e abundância, sendo encontrado em todos os biomas. Nesse estudo, quantificaram-se os teores de Arsênio (As), Cádmio (Cd), Cobalto (Co), Cobre (Cu), Cromo (Cr), Chumbo (Pb), Níquel (Ni) e Zinco (Zn) em amostras de 15 solos da microbacia do Rio Guamium, localizada em Piracicaba, São Paulo. Foi realizado experimento em casa de vegetação com alface (Lactuca sativa L.), pepino (Cucumis sativus L.), beterraba (Beta vulgaris L.) e rúcula (Eruca sativus Mill.) para avaliar o risco a saúde humana. Foi avaliado também o efeito da aplicação de doses de As na reprodução dos colêmbolos. Para tanto, foram coletadas amostras de solos nas profundidades 0 - 0,1; 0,1 - 0,2; 0,2 - 0,3; 0,3 - 0,4; 0,4 - 0,6; 0,6 - 0,9 e 0,9 - 1,2 m. Foi realizada a extração dos EPTs pelo método EPA 3051a (0,5 g de solo + 9 ml HNO3 + 3 ml HCl com digestão assistida por forno microondas). Os EPTs que apresentaram as maiores concentrações foram o As (3 pontos) e Cu (1 ponto), sendo as concentrações superiores ou iguais ao valor de prevenção estabelecido pelo órgão ambiental paulista (Cetesb). O As apresentou elevado risco carcinogênico, enquanto o Cu apresentou risco à saúde humana apenas quando 100 % dos vegetais consumidos eram provenientes da área com elevado teor de Cu, sendo este o cenário mais restritivo. Houve diferença na disponibilidade de As entre o solo natural e o solo artificial tropical (SAT), composto por areia, caulinita e pó de fibra de coco. O SAT apresentou alta disponibilidade de As o que reduziu a taxa de reprodução dos colêmbolos. No SAT a LOEC (Lowest Observed Effect Concentration) foi 0,25 mg kg-1 e a NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) < 0,25 mg kg-1. No solo natural não foi possível determinar a NOEC, enquanto a LOEC foi 8,41 mg kg-1. / Soil contamination by potential toxics elements (PTEs) can change the ecosystem structure, its function and can cause risk to human health. PTEs occur naturally in the environment; however human activities such as industrial emissions, urban sewage, animal waste, biosolids, fertilizers and pesticides can increase their concentration. Soil is one of the main pathways to human exposure, so it is important to evaluate the contents of PTEs in soils and their distribution in the watershed in order to assess the human health risk. The effects of PTEs that reach the soil on the diversity and functionality of microorganisms can be evaluated by ecotoxicological tests. Organisms that take part of the biological process can be used as environment quality indicators. One of them is the springtails (Collembola) that are wide spread and have high diversity, being found in all ecosystems. In this study, we evaluated the Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) contents in 15 soil from Guamium watershed, located in Piracicaba, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. To assess the human health risk lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and rocket (Eruca sativus Mill.) were cultivated under greenhouse conditions. The effect of As rates on collembola reproduction was also evaluated. Soil samples were collected in the following depths: 0 - 0.1; 0.1 - 0.2; 0.2 - 0.3; 0.3 - 0.4; 0.4 - 0.6; 0.6 - 0.9 e 0.9 - 1.2 m. Contents of PTEs were obtained after microwave extraction by EPA 3051a method (0.5 g soil + 9 mL HNO3 + 3 mL HCl). As and Cu had the highest contents, and their concentration were close or higher than prevention value established by Sao Paulo state environmental agency (Cetesb). As showed high carcinogenic risk, otherwise Cu only represented risk to human health in the most restrictive scenario, when 100% of the vegetables consumed were taken from the contaminated area. There was difference in the As availability between natural soil and artificial soil (ArtS) which was composed by sand, Kaolinite and powdered coconut fiber. As availability was high in the ArtS and it decreased the collembola reproduction. The Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) on SAT were 0.25 mg kg-1, while and the No Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) were less than 0.25 mg kg-1. Otherwise, the LOEC were 8.41 mg kg-1 in the natural soil, but it was not possible to define the NOEC.

A contaminação dos solos por elementos potencialmente tóxicos (EPTs) provoca alterações na estrutura e no funcionamento dos ecossistemas, além de oferecer riscos à saúde pública. Os EPTs estão presentes naturalmente no ambiente, sendo constituintes de rochas e sedimentos. Entretanto, atividades antropogênicas como emissões industriais, uso de efluentes urbanos, dejetos de animais, biossólidos, fertilizantes e defensivos agrícolas podem contribuir para aumento da concentração dos EPTs. O solo é um dos principais meios de exposição dos EPTs aos seres humanos. Logo, é importante quantificar os teores dos EPTs nos solos e sua distribuição na microbacia para poder avaliar o risco a saúde humana. Os efeitos dos elementos tóxicos que chegam ao solo sobre a diversidade e funcionalidade da biota podem ser avaliados por meio de testes ecotoxicológicos. Alguns organismos são bons indicadores ambientais por participarem de processos biológicos importantes do solo. Os principais organismos utilizados são os colêmbolos, artrópodes terrestres com alta diversidade e abundância, sendo encontrado em todos os biomas. Nesse estudo, quantificaram-se os teores de Arsênio (As), Cádmio (Cd), Cobalto (Co), Cobre (Cu), Cromo (Cr), Chumbo (Pb), Níquel (Ni) e Zinco (Zn) em amostras de 15 solos da microbacia do Rio Guamium, localizada em Piracicaba, São Paulo. Foi realizado experimento em casa de vegetação com alface (Lactuca sativa L.), pepino (Cucumis sativus L.), beterraba (Beta vulgaris L.) e rúcula (Eruca sativus Mill.) para avaliar o risco a saúde humana. Foi avaliado também o efeito da aplicação de doses de As na reprodução dos colêmbolos. Para tanto, foram coletadas amostras de solos nas profundidades 0 - 0,1; 0,1 - 0,2; 0,2 - 0,3; 0,3 - 0,4; 0,4 - 0,6; 0,6 - 0,9 e 0,9 - 1,2 m. Foi realizada a extração dos EPTs pelo método EPA 3051a (0,5 g de solo + 9 ml HNO3 + 3 ml HCl com digestão assistida por forno microondas). Os EPTs que apresentaram as maiores concentrações foram o As (3 pontos) e Cu (1 ponto), sendo as concentrações superiores ou iguais ao valor de prevenção estabelecido pelo órgão ambiental paulista (Cetesb). O As apresentou elevado risco carcinogênico, enquanto o Cu apresentou risco à saúde humana apenas quando 100 % dos vegetais consumidos eram provenientes da área com elevado teor de Cu, sendo este o cenário mais restritivo. Houve diferença na disponibilidade de As entre o solo natural e o solo artificial tropical (SAT), composto por areia, caulinita e pó de fibra de coco. O SAT apresentou alta disponibilidade de As o que reduziu a taxa de reprodução dos colêmbolos. No SAT a LOEC (Lowest Observed Effect Concentration) foi 0,25 mg kg-1 e a NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) < 0,25 mg kg-1. No solo natural não foi possível determinar a NOEC, enquanto a LOEC foi 8,41 mg kg-1. / Soil contamination by potential toxics elements (PTEs) can change the ecosystem structure, its function and can cause risk to human health. PTEs occur naturally in the environment; however human activities such as industrial emissions, urban sewage, animal waste, biosolids, fertilizers and pesticides can increase their concentration. Soil is one of the main pathways to human exposure, so it is important to evaluate the contents of PTEs in soils and their distribution in the watershed in order to assess the human health risk. The effects of PTEs that reach the soil on the diversity and functionality of microorganisms can be evaluated by ecotoxicological tests. Organisms that take part of the biological process can be used as environment quality indicators. One of them is the springtails (Collembola) that are wide spread and have high diversity, being found in all ecosystems. In this study, we evaluated the Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) contents in 15 soil from Guamium watershed, located in Piracicaba, state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. To assess the human health risk lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) and rocket (Eruca sativus Mill.) were cultivated under greenhouse conditions. The effect of As rates on collembola reproduction was also evaluated. Soil samples were collected in the following depths: 0 - 0.1; 0.1 - 0.2; 0.2 - 0.3; 0.3 - 0.4; 0.4 - 0.6; 0.6 - 0.9 e 0.9 - 1.2 m. Contents of PTEs were obtained after microwave extraction by EPA 3051a method (0.5 g soil + 9 mL HNO3 + 3 mL HCl). As and Cu had the highest contents, and their concentration were close or higher than prevention value established by Sao Paulo state environmental agency (Cetesb). As showed high carcinogenic risk, otherwise Cu only represented risk to human health in the most restrictive scenario, when 100% of the vegetables consumed were taken from the contaminated area. There was difference in the As availability between natural soil and artificial soil (ArtS) which was composed by sand, Kaolinite and powdered coconut fiber. As availability was high in the ArtS and it decreased the collembola reproduction. The Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) on SAT were 0.25 mg kg-1, while and the No Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) were less than 0.25 mg kg-1. Otherwise, the LOEC were 8.41 mg kg-1 in the natural soil, but it was not possible to define the NOEC.

L'utilisation des engrais chimiques phosphatés, et les usines de fertilisants, ayant comme matière première la roche phosphate et rejetant du phosphogypse, contribuent à l’élévation des teneurs des radionucléides naturels et des éléments traces métalliques dans l’environnement. Ces contaminations risquent d’affecter l’écosystème et la santé humaine.Cette étude évalue l’impact sanitaire des radionucléides naturels émetteurs gamma des séries de désintégration de 238U, 232Th, de l’élément naturel radioactif 40K et du Pb, présents dans la matière première et les produits d’une usine de fertilisants au Liban.L’objectif principal est de caractériser la contamination diffuse de ces polluants dans une optique d’évaluation du risque sanitaire dans 9 sites résidentiels, non-cultivés autour de l’usine. Un focus est spécifiquement porté sur l’évaluation quantitative du risque sanitaire lié à la consommation de la plante sauvage Dittrichia viscosa et l’ingestion accidentelle de poussières de sol pour les habitants de la zone étudiée. La notion de bioaccessibilité du Pb des sols et des plantes est intégrée dans ces évaluations. Des extractions chimiques par EDTA et le Physiologically Based Extraction Test (PBET) ont été utilisés pour une estimation in vitro, des fractions disponibles et bioaccessibles du Pb. Ces dernières ont été intégrées dans les calculs des risques. Les risques radiologiques relatifs aux rayonnements ionisants gamma des radionucléides ont également été estimés via les paramètres radiologiques.L’ensemble des travaux a montré que l’usine de fertilisants engendre une contamination diffuse qui augmente les niveaux de radionucléides et du Pb dans l’environnement proche, plus précisément dans les sols (pour 238U, 226Ra et leurs descendants 214Pb, 212Pb et 210Pb, ainsi que pour Pb), et dans les parties aériennes des plantes Dittrichia viscosa (pour Pb et 210Pb). L’étude de la distribution du 210Pb et les fractions PbEDTA apportent des informations complémentaires pour caractériser l’apport en Pb dû à l’activité de l’usine. Les résultats ont montré que les valeurs moyennes des concentrations d’activité des radionucléides dans les échantillons de sol étaient légèrement supérieures à ceux déterminés dans d'autres régions libanaises et aux valeurs moyennes mondiales. D’après les paramètres radiologiques, aucun risque significatif n’a été identifié pour la population fréquentant la zone.Les concentrations en Pb pseudo-total de sol ont été inférieures aux seuils applicables. Des dépassements de seuil ont été constatés pour les teneurs en Pb dans les feuilles de Dittrichia viscosa.Deux schémas d’évaluation de risque sanitaire du Pb ont été étudiés : un premier schéma classique basé sur l’hypothèse de l’ingestion des teneurs totales en Pb dans les sols et les plantes ; un deuxième schéma où seulement les fractions pouvant atteindre la circulation systémique ont été évaluées et considérées dans les calculs de risque. Ces deux schémas ont été appliqués à deux scénarios de terrain à forte exposition. La prise en compte des concentrations de Pb bioaccessible dans les calculs réduit considérablement (au moins d’un facteur de 10) le risque potentiel pour les deux scénarios alors que les calculs du risque selon le schéma classique montrent un risque significatif pour les enfants. Quel que soit le schéma de calcul de risque retenu, l’ingestion des plantes reste la voie principale d’exposition pour les deux scénarios maximalistes. / The use of phosphate fertilizers and phosphate rock as raw material by fertilizer plants, and the by-product phosphogypsum, contribute in increasing the levels of natural radionuclides and trace metals in the environment. This may affect the ecosystem and human health.This study evaluates the radiological impact of natural gamma-emitting radionuclides, mainly 238U, 232Th and their decay product, and 40K. As well as, it evaluates the health impact of Pb, present in the raw material and fertilizers produced by a fertilizer plant in Lebanon.The main objective is to characterize the diffuse contamination of these pollutants with a view to assess the health risk in 9 non-cultivated residential sites around the plant. A focus on the quantitative assessment of the health risk is specifically linked to the consumption of the wild plant Dittrichia viscosa and the accidental ingestion of soil dust for the inhabitants of the study area. The concept of bioaccessibility of soil and plant Pb is integrated into these assessments. Chemical extractions using EDTA and the Physiologically Based Extraction Test (PBET) were used for in vitro estimation of available and bioaccessible Pb fractions. These were incorporated into the risk calculations. The radiological risks related to gamma ionizing radiation from radioelements were also estimated via radiological parameters.All of the work has shown that the fertilizer plant generates diffuse contamination that increases the levels of radionuclides and Pb in the near environment, specifically in soils (for 238U, 226Ra and their decay products 214Pb, 212Pb and 210Pb, as well as for Pb), and in the aerial parts of Dittrichia viscosa plants (for Pb and 210Pb). The study of the distribution of 210Pb and PbEDTA fractions provide additional information to characterize the Pb contribution due to the activity of the plant. The results showed that the mean values of activity concentrations of radioelements in soil samples were slightly higher than those determined in other Lebanese regions and worldwide average values. Based on the radiological parameters, no significant risk has been identified for the population frequenting the area.The pseudo-total soil Pb concentrations were below the applied thresholds. Threshold exceedances were observed for Pb levels in Dittrichia viscosa leaves.Two health risk assessment schemes for Pb were studied: a first classical scheme based on the hypothesis of the total ingestion of total Pb levels in soils and plants; a second scheme where only fractions reaching the systemic circulation have been measured and considered in risk calculations. These two schemes were studied for two high-exposure field scenarios. Taking into account the bioaccessible Pb concentrations in the calculations greatly reduces (at least by a factor of 10) the potential risk for both scenarios, whereas the classical risk calculations show a significant risk for the children. Whatever the chosen risk calculation scheme, ingestion of plants remains the main route of exposure for the two maximalist scenarios.

Les éléments trace métalliques (ETM) sont des polluants qui sont sources de préoccupations majeures à cause de leurs toxicités et de leurs propriétés cumulatives. Certains d’eux peuvent être cancérogènes. La métropole de Sfax, située au sud de la Tunisie, a été touchée par des rejets et émissions d’ETM depuis des décennies. Plusieurs études ont confirmé que la pollution métallique est principalement d’origine anthropique, liée en particulier aux activités industrielles. Cela présente un risque sur la santé des habitants, particulièrement pour ceux qui sont également exposés par leur métier dans des procédés industriels. L’objectif de cette étude est d’évaluer les risques sanitaires associés à l’exposition professionnelle dans les industries qui manipulent des ETM dans leurs processus de production, en suivant l’approche de l’évaluation des risques sanitaires. Dans ce but, cinq entreprises qui utilisent des métaux comme matière première pour produire une variété de produits métalliques, ont accepté d’adhérer à notre étude. Les métaux qui étaient explorés sont Al, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb. Des modèles mathématiques de prédiction des expositions professionnelles aux agents chimiques ont été utilisés pour estimer les concentrations des ETM dans l’air intérieur pour 15 postes différents. Des prélèvements atmosphériques ont été effectués afin de comparer les concentrations prédites à celles mesurées, en utilisant des prélèvements individuels ou sur postes fixes. Finalement, des prélèvements urinaires ont été collectés chez 61 travailleurs afin d’évaluer le lien entre l’excrétion des ETM et les niveaux atmosphériques. Globalement, les estimations des concentrations atmosphériques avaient une bonne concordance avec les valeurs mesurées sur l’ensemble des postes de travail. Des meilleures prédictions ont été trouvées pour certaines activités, en particulier pour des processus de découpage des tôles et de soudures. Les valeurs qui correspondent au 90ème percentile de la distribution de l’exposition ont été utilisées pour le calcul du « interaction-based hazard index HIint » pour évaluer les risques associés aux mélanges d’ETM. Un excès de risque total de cancer a été aussi calculé. Les résultats ont montré des expositions élevées qui peuvent provoquer des pathologies respiratoires, avec un HIint allant jusqu’à 93,6. Les niveaux les plus élevés sont attribués à la soudure à l'arc à l'électrode enrobée et au débitage et cisaillage des tôles. Ces risques augmentent à cause de l’effet synergique qui existe entre Cr, Ni et Cu. Des risques élevés de cancer du poumon et du rein ont été encore démontrés (risque total vie entière de cancer pour les ouvriers exposés : 3.7×10-4). Ce travail montre que les modèles mathématiques peuvent prédire correctement les niveaux d’exposition des ETM dans l’air intérieur pour plusieurs processus de la métallurgie. Ce résultat est intéressant pour aider les différents acteurs pour piloter de manière efficiente les systèmes de surveillance et la réduction des expositions dans ce secteur économique. Des progrès en matière d’hygiène industrielle sont nécessaires dans ce secteur industriel pour minimiser le risque sanitaire élevé auquel sont actuellement exposés les travailleurs concernés / Trace metallic elements (TMEs) are pollutants of great concern even in trace amounts because of their toxicity and cumulative property. Some of them can be carcinogenic. The Sfax metropolis, located in the southern region of Tunisia, has been affected by releases of TMEs for decades. Several studies confirmed that this pollution is predominantly originated from anthropogenic sources, mainly from industrial activities. It represents a threat to the health of residents, particularly for those also exposed during occupational activities in industrial processes. The present study aims to assess health risks associated with occupational exposure in industries handling TMEs in their production processes, following the human health risk assessment approach. To this end, five companies using raw material containing TMEs to produce a variety of metallic products accepted to participate to the study. The metals that were investigated are Al, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb. Mathematical models for estimating occupational exposure to chemicals were used to predict indoor air TME exposure levels in 15 different job tasks. Air monitoring was conducted in order to compare the predicted workplace air concentrations versus the direct measured ones, using both workplace-fixed monitors and personal samplers. And finally, urine samples were collected from 61 workers to assess whether TMEs excretion correlate with job exposure levels. Globally, the predicted air estimates relate well with measured concentrations over the whole set of job tasks. Better predictions were found for certain activities, in particular for steel cutting and welding processes. The values that correspond to the 90th percentile of the exposure distribution were then used in the interaction-based hazard index HIint to assess health risks associated with the mixtures of TMEs. Total cancer risk was also investigated. Results showed high exposures for metals that may elicit respiratory conditions, with a HIint reaching 93.6, the highest levels being for the shielded metal arc welding and metal shearing and slitting tasks. The risk is enhanced by a synergetic effect between Cr, Ni and Cu. High risks of lung and kidney cancers were demonstrated (the predicted life-long total cancer risk for exposed workers is 3.7×10-4). This work shows that mathematical models can be accurate in predicting TME airborne exposure levels for several processes in the metallurgic industry, a result that is of interest to help the different stakeholders to monitor efficiently exposure surveillance and abatement. Progress in industrial hygiene is needed in this industrial sector to reduce the high level of health risks currently experienced by the metalworking workers