Size distributions of soil particles adhered to children's hands

Yamamoto, N; Takahashi, Y; Yoshinaga, J; Tanaka, A; Shibata, Y

HERO ID

537234

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2006

Language

English

PMID

16583253

HERO ID 537234
In Press No
Year 2006
Title Size distributions of soil particles adhered to children's hands
Authors Yamamoto, N; Takahashi, Y; Yoshinaga, J; Tanaka, A; Shibata, Y
Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Volume 51
Issue 2
Page Numbers 157-163
Abstract The size distributions of the soil particles adhered to children's hands were preliminarily investigated and compared with a cutoff soil particle size recently specified in the official analytical method in Japan. To facilitate fieldworks involving child participants, we tested a methodology using a laser scattering particle size distribution analyzer and validated it for field applications. The laboratory experiments using this method showed finer soil particles tended to be adhered more efficiently to human hands. Meanwhile, our preliminary field survey revealed large variations in mass (mean 26.2 mg/hand, median 15.2 mg/hand, max 162.5 mg/hand) and size distributions (particle mode diameter of 39 +/- 26 mu m) of the particles adhered to children's hands after various playing activities. Even though the ways the particles adhered were noticeably varied under actual playing situations, the adhered particles were consistently and considerably smaller than the 2-mm cutoff diameter defined by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan. Since soil contaminant concentrations are generally higher for finer soil particles, measurement of contaminant concentrations for the soil fraction including the non-adherent millimeter particles may underestimate the risk of direct soil contaminant intakes.
Doi 10.1007/s00244-005-7012-y
Pmid 16583253
Wosid WOS:000238362100001
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Soil Particle; Human Hand; Reference Soil; Laser Transmittance; Soil Contaminant
Is Peer Review Yes
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