Respiratory bioaccessibility and solid phase partitioning of potentially harmful elements in urban environmental matrices

Abstract Studies regarding the role of geochemical processes in urban environmental matrices (UEM) and their influence on respiratory bioaccessibility in humans are scarce in humid tropical regions, especially in Brazil. Contaminated UEM are potentially hazardous to humans if particles Pb> Mn> Zn> Cu; Tailing: Pb> Cd> Zn> Mn> Cu; and Sediments: Pb> Mn> Cd> Zn> Cu. BCR-fractions were useful to predict the PHE bioaccessibility (R2 = 0.79 – 0.98), thus suggesting that particle geochemistry and mineralogy can influence PHE behaviour in the pulmonary fluid. Therefore, this approach provides a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, which allows us to carry out a more realistic assessment of the current situation of the potentially contaminated site and possible alternatives for decision making by the stakeholders.