Etrace Express: software for risk analysis of trace elements in inorganic fertilizers - user's manual and reference guide.

Trace Elements are generally present in inorganic fertilizers as contaminants. There are however some trace elements that are plant nutrients and are intentionally included in fertilizer formulations. It is acknowledged that exposure to high levels of trace elements (nutrients or not) might pose a health risk to humans. This risk may be estimated by assessment models. Thus, this work presents a tool, the software Etrace Express, for easy calculation of Risk Based Concentrations of trace elements in inorganic fertilizers, which suggest safe limits for agricultural use. The main purpose of this software was to calculate values of trace element concentrations in inorganic fertilizers that may, flexibly, be used by regulators aiming to protect the human health. Etrace Express follows the same approach shown in the document prepared by The Fertilizer Institute (TFI, United States) for the US scenario, entitled “Health Risk Evaluation of Selected Metals in Inorganic Fertilizers Post Application”. RBCs calculated by Etrace Express using data from the TFI and from a Brazilian scenario reports were identical to the original. Additionally, the software allows customization of parameters for specific scenarios, very rapidly.