Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288:reg:1:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2013C00288
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 1 (pt 4/16)
Character Range: 2060404–2063311

arsenic, dermal absorption of arsenic is generally considered to be negligible. US EPA (2004) guidance uses a dermal absorption factor of 3% based on Wester et al. (1993), who examined the dermal uptake of arsenic in solution. However, recent studies on the dermal absorption of soil-absorbed arsenic in rhesus monkeys indicate that the mean dermal absorption is 0.5%, i.e. negligible (Lowney et al. 2007)'.

On the basis of the above, a dermal absorption value of 0.5% has been considered in the derivation of an HIL for arsenic in soil.

    1.3.3         Inhalation of Dust
Arsenic is not volatile and inhalation exposures associated with particulates outdoors and indoors are expected to be of less significance than ingestion of soil. While likely to be negligible, potential inhalation exposures associated with dust have been considered in the HIL derived.

    1.3.4         Plant Uptake
In the review of arsenic presented by Langley (1991), a study by Merry et al. (1986) was cited which involved evaluation of the uptake of arsenic by radishes and silverbeets in soil with concentrations ranging from 26260 ppm. The study showed 'no concentrations that exceeded currently accepted health limits for human consumption' Langley (1991). Langley (1991) also noted that plant growth was likely to be affected before plant concentrations were substantially elevated.
Further review of plant uptake of arsenic is presented by the UK Environment Agency (EA 2009b). This review considered studies that are based on the uptake of arsenic into green vegetables, root vegetables, tuber vegetables, herbaceous fruit, shrub fruit and tree fruit. The review provides recommendations as to relevant soil-to-plant uptake factors that are relevant for these types of produce. The recommendations from this review have been considered in the derivation of a residential HIL A and are summarised below for the range of crops considered:

Produce Group     Plant Uptake Factors (mg/kg produce fresh weight per mg/kg soil) (EA 2009b)
Green vegetables  0.00043
Root vegetables   0.0004
Tuber vegetables  0.00023
Tree fruit        0.0011

It is noted that the inclusion of home-grown produce in the calculations presented for HIL A results in some double counting of intakes from fruit and vegetable produce (also included in background intakes). To address this in the derivation of HIL A, half the intake estimated to be derived from home-grown produce is assumed to be already accounted for in the total background intake (noted below).

    1.3.5         Intakes from Other Sources – Background
The most recent Australian Total Diet Survey (ATDS) that addresses arsenic in food was published by FSANZ in 2011 (FSANZ 2011). Based on data presented in this report, dietary intake of arsenic for children aged 25 years ranges from a mean of 1.2 µg/kg/day to a 90th percentile of 2.8 µg/kg/day. These intakes are based