Summary
This Rothamsted Research-based narrative review synthesises peer-reviewed evidence (2010–2017) on cadmium transfer from contaminated soils to food crops and the resulting dietary exposure risk to humans. The authors integrate soil geochemistry, plant physiology, and epidemiological frameworks to examine how soil properties and crop type modulate cadmium bioavailability and plant uptake. The work informs soil quality standards and food safety thresholds by characterising the main soil–plant–human exposure pathways and their modifying factors.
UK applicability
The findings are directly applicable to United Kingdom soil and food safety policy, as the review was conducted at Rothamsted Research and addresses cadmium risk in the context of UK food production. The work supports evidence-based refinement of UK soil quality standards and Food Standards Authority guidance on cadmium thresholds in food commodities.
Key measures
Cadmium soil-to-plant transfer rates; soil properties modulating uptake (pH, organic matter, competing cations); cadmium concentration in food crops; dietary exposure estimates; epidemiological associations
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised evidence on cadmium transfer mechanisms from contaminated soils to food crops, and characterised how soil geochemistry and crop physiology modulate bioavailability and plant uptake. It examined the resulting dietary exposure pathways and health risk implications for human populations consuming contaminated food crops.
Topic tags
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