Transfer of PCDD/PCDF from contaminated soils into carrots, lettuce and peas.

In a field experiment, the PCDD/PCDF transfer pathways from soil into carrots, lettuce and peas has been investigated. PCDD/PCDF contamination levels in soil varied between 5 ng I-TEq/kg on the control plot and 56 ng I-TEq/kg on the contaminated plot. PCDD/PCDF levels in carrots were threefold higher in the contaminated plot than in the control plot, which was a result of a tenfold increase in the PCDD/PCDF levels of the peel. PCDD/PCDF levels in lettuce and peas were not higher when grown on the contaminated plot and were much lower than in carrots, which indicates that the PCDD/PCDF in lettuce and peas from both plots are of atmospheric origin.