Benzene accumulation in horticultural crops

In this study apple, blackberry and cucumber crops were exposed to elevated levels of benzene under controlled conditions. Benzene was retained in fru its of all crops, but only accumulated in leaves of blackberries and apples . The retention by cucumber fruits is suggested to result from the longer p athway for the desorption of benzene as a consequence of their increased ti ssue depth compared to leaves. The process of accumulation in blackberry an d apple leaves is unknown. The ingestion of benzene via the foodchain pathw ay on the basis of this study is concluded not to be significant. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.