**c.** Neglect of routes of exposure to soil pollution

In evaluating exposure to soil pollutants, assumptions regarding exposure routes are impor‐ tant. In this respect difference between countries may be noted. Soil clean-up standards for lead of Norway and Sweden differ in part because in Sweden the dominant exposure route is assumed to be by drinking water and in Norway it is thought to be by drinking water and ingestion of soil [34].

Inhalation of household dust and soil particles is not always taken into account in govern‐ mental decision making about risks of soil pollution. For instance, in the Netherlands inhala‐ tion of soil particles has been neglected as an exposure route, but in e.g. Spain it is not [34]. Neglect of inhalation would seem at variance with existing studies. Nawrot et al. [35] have studied the effects of cadmium pollution in soil (around former thermal zinc plants) and found a significant increase in lung cancer risk correlated with cadmium exposure. They plausibly explain this in terms of exposure of lung tissue to cadmium present in inhaled soil and household dust particles.

Household dust particles have also been found to be important in the exposure of children to pesticides in agricultural settings.
