A Comparative Study of Heavy Metal Toxicity in the Vegetables Using ICP-MS and AAS

Abstract

Our study was conducted between January and September 2023, and aimed to evaluate the presence of toxic heavy metals in vegetables cultivated using effluent and sewage water in Jodhpur city. Eight vegetable samples were obtained from four distinct locations, and the concentrations of seven harmful heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Fe) were examined. The initial analysis employed ICP-MS, followed by determining the concentration of heavy metals in the vegetables through atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) was computed to assess pollution levels at each site. Comparative analysis of vegetable samples using both ICP-MS and AAS indicated elevated levels of lead, cadmium, and chromium pollution in vegetables from all four sites. Calculations further confirmed the contamination of the sites with toxic heavy metals. The order of metal concentration based on allowable limits was Fe>Cd>Cr>Pb>Ni>Zn>Cu. The overall order of observed heavy metal concentrations site-wise was site 4 > site 3 > site 2 > site 1. Many samples were obtained from local vendors near residential areas and community markets frequented by the public. This highlights a crucial issue of heavy metal toxicity exposure to the general population, emphasizing urgent government action, including essential restrictions and measures, to address this pressing problem.