Determination of Concentration of Heavy Metals in Fruits, Vegetables, Groundwater, and Soil Samples of the Cement Industry and Nearby Communities and Assessment of Associated Health Risks

Abstract

This study was conducted to estimate the heavy metal pollution in groundwater, soil, fruits, and vegetables within the cement industry and its vicinity. Seven different fruits and vegetables and seven heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Ni, Co, Cu, Cr, and Mn) were selected for analysis in soil, groundwater, fruit, and vegetable samples by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Results of this study were compared with the National and International Standards of Pak NSWQD, WHO, and USEPA. The pH of soil and groundwater samples was within limits (WHO and Pak NSDWQ standards are 6.5–8.5). The concentration of Cr and Cu in groundwater samples was above the WHO and Pak NSDWQ standards (Cr = 0.05 ppm; Cu = 2 ppm). Vegetable samples were contaminated with metals except for Ni and Mn, whereas, in fruit samples, Mn and Cd were not present (WHO limit for Mn = 5 ppm). The mean concentration of Ni was high in fruits (WHO limit = 10 ppm), Zn was high in vegetables (WHO limit = 100 ppm), and Cu was high in soil and groundwater (WHO limit for soil = 36 ppm; for groundwater = 2 ppm). The results of daily intake of metals (DIM) for fruits, vegetables, and groundwater were compared with TDI by USEPA and PTDI of the WHO/FAO, and all were within the recommended limits. Calculated BAF for the selected environmental sample, that is, Indian Squash, lime fruit, and so on, was in order of Co > Cr > Cu and THQ; HRI was calculated to estimate the human health risk, and they were in a trend of Ni > Co > Cd > Cr and for HRI Co > Cr.

Evaluation of physicochemical, antioxidant, antibacterial activity, and sensory properties of watermelon rind candy

“…Among the identified metals, Ni showed the highest content (9.239 mg/l) and Cd was the lowest one in the watermelon rind. However, the concentration of Ni was lower than WHO (World Health Organization) safe limit (WHO limit in fruits = 10 ppm) [ 50 ].…”

Heavy Metal-Related Health Risk Assessment of Cultivated Plants Around a Cement Factory in Sokoto North Western, Nigeria

“…This finding aligns with the observations of Egbe et al [27], who reported permissible HQ (< 1) but non-permissible HRI (> 1) of heavy metals in vegetables obtained around a cement plant in Cross River State, Nigeria. Yaqub et al [36] similarly documented non-tolerable THQ and HRI values for heavy metals in fruits and vegetables obtained near a cement plant in India. However, Safari and Karim [37] found no evidence of heavy metal risk in plants grown around a cement company in Iran.…”

Unravelling Heavy Metal Dynamics in Soil and Honey: A Case Study from Maramureș Region, Romania

“…An additional objective of this study was to establish a comprehensive overview of heavy metal contamination levels through the application of a bioaccumulation factor. The bioaccumulation factor (BFA) is a quantitative measure that depicts the accumulation of specific substances, such as heavy metals, within the tissues of an organism in relation to the concentration of the same substance in the surrounding environment, typically water or soil [65]. This parameter proves valuable in assessing an organism's capacity to gather particular substances from its surroundings [65].…”