Trace Metals in Vegetables and Associated Health Risks in Industrial Areas of Savar, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background. The occurrence of high levels of trace metals in foodstuffs represents a significant threat to human health. Vegetables grown in metal-contaminated soil or irrigated with wastewater can accumulate metals and bioaccumulate in the food chain affecting animals and humans. Objectives. The present study aimed to measure the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) in common vegetables grown in the industrial areas of Savar, Bangladesh, and to determine their potential health risks. Methods. Five vegetables species: jute ( Corchorus capsularis), red amaranth ( Amaranthus gangeticus), okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus), zucchini ( Luffa aegyptiaca) and stem amaranth ( Amaranthus viridis) were sampled randomly from agricultural fields across each study site. Vegetable samples were digested in a microwave digestion system (Berghof Microwave MWS-2, Germany). Metal concentrations were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA-7000, Shimadzu Corporation, Japan). Results. The range of Pb, Cd, Cr and Co in analyzed vegetables was 0.643–3.362, 0.041–0.049, 1.681–2.431 and 1.612–2.492 mg/kg, respectively. The target hazard quotient (THQ) of Pb in zucchini and stem amaranth and the THQs of Cr in all analyzed vegetables was greater than one. The target carcinogenic risk (TCR) of Pb and Cd for all analyzed vegetables was in the unacceptable range. In all vegetable samples, lead content was detected to be higher than the maximum permissible limits. The THQ values indicate the possibility of non-carcinogenic health risk through consumption of these vegetables. In addition, the TCR values of Pb and Cd indicate a lifetime carcinogenic health risks to consumers. Conclusions. Consumption of vegetables grown in this area may pose long-term health risks. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Trace Metal Contamination of Vegetables Grown Near the Tannery Estate in Savar, Bangladesh: Human Health Risk Assessment

“…All the THQ values for Pb were above 5, denoting that Pb may pose a major risk to the consumers. This finding is in an agreement with the findings of Amin et al, [27] The carcinogenic risk associated with the ingestion of studied vegetable species was evaluated by assessing target cancer risk (TR) and is presented in Table 4. The TR values ranged from 2.33E-04 to 5.30E-04 for Cd, 1.52E-4 to 2.11E-4 for Pb, 1.36E-02 to 1.85E-2 for Ni and 6.41E-4 to 1.17E-3 for Cr.…”

“…The highest contributing metal in TR was found to be Ni among all three vegetable species. This high cancer risk is worse than the findings of Amin et al [27] where the values were less or equal to the threshold value of 10 -4 . This draws attention to a serious health concern for the inhabitants who are consuming the vegetables grown near the studied area.…”

“…The results of THQ of the studied metals associated with the consumption of vegetables are presented in All the THQ values for Cr were less than 1, which revealed that the ingestion of Cr from vegetable consumption does not pose a major threat to human health. However, THQ for Cr investigated by Amin et al [27] was greater than 1 for all the studied vegetable samples. All the THQ values for Pb were above 5, denoting that Pb may pose a major risk to the consumers.…”

“…Tannery solid waste and effluents are discharged in the environment with partial treatment as the CETP (Central Effluent Treatment Plant) is not functioning properly. In the upper portion of Savar Upazila, the industries are well established and consequently all the previous studies focused on that part of the area [27,28]. After the tannery relocation, there has been hardly any study yet reporting the heavy metal level at the lower portion of the sub-district where the tannery estate is situated.…”

Level of Manganese and Copper in Selected Vegetables Marketed in Kaduna Metropolis

“…Emission of heavy metals from industries and vehicles may be deposited on vegetable surfaces during their production, transport and marketing. Recently, (Al Amin, at al.,2020) reported that atmospheric deposition can significantly elevate the levels of heavy metals contamination in vegetables commonly sold in the markets of ISSN: 2488-9229 FEDERAL UNIVERSITY GUSAU-NIGERIA Varanasi, India. The prolonged consumption of unsafe concentrations of heavy metals through foodstuffs may lead to the chronic accumulation of heavy metals in the kidney and liver of humans causing disruption of numerous biochemical processes, leading to cardiovascular, nervous, kidney and bone diseases (Klein-Junior et al, 2020).…”