An Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Vegetables Grown in Wastewater-Irrigated Areas of Titagarh, West Bengal, India

Abstract

The effects of municipal wastewater irrigation on the accumulation of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni) in soil and vegetables were investigated by monitoring wastewater-irrigated agricultural field of Titagarh, 24-Parganas (North), West Bengal, India. The mean concentrations of Pb, Ni, Cu in the irrigation water and the mean Cd content in soil were much above the recommended level. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cd, Cr and Ni in all the examined vegetables were beyond the safe limits. The study reveals that heavy metal-contaminated vegetables grown in wastewater-irrigated areas may pose public health hazards.

Treated Greywater Reuse for Hydroponic Lettuce Production in a Green Wall System – Quantitative Health Risk Assessment

“…On the other hand, the health risk of heavy metals bioaccumulation in vegetables and food crops irrigated by untreated and treated wastewater evaluated in different studies [22][23][24][25][26]. This study was conducted in a unique configuration of an on-site greywater treatment system, granular filtration as part of green wall structure and hydroponic lettuce production system.…”

Metals Uptake by Wastewater Irrigated Vegetables and their Daily Dietary Intake in Peshawar, Pakistan / Pobieranie Metali Przez Warzywa Nawadniane Ściekami I Ich Dzienne Stężenie W Diecie Ludności Peszawaru, Pakistan

“…Briefly a sample of 0.5 g was digested using digestion tube by adding 1 cm 3 of HClO 4 and 4 cm 3 of HNO 3 . When the content became clear samples were cooled and filtration was carried out using Whatman 42 filter paper.…”

“…Soil samples were digested by following the method of Sharma et al [26]. One g soil was transferred to a 250 cm 3 digestion tube containing 10 cm 3 concentrated HNO 3 . The tubes were then boiled for 30 to 45 minutes.…”

“…A blank was also prepared following the exact procedure without adding soil sample. Water samples were prepared by taking 50 cm 3 in a beaker and treated it with 10 cm 3 concentrated HNO 3 . The solution in beaker was heated until 40 cm 3 volume remained.…”

“…It can also prevent various toxic substances during digestion and support better health such as minimizing the risk of colorectal cancer and other diseases [1]. However, nutritional quality and food safety measures should be kept in mind when recommending vegetables for human consumption because they contain both essential and non essential minerals [1][2][3].…”