Assessment of Health Risk Associated with Heavy Metal Contamination of Edible Vegetables in Cement Contaminated Area

Abstract

Aim: Heavy metal (HM) content of some vegetables in the vicinity of a cement factory can be a useful index for assessment of HM contamination of the environment associated with cement production.
 Study Design: This cross sectional study was conducted at the United Cement Company at Mfamosing, Akamkpa local government area, Cross River State, Nigeria between February to November 2016.
 Methods: One hundred and forty edible vegetables of Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin), Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf), Amaranthus viriditis (green leaf), Talinum triangulare (water leaf), Lavantheca africanum, Heinsia crinata and Gnatum africana were collected at varying distances and directions from the cement factory site and an area remote to the site serving as control. The lead (Pb), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn) and arsenic (As) content of the vegetable samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance at P = .05.
 Results: The Pb, Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd, Se and Zn content of vegetables in all the locations studied were within the safe limits except for Cr and As levels of some vegetables from location closest to the factory which were higher than the safe limits. The HM content of all vegetables from location closest to the factory were significantly higher than those from other locations (P <0.001). The hazard quotient (HQ) of all HM in all the vegetables were <1 except for Mn in T. occidentalis which was >1. The hazard index (ƩHQ) for all HM in all the vegetables were >1.
 Conclusion: Cement production is associated with chromium and arsenic contamination of edible vegetables and increase in hazard index of HM levels in vegetables closest to the factory which may be implicated in increased risk for development of deleterious health consequences to consumers.

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

“…Importantly, the HRI of the heavy metals indicates that heavy metals within the plants may interact synergistically to induce health effects (Figure 4). 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.…”

“…The detection of the heavy metals in the plants aligns with the findings of Warrah et al [26], who reported high levels of Hg, Zn, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Cu in plants near a cement company in Sokoto, Nigeria. Egbe et al [27] also found non-tolerable levels of Cr and As in some vegetables cultivated around a cement company in Cross River State, Nigeria. However, these results contrast with those of Nomor et al [28], who detected permissible levels of Cd and Pb in samples of casava and pawpaw leaves obtained around the Dangote Cement Company in Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria.…”

Heavy Metals in the Soil Around a Cement Company in Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria Pose Health Risks

“…The findings of the current study are consistent with those of Ogunkunle et al [38], who reported a health risk of heavy metals in soil samples obtained from the vicinity of a cement plant in Sagamu, Nigeria. Egbe et al [39] also reported a health risk of heavy metals in soils around a cement plant in Cross River State, Nigeria. In the same vein, Laniyan and Adewumu [17] reported an ecological risk of heavy metals in plants around Ewekoro cement in Ogun State.…”