Human risk associated with the ingestion of artichokes grown in soils irrigated with water contaminated by potentially toxic elements, Junin, Peru

Abstract

The contamination of water, air and soil with potentially toxic elements (PTE) compromises the supply of contaminant free food. Vegetables grown in contaminated soils can absorb and accumulate PTE at concentrations that are toxic to human health. In this context, the human risk associated with the intake of artichokes grown in soils irrigated with PTE contaminated water was assessed. 120 samples of surface soil and artichoke heads were collected and the concentrations of Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn and As were determined. The results showed that the concentrations of Cu, Fe and Zn in soil did not exceed the standards of the Ministry of Environment of Peru, but they did exceed those of Pb (125.45 mg kg −1 ) and As (28.70 mg kg −1 ). The decreasing order of mean PTE concentration in artichoke heads was Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > As, exceeding the permissible levels of FAO/WHO CODEX Alimentarius. However, the concentrations of As comply with the maximum limits of inorganic contaminants in vegetables (0.3 mg kg −1 ) established in the MERCOSUR regulations. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk of Pb and As indicated that the ingestion of artichoke heads does not represent a health risk.

Transfer of Metals to the Aerosol Generated by an Electronic Cigarette: Influence of Number of Puffs and Power

“…Many metals and metalloids are essential for biological function, but chronic and acute exposure of humans to certain elements, such as nickel, chromium, lead, and arsenic, are known to have adverse toxicity when intake exceeds recommended amounts [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Humans are typically exposed to metals through a variety of pathways, including ingestion or inhalation of contaminated soil, dust, bioaccumulation in food, water, pesticides, and other sources [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Recent studies have shown that some of the metals found in electronic cigarettes accumulate in the central nervous system of mice after exposure, appear in various biomarkers of e-cigarette users, and have been shown to cause cellular damage [ 1 , 8 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ].…”

Assessment of heavy metal pollution in water and its effect on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Mediterranean Lakes: a case study at Mariout Lake

“…THQ > 1 reveals probable adverse health effects. THQ > 10 indicates high chronic risks (Custodio et al 2021). Although the THQ values are additive, they are not multiplicative; e.g., the level of concern at THQ of 20 is larger but not tenfold of that at THQ = 2 (Osakwe et al 2014).…”

“…If HI < 1, it is assumed that the non-carcinogenic adverse effects due to the fish consumption are negligible, while the potential for chronic effects may be a concern when HI > 1 (Custodio et al 2021). Hence, HI < 1 means no hazard; 1 < HI < 10 means moderate hazard, while HI > 10 means high chronic hazard (Ukoha et al 2014).…”

“…Results showed that the THQ values of the most studied metals were ten times less than the non-hazardous limit (THQ < 1). Therefore, there are no non-carcinogenic health risks from ingestion of these metals individually through Tilapia species (O. niloticus) consumption, according to Custodio et al (2021).…”

Assessment of heavy metal accumulation and health risks in okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L.) and spinach (Spinacia Oleracea L.) fertigated with wastwater

“…According to Ahmed and Slima (2018), from heavy metals, though some trace amounts are also required by the human body including copper, zinc, cobalt, iron, and others, yet their higher levels are dangerous for humans. Few heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead do not have established benefits for humans, even though, their accumulations may cause severe illness or premature deaths (Aweng et al2011;Ng et al 2016;Akram et al 2018;Ali et al 2019;Custodio et al 2021;Din et al 2022;Hussain et al 2022c;Waleed et al 2022).…”