Pollution Characteristics, Source Identification, and Health Risk of Heavy Metals in the Soil-Vegetable System in Two Districts of Bangladesh

Abstract

The consequences of climate change, food security, and self-sufficiency goals are driving excessive human activity onto vegetable farms in Bangladesh, and harmful heavy metal exposure is spreading. So, the study assessed the toxic metals (Pb, Cd, and Cr) exposure, characteristics, and human health risk regarding the soil-vegetable system of two distinct locations in Bangladesh using atomic absorption spectrometry. The average concentration of metals in soil and fertilizer/pesticide samples followed the same order (Cr > Pb > Cd), but for vegetable samples, the order was Pb > Cr > Cd, with some extra Pb compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) allowable limit (0.3 mg/kg). Low levels of pollution with negligible ecological concerns were predicted for both locations by the soil quality indexing. But industrial influence boosted the Pb content in location B, and common sources (fertilizer/pesticide) for both locations might be responsible for a moderate level of Cd. The toxic metals transferred to vegetables followed the trend of Cd > Pb > Cr. However, the human health risks arising from harmful metals exposure at both locations were ineffective (< 1) in evaluating noncarcinogenic risk patterns through the target hazard quotient (THQ), total THQ, and hazard index (HI). Again, considering probable carcinogenic risk patterns, vegetable consumption with studied exposure levels of toxic metals followed within the acceptable range (between 1.0E-04 and 1.0E-06). Overall, location B is slightly more vulnerable than location A by considering metal exposure, pollution distribution, and risk evaluation in the study area (significant at p < 0.05). So, systematic monitoring and protective measures are required to ensure food safety and sustainable vegetable production.

Health risk assessment for consuming rice, bread, and vegetables in Hoveyzeh city

“…Following the criteria set by the USEPA, the non-carcinogenic risk to the health of consumers is not a concern, as the HI value for different veggies, grains, and bread is lower than one [44] . Since every veggie studied in Qureshi et al's research had levels of HMs below acceptable levels, the low absorption of HMs by veggies in this study indicates that the risks to human health are the minimum [45] . Furthermore, Woldetsadik et al's study showed that all types of vegetables had HM levels that were lower than the acceptable limits.…”

Effect of fertilization on the accumulation and health risk for heavy metals in native Andean potatoes in the highlands of Perú

“…The estimated daily intake (EDI) of the risk elements was calculated using Eq. (4) [65] , [66] : where: C tuber is the concentration of metals in native potatoes (mg kg −1 ); is the conversion factor (0.085) for fresh vegetables to dry weight [66] ; represents the average daily consumption rate of native potatoes in the highland areas (0.15 kg day −1 for children and 0.45 kg day −1 for adults) [67] ; is the exposure frequency (365 days per year); is the duration of exposure (70 years for adults and 6 years for children) [68] ; is the average body weight (18 kg for children and 64 kg for adults) [67] ; is the average time for non-cancer risks (365 days × ).…”

Macro-micro elements distribution, nutritional value and age-based risk assessment of branded liquid and powder milks available in Dhaka, Bangladesh

“…determine the additive and/or interaction impacts of two or more pollutants, the cumulative health risk was calculated by adding the THQ values of each metal and expressing the total THQ (TTHQ) as follows [24]: 5…”

“…The potential carcinogenic risk of lead, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic exposure in children and adults in the male and female categories was computed as follows [24]:…”