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Advances in Environmental Research Volume 6, Number 4, December 2017 , pages 241-254 DOI: https://doi.org/10.12989/aer.2017.6.4.241 |
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Assessment of toxic metals in vegetables with the health implications in Bangladesh |
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Md. S. Islam, Md. K. Ahmed, Ram Proshad and Saad Ahmed
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| Abstract | ||
| This study was conducted to investigate the levels of heavy metals in twelve species of vegetables and assessment of health risk. Samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The ranges of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd and Pb in vegetables species were 0.37-5.4, 0.03-17, 0.35-45, 0.01-2.6, 0.001-2.2, and 0.04-8.8 [mg/kg, fresh weight (fw)], respectively. The concentrations of As, Cd and Pb in most vegetable species exceeded the maximum permissible levels, indicating unsafe for human consumption. Health risks associated with the intake of these metals were evaluated in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), and carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks by target hazard quotient (THQ). Total THQ of the studied metals from most of the vegetables species were higher than 1, indicated that these types of vegetables might pose health risk due to metal exposure. The target carcinogenic risk (TR) for As ranged from 0.03 to 0.48 and 0.0004 to 0.025 for Pb which were higher than the USEPA acceptable risk limit (0.000001) indicating that the inhabitants consuming these vegetables are exposed to As and Pb with a lifetime cancer risk. The findings of this study reveal the health risks associated with the consumption of heavy metals through the intake of selected vegetables in adult population of Bangladesh. | ||
| Key Words | ||
| toxic metals; vegetables species; health risk; Bangladesh | ||
| Address | ||
| Md. S. Islam: 1.) Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh 2.) Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences, Yokohama National University, Japan Md. K. Ahmed: Department of Oceanography, Dhaka University, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh Ram Proshad: Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh Saad Ahmed: Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh | ||
