Abstract
Human exposure to nonessential trace elements occurs from food crops that are contaminated by the soil. The present study aimed to determine the level of heavy metals in soil and rice samples using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer from three major industrial areas in Bangladesh: Savar, Gazipur, and Ashulia. Heavy metals were detected in the order Fe > Zn > Ni > Cr > Pb > Co > Cu > Cd > As and Zn > Cu > Cr > Co > Fe > Cd > Pb > Ni > As in the soil and rice samples, respectively. From this analysis, it was observed that the detected concentrations of Zn, Cd, Cr, and Co were higher than the WHO/FAO recommended maximum tolerance values. The transfer factor of the detected heavy metals from soil to rice was detected in the following order: Zn > Cu > Cr > Co > Cd > Pb > Fe > As > Ni. The accumulation of heavy metals in rice is a major public health concern. Therefore, we recommend strict regulations for the safety of food crops grown in the study areas.
Highlights
Heavy metals are toxic because they are persistent environmental pollutants [1, 2]
As rice, which is mostly contaminated by heavy metals, is the major food crop consumed in Bangladesh, there are possible carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risks
Analysis of Transfer Factor of Heavy Metals. e ability of plants to transfer metals from the soil can be determined through transfer factor analysis. e following formula was used for this analysis: TF CPlant
Summary
Heavy metals are toxic because they are persistent environmental pollutants [1, 2]. One major concern regarding heavy metals is that they are neither destroyed nor degraded, their chemical forms may change. Exposure to metals through the digestion of contaminated food crops is a public concern because of the presence of heavy metals in the soils in industrial areas. As rice, which is mostly contaminated by heavy metals, is the major food crop consumed in Bangladesh, there are possible carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risks. E present study aimed to detect metal contamination levels in the soils of three major industrial areas of Bangladesh and to determine the metal concentrations, due to industrial activities, in food crops grown in those areas. E findings of this study may provide insights into the metal accumulation factor of field crops from the soil and potential human health risks through the consumption of crops contaminated with heavy metals Rice was the study’s model crop because of its staple food status in Bangladesh. e findings of this study may provide insights into the metal accumulation factor of field crops from the soil and potential human health risks through the consumption of crops contaminated with heavy metals
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