Abstract

The health risk assessment of heavy metals as the source of metal contamination in food crops fumigated exclusively with pesticides is mostly overlooked. This study determined the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn) in some food crops fumigated with pesticides and their health risk to humans. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in different parts of the studied crops ranged from 0.12 to 2.03 for Zn, 1.73 to 23.34 for Pb, 1.60 to 1150.50 for Cu, 0.67 to 19.50 for Cr, and 0.09 to 6.14 mg/kg for Cd. The concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Cr in the investigated crops were above the WHO (2011) permissible limits and in decreasing trend of Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd > Zn. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) > 1 values for Cd, Pb, and Zn and the BAF value were highest for copper (141.75) in Oryza sativa. Pollution indices showed all crops were contaminated with Cd, Pb, and Cr and were likely to pose a potential health risk to humans. The estimated daily intake of Cd and Pb from all the studied crops exceeded the USEPA (2006) oral reference dose daily limit. A hazard quotient > 1 was observed only from the consumption of Ozyza sativa (3.504) for Cu and could likely cause potential health risk in human. The hazard index indicated a health risk through the consumption of Oryza sativa (4.666), Zea mays (1.475), and Capsicum annuum (1.132) for all the studied metals. Therefore, there is a need for regular screening and monitoring of heavy metals from pesticides sources in food crops.

Highlights

  • Pesticides are extensively employed in agriculture to kill pests or unwanted organisms that may reduce crop yield and increase agricultural production [1]

  • There is a paucity of studies on heavy metal contamination of food crops exclusively fumigated with pesticides and the health risk to humans

  • This study was designed with the aim of determining the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn) from pesticides in some crops and soils in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria and their associated human health risk

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Summary

Introduction

Pesticides are extensively employed in agriculture to kill pests or unwanted organisms that may reduce crop yield and increase agricultural production [1]. Nigeria have largely depended on pesticides for the control of pests, weeds, and diseases [2]. This has led to a proliferation in the importation of new pesticide products into. There is a paucity of studies on heavy metal contamination of food crops exclusively fumigated with pesticides and the health risk to humans. This study was designed with the aim of determining the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn) from pesticides in some crops and soils in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria and their associated human health risk

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