Farmlands degradation with conventional agricultural practices and human health risk assessment: A case‐study of Punjab Province, Pakistan

Abstract

AbstractFarmlands contamination with heavy metals (HMs) can be considered a global issue especially in developing countries. The current study investigates the various pollution indices, potential ecological risk index (PERI) and human health risk caused by HMs in selected regions of Punjab Province, Pakistan. Farmlands soil samples were collected, acid‐extracted, and analyzed using ICP‐MS (Agilent 7500c) for selected HMs. All the HMs were found within permissible limits set by worldwide regulatory authorities except Cd, which exceeded its limit in 68% farmland soils of the study area. The CF values for Cd showed high (CF ≥ 6) degree of contamination to considerable level of contamination (3 ≤ CF ≤ 6). The CD values indicated from low (CD ≤ 6) to moderate (6 ≤ CD ≤ 12) level of contamination. The indices for all HMs were unpolluted except for Cd (moderately polluted 1≤ Igeo ≤ 2). For Cd the EF values were extremely severe (EF ≥ 50) in the farmland soils of two regions (Lahore and Faisalabad), while moderately severe (5 ≤ EF ≤ 10) in one region (Multan). The PERI values were moderate (150 ≤ RI ≤ 300) in the same two regions and low (RI ≤ 150) in other localities. The HQ and HI values for adults and children were less than one and observed in order of ingestion > dermal > inhalation. Furthermore, the RI values were observed higher than 1.0 × 10−4 for Cd (Lahore and Faisalabad regions) and Cr (Multan and Faisalabad regions) in children working in farmlands and likely exposed to high cancer risk. This study helps to fill the knowledge gap existing about conventional agricultural practices responsible for farmlands degradation and associated health risk. In the past, no one has conducted such a comprehensive research work to identify farmlands degradation factors. Furthermore, the minimization of pollutants must be the top priority of the regulatory authorities and state to reduce contaminant inputs and immobilization in soil through implementation of environmental protection laws and regulations.