Health Risk assessment due to ingestion of toxic metals through uptake of some food items by the people living near the Indian part of sundarban areas.

Abstract

Health risks assessment of the people near sundarban areas due to uptake of toxic metals like lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) during lifetime consumption through some food items was done in terms of Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Hazard index (HI), Cancer Risks (CR) and Target Cancer Risk (TCR). Study revealed that THQ ranged from 0.1 to 13.0 for Cd, 0.25 to 12.25 for Pb and 0.13 to 12.0 for As. Excepting in the vegetables lentils, both THQ and HI values of the metals were greater than the tolerable limit of one signifying the presence of noncancerous risks of toxic metal to the people. On the other hand, CR values varied from 0.3 × 10 – 5 to 12.9 × 10 – 5 for Pb and were lower than the permissible limit (1.0 × 10– 4). In contrast, both CR and TCR values of As were higher than the prescribed tolerable limit in all food stuffs highlighting a potential risks of cancer. Among the food materials, the rice, potato and wheat due to higher rates of consumption were identified as the most potential sources for these toxic metals enrichment in human body. Thus, an integrated management action plan for the reduction of anthropogenic activities responsible for the contribution of these toxic metals in these marine dominated remote areas might be urgently taken into account.