Abstract
BackgroundVegetables grown at contaminated sites can take up and accumulate toxic and potentially toxic elements at concentrations that are toxic to human health. The present study determined the levels of potentially toxic elements/PTEs in irrigation water, soil and vegetable samples grown along contaminated river and assessed the potential health risks to consumers.ResultsThe average concentrations of Mn, Sr and Cr in the irrigation water were higher than the international guideline values. The levels of As, Cr, B and Ni in most of the farm soils were also found to be higher than the guideline values. Other PTEs, although not exceeding the recommended limits were relatively high in the soil and water samples. The study also revealed that the mean levels of Cr, Cd and Fe in most vegetables were higher than the maximum recommended limits. Swiss chard was maximally contaminated with PTEs followed by lettuce, cabbage, Ethiopian kale, carrot and potato. Hence, frequent consumption of lettuce and Swiss chard may cause serious health risks to consumers.ConclusionThe levels of many elements were varied with location, suggesting localized inputs of the various contaminants related to industrial and other activities that generate wastewater.
Highlights
Vegetables grown at contaminated sites can take up and accumulate toxic and potentially toxic ele‐ ments at concentrations that are toxic to human health
Vegetables grown at contaminated sites can take up and accumulate toxic and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) at concentrations that are toxic to human health and living organisms (Khan et al 2008; Agrawal and Marshall 2009)
Due to the significantly fast urban expansion and increased industrial activities, river water, soil and vegetable samples collected from five farms were contaminated by some toxic and PTEs in varying degrees
Summary
Vegetables grown at contaminated sites can take up and accumulate toxic and potentially toxic ele‐ ments at concentrations that are toxic to human health. Vegetables grown at contaminated sites can take up and accumulate toxic and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (e.g. arsenic, lead and cadmium) at concentrations that are toxic to human health and living organisms (Khan et al 2008; Agrawal and Marshall 2009). The accumulation of such PTEs is greatly influenced by the concentration of pollutant in soil, its chemical species and the physico-chemical properties of the soil as well as the vegetable’s growth distinctiveness (Dudka and Chlopecka 1990). Irrigation is performed either by direct flooding the roots of the crops after diverting the river or using water motor pumping These wastewaters could pollute the soil with PTEs and the vegetables and crops grown on these soils could be a potential health concern to consumers
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