Health Risk Index Values Research Articles

Potential ecological and health risk assessment of different kiwifruit orchards in Qianjiang district, Chongqing city, China.

Heavy metal (HM) pollution in orchards is becoming serious in many countries, and some fruit HMs exceed the safety limits. In this study, contents of 8 HMs (Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) in 5 kiwifruit orchard soils and the tissues (roots, twigs, leaves, fruits) of 4 kiwifruit varieties collected from Qianjiang district, Chongqing city, China, were determined. Seven HMs could meet priority protection class I, except for Cd with slightly poor environmental quality, including 4% and 53% of the samples belonging to the strict control class III and safe utilization class II, respectively. The potential ecological risk index (235.30) indicated that the HMs in the orchard soil were of medium potential ecological risk. The HMs' migration from rock to soil was very obvious. Kiwifruit was easy to accumulate Cu from soil and it had high Zn and Ni translocations to above-ground parts from roots. Compared with other tissues, HMs' concentrations in fruits were the lowest. From the perspective of human health, about 8.3% and 0.83% of the fruit samples for Cr and Cu exceeded the national maximum permissible levels, respectively; fortunately, the health risk index (HRI) values for all the fruit samples were within the safe limits.

Accumulation of Cobalt in Soils and Forages Irrigated with City Effluent

DESPITE of its nutrient content, sewage water includes different contaminants responsible for the pollution of soil and plants. In this study, an experiment was conducted at the University of Sargodha to evaluate the danger of the presence of cobalt in forages irrigated with city effluent. Moreover, the health risks associated with livestock feed on these contaminated forages were evaluated. Cobalt accumulation in different parts of plants was analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA-6300 Shimadzu Japan). Some critical indices like pollution load index, bioconcentration factor and health risk index were also determined. The observed cobalt values in water samples used for irrigation were 0.164 mg/L in tap water and 0.191mg/L in sewage water. The highest cobalt concentration was observed in the root of the winter forage Trifolium alexandrinum (1.560mg/kg) irrigated with sewage water, while the minimum concentration was recorded in Sorghum bicolor, a summer forage irrigated with tap water (0.085mg/kg). The maximum bioconcentration factor value for cobalt was 7.7 in the winter crop of T. resupinatum. The maximum pollution load index, daily intake and health risk index values for cobalt were 0.8910,0.026 and 0.6104, respectively. All of these maximum values were determined for the samples irrigated with sewage water. In summary, the cobalt contents in soil and plant samples significantly increased when the samples were irrigated with sewage water as compared to tap water.

Analysis and health risk assessment of toxic (Cd and Pb) and essential (Cu and Zn) elements through consumption of potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivated in Iran

ABSTRACT The current study was carried out to assess the risk to human health by toxic and essential elements through the intake of potatoes cultured in Lorestan Province, Iran. In so doing, a total of 54 samples of potatoes were collected and after acid digestion, the levels of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were determined using ICP-OES. Also, the daily intake of metals (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) were calculated. The results showed that the mean contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn (mg kg-1) in potato samples were 0.154, 0.148, 0.250 and 0.143, respectively, and all of them were lower than maximum permissible limits (MPL) established by WHO. Based on the results, the daily intake of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn through average consumption of 1.37E0-1 kg day-1 potatoes in Iran ranged from 1.61E-05 to 3.29E-05, 1.55E-05 to 3.44E-05, 2.79E-05 to 4.99E-05 and 1.53E-05 to 3.93E-05, respectively, for adults; while it ranged from 7.53E-05 to 1.54E-04, 7.22E-05 to 1.61E-04, 1.30E-04 to 2.33E-04 and 7.14E-05 to 1.83E-04, respectively, for children. Although, total health risk index (THRI) values of metals were lower than the threshold value of 1 and therefore no significant potential health risk will be observed for the consumers, among the analysed metals, the Cd's and Pb's HRI values were largely the highest. Although, based on the results obtained the contribution of the potato to the total body burden of metals can be considered negligibly small and no significant potential health risk will be observed for the consumers through consumption of potatoes, but to assure food security and to reduce the health risk associated with food consumption, more attention should be given to the metal contents particularly cadmium and lead contents. Also, to minimise the exposure of hazardous materials via food consumption, quality control of irrigation water is recommended.

Evaluation of pesticide residues in the irrigation water, soil and assessment of their health risks in vegetables from sub-urban areas around Riyadh district, Saudi Arabia

The levels of 25 pesticide residues were evaluated in 20 samples of irrigation water, agricultural soil and edible parts of 60 vegetable samples collected from 5 farms around Riyadh district, Saudi Arabia. Estimated Average Daily Intake (EADI), Health Risk Index (HRI), Cumulative Hazard Index (CHI), and Hazard Ratio (HR) indices were assessed. Pesticide residues were not detected in water samples. In soil samples, 14 (56%) of pesticide residues exceeded their maximum residue limits (MRLs), only 2 (8%) pesticide residues were below MRLs. Results revealed that, leaves and roots of white radish samples collected from farm 2 exceeded MRLs levels of heptachlor residues (0.222 and 0.165 mg/kg) followed by endosulfan (0.123, 0.096 mg/kg). The recorded values of EADI for heptachlor for both adults and children (0.0019 and 0.0022) exceeded the recommended ADI (0.0025 and 0.0001 mg.kg−1.d−1). Health risk index values were found > 1 for adults and children. Besides, the carcinogenic health risk (HR > 1) in all vegetable samples contained heptachlor, aldrin, and heptachlor epoxide. Thus, there are possible carcinogenic risks to human consumers for these vegetables.

Effect of Wastewater Irrigation on Trace Metal Accumulation in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and Human Health Risk

The present research determines the effect of wastewater for irrigation on heavy metal accumulation in vegetables in the example of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) and to evaluate human health risk from consumption. Trace metal values of Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Zn, Ni and Mn, were determined in the water, soil and plant samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Trace metal concentrations in spinach samples ranged from 0.29 to 0.37, 0.14 to 1.25, 0.07 to 0.67, 1.12 to 2.48, 0.33 to 0.38, 1.92 to 2.90 and 0.51 to 0.63 mg/kg for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn and Mn, respectively. These values of trace metals were lower than the permissible limits except for Cd. All health risk index (HRI) values except for Cd were less than 1. However, the HRI values related to spinach samples irrigated with canal water and sugar mill water were generally higher than the values of the samples irrigated with groundwater. The HRI value of Cd was higher than 1 and consumers of such vegetables in which HRI of metal was greater than 1 will be at risk.

Metal concentration and health risk assessment of fifteen wild mushrooms collected from the Ankara University Campus (Turkey).

The aim of this study is to analyze Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Co, Cd, Pb, and Ni contents of Cyclocybe cylindracea, Armillaria mellea, Bjerkandera adusta, Rheubarbariboletus armeniacus, Coprinellus disseminatus, C. micaceus, C. comatus, Inonotus hispidus, Lepista nuda, Leucoagaricus leucothites, Pleurotus ostreatus, Cerioporus squamosus, Schizophyllum commune, Scleroderma verrucosum, and Trametes trogii collected from the Ankara University Besevler 10th Year Campus (Turkey), an area where human settlement and traffic are intense. In addition to the elemental analysis, the daily intake of metal (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) values of the edible ones were also calculated. Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Co, Cd, Pb, and Ni concentrations of the samples were found to be 112.0-5079.0, 3.0-124.0, 4.0-77.0, 2.0-196.0, 0.18-2.98, 0.18-5.3, 0.04-10.98, and 0.22-8.23 mg/kg dry weight, respectively. As a result of DIM and HRI analysis, C. cylindracea, L. nuda, and C. squamosus were found to be within the reference dose limits determined by competent authorities and can be safely consumed in terms of all metals studied. However, the Cd, Co, and Fe contents of C. micaceus were found to be above 1.0 (1.06, 4.25, and 7.06, respectively). In addition, it has been found that A. mellea, R. armeniacus, C. comatus, L. leucothites, and P. ostreatus are toxic in terms of Cd/Co, Fe/Pb, Co/Fe, Cd, and Fe contents, respectively. As the area in question is a traffic intensive area, it has been concluded that the emissions of the vehicles should be controlled in terms of legal limits and that the consumption of some mushrooms in this region should not be preferred until necessary measures are taken.

Human health risk assessment through the comparative analysis of diverse irrigation regimes for Luffa (Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.)

Abstract In the present study, the effects of untreated wastewater and associated health risks were assessed in an abundantly consumed vegetable, Luffa cylindrica. In this direction, trace metal accumulations in L. cylindrica samples irrigated with three different water regimes (municipal wastewater, groundwater, and canal water) were determined. The metal levels were defined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a graphite furnace and D2 corrector. Trace metal concentrations in L. cylindrica samples were in the range of 7.91–9.01, 3.78–4.22, 0.54–0.63, 39.18–43.27, 15.76–20.82, 29.04–42.49, 6.96–8.24, 5.85–7.72, 4.06–4.39 and 0.18–0.42 mg/kg for Mo, As, Se, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Co, respectively. The health risk index values of As, Cd, Pb, Mo, Ni, Se and Co; and pollution load index values of As, Mo, Ni, Cu, Cd and Pb were high, indicating possible phytotoxicity. As had the highest value for the pollution load index suggesting high-risk levels. High levels of some metals could be an alarm call for consumers as the vegetable is irrigated with untreated wastewater.

Assessment of Zinc and Nickel Profile of Vegetables Grown in Soil Irrigated with Sewage Water

The current investigation assessed the nickel and zinc contents of the soil, and the vegetables grown in wastewater irrigated areas. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AA-6300 Shimadzu Japan) assessed the metal profile of the samples. The mean concentrations of metals in soil samples varied from O.O85 to 1.611 mg/kg for Ni and O.453 ~ O.9O8 mg/kg for Zn. In vegetables, the maximum Ni concentration was observed in Capsicum baccatum consequent to wastewater irrigation, while its minimum concentrations were noticed in Capsicum frutescens after canal water irrigation. Sewage water irrigation resulted in the highest Zn contents in Solanum lycopersicum and the lowest Zn contents were noticed in Capsicum baccatum after canal water irrigation. The daily intake values of Ni and Zn were higher caused by sewage water irrigation as compared to the canal water irrigation in all tested vegetable samples. Health risk index (HRI) values for Ni and Zn accumulation in vegetables fell within the permissible limit in Pakistan and these were regarded as appropriate for human intake.

Metal concentration and health risk assessment of wild mushrooms collected from the Black Sea region of Turkey.

Mushrooms are rich sources of organic nutrients (especially proteins). However, they can excessively accumulate metals in their fruiting bodies that pose a risk to human health. The aim of this study was the determination of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn contents, daily intake, and health risk index values of some mushroom species collected from the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey (Arsin, Trabzon). The samples were collected from hazelnut gardens that are free from industrial pollution and have a low population density. As a result of elemental analysis, it was determined that the concentration ranges of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the mushrooms were as follows: 0.29-9.11, 0.04-3.70, 0.01-8.29, 0.18-20.82, 3.1-79.8, 5.2-673.0, 14.9-752.0, 63.0-7769.0mg/kg dry weight. Daily intakes of all the elements were found to be below the reference dose in Fistulina hepatica, Hydnum repandum, Macrolepiota procera, and Tapinella atrotomentosa. Amanita caesarea, Agrocybe praecox, Amanita vaginata, Cantharellus cibarius, Craterellus cornucopioides, Daedalea quercina, Gymnopus dryophilus, Ganoderma lucidum, and Infundibulicybe gibba were found to have high risk index values especially with respect to Cd, Co, and Pb. According to Pearson correlation analysis, the correlations between Fe-Mn (0.840, p < 0.01) and Pb-Ni (0.7540, p < 0.01) couples are significant.

A study on the seasonal transfer of two metals from pasture to animals: health risk assessment

Accretion of heavy metals in forage is a potential risk to grazing animals due to their uptake by plants and its entrance into the food chain. This study aimed to examine the Mn and Cd concentration from different samples. Sampling was done twice after the interval of 6months during 2018; five different sites from Chakwal (Pidh, Tobar, Ratoccha, Kalar Kahar Road, Choa Saiden Shah and Chakwal Road, Choa Saiden Shah) were selected. Thirty samples of soil, forage (Acacia nilotica, Ziziphus nummularia, and Acacia modesta), and blood were collected. Forage and soil samples were dried, ground very fine, digested by wet digestion method, and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Samples collected from site I and site II had a very high concentration of heavy metals because these sites were very close to the coal mines and receive higher contamination. Manganese concentration in the soil fluctuated from 5.46 to 1.20, in the forage 6.84 to 1.00, and in the blood 5.21 to 1.03mg/l, and cadmium concentration in the soil fluctuate from 1.85 to 0.03, in the forage 0.57 to 0.16, and in the blood 1.67 to 0.25mg/l. Manganese concentration was higher as compared to the Cd. Higher concentration of Mn shows that this metal is due to human activities. Pollution load index value of Cd was higher than 1 in some samples, and the value fluctuates from 0.01 to 1.24mg/kg. The values of a bioconcentration factor for Mn were greater than 1. Daily intake of metal value fluctuates from 0.01 to 1.03mg/kg. Health risk index value ranges from 0.03 to 1.09mg/kg. Health risk index of metals showed the risk which is due to the intake of contaminated fodder. From the soil, the metals can enter forage and bioaccumulate in the food chain. The health risk index was highest for Cd. The result obtained from the present research work indicated that there is a biomagnification of both metals in the food chain due to mining activities.

A perspective on the potential health risks from PCBs and heavy metals contamination of M. merluccius from Mediterranean Sea.

In this study, we determined the concentration of six marker PCBS congeners and four trace elements, all having a maximum tolerable level of intake set by EU regulation, in samples of European hake taken from the Mediterranean Sea. The results showed that the contaminant levels were below the recommended international limits in all samples, although with higher PCBs concentrations in samples from Ligurian and Adriatic Sea. The relationships between the contaminants and the sampling sites were investigated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's HSD post-hoc tests. Statistical analysis revealed significant interactions especially between the PCBs, the sum of PCBs and the sites. To evaluate the potential health risk from consumption, we calculated the estimated daily intake (EDI) for adults, finding that total health risk index (HRI) value was low (< 1) in the case of chronic consumptions, despite the non-negligible mercury concentration.

Effects of some industrial and organic wastes application on growth and heavy metal uptake by tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) grown in a greenhouse condition.

In this study, pot experiments were conducted to determine the effects of industrial solid wastes (ISWs) (ceramic, stone, and sugar factory wastes) and organic wastes (rice husk and wheat straw) on growth and heavy metals uptake by tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) plants. The soil was treated with 10% of ISWs and 5% of organic wastes. The fractionation of heavy metals also has been studied in all treated soils. It was observed that the addition of ISWs in soil increased heavy metal contents in all fractions. The addition of organic wastes to control and treated soils decreased exchangeable fraction and increased organic matter and residual fractions. Following the ceramic factory and stone cutting waste addition, tomato yield significantly decreased as compared to control soil. The application of ISWs caused an increase in heavy metal contents of tomato plants. In control and ISWs-treated soils, dry matter yield of tomato grown in the presence of wheat straw was significantly restricted, while the application of rice husk increased tomato shoot and root dry weight. Results of experiments indicated that the application of both organic wastes significantly decreased heavy metal uptake by tomato plants. The investigation of health risk index (HRI) values indicated that in these industrial areas, potential health risk by intake of heavy metals from tomato for both adults and children generally assumed to be safe. The values of HRI were lesser when rice husk was applied to the soil. In general, these results highlighted that the application of rice husk in soils contaminated with ISWs increased the growth and yield of tomato and reduced the heavy metal toxicity for tomato consumption in contaminated soils.

Effect of different concentrations of municipal solid waste on metal uptake of wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Heavy metal accumulation in edible parts of plants is major international concern now a day. This research was aimed to observe the influence of different level of municipal solid waste on metal accumulation by wheat variety (Inqalab-91). The metal concentration in soil and wheat grains was quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA-6300 Shimadzu Japan). Results demonstrated that municipal solid waste treatment increased the heavy metals in various parts (root, shoot, grains) of wheat plant. The metals in wheat grains varied from 1.5-2.46, 10-18.16, 0.8-0.95 and 0.53-0.95 mg/kg for Cd, Fe, Zn and Co, respectively. The amount of all heavy metals were determined within the permissible range except for Cd. The cadmium had the highest bio concentration and enrichment factor. The pollution load index values for Cd and Co were the highest. The health risk index values for Cd, Fe and Co were ˃ 1 indicating that wheat grains were not suitable for human consumption. So, it is concluded that proper treatment of municipal solid waste is necessary before its application on land. Keywords: Heavy metal; Municipal solid waste; Triticum aestivum http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2019.80165

Groundwater quality assessment and human health risks in Gujranwala District, Pakistan

The availability of safe drinking water is imperative for healthy life but access to safe drinking water has become a major problem around the world, especially in developing countries such as Pakistan. The present study aimed to: assess the suitability of groundwater for potable use in Gujranwala district, Pakistan; examine the spatial distribution patterns of water quality parameters; and to identify the prevalence of waterborne diseases among locals and health risks to humans due to the consumption of groundwater. Eighty drinking water samples were collected from different areas of Gujranwala and analyzed following Standard American Public Health Association methods. A questionnaire survey related to the incidence of waterborne diseases in the area was also carried out. The averaged water quality index (AWQI) was computed using ArcGIS 10.3 model builder. The AWQI map indicated that the water quality was generally suitable for potable use with regard to its physiochemical parameters. However, 97.5% water samples were found to be bacteriologically contaminated. The mean concentration of metals in drinking water showed a decreasing trend in the order Cr > Cu > Zn > As > Co > Ni > Cd. Health risk index (HRI) was also calculated for exposure to metal concentration. For Cd, one sample showed an HRI value > 1 i.e. 1.59 and 1.36 for child and adult, respectively, while HRI for As showed values > 1 varying between 0.5 and 11 for child, and 0.4 and 9.6 for adults. For other metals HRIs was less than 1 (considered to be safe for the consumers). The study concludes that groundwater quality of study areas of Gujranwala has mostly deteriorated.

Potentially toxic metal accumulation and human health risk from consuming wild Urtica urens sold on the open markets of Izmir

Urtica urens is naturally distributed worldwide and frequently consumed as a medicinal and culinary plant. The aim of this study was to assess the concentration of potentially toxic metals in the samples of Urtica urens sold in various locations throughout Izmir, Turkey. Urtica urens samples were purchased from a variety of open markets. The metal concentrations in these plants were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The significance of differences in the mean accumulation levels of the metals by plants was evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn (µg g−1, dry weight) for unwashed plants ranged from 0.030 to 0.645, 0.258–1.596, 10.620–96.400, 120.500–721.500, 22.270–75.410, 0.256–2.046, 0.164–6.746, and 25.610–74.770, respectively, whereas for washed plants, they ranged from 0.016 to 0.099, 0.238–0.728, 0.001–57.750, 0.003–347.800, 0.001–60.500, 0.125–1.359, 0.091–1.679, and 0.005–40.100, respectively. Concentrations in washed samples plants were lower for all metals. Also, the statistical findings indicated that washing wild, culinary, and medicinal plants before consumption is beneficial in terms of removing potentially toxic metals, agricultural herbicides, and pesticide residues. The health risk index (HRI) values of the washed vegetable samples are lower than those of the unwashed samples. Therefore, the consumption of washed plant samples is healthier.

Arsenic accumulation in edible vegetables and health risk reduction by groundwater treatment using an adsorption process.

The heavy metals transfer from the soil, where they accumulate, to the edible parts of the plants, and then, their entrance in the food chain can represent a source of concern for human health. Among heavy metals, arsenic is one of the most widespread in the soil of Lazio (central region of Italy), where the phytoavailable geogenic arsenic enters the food chain, with a dangerous exposition of the local population. In the first part of this work, plants of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were grown in protected culture in the experimental farm of CREA-AA, where they were daily treated with different concentrations of sodium arsenate dibasic heptahydrate in order to investigate differences in their arsenic accumulation capacities. In order to confirm the results achieved, in the second part of this study, the arsenic concentration was determined in commercial products obtained from contaminated areas of Lazio, and the potential exposition risk for human health through consumption of these widely consumed vegetables was estimated. The highest arsenic concentrations were found in the samples of lettuce. To evaluate the potential health risk from consumption of L. sativa and R. sativus, the estimated daily intake (EDI) for adults, adolescents, and elderly was calculated, finding that HRI (health risk index) index value for arsenic was low (< 1) in the case of chronic consumptions for all samples of radishes, and for the lettuces grown in the area of Viterbo. On the contrary, the lettuces obtained from Tuscania and Tarquinia presented very high concentrations of arsenic and a worrying HRI value. In order to reduce the risk of As toxicity in the people through consumption of the vegetables, the irrigation water should contain less than 0.1 mg As L-1. For this reason, the authors tested the application of red mud (RM) to remove As from groundwater before using it for the irrigation of radish and lettuce in greenhouse production.

Trace Elements in Soils and Vegetables from Market Gardens of Urban Areas in Marrakech City

The consumption of vegetables grown on soils polluted by trace elements can cause a serious threat for animal and human health and disturb the functioning of the ecosystem. The aim of this work is to determine the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Mn, and Zn in soils and different vegetables from market gardens of urban areas in Marrakech city in order to investigate human health risk through ingestion of contaminated vegetables. Plant transfer factor (TF), daily intake of metals (DIM), and health risk index (HRI) were calculated. The concentrations of all metals studied in the garden top soils were within the threshold values. The Cu, Zn, Co, Mn, and As concentration in the edible parts of vegetables were within the safe limits. However, Cd and Pb in Malva parviflora and Cd in Brassica rapa, and Cr and Ni in Coriandrum sativum exceeded their permissible limits. The TF for these nine metals varied between 0.01 and 1.35. The classification of TEs according to their TF is as follows: Cu > Zn > Cd > Ni > Cr > Pb > Mn > Co > As. The maximum value was recorded in Coriandrum sativum while the minimum value was recorded in Cynara cardunculus. The HRI values were within the safe limit (< one) except for Pb in Malva parviflora. This can lead to risks to the health of the human population, especially children, consuming contaminated plants. Thus, the monitoring and prevention of health risks related to the consumption of plants grown in (peri)urban areas are necessary and essential to propose recommendations to both gardeners and decision-makers.

Impact of some industrial solid wastes on the growth and heavy metal uptake of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under salinity stress

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of industrial solid wastes (ISWs) and salinity on growth and heavy metals uptake by cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). The soil was treated with 5% and 10% of the ceramic factory (CFW), stone cutting (SCW) and sugar factory (SFW) wastes. Plant of cucumber was grown under greenhouse conditions in control and ISWs treated soils and stressed with electrical conductivities of 0, 4 and 8 dS m−1. Plants were harvested after 2 months and separated into root, shoot, and fruit. Then, dry weights and heavy metals contents in each fraction of plants were determined. The addition of all ISWs in soil increased total heavy metals content in the soil. In all treatments, growth parameters of cucumber decreased when irrigated with saline waters. As compared to control soil, the addition of CFW and SCW to soil decreased plant dry weight, while, it was improved with the addition of the SFW. The result of plant analysis showed that there was an increase in the contents of heavy metals (except Cr) in all parts of cucumber with the addition of ISWs. Salinity decreased the content of Zn uptake and increased another heavy metal uptake by all parts of the plants. The application of ISWs and salinity did not show a significant effect on bioconcentration (BCF) and transfer factor (TF) of heavy metals in plants. The health risk index (HRI) values of all heavy metals for both adults and children were found to be less than 1, so, the health risk of heavy metal for people who consume cucumber grown in these industrial areas was generally assumed to be safe.

Determination of Cadmium Concentrations of Vegetables Grown in Soil Irrigated with Wastewater: Evaluation of Health Risk to the Public

THE MAIN objective of the study was to determine the cadmium (Cd) concentrations in vegetables grown in soil irrigated with canal water and sewage water. The samples were analysed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean Cd concentrations in soil ranged between 1.153-2.294mg/kg and the mean Cd concentrations (mg/kg) in vegetables ranged from 0.789 to 1.575, 0.210 to 0.423, 0.264 to 0.523, 0.203 to 0.404, 0.169 to 0.334, 0.223 to 0.443, 0.723 to 1.443 and 0.344 to 1.450mg/kg for Raphanus sativus, Brassica rapa, Zingiber officinale, Capsicum baccatum, Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum annuum, Solanum lycopersicum and Curcuma longa, respectively. The recorded health risk index value for Cd concentration was greater than 1 in each vegetable and these values were higher than the determined permissible limit. In all vegetables, health risk index values for Cd were higher during sewage water treatments as compared to the canal water treatments. Finally, the study showed that bioaccumulation of Cd in vegetable samples was high in the study area.

Formaldehyde-Associated Risk Assessment of Fish Sold in Local Markets of Bangladesh

The possible health risks from formaldehyde contamination to the local population through the fish ingestion were evaluated in Kawran Bazaar, Dhaka city, Bangladesh. The average body weight of children, adolescent and adult populations was found to be 23.27 ± 9.11 kg, 44.14 ± 4.93 kg and 51.67 ± 6.79 kg, respectively, and people consumed 68.22 ± 17.37 g person−1 day−1 fish. Formaldehyde content was determined by spectrophotometric method. Formaldehyde content was found to be 9.39 ± 3.39–32.57 ± 11.23 mg kg−1 in wet fish, 5.34 ± 1.89–12.78 ± 6.67 mg kg−1 in 1 h dipped fish, 3.81 ± 1.23–11.38 ± 4.66 mg kg−1 in 1 h 5% brine dipped fish, 0.91 ± 0.34–2.61 ± 0.63 mg kg−1 in fried fish, 0.71 ± 0.13–2.31 ± 1.33 mg kg−1 in cooked fish, 0.58 ± 0.27–1.57 ± 0.84 mg kg−1 in boiled fish, 0.63 ± 0.09–1.64 ± 1.17 mg kg−1 in boiled fish water and 0.72 ± 0.19–2.45 ± 0.91 mg kg−1 in fish gravy. The effect of dipped in water, 5% brine water dipped, fried, boiled and cooked treatments shows a reduction in the formaldehyde content in all the samples. Formaldehyde contents among all fish species and fish circumstances were still lower than acceptable daily intake (0.2 mg kg−1). In general, no target hazard quotient and health risk index value of formaldehyde were greater than one, which means children, adolescent and adults are within the safe interval. However, it also indicates that collected fish samples from fish markets were still found safe for human consumption.