Health Risk Assessment Of Heavy Metals Research Articles

Bibliometric and visual analysis of heavy metal health risk assessment: development, hotspots and trends

Due to the widespread presence and harmfulness of heavy metals in the environment, scholars around the world have evaluated the exposure characteristics and health risks of heavy metals. To understand the status, hotspots, and development treads of heavy metal health risk assessment research, we used bibliometric analysis tools to conduct scientometric analysis of the literature related to the health risk assessment of heavy metals in the Web of Science database from 2000 to 2022. The analysis results indicate that research related to heavy metal health risk assessment is rapidly developing in both developed and developing countries. China’s significant international influence in this field is worth noting, as there are many publications and highly cited documents related to China. France and other developed countries also play an important role in this field due to their high centrality and strong bursts. The results of co-citation cluster analysis and keyword co-occurrence analysis indicate that in the past two decades, the primary research domains and hotspots of heavy metal health risk assessment have been the study of heavy metals in soil, dust, drinking water, vegetables, fish, and sediment. There is a specific focus on bioaccumulation, bioavailability, source apportionment, and spatial distribution of heavy metals. The main types of heavy metals studied are lead, cadmium, mercury, and zinc. The results of the bursts keywords analysis suggest that future research trends may focus more on the health risks of heavy metals in different functional areas of cities.

Source apportionment and source specific health risk assessment of HMs and PAHs in soils with an integrated framework in a typical cold agricultural region in China

A new innovative methodology system framework for source apportionment and source-specific risk assessment has been proposed and actively applied to identify the contamination characteristics, oriented sources and health risks associated with contamination levels of Heavy metals (HMs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils, a typical cold agricultural region in Northeastern China. To achieve this meaningful goal, a large-scale dataset including 1780 top soil samples, 10 HMs and 16 priority PAHs has been organized and collected from a typical study area in China. The total concentrations of the 10 selected HMs in study area range from 0.05 to 2147.40 mg/kg, with an average of 549.25 ± 541.37 mg/kg. The average concentrations of PAHs for (3–6)-rings are 16.60 ± 18.90, 26.40 ± 28.20, 9.51 ± 13.00 and 1.99 ± 5.30 ng/g, respectively. On the base of optimized literature source fingerprints for HM and PAH, a widely used receptor model, positive matrix factorization (PMF) has been applied to apportion the contamination sources HMs and PAHs in soils. Then source-specific health risk of soil HMs and PAHs have been assessed using the probabilistic incremental lifetime cancer risk model incorporated with source apportionment results data. Fertilizer residues/coke oven comprise the primary contamination source contributors of HMs and PAHs with corresponding contributions of 32.23 % and 27.93 % for HMs and 37.94 % for PAHs. Fertilizer/pesticide residues contributes most to the risks of soil HMs (28.8 %), followed by fossil fuel combustion (24.6 %), mining activities (20.2 %), traffic and vehicle emission (16.3 %) and electroplating/dyeing (14.1 %). Meanwhile, the ranking of health risks from the five identified contamination sources of soil PAHs are resident discharge, coal-fired boilers, coke oven emission, gasoline combustion and power plant, with the contribution of 27.1 %, 25.3 %, 17.3 %, 15.5 % and 14.8 %.And relatively, source-specific risk assessment demonstrates fossil fuel and coal combustion contribute the greatest impact to the total risk of HMs and PAHs (61.7 % and 56.1 %), respectively. This study provides a good example of how the source specific health risk assessment can be utilized to reduce the contamination in soils.

Water quality and health risk assessment of heavy metals in groundwater of Ranbir Singh Pura tehsil of Jammu and Kashmir, India.

Groundwater is one of the important sources available for drinking, agricultural, domestic, and various other purposes in the study area. Study area is having agricultural importance and is famous for Basmati rice production in the world. In order to assess water suitability for irrigation and drinking purposes, 25 sampling sites were selected and water samples were collected from handpumps, borewells and motors from May 2022 to June 2022. Fifteen physico-chemical parameters and water quality index (WQI) was calculated to assess the drinking water suitability. The results obtained then compared with the BIS (2012) and WHO drinking water guidelines. For irrigation water suitability, irrigation water quality index (IWQI) and other indices were calculated. Heavy metal health risk assessment was also evaluated using target hazard quotient (THQ), carcinogenic risks (CR), non-carcinogenic risks, heavy metal pollution index (HPI), etc. Study found 60% of water samples under poor category of WQI. All water samples were found suitable for irrigation purposes according to different indices except for permeability index for which only 32% samples were found suitable. IWQI classifies 52%, 32%, and 12% of water samples under moderate, low, and no restriction category respectively. Groundwater of the study area found to be contaminated with copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and chromium (Cr) while low contamination of zinc (Zn) and arsenic (As) was found according to heavy metal evaluation index (HEI). High contamination of chromium (HPI= 9740.8) and lead (HPI=188) was recorded as per HPI. HQ value for men, women, and children in case of zinc were found safe while HQ values for copper and lead in all population groups were found at risk. Overall, the study area was found highly contaminated with the lead, copper, and chromium concentrations. Thus, study recommends regular monitoring of the groundwater of study area as well as treatment before using this water for drinking purposes.

Comprehensive Assessment of Pollution Sources and Health Impacts in Suburban Area of Shanghai.

Shanghai, one of China's largest metropolises, faces significant environmental pollution challenges due to rapid economic development. Suburban areas of Shanghai are affected by both long-distance transport and local sources of pollutants. This study conducted an integrated analysis that links health-risk assessment of heavy metals and source apportionment of atmospheric constituents to distinguish the contributions of emission sources and the major sources of health risks. Source-apportionment analysis revealed that secondary sources had the greatest contribution to the local pollutants, indicating the significant influence of peripheral and long-distance transport. Health-risk assessment of Cr, Ni, As, and Cd revealed that local residents were exposed to respiratory health risks, in which Cr is the major contributor. This health risk was primarily associated with emissions from nearby industry-related sources. Our study highlights the significant effects of both long-distance transport and local source emissions on atmospheric composition and human health in large urban agglomerations. The findings can inform future efforts to develop more precise emission-reduction strategies and policy improvements to mitigate environmental pollution and protect public health.

Heavy Metals Toxicity in Selected Vegetables and Soil from Akpajo, Eleme Local Government, Rivers State

Threat to life from anthropogenic contamination of soil and food crops harvested from our environment is now of immense public health concern. This study investigated heavy metals’ contentment in selected vegetables and soil water from Akpajo, in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State and probable toxicity effects on exposure to these food crops. Vegetables (Telfairia occidentalis (pimpkin leaf) and Vernonia amygdalina (Bitter leaf) and Soil from an agricultural farm land were collected and analyzed for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Arsenic (As) and Mercury (Hg) contents using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (model: S4=71096). The maximum mean levels (mgkg-1) obtained for Pb 5.392±0.001and Cd (0.396±0.001mg/kg) were seen in V. amygdalina with minimum Pb (3.35±0.029mg/kg) and Cd (0.288±0.001mg/kg) seen in the soil and Telfairia occidentalis, (Pumpkin Leaf) samples respectively. Maximum Ni value (1.99±0.00mg/kg) was obtained from the sampled soil with the minimum value (1.108±0.001mg/kg) seen in Telfairia occidentalis. Arsenic and Hg were shown to be below detectable limits. Chronic Daily Intake (CDI), Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) and TLCR were used for heavy metals health risk assessment (HRA), which gave values higher than standard as stipulated by USEPA. These toxicological indices revealed that adult and children population exposed to these samples could be highly at risk as values obtained where above potential risk-free limit of 10-6 to 10-4 set by USEPA. It is however recommended that strict measures be developed and adopted to restrict further pollution of surrounding agricultural soil.

Heavy metal health risk assessment in Cardisoma armatum Herklots, 1951 land crab tissues around Kribi mangrove areas, Cameroon

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in mangrove crabs has been reported and most of them are toxic to animals and potential human carcinogens. Given that the land crab Cardisoma armatum Herklots, 1951 is more consumed by surrounding populations, this study aimed to quantify the levels of metals in its tissues and to assess the human health risks. Soft tissues were isolated in adult crabs and frozen then; samples were dried, crushed and handled following the standard procedures. Human health risks were evaluated using some indices. Heavy metal levels in each tissue were shown in decreasing order: Fe > Zn > Al > Cu > Cd > Pb. Cadmium, lead and copper metals were in upper levels in the hepatopancreas (0.35, 0.19 and 7.88 mg/kg) whereas iron, aluminium and zinc were higher in muscles (129.30, 15.96 and 82.83 mg/kg). Most EDI values were apparently below the PTDI and CRLim values signifying that the consumption of C. armatum remains safe for consumers although, a limit in intake frequency might be required for children. For all metals, THQ and HI values were below the standard value 1 indicating no health risks in consumers due to the intake of single or several metals. Also, the carcinogenic risks for Cd and Pb metals are considered to be negligible because they are lower than 10−6. Overall, regarding the results, consumption of C. armatum seems harmless for human health in the study area.

Heavy Metal Pollution Characteristics and Health Risk Assessment of Soil-crops System in Anhui Section of the Yangtze River Basin

In order to explore the pollution characteristics and health risks of heavy metals in a soil-crop system in the Anhui section of the Yangtze River basin, a total of 338 groups of soil samples from rice, wheat, and their roots were collected, and the contents of eight types of heavy metals were determined. Additionally, the pollution index method, potential ecological hazard, multivariate statistical analysis, and health risk were used to evaluate the heavy metal content in rice and wheat root soil. The results showed that Cd, Cu, Cr, and Ni in the soil had an obvious accumulation effect, and the pollution of rice root soil was more serious than that of wheat soil. The potential ecological risk was mild to moderate, which mainly came from the elements Cd and Hg. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd were industrial sources and agricultural sources; Cr and Ni were natural sources; and As and Hg were agricultural sources. The absorption and enrichment intensity of heavy metals by rice was in the order of Cd>Zn>Cu>Hg>Ni>As>Cr=Pb, and those in wheat were ordered as Zn>Cd>Cu>Hg>Ni>As=Pb>Cr. The root soil heavy metal health risk assessment indicated that oral intake was the main exposure route of non-carcinogenic risk, and children were more vulnerable to heavy metal pollution. Non-carcinogenic risk assessment showed that wheat root soil posed non-carcinogenic risk to children but no carcinogenic risk. Intake of rice and wheat had some degree of non-carcinogenic risk and unacceptable carcinogenic risk for both adults and children.

Major and trace elements Content in Cannabis Sativa–L cultivated in North of Morocco and Heavy metals health risk assessment

The primary objective of this study was to assess the variation in the elemental composition of Cannabis Sativa seeds cultivated in Northern Morocco and to evaluate potential health risks associated with heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, and As). We employed Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to identify and quantify both macro and trace elements in three seed samples. Our analysis revealed the presence of 20 elements in Cannabis seeds, with Mg, K, Ca, P, and Na present in substantial concentrations, while Cr, Zn, Fe, and other toxic elements were detected in trace amounts. Estimations of daily intake (EDI) indicated that Cr had the highest intake, followed by Ni, Pb, As, and Cd. However, Target Hazard Quotients (THQs) for individual metals and the Hazard Index (HI) all remained below 1, suggesting a relatively low risk associated with the consumption of Cannabis Sativa seeds from Northern Morocco. Furthermore, Carcinogenic Risk (CR) values were found to be at a tolerable level. In conclusion, our results suggest that the consumption of Cannabis Sativa seeds from this region poses minimal health risks."

Spatial Distribution, Contamination Feature, and Health-Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Farmland Soil in the Hunan Province, China

Spatial Distribution, Contamination Feature, and Health-Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals and Metalloids in Farmland Soil in the Hunan Province, China

Delineation of leachate plume migration and appraisal of heavy metals in groundwater around Emirin dumpsite, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Leachate from solid waste has been identified as a major source of pollution that threatens groundwater resources worldwide. Thus, the leachate contamination status and the heavy metals health risk assessment of the Emirin dumpsite were investigated using integrated Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI) and hydrochemical methods. The ERI survey comprised four 2-D profiles created with a dipole-dipole electrode array and a minimum electrode spacing of 5 m. Also, groundwater samples were collected from five wells around the dumpsite for hydrochemical analysis and the groundwater hydrochemical facies and irrigation parameters were evaluated. The health risk associated with heavy metals ingestion were as well assessed using health risk parameters such as average daily intake (ADIing), hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). The inverted model from the ERI survey reveals thread of leachate incursion from the dumpsite identified as low resistivity signatures (<20 Ωm) within the thin porous overburden units overlying the fresh bedrock. Results of hydrochemical analysis reveal that the groundwater comprises of cations (K+>Na+>Ca2+>Mg2+) and anions (Cl−>HCO3−>SO42−) in relative abundance. Most physicochemical contents fall within the admissible World Health Organization (WHO) standards for drinking water and the groundwater hydrochemical facie reveals sodium-bicarbonate-chloride water type. However, the concentrations of nickel, iron, lead and chromium reported in this study are higher than the WHO prescribed standards, indicating that the groundwater is deteriorating, which could be attributed to leachate incursion from the nearby dumpsite. Irrigation indices suggest that groundwater sourced from the study area is suitable for agricultural purposes. The sequence of HQ due to heavy metals follows the order of Cr>Pb>Cu>Mn>Zn>Ni>Fe for both age population considered. While the HI values were estimated to be 1.93 for adults and 8.97 for children, implying that adults and children in the study area are prone to non-carcinogenic health challenges.

Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Groundwater of Hainan Island Using the Monte Carlo Simulation Coupled with the APCS/MLR Model.

Groundwater is a significant component of water resources, but drinking groundwater with excessive heavy metals (HMs) is harmful to human health. Currently, quantitative source apportionment and probabilistic health risk assessment of HMs in groundwater are relatively limited. In this study, 60 groundwater samples containing seven HMs were collected from Hainan Island and analyzed by the coupled absolute principal component scores/multiple linear regression (APCS/MLR), the health risk assessment (HRA) and the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) to quantify the pollution sources of HMs and the health risks. The results show that the high-pollution-value areas of HMs are mainly located in the industry-oriented western region, but the pollution level by HMs in the groundwater in the study area is generally low. The main sources of HMs in the groundwater are found to be the mixed sources of agricultural activities and traffic emissions (39.16%), industrial activities (25.57%) and natural sources (35.27%). Although the non-carcinogenic risks for adults and children are negligible, the carcinogenic risks are at a high level. Through analyzing the relationship between HMs, pollution sources, and health risks, natural sources contribute the most to the health risks, and Cr is determined as the priority control HM. This study emphasizes the importance of quantitative evaluation of the HM pollution sources and probabilistic health risk assessment, which provides an essential basis for water pollution prevention and control in Hainan Island.

A comprehensive physico-chemical quality and heavy metal health risk assessment study for phreatic water sources in Narora Atomic Power Station region, Narora, India.

An investigation of water quality and heavy metal distribution in the groundwater samples collected from the vicinity of Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), Narora, India, was conducted for the metals including Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Cd, Pb, and Fe. A total of 16 water quality parameters were measured for all the groundwater samples, and TDS, TH, Mg2+, Ca2+, F-, and turbidity were found to be on the higher side in comparison to the prescribed limits of Indian standards. Geometrical mean concentrations for these heavy metals were found to be 0.049, 0.213, 0.23, 0.135, 0.017, 0.061, and BDL for Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, and Ni, respectively. Pb and Cd were more than the permissible limits (0.01mg/L for Pb and 0.003 for Cd) prescribed for safe drinking water while Cu and Fe were exceeding the permissible limits of 0.05mg/L and 0.3mg/L in 32% and 36% samples, respectively. Health risk assessment was done by calculating total hazard quotient (THQ), and the values for all the metals were below the threshold value of 1.0 beyond which they may pose a significant risk.

Heavy Metals and Nutrients Loads in Water, Soil, and Crops Irrigated with Effluent from WWTPs in Blantyre City, Malawi

Heavy metals may cause acute and chronic toxic effects to humans and other organisms, hence the need to treat wastewater properly, as it contains these toxicants. This work aimed at assessing zinc, copper, cadmium, and chromium in water, soil, and plants that are irrigated with effluent from Manase and Soche Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) in Blantyre, Malawi. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) was used to assess the heavy metals. Heavy Metal Health Risk Assessment (HMHRA) on plants (vegetables) around both WWTPs was also conducted. Average daily dose (ADD) and target hazard quotients (THQ) were used to assess HMHRA. Physicochemical parameters were determined using standard methods from American Public Health Association (APHA). The heavy metal ranges were below detection limit (BDL) to 6.94 mg/L in water, 0.0003 to 4.48 mg/kg in soil, and 3 to 32 mg/L in plants. The results revealed that plants irrigated with effluent from WWTP had high values of aforementioned metals exceeding the Malawi Standards and WHO permissible limits. Furthermore, the health risk assessment values showed that vegetables consumed for a long period of time from Manase WWTP were likely to cause adverse health effects as compared to those from Soche WWTP.

Agricultural application of digestates derived from agricultural and municipal organic wastes: a health risk-assessment for heavy metals

A Human-health Risk Assessment was performed for an agricultural site in North-East Italy undergone digestate application to (i) check the compliance of digestate land spreading with the Italian and European regulations on contaminated agricultural soils and (ii) evaluate how resulting risk estimations can be influenced by the applied modeling assumptions. The assessment estimated the risk related to adults and children intake of Heavy Metals (HM) contained in crops at concentrations estimated by a soil-plant transfer model based on the substance-specific soil-water partition coefficients. Eight different scenarios were investigated, according to different digestate type (from biowaste and agro-industrial byproducts), digestate application techniques and soil background concentrations. Non-risky situations resulted in all scenarios involving digestate application. The totality of calculated non-carcinogenic Hazard Indexes () and carcinogenic total risk () resulted below 0.02 and 3E10−9, respectively. In contrast with the definition, non-carcinogenic risks were associated with the considered soil background concentrations, with s up to 1.7 for child receptors, while carcinogenic risk was calculated below the concern threshold (i.e., < 10−5). Accordingly, this study highlighted (i) non-concerning situations related with lawful application of digestates and (ii) the need to improve the modeling of bioavailability to plant of HMs background content of soil.

Distribution and ecological- and health-risk assessment of heavy metals in the seawater of the southeast coast of India

The objective of the present study was to conduct an ecological and health risk assessment of heavy metals in the seawater of the southeast coast of India. The distribution profile of heavy metals in the surface seawater was Fe (79.60 ± 21.57 μg/L) > Zn (9.31 ± 1.33 μg/L) > Cu (5.19 ± 2.00 μg/L) > Ni (2.45 ± 0.76 μg/L) > Mn (1.20 ± 1.00 μg/L) > U (0.44 ± 0.23 μg/L) > Pb (0.36 ± 0.06 μg/L) > Cr (0.31 ± 0.57 μg/L) > Cd (0.11 ± 0.05 μg/L) > Co (0.07 ± 0.20 μg/L). Cu level for most of the samples exceeded the USEPA criteria for acute CMC (criterion maximum concentration) and chronic CCC (criterion continuous concentration). Other studied metals, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ni, remained below the acute CMC and chronic CCC guidelines. The seawater pollution index (Iwp) of Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Pb complied with the category–I seawater (<1, unpolluted). The ERI values (0.46–3.99) of the seawater of the studied coast mostly fell under the ecologically low risk category with respect to heavy metals. Dermal Hazard index values were orders of magnitude lower than one, indicating no potential health concern due to dermal exposure.

Selected Mollusks from Pujada Bay, Philippines: Heavy Metal Health Risk Assessment and Antibacterial Activities

Selected Mollusks from Pujada Bay, Philippines: Heavy Metal Health Risk Assessment and Antibacterial Activities

Health risk assessment of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, As and Cr) in wheat grain receiving repeated Zn fertilizers

Soil application of Zn fertilizer is an effective approach to improve yield and Zn accumulation in wheat grain. However, it remains unclear whether repeated Zn application can result in high accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in soils and grains and thus represents a potential risk for human consumption. This study aimed to evaluate the health risk assessment of HMs in a wheat production system which had continuously received 8 years of Zn application at varying rates (0, 2.3, 5.7, 11.4, 22.7, 34.1 kg Zn ha−1). The results showed that Zn application significantly increased the soil total Zn concentration without affecting concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, Cu and Cr. Across Zn rates, Zn application increased grain concentrations of Zn, Pb and Cd by 75%, 51% and 14%, respectively, and reduced grain As concentration by 14%. The human health risk assessment revealed that the threshold hazard quotients for the individual HM were below 1, independent of Zn rates. The hazard index (HI) values at Zn rates of 11.4, 22.7 and 34.1 kg Zn ha−1 were significantly greater than that at null Zn treatment. Furthermore, exposures to As, Cu and Zn accounted for 97% of HI at all Zn rates. Analysis of the threshold cancer risk with Pb and As showed that ingestion of wheat grain even from highest Zn application rate wouldn’t bring the lifetime carcinogenic risk. In contrast, long-term Zn application significantly reduced the carcinogenic risk of As by 9.7–26.5%. In conclusion, repeated soil applications of Zn at optimal rate (5.7 kg Zn ha−1) didn’t cause health risk for Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr, and As, while improving productivity and grain Zn concentration of wheat to meet human recruitment. Our study highlights the importance of appropriate Zn fertilizer management in improving grain quality while reducing HMs risks from human consumption.

Heavy Metals Health Risk Assessment through Consumption of Baobab Leaf Cultivated in Katsina State, North West Nigeria

Vegetables play important roles in human nutrition and health. They can also contain some undesirable components that can be harmful, e.g. Pesticides and heavy metals. The objectives of the study were mainly to detect the presence of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn) in sampled Baobab leaf in Katsina state Nigeria and assessed the human health risks associated with the consumption of the Baobab leaves. The content of these metals was assayed by the AAS method. The health risk to the local inhabitants was evaluated by estimating daily heavy metal intake and computing the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) and the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) for cancer and non-cancer risks. The results were compared with the safety standards established by the WHO/FAO and USEPA. With the exception of the heavy metal Pb (0.526-0.981) the mean concentration (mg/kg) range values of Cr (0.116-0.352), Cd (0.041-0.054), Fe (1.016-1.951) and Zn (0.940-1.229) in the samples were generally lower than the USEPA, WHO/FAO maximum permissive limits. The risk level of Target Hazard Quotient (THQ &lt; 1) was observed for all the evaluated heavy metals for both adults and children. The THQ for the samples was in the decreasing order Zn&gt;Fe&gt;Pb&gt;Cr&gt;Cd, for all the baobab leaf samples respectively. All the studied samples showed the risk level (HI &lt; 1). ILCR for Cd violated the threshold risk limit (&gt;10−4) and ILCR for Pb reached the moderate risk limit (&gt;10−3) for cancer in all the studied samples in adults, While in children ILCR for Pb in samples from Dabai and Daura have reached the moderate risk limit (&gt;10−3), while the ILCR for Pb in rest of the samples and ILCR for Cd of all the samples are beyond the moderate risk level (&gt;10−2). The consumption of the Baobab leaf sample may contribute to the population cancer burden.

Heavy metals health risk assessment through consumption of some foodstuffs marketed in city of Hamedan, Iran.

Since global studies on the health risk assessment of heavy metals in foodstuffs, including biscuits, potato chips, chocolates, and traditional pastries are limited, hence, this study was conducted to determine the contents and the human health risk assessment of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) via the consumption of different brands of these foodstuffs.In this descriptive study, a total of 84 samples of 28 brands/kinds of food under consideration were collected from a market basket in city of Hamedan, Iran in 2016. After preparation and processing the samples in the laboratory, the metal concentrations were measured using the inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). In addition, all statistical analyses including One-Way ANOVA and one-sample t test were performed using the SPSS statistical package (Version 19). The results showed that the mean concentrations (mg kg-1) of Pb in all the foodstuff samples (2.25 ± 0.76 for biscuits, 1.60 ± 0.35 for potato chips, 2.61 ± 0.68 for chocolates, and 3.66 ± 0.64 for traditional pastries) were higher than the Maximum Permissible Limit (MPL).Furthermore, the computed health risk index showed no potential risk for adults and children via consumption of the studied foodstuffs under the current consumption rate.Based on the results, as the mean contents of Pb observed in all the foodstuff samples exceeded the MPL, serious attention toward the discharge of pollutants into the environment and chemical residue monitoring, especially of heavy metals in foodstuffs, is recommended.

Health Risks Assessment of Rainwater Pollutants in Jengka, Pahang, Malaysia

Rainwater samples were collected in Jengka, Pahang Malaysia. Temperature, pH, TDS, EC, Al, Cu, Mn, and Zn were measured. The concentrations of heavy metals (Al, Cu, Mn and Zn) in thirty-eight samples were analysed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical analysis results indicate that pH, TDS, and EC showed significant differences between wet and dry seasons. However, no significant difference was observed seasonally for heavy metals (HMs). All parameters, except pH, were below the Malaysian Drinking Water Guidelines (MDWG) value and the health risk assessment for HMs indicates the safe levels. Principal component analysis (PCA) suggests that HMs in rainwater in Jengka, Pahang were originated from natural and anthropogenic sources.