Health risk assessment of heavy metals via dietary intake of foodstuffs from the wastewater irrigated site of a dry tropical area of India.
The present study was conducted to assess the risk to human health by heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni and Cr) through the intake of locally grown vegetables, cereal crops and milk from wastewater irrigated site. Milk is not directly contaminated due to wastewater irrigation, but is an important route of food chain transfer of heavy metals from grass to animals. Heavy metal concentrations were several fold higher in all the collected samples from wastewater irrigated site compared to clean water irrigated ones. Cd, Pb and Ni concentrations were above the 'safe' limits of Indian and WHO/FAO standards in all the vegetables and cereals, but within the permissible limits in milk samples. The higher values of metal pollution index and health risk index indicated heavy metal contamination in the wastewater irrigated site that presented a significant threat of negative impact on human health. Rice and wheat grains contained less heavy metals as compared to the vegetables, but health risk was greater due to higher contribution of cereals in the diet. The study suggests that wastewater irrigation led to accumulation of heavy metals in food stuff causing potential health risks to consumers.
Singh
Anita
A
Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
Sharma
Rajesh Kumar
RK
Agrawal
Madhoolika
M
Marshall
Fiona M
FM
D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D020387:Food Chain; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000009:adverse effects; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012722:Sewage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
D007220:Industrial Waste; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012722:Sewage; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical