Heavy metals (Cd, Pb & Zn) accumulation in Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea. Var. Botyris) and associated health risks assessment in three Districts of Punjab, Pakistan
Heavy metals (Cd, Pb & Zn) accumulation in Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea. Var. Botyris) and associated health risks assessment in three Districts of Punjab, Pakistan
ZEESHAN REHMAN1, RANA ABRAR HUSSAIN1, SHAISTA JABEEN2, SAKHAWAT ALI2, ZAHAR NOREEN1 & IRUM MUKHTAR1*
ABSTRACT
Continuous discharge of untreated urban and industrial waste water is a source of heavy metals in soil is a major threat to ecological system and human health. Present study was carried out to evaluate human health risks in association with food chain contamination of heavy metals from urban and industrial wastewater irrigation. During present investigation, Pb2+, Cd2+ and Zn2+ concentrations were analyzed in mostly cultivated/consumed Brassica oleracea. Var. Botyris species in Lahore (LHR), Narowal and Kasur districts of Punjab, Pakistan. The average concentration of elemental Zn in sewage-irrigated samples was the highest (153.4233mg kg−1), followed by Cd2+ (70.47333 mg kg−1) and Pb (65.79667mg kg−1). Results showed higher Pb2+ and Cd2+ level in B. oleracea than daily intake of metals (DIM) standard limits, cultivated on wastewater. Whereas health risk index (HRI) was found maximum (23.22 mg kg−1) for this vegetable cultivated on waste water in Kasur region. From the health point of view, the long-term consumption of contaminated vegetables is one of the causes of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks.
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