Journal
FOOD AND CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
Volume 48, Issue 2, Pages 611-619Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2009.11.041
Keywords
Sewage water; Heavy metals; Vegetables; Cereals; Metal pollution index; Health risk
Categories
Funding
- Center for Advanced Study in Botany
- Banaras Hindu University
- R.K. Sharma to CSIR, New Delhi
- Department for International Development (DFID), UK
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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. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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