Health risk and heavy metal assessment in soils and vegetables sourced from Amaonye forest Farmland, Eastern Nigeria

• Published in: International journal of environmental science and technology (Tehran) 2023-09, Vol.20 (9), p.10367-10384
• Main Authors: Atikpo, E., Owamah, H. I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science and Engineering; Original Paper; Soil Science & Conservation; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1735-1472; 1735-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s13762-022-04615-9

This study investigated the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in soil and vegetables, and the associated health risk of ingesting vegetables from Amaonye-Ishiagu farming zone, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Soil samples from 0 to 20 cm depth were analyzed with atomic absorption spectrometer for Cd, Pb and Zn and modeled with geostatistical extension of the ArcGIS. Edible parts of five leafy vegetables commonly found in the regional markets were randomly harvested from ten (10) farms and tested for the metals. Risk indication parameters (health risk index, daily intake of heavy metals and target health quotient) were evaluated. Results obtained showed that the soil was polluted with Pb, Cd and Zn as their concentrations were above the respective maximum allowable limits (100, 3 and 300 mg/kg) set for soils used for crop production. The soil pollution was highest around the Unu stream channel receiving waste from the mining site, and the forest portions affected by stream overflow. Vegetables from the farms had Cd and Pb above the respective prescribed limits of 0.1 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg. Daily intakes of Cd, Pb and Zn were higher than the respective oral reference doses of 0.001, 0.0035 and 0.300 mg/kg/day. The health risk index and target health quotient values were, respectively, greater than one—indicating that the ingestion of the vegetables might affect human health negatively. Children consuming vegetables from farms in the study area were noted to be in greater danger of health risks than the adults.