Assessing the Human Health Risk from Heavy MetalContaminated Vegetables Grown Close to the Tannery Industrial Area Using the Hazard Index (HI) and Hazard Quotient (HQ)

Abstract

To assess the contamination load in vegetables and its possible human health hazards, heavy metals concentration (Cr, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn) in vegetables grown in the vicinity of the studied tannery area were determined. Health risk due to the consumption of vegetables was calculated from the metal concentration of the studied vegetables and the study signifies more potential to cause health hazard (cancer) (Hazard Index>1). The present study indicated that concentrations of Cr in the vegetable species were within the range of 7.5-9.75, 5.38-10.14, 25.5-28.5 and 2.65 mg kg-1 of dry weight (DW), in bottle gourd fruit, bottle gourd shoot, kalmi shoot, and red amaranth, which was above the MPL (1-2 mg/kg). The findings revealed that the mean concentration of the studied heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn,) exceeded the MPL in most of the measured vegetables because of higher translocation from the source to edible parts. For the majority of the samples, the ADI values of Cr and Pb were higher than the PMTDI. Open dumping of tannery wastes and effluents, and tanning activities involve serious environmental hazards. Adequate preventive measures should be taken in tannery industrial activities with a view to ensuring a safe, sound, and healthy environment for the greater benefit of Bangladesh.