Toxicology International (Formerly Indian Journal of Toxicology)

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Potential Toxic Elements Load and their Health Risk Assessment in Vegetables Grown in Nsukka Area of South-Eastern Nigeria


Affiliations
1 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
2 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Seven potential toxic elements (PTEs) (Cr, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, Co, and Fe) were assessed in some selected vegetables collected from Nsukka agricultural areas. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to determine the Potential Toxic Elements (PTEs). The human health risk evaluation was performed and the average detectable concentration of the PTEs were all within the permissible limit of WHO/FAO. The highest concentration of Cr (0.1750±0.1543) was found in Solanum aethiopicum fruits from Opanda in Uzo-uwani, Pb (0.6667± 0.1443) in yellow Capsicum annuum L. seeds from Opanda in Uzo-uwani, Zn (2.9441 ± 1.7382) in Solanum melongen fruits from Opi-Agu, Ni(0.3761 ± 0.1184) in Gongronema latifolium leaves in Uzo-uwani, Cd (0.0703 ± 0.0316) in Solanum melongen fruits from Opanda in Uzo-uwani, Co (0.0485± 0.0346) in red Capsicum annuum L. seeds from Opanda in Uzo-uwani and Fe (13.2460 ± 1.3633) in Solanum melongen fruits from Opanda in Uzo-uwani. The health risk assessment of the PTEs showed that only Pb has the hazard quotient in children to be above one in Solanum melongen seed of Opi-Agu. However, the health risk associated with the consumption of Cr, Zn, Ni, Co, Cd and Fe were not as high as Pb. The Total Hazard Index (THI) of the PTEs was above 1 for children in Solanum melongen seed, and Solanum aethiopicum leaf. Therefore, the consumption of Solanum melongen fruits and Solanum aethiopicum leaf can be considered not safe for children. Other vegetables assessed did not constitute much potential health risk for both adults and children concerning the HI and HQ evaluated.

Keywords

Capsicum annuum, Gongronema latifolium leaf, Potentially Toxic Elements, Solanum aethiopicum, Vegetables
User
Subscription Login to verify subscription
Notifications
Font Size

  • Hu J, Wu F, Wu S, Cao Z, Lin X, Wong MN. Bioaccessibility, dietary exposure and human risk assessment of heavy metals from market vegetables in Hong Kong revealed with an in vitro gastrointestinal model. Chemosphere. 2013; 91(4):455–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.11.066. PMid:232738 79

  • Jaishankar M, Tseten T, Anbalagan N, Blessy BM, Beeregowda KN. Toxicity, mechanism and health effect of some heavy metals. Interdiscip Toxicol. 2014; 7(2):60–70. https://doi.org/10.2478/intox-2014-0009 . PMid:26109881. PMCid:PMC4427717

  • Alimohammadi M, Younesian M, Madihi-Bidgoli S, Nodehi RN, Khaniki JRG, Hadi M, et al. Heavy metal(oid)s concentration in Tehran supermarket vegetables: Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic healthrisk assessment. Toxin Rev. 2018. https://doi.org/10.1080/15569543.2018.1522644

  • Osma E, Serin M, Leblebici Z, Aksoy A. Assessment of heavy metal accumulations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in vegetables and soils. Pol J Environ Studies. 2013; 22(5):1449–55.

  • Chandran S, Niranjana V, Benny J. Accumulation of heavy metals in wastewater irrigated crops in Madurai, India. J. Environ. Res. Dev. 2012; 6:432–8.

  • Okoro EO, Iwueke NT. Assessment of heavy metal uptake in edible vegetable crops in Aba Urban Farms, Nigeria. International J. of Energy and Env. Sci. 2017; (5):89–94.

  • Soloman PE, Jain S, Chauhan SS. Bio accretion of heavy metals by Okra and Eggplant grown in polluted areas of Jaipur city and associated health risks. Int J Innov Res Sci Eng Technol. 2017; 6:428–34.

  • Youssef MA, Abd El-Gawad MA. Accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) grown in a contaminated soil. Journal of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering. 2018; 3(1):9–18. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jeece.2018 0301.12

  • Tefera M, Chandravanshi BS. Assessment of metal contents in commercially available Ethiopian red pepper. International Food Research J. 2018; 25(3):9 89–1000.

  • Ozor N, Oziko R, Ernest A. Rural-urban interdependence in food systems in Nsukka local government area of Enugu State, Nigeria. J of Agricultural Extension. 2015; 19(2):157–87. https://doi.org/10.4314/jae.v19i2.14

  • Ezigbo VO, Okoye COB. Determination of cadmium in common spices from selected markets in Southeastern Nigeria. Conference of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University; 2017.

  • Knoema [Internet]. 2007. Available from: https://knoema.com/atlas/Nigeria/topics/Food-Security/Food-Consumption/Vegetables-consumption

  • US EPA. Exposure factors handbook 2011 edition (Final) [Internet]. Available from: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/risk/recordisplay.cfm?deid=236252. 2011.

  • US EPA Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS), volume I: Human Health Evaluation Manual (HHEM) supplemental guidance. Washington DC: Office of emergency and remedial response; [EPA/540/R-92/003]; 1991.

  • Wongsasuluk P, Chotpantarat S, Siriwong W, Robson M. Heavy metal contamination and human health risk assessment in drinking water from shallow groundwater wells in an agricultural area in UbonRatchathani province, Thailand Environ. Geochem Health. 2014; 36:169–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-013-9537-8. PMid:23771812

  • Ekere NR, Ihedioha JN, Eze IS, Agbazue VE. Health risk assessment in relation to heavy metals in water sources in rural regions of South East Nigeria. International J of Physical Sci. 2014; 9(6):109–16. https://doi.org/10.5897/IJPS2014.4125

  • Ametepey ST, Cobbina TS, Akpabey FJ, Duwiejuah AB, Abuntori ZN. Health risk assessment and heavy metal contamination levels in vegetables from Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. International J Food Contamination. 2018; 5:5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40 550-018-0067-0

  • USEPA IRIS US Environmental Protection Agency’s integrated risk information system. Environmental protection agency region I, Washington DC 20460. 2011, US EPA [Internet]. 2012. Available from: http://www.epa.gov/iris/.

  • ATSDR, Minimal risk levels Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) [Internet]. 2018. Available from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mrls/mrllist.asp#17tag.

  • WHO / FAO Expert committee on food additives. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 2007. 329–36.

  • Tasrina RC, Rowshon A, Mustafizur AMR, Rafiqul IMP. Ali heavy metals contamination in vegetables and its growing soil. J Environ Anal Chem. 2015; 2:142.

  • Joint FAO/WHO food standards programme codex committee on contaminants in foods. Working document for information and use in discussions related to contaminants and toxins in the GSCTFF; 2011.

  • Kosak l, Kokocinski M, Niedzielski P, Lorenc S. Bioaccumulation of metals and metalloids in medicinal plant Ipomoea Pescaprae from areas impacted by tsunami. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2014; 34:252–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.2794. PMid:25363516

  • Oliveira H. Chromium as an environmental pollutant: Insights on induced plant. Toxicity J Bot. 2012; 375843:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/375843

  • Lente I, Keraita B, Drechsel P, Ofosu-Anim J, Brima AK. Risk assessment of heavy metal contamination on vegetables grown in long-term waste water irrigated urban farming sites in Accra, Ghana. Water QualExpo Health. 2012; 4:179–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-012-0077-8

  • Kabata-Pendias A, Pendias H. Trace metals in soils and plants, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla, USA, 2nd edition; 2001. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420039900

  • Agneta G, Maria G, Bengt-Erik B. Accumulation of heavy metals in water spinach (Ipomoea aquatic) cultivated in the Bangkok region, Thailand. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2012; 21(9):1934–9. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620210922. PMid:12206434

  • Suruchi PK. Assessment of heavy metal contamination in different vegetables grown in and around urban areas. Res J Environ Toxicol. 2011; 5(3):162–79. https://doi.org/10.3923/rjet.2011.162.179

  • Doherty VF, Sogbanmu TO, Kanife UC, Wright O. Heavy metals in vegetables collected from selected farm and market sites in Lagos, Nigeria. GloAdv Res J Environ Sci Toxicol. 2012; 1(6):137–42.

  • Hambidge KM, Krebs NF. Zinc deficiency: A special challenge. J Nutr. 2007; 137(4):1101–15. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/137.4.1101. PMid:17374687

  • Rahman H, Sabreen S, Alam S, Kawai S. Effects of nickel on growth and composition of metal micronutrients in barley plants grown in nutrient solution. J Plant Nutr. 2005; 28:393–404. https://doi.org/10.1081/PLN-200049149

  • Harmanescu M, Alda LM, Bordean DM, Gogoasa L, Gergen L. Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of vegetables grown in old mining area, a case study: Banat County, Romania. Chem Cent J. 2011; 5:64–73. https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-153X-5-64. PMid:22017878. PMC id:PMC3212802

  • Prasad AS. Zinc deficiency: Has been known for 40 years but ignored by global health organizations. Br Med J. 2003; 326(7386):409–10. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7386.409. PMid:12595353. PMC id:PMC1125304

  • FAO/WHO (2012). Working document for information and use in discussions related to contaminants and toxins in the GSCTFF. Joint 13

  • Odai SN, Mensah E, Sipitey D, Ryo S, Awauah E. Heavy metals uptake by vegetables cultivated on urban waste dumpsites: Case study of Kumasi, Ghana. Res J Environ Toxicol. 2008; 2(2):92–9. https://doi.org/10.3923/rjet.2008.92.99

  • Muchuweti M, Birkett JW, Chinyanga E, Zvauya R, Scrimshaw MD, Lester JN. Heavy metal content of vegetables irrigated with mixtures of wastewater and sewage sludge in Zimbabwe: implications for human health. Agric Ecosys Envir 2006; 112:41–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2005.04.028

  • World Health Organization, WHO Evaluation of certain food additives and Contaminants. In: Sixty-First Report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Geneva: WHO; 2004. (WHO Technical Series, 922).

  • Guerra F, Trevizam AR, Muraoka T, Marcante NC, Canniatti-Brazaca SG. Heavy metals in vegetables and potential risk for human health. Scientia Agricola. 2012; 69:54–60. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-90162 012000100008

  • Gaya UI, Ikechukwu SA. Heavy metal contamination of selected spices obtained from Nigeria. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management. 2016; 20(3):681-688. www.ajol.info and www.bioline.org.br/ja https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v20i3.23

  • WHO Trace elements in human nutrition and health, World Health Organization; 1999.

  • Okoro OE, Tarinabo IN. Assessment of heavy metal uptake in edible vegetable crops in Aba Urban Farms, Nigeria. Int J Energy Environ Eng. 2017; 2(5): 89–94. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijae.20170206.12

  • Goldhaber SB. Trace element risk assessment: essentially vs. toxicity. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2003; 38:232–42 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-2300(02)00 020-X

  • Wang XL, Sato T, Xing BS, Tao S. Health risks of heavy metals to the general public in Tianjin, China via consumption of vegetables and fish. Sci Total Environ. 2005; 350:28–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.09.044. PMid:16227070

  • Bortey-Sam N, Nakayama SMM, Ikenaka Y, Akoto O, Baidoo E, Yohannes YB, Mizukaw a H, Ishizuka M. Human health risks from metals and metalloid via consumption of food animals near gold mines in Tarkwa, Ghana: Estimation of the daily intakes and target hazard quotients (THQs). Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2015; 111:160–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv. 2014.09.008. PMid:25450929

  • Barone G, Storelli A, Garofalo R, Busco VP, Quaglia NC, Centrone G, Storelli MM. Assessment of mercury and cadmium via seafood consumption in Italy: Estimated Dietary Intake (EWI) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ). Food Addit Contam A. 2015; 32:1277–86. https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2015.1055594. PMid:26057480

  • Hang X, Wang H, Zhou J, Ma C, Du C, Chen X. Risk assessment of potentially toxic element pollution in soils and rice (Oryza sativa) in a typical area of the Yangtze River Delta. Environ Pollut. 2009; 157:2542–9 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2009.03.002. PMid:19344985

  • Dong Z, Bank MS, Spengler JD. Assessing metal exposures in a community near a cement plant in the Northeast US. Int Journal Environ Res Public Health 2015; 12:952–69. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120100952. PMid:25607604. PMCid:PMC43069 04

  • Uli (FAPSCON 2017) Uli, Nigeria [Internet]. 2017 May 4–5. Available from: http://coou.edu.ng/oer/conference-papers/

  • FAO/WHO food standards Programme. CODEX committee on contaminants in foods, Sixth Session, Maastricht, The Netherlands.


Abstract Views: 163

PDF Views: 0




  • Potential Toxic Elements Load and their Health Risk Assessment in Vegetables Grown in Nsukka Area of South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract Views: 163  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

H. O. Abugu
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
P. U. Odum
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
N. R. Ekere
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
J. N. Ihedioha
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
S. U. Nwoke
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
C. C. Ezike
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
S. I. Eze
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract


Seven potential toxic elements (PTEs) (Cr, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, Co, and Fe) were assessed in some selected vegetables collected from Nsukka agricultural areas. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used to determine the Potential Toxic Elements (PTEs). The human health risk evaluation was performed and the average detectable concentration of the PTEs were all within the permissible limit of WHO/FAO. The highest concentration of Cr (0.1750±0.1543) was found in Solanum aethiopicum fruits from Opanda in Uzo-uwani, Pb (0.6667± 0.1443) in yellow Capsicum annuum L. seeds from Opanda in Uzo-uwani, Zn (2.9441 ± 1.7382) in Solanum melongen fruits from Opi-Agu, Ni(0.3761 ± 0.1184) in Gongronema latifolium leaves in Uzo-uwani, Cd (0.0703 ± 0.0316) in Solanum melongen fruits from Opanda in Uzo-uwani, Co (0.0485± 0.0346) in red Capsicum annuum L. seeds from Opanda in Uzo-uwani and Fe (13.2460 ± 1.3633) in Solanum melongen fruits from Opanda in Uzo-uwani. The health risk assessment of the PTEs showed that only Pb has the hazard quotient in children to be above one in Solanum melongen seed of Opi-Agu. However, the health risk associated with the consumption of Cr, Zn, Ni, Co, Cd and Fe were not as high as Pb. The Total Hazard Index (THI) of the PTEs was above 1 for children in Solanum melongen seed, and Solanum aethiopicum leaf. Therefore, the consumption of Solanum melongen fruits and Solanum aethiopicum leaf can be considered not safe for children. Other vegetables assessed did not constitute much potential health risk for both adults and children concerning the HI and HQ evaluated.

Keywords


Capsicum annuum, Gongronema latifolium leaf, Potentially Toxic Elements, Solanum aethiopicum, Vegetables

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18311/ti%2F2021%2Fv28i2%2F26074