A survey of Nitrate and Nitrite Contents in Vegetables to Assess The Potential Health Risks in Kurdistan, Iraq

Abstract In this study, nitrate and nitrite contents were determined of a total (308) samples of 15 different types of vegetable such as leek, swiss chard, celery, spinach, garden cress, green onion, turnip, radish, aubergine, squash, tomato, pepper, cucumber, mint, and tarragon. They were taken from different fields located in Sulaymaniyah province: Sulaymaniyah city (Tanjarro and Kanaswra), Bazyan (Baynjan), Halabja (Said Sadiq), and Kalar (Grda Gozena). Using spectrophotometer measurements performed by UV/VIS double beam spectrophotometer at 538nm. The highest level of nitrate (529.55 mg/kg) for garden cress in Said Sadiq, (486.74 mg/kg) for Swiss chard in Kanaswra, and (477.65 mg/kg) for spinach in Bazyan. In addition, leek and celery contained high nitrate concentrations of about (416.65 and 447.60) mg/kg in Kanaswra and Bazyan, respectively. While the lowest nitrate concentration in fruiting vegetables like a tomato was 5.934 mg/kg in Bazyan, and aubergine in Grda Gozena was 5.617 mg/kg. Interestingly, the value of the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) and the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) was lower than the standard limit, ADI for nitrate in this study was about (0.51, 2.18) mg/kg bw/day for adults and children, while the standard limit (3.70 mg/kg bw/day). Also, ADI for nitrite in this study was about (0.01, 0.05) mg/kg/bw for adults and children, while the standard limit was about 0 - 0.06 mg kg, as a result, the THQ ≤1. In summary, we can conclude that the amount of nitrates in raw vegetables was lower than the standard limit’s level and that this level does not cause health problems for consumers.

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Health Risk Assessment for Carcinogenic and Non-carcinogenic Heavy Metal Exposures from Pepper Fruits Cultivated In Katsina State, North West Nigeria

Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports ◽

10.9734/ajarr/2019/v6i430161 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

A. I. Yaradua ◽

A. J. Alhassan ◽

A. Nasir ◽

S. S. Matazu ◽

A. Usman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Cancer Risk ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Cancer Risks ◽

Moderate Risk ◽

Adults And Children ◽

The Mean ◽

Pepper Sample

This study was conducted to determine the heavy metals concentration in pepper fruits cultivated in Katsina state Nigeria. The objectives were mainly to detect the presence of heavy metals in the cultivated pepper fruits in the study area, compare the concentration of heavy metals in samples in relation to the permissible limits specified by WHO/FAO/USEPA Standards. Samples of the pepper fruits were collected in the year 2017 from the selected area. Analysis for the concentration of these heavy metals; Cr, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb and Zn was conducted by the use of AAS (by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) method. The health risks to the local inhabitants from the consumption of the samples were evaluated based on the Target Hazard Quotient. The possibility of cancer risks in the samples through intake of carcinogenic heavy metals was estimated using the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk. Results from this study has shown that with the exception of the mean values for the heavy metal Pb (1.200-1.333 mg/kg), the mean concentration range (mg/kg) values of Fe (0.901-0.967), Zn (0.899-0.911), Mn (0.250-0.287), Cd (0.053-0.0556) in the samples were generally lower than the USEPA, WHO/FAO maximum permissive limits. With the heavy metals Cr and Ni being below detection level (BDL) The results have indicated that the estimated daily intake (EDI) of the heavy metals were lower than the tolerable daily intake limit set by the USEPA in all the samples. Risk level of Target Hazard Quotient (THQ < 1) was observed for all the evaluated heavy metals for both adults and children. The THQ for the samples were in the decreasing order Mn>Zn>Pb>Fe>Cd, for all the pepper fruits respectively. The sequence of risk was the same for both adults and children although the children had higher THQ values in all cases. ILCR for Cd violated the threshold risk limit (>10−4) and ILCR for Pb reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) in all the studied samples in adults, While in children ILCR for both Pb and Cd violated the risk. The sampling area trend of risk for developing cancer as a result of consuming the studied samples showed in decreasing order: Funtua senatorial zone > Daura senatorial zone> Katsina senatorial zone for both adult and children. The Cumulative cancer risk (∑ILCR) of all the studied pepper fruits reached the moderate risk limit (>10−3) in adults, while in children it is above the moderate risk limit (>10−2). Among all the studied samples, pepper sample from Funtua senatorial zone has the highest chances of cancer risks (ILCR 6.863273 × 10−3 in adults; ILCR 1.715815 × 10−2 in children) and pepper sample from Katsina senatorial zone has the lowest chances of cancer risk (ILCR 6.260100 × 10−3 in adults; ILCR 1.565025 × 10−2 in children). The study suggests that consumption of the studied pepper fruits in Katsina state is of public health concern as they may contribute to the population cancer burden.

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Preliminary Health Risk Assessment of Water from Asa River, Ilorin, North-Central Nigeria

LAUTECH Journal of Civil and Environmental Studies ◽

10.36108/laujoces/1202.60.0140 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

O. A Omotoso

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Health Risk ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Age Groups ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Potential Health ◽

Adults And Children

This study was carried out to establish health impacts of some trace elements (Al, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in Asa-river, using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer technique for the chemical analysis. Laboratory results show that Al, Fe and Mn average concentrations are higher than prescribed limits unlike others. The Contamination Indexes reveal that the elements are heavily loaded in the water. The exposure dose in both adults and children ranges from 0.021 in As to 181 in Fe (in adults) and from 0.068 in As to 576 in Fe (in children). The average Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for adults and children are generally lower than one except Mn that has average value greater than one in both age groups. However, for children, individual HQ in Fe in some of the locations are >1. The Hazard Index (HI)for adults and children ranged from low to high. The average values of Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) are generally <1. However, in children, values for Fe in some locations are >1. The average Carcinogenic Risk (CR) of Cr and Pb computed for adults and children indicated that the values are greater than the risk limit of 10-6 and 10-4. This could result in potential health risk to the consumers. The sources of these trace elements are largely from various anthropogenic activities and slightly from weathering of rocks in the study area. It is recommended that adequate and well monitored precautions need to be taken to safeguard the health of the consumers especially the children with low immunity.

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ASSESSMENT OF LEVELS AND HEALTH RISKS OF TRACE METALS IN SOILS AND SOME FOOD CROPS CULTIVATED IN FARMS AROUND ENYIGBA MINING SITES, EBONYI STATE, NIGERIA.

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/jfp-20-295 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Obasi UCHE Orji ◽

Udu Ama Ibiam ◽

Nonso Joshua Awoke ◽

Otuomasirichi Divine Obasi ◽

Anayo Joseph Uraku ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Health Risks ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Metal Extraction ◽

Health Concern ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Food Crops ◽

Potential Health ◽

Mining Sites

Mining is one of the major sources of heavy metals in most developing countries and this has become a major health concern to the populace due to the possibility of food contamination with these heavy metals. We investigated the levels of titanium (Ti), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), rubidium (Rb), strontium (Sr), selenium (Se), niobium (Nb) and vanadium (V) in 64 soil and 320 samples of regularly consumed staple food crops and vegetables (cassava tubers, white yam, groundnut seed, fluted pumpkin leaf and Z. zanthoxyloides from farms around Enyigba mining sites in Ebonyi State and the possible health risks due to consumption of these staple foods. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used in determination of the metals in the samples respectively. The mean levels of the metals except Mn, Pb and Zn were below the threshold limits for agricultural soils. Our data also showed that food crops cultivated around this sites bio-accumulated toxic levels of these metals above the recommended legal limits set by WHO, NAFDAC and CODEX especially Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Se, and Rb. This perhaps may have potential health implication on the local dwellers. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) of the toxic metals through the consumption of the crop samples were below the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI) except lead and nickel by eating of groundnut, cassava and yam. Furthermore, the target hazard quotient (THQ), computed based on EDI of the heavy metals were above unity for the metals due to cassava, yam and groundnut consumption, suggesting significant health risk. Raised amounts of heavy metal in cassava and groundnut samples as revealed by their metal extraction coefficient computed in this study hint that they may be used as bio-indicators of ecological, health hazards and phytoremediators of Mn, Zn, Cu, and Pb.

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Hazard Analysis of Trace Metals in Muscle of Sarotherodon Melanotheron and Chrysichthys Nigrodigitatus from Okulu River, Rivers State, Nigeria

Journal of Environmental Health and Sustainable Development ◽

10.18502/jehsd.v6i3.7242 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ayobami Omozemoje Aigberua ◽

Sylvester Chibueze Izah ◽

Glory Richard

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Open Water ◽

Health Concern ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Potential Health ◽

Food Fish ◽

Rivers State ◽

Sarotherodon Melanotheron

Introduction: An instance of fish deaths in marine waters surrounding some communities in Bonny and Andoni Local Government Areas in Rivers State was reported in March-April 2020. This study investigated trace metals hazard in muscle of Tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) and Silver Catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) from Okulu River, Rivers State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Tissues of 24 samples of Sarotherodon melanotheron and Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus obtained from the river were analyzed using atomic adsorption spectrophotometer, and the health risk was estimated based on estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and total target hazard quotient (TTHQ). Results: The concentration (mg/kg) of iron, zinc, manganese, copper, cadmium, lead, and chromium in both species ranged 4.00 – 197.30, 9.20 – 35.30, 0.20 – 5.00, 0.00 – 73.10, 0.00 – 1.30, 0.00 – 54.70, and 0.00 – 0.50, respectively. The EDI of trace metals resulting from the consumption of both fish species was higher than the permissible tolerance intake (PTI) mg/day/60kg body weight. The THQ and TTHQ were < 1, indicating that the consumption of this food fish portends no known health concern. However, the carcinogenic risks exceeded the threshold level of 10-6 - 10-4, thus, reflecting carcinogenic tendency. Based on the results obtained, it must be ensured that the effluents discharged into open water bodies meet the recommended limits. Conclusion: There is a need to create awareness among consumers of food fish in the study area. There should be periodic monitoring of trace metals in surface waters and its food fish population to forestall potential health impact on humans.

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Potential health risks of trace metals in muscle tissue of tilapia and catfish from Mozambican markets

Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science ◽

10.26832/24566632.2021.0604013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 508-518

Author(s):

Vedaste Munyeshury ◽

Eutilerio Felizardo Crisino Chaúque ◽

Noor Jehan Gulamussen ◽

Jaime Silvestre Mandlate ◽

Heidi Richards ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Health Risks ◽

Consumption Rate ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Potential Health ◽

Fish Samples ◽

Open Markets ◽

One Way Anova

Due to the toxicity of trace metals and the propensity of fishes to bioaccumulate metals in their tissues, we investigated the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and zinc (Zn) in the muscles of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) and catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodidatatus) collected from open markets in Mozambique. Fe and Hg were the most and least bioaccumulated metals in the fishes, respectively. One-way ANOVA showed significant differences between sites for the analytes. Furthermore, we estimated the possible health risks (estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and maximum allowable consumption rate (CRlim)) associated with fish consumption. The concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb exceeded the recommended maximum permissible limits (MPL) in fish samples, ranging between 5.65 – 12.7, 1.05 – 12.9, and 1.88 – 6.45 mgkg-1, respectively, whereas values lower than MPL viz. 5.25 – 18.9, ND – 0.033, and 30.8 – 52.3 mgkg-1 were observed for Cu, Hg, and Zn, respectively. Similarly, the EDI (mgkg-1day-1) were below the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) with decreasing order: Fe >Zn >Cu >As >Cd >Pb>Hg. However, the THQ (mg kg-1) was slightly > 1 for As and Cd in some samples. Moreover, the CRlim (kg day-1) showed a decreasing order of Hg >Fe >Zn >Pb> Cu >Cd >As. Generally, consumers are susceptible to health hazards associated with As and Cd. Hence, regular toxicological monitoring of the fishes from the study area is imperative.

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Element contents and health risk assessment in wild edible mushrooms of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Plant Soil and Environment ◽

10.17221/423/2021-pse ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mirsada Salihovic ◽

Mirha Pazalja ◽

Aida Šapčanin ◽

Biljana P. Dojčinović ◽

Selma Špirtović-Halilović

Keyword(s):

Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽

Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Risk Index ◽

Essential Elements ◽

Edible Mushrooms ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Wild Edible Mushrooms ◽

Potential Health

The content of macro- and microelements in dry samples of mushrooms of the species Macrolepiota procera, Boletus edulis and Cantharellus cibarius, collected at different areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was determined using the ICP-OES method (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry). Of the macroelements, K is the most represented, followed by S, P, Mg, and the least represented Ca and Na. Zn is the most represented of the essential microelements, followed by Fe, Se, Cu, Mn and Co. Al is the most abundant of the other trace elements followed by Ni and Cr. Of the toxic metals, the most represented is Cd, followed by Pb and As. There are differences in the concentration of micro- and macroelements in the mushrooms analysed, depending on the area from which they were collected because natural geology and geochemistry influence the content of macro- and microelements in wild edible mushrooms. The results show that the analysed mushrooms can be considered a good source of essential elements. The study also assessed potential health risks of heavy metals and the target hazard quotient (THQ) for As, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr in the analysed mushrooms was lower than the safe level. The carcinogenic risk index revealed that Cd and Ni are the most prevalent pollutants in the mushrooms studied.

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Potential health risk assessment of toxic metals contamination in clay eaten as pica (geophagia) among pregnant women of Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana.

10.21203/rs.2.16641/v4 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nii Korley Kortei ◽

Alice Koryo-Dabrah ◽

Papa Toah Akonor ◽

Nana Yaw Barima Manaphraim ◽

Matilda Ayim-Akonor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Health Risk ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Health Problems ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Potential Health ◽

Potential Health Risk ◽

Adverse Health ◽

Volta Region

Abstract Introduction: Geophagia although pleasurable and somewhat a necessity among pregnant women, also comes along with its own attendant problems such as exposure to potentially hazardous substances like bacteria, fungi, helminthes and ova, radioactive materials, and toxic elemental minerals in the soil depending on the geographical location.Methodology: This study evaluated the potential health risk involved during the exposure of pregnant women to toxic elemental minerals via the consumption of clay as pica (geophagia). Elemental mineral analysis was carried out using Buck Scientific 210VGP Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Buck Scientific, Inc. East Norwalk, USA). Risk assessment methods were also used to ascertain the various risks factors and the overall risk level.Results: Concentrations of the macro elements investigated were 1.38 ± 1.5, 2.40± 1.5, 7.74± 1.5, 4.01± 1.0, 13.24± 2.2 and 13.76± 2.1 mg/Kg for iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) respectively. While that for the micro elements were 1.63± 0.03 µg/Kg, 4.72±0.8, 0.53±0.02 and 1.85±0.3 mg/kg respectively for arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni). Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) values ranged 0.611- 5.44 (mg/kg Bw/day), 6.26x10-4 – 106.5, 0.067-10.34 and 15 respectively.Conclusion: There is the likelihood of posing adverse health problems when clay samples obtained from Anfoega which is sited in the Volta region of Ghana is consumed due to the fact that the HQ’s of these elemental minerals were >1 which points to high content of Manganese (Mn) and Nickel (Ni). It is also likely to cause adverse health problems in an individual’s life time since THQ for Arsenic, Lead and Nickel were above 1. Ultimately, the cumulative effect of these toxicants were exceedingly great (≤ 15) which implied a high level of unsafety associated with this clay. Per the results from this study, it is not safe for pregnant women to consume clay as pica since these toxic elements may cause detrimental effects on the foetus of the unborn child.

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The Influence of Compost Amendments on Bioaccumulation of Potentially Toxic Elements by Pea Plant Cultivated in Mine Degraded Soils

10.21203/rs.3.rs-880760/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad Irfan ◽

Muhammad Azhar Shah ◽

Mehboob Alam ◽

Anwarzeb Khan ◽

Muhammad Amjad Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Growth ◽

Health Risk ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Organic Amendments ◽

Organic Fertilizers ◽

Growth And Yield ◽

Garden Soil ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Mining Soils

Abstract Potential toxic metals (PTEs) accumulation in soil and water is one of the major sources of food crop contamination. PTEs remediation from soil can be enhanced by addition of organic matter to the growing media. An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different organic amendments on the accumulation of PTEs in pea plant grown on mine degraded soils. Mining soils from chromite mine (CM), soap stone mine (SSM), manganese mine (MM) and quartz mine (QM) were mixed with vermicompost (VC), leaf mould (LC) and spent mushroom compost (SMC) along with garden soil at 1:1:1 ratio. Various growth and yield related attributes of pea plant as well as PTEs concentrations in soil and plants were studied. The highest Cd (2.62 mg kg−1) and Cr (13.6 mg kg−1) concentration was reported in CM soil, while Pb (23.3 mg kg−1) and Mn (59.2 mg kg−1) concentration in SSM and MM soil, respectively. Mining soils significantly reduced the plant growth and yield, while organic amendments reduced the PTEs availability and increased pea plant growth. Comparing the various organic fertilizers used, it was observed that VC efficiently reduced Cd, Cr, Pb and Mn uptake by pea plant, subsequently, improved pea plant growth. In order to assess the effects of various amendments on PTEs health risk reduction various risk indices including, plant trafser factor, average daily intake, health risk, target hazard quotient and target cancer risk were also calculated and the results revealed that application of compost particularly VC significantly reduced the dietary intake and health risks of PTEs.

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Health Risk Assessment and Source Apportionment of Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Selenium, and Manganese in Japanese Women: An Adjunct Study to the Japan Environment and Children’s Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17072231 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (7) ◽

pp. 2231 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Chaochen Ma ◽

Miyuki Iwai-Shimada ◽

Nozomi Tatsuta ◽

Kunihiko Nakai ◽

Tomohiko Isobe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Indoor Air ◽

House Dust ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Essential Elements ◽

Health Concern ◽

Potential Health ◽

Mean Values ◽

Miyagi Prefecture

Toxic element pollution is a serious global health concern that has been attracting considerable research. In this study, we elucidated the major routes of exposure to three toxic elements (mercury, cadmium, and lead) and two essential elements (manganese and selenium) through diet, soil, house dust, and indoor air and assessed the potential health risks from these elements on women from the coastal area of Miyagi prefecture, Japan. Twenty-four-hour duplicate diet, house dust, soil, and indoor air samples were collected from 37 participants. Cd, Pb, Mn, and Se concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and Hg concentrations using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. We found that soil and house dust were the primary reservoirs of these elements. Diet contributed most strongly to the daily intake of these elements, with mean values of 0.72, 0.25, 0.054, 47, and 0.94 μg/kg/day for Hg, Cd, Pb, Mn, and Se, respectively. The mean hazard quotient of Hg was 1.53, indicating a high potential health risk from Hg exposure in daily lives. The intakes of other elements were below the tolerable limits. Future studies with a larger sample size are warranted to confirm our findings.

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Bioconcentration, Potential Health Risks, and a Receptor Prediction Model of Metal(loid)s in a Particular Agro-Ecological Area

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app9091902 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 1902 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kui Cai ◽

Zefeng Song

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Prediction Model ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Health Risks ◽

Agricultural Soils ◽

Hazard Quotient ◽

Target Hazard Quotient ◽

Potential Health ◽

Food Structure ◽

Accumulation Index

To investigate the bioconcentration and potential health risks of metal(loid)s in a particular agro-ecological area, 230 pairs of soil and corresponding crop grain samples were collected from typical corn and wheat plants. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo), bioconcentration factors (BCF), health risk assessment (the target hazard quotient), and Receptor Prediction Model (PCS-SMLR) analysis were adopted to study the spatial distribution, assess the health risks, and predict the relationship between metal(loid)s and soil properties. It was found that the mean concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Hg, and Cd in the study area’s agricultural soils exceeded the background soil concentrations, especially for Cd (0.2 mg/kg), Meanwhile, the corresponding Cd concentration in wheat samples was higher than the food quality limit. The results of the Igeo showed that the samples with a value higher than 0 for Cd and Hg accounted for 47.83% and 33.48%, respectively. The results of BCF of Cu, Zn, Cd, and As were higher in wheat than in corn, except for Ni. The target hazard quotient (TTHQ) of health risk of wheat, corn, and soil were higher for children (2.48) than adults (1.78), showing a potential health risk for individuals who mostly consume wheat. In addition, the PCS-SMLR analysis of the BCF prediction model for Cu, Zn, As, and soil properties showed differences in terms of the influences from wheat and corn. These results provide valuable information that not only can help local residents improve the staple food structure, but also can get provide a reference metal(loid)s concentration level for agricultural soils in the study area and restore a sustainable agro-ecological environment.

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