Safety assessment of street vended juices in Multan-Pakistan: A study on prevalence levels of trace elements

Street vended juices are most commonly available, accessible and economical nutritional food sources of poor slums in developing economies like Pakistan. Study was undertaken to elucidate impact of industrialization, agro chemicals induction in agronomic practices and food processing hygiene measurements on food chain heavy metals intoxication. If overlooked, certain quality risks associated either with fresh produce or processed commodity might initiate food intoxication.In order to understand gravity of the issue, street vended freshly drawn juices extracted from the food crops (orange, sugarcane, carrot and mango) cultivated in <em>Southern Punjab </em>peri-urban areas and country sides were evaluated for microelements and heavy metals load in summer and winter 2012. The safety study of juices depicted higher concentration of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) breaching international safety limits implemented in the country. However some microelements (Fe, Zn, Mn) were found below the prescribed maximum tolerant limits. The study concluded prevalence of higher concentration of some toxic heavy metals as a serious breach of threshold levels potentially compromising consumer’s safety.

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HEAVY METALS IN FOOD CROPS: IDEAL SOURCES AND ROLES OF URBAN AGRICULTURE IN FACILITATING THEIR CONSUMPTION- A REVIEW

FUDMA Journal of Sciences ◽

10.33003/fjs-2021-0502-520 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 34-45

Author(s):

N. Abdullahi ◽

E. C Igwe ◽

M. A. Dandago ◽

N. B. Umar

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Agricultural Soil ◽

Heavy Metal Contamination ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Wastewater Irrigation ◽

Food Crops ◽

Urban Food Production ◽

Soil And Water

The qualities of agricultural soil and water are diminishing continuously due to the rigorous anthropogenic activities currently stocking the soil with a lot of toxic chemicals including heavy metals. Heavy metals are highly persistent and non-biodegradable, control of their contamination is very tricky to handle. Their presence in soil and water is detrimental to food crops and humans. Various sources of heavy metals contaminants and the role of urban food production on human heavy metal contamination were discussed.Heavy metals have their way into the soil and food crops through wastewater irrigation and production in contaminated soil. The habitual heavy metals contamination sources for food crops are wastewater irrigation, abuse of agrochemicals, production in the contaminated field, atmospheric deposit when foods are exposed to contaminated air, and unethical mining activities. Agricultural soil in urban and peri-urban areas are heavily contaminated with heavy metal due to various anthropogenic activities. Wastewater irrigation intensify the contamination by supplying the soil with more heavy metals. The heavy metals are passed to food during production and subsequently to humans after consumption.

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HEAVY METAL (Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd) CONCENTRATION IN SOILS OF TYUMEN

Bulletin of Nizhnevartovsk State University ◽

10.36906/2311-4444/20-1/19 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 127-134

Author(s):

A. S. Petukhov ◽

T. A. Kremleva ◽

N. A. Khritokhin ◽

G. A. Petukhova ◽

P. I. Kaidunova

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Metallurgical Plant ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Limit Of Detection ◽

Control Sample ◽

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Oil Refining ◽

Toxic Heavy Metals

Toxic heavy metals contaminating soil get accumulated by plants, cause degradation of plant communities, and eventually penetrate human bodies with food. Therefore, it is urgent to investigate the content of heavy metal in soils in urban areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Cd in soils of Tyumen. Top soil was sampled at the semi-clean control site near a highway, and at sites near metallurgical, motor-building, oil-refining and battery-manufacturing facilities in Tyumen, Russia. The concentration of active and acid-soluble forms of heavy metals was determined by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry. All the soil samples from urban areas were polluted with Fe. The samples collected near the battery manufactory and the metallurgical plant were contaminated with Pb and Zn, respectively, with maximum allowable concentration exceeded. The Cu, Mn and Zn content in most soil samples was higher than that in the control sample. The Cd content in all samples was at the lower limit of detection. The average percentages of active forms of Mn and Zn in soils were the highest among all the studied metals. The most intense accumulation of all heavy metals was observed near the battery manufactory and the metallurgical plant. The obtained results can be useful for environmental monitoring in Tyumen.

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Occurrence and Seasonal Variations of Lead Concentrations in River Water and Edible Vegetables Grown along Morogoro River Bank

Tanzania Veterinary Journal ◽

10.4314/tvj.v37i1.7s ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 ◽

pp. 46-53

Author(s):

G. Joseph ◽

B. Temba

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

River Water ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Amaranthus Retroflexus ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Toxic Heavy Metals ◽

River Bank ◽

Vegetable Samples ◽

Seasonal Characteristics

Urban vegetable farming is popular in Tanzania and other countries partly due to readily available market and reliable transport to reach consumers. River banks are usually used to grow such vegetables due to closer proximity to water and whenever necessary use such water for irrigation. However in urban settings river water pollution by toxic heavy metals and subsequent accumulation of the metals in nearby grown vegetables has been reported as among major sources of exposure to humans and animals. Heavy metals, including lead (Pb) have many health effects to human and animals ranging from acute to chronic illnesses. This study was conducted to assess the occurrence of lead in Morogoro river and in edible vegetables (Amaranthus retroflexus) grown along the river bank. Water and vegetable samples collected during dry and rainy seasons were prepared and analysed for occurrence and levels of lead using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). It was found that concentration of Lead in the water and vegetable samples were up to 0.95 mg/L, and 0.026 mg/Kg respectively. It was also found that 77% of the water samples and 28% of the vegetable samples had lead levels above the WHO recommendations. The frequency and levels of lead occurrence varied with topographical, diurnal and seasonal characteristics of sample collection. The results of this study raise concerns on the use of water for human and animal consumption from rivers which run across urban areas and call for further studies to investigate for any health consequences to consumers

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Occurrence and Seasonal Variations of Lead Concentrations in River Water and Edible Vegetables Grown along Morogoro River Bank

Tanzania Veterinary Journal ◽

10.4314/tvj.v37i.7s ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 ◽

pp. 46-53

Author(s):

G. Joseph ◽

B. Temba

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

River Water ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Amaranthus Retroflexus ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Toxic Heavy Metals ◽

River Bank ◽

Vegetable Samples ◽

Seasonal Characteristics

Urban vegetable farming is popular in Tanzania and other countries partly due to readily available market and reliable transport to reach consumers. River banks are usually used to grow such vegetables due to closer proximity to water and whenever necessary use such water for irrigation. However in urban settings river water pollution by toxic heavy metals and subsequent accumulation of the metals in nearby grown vegetables has been reported as among major sources of exposure to humans and animals. Heavy metals, including lead (Pb) have many health effects to human and animals ranging from acute to chronic illnesses. This study was conducted to assess the occurrence of lead in Morogoro river and in edible vegetables (Amaranthus retroflexus) grown along the river bank. Water and vegetable samples collected during dry and rainy seasons were prepared and analysed for occurrence and levels of lead using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). It was found that concentration of Lead in the water and vegetable samples were up to 0.95 mg/L, and 0.026 mg/Kg respectively. It was also found that 77% of the water samples and 28% of the vegetable samples had lead levels above the WHO recommendations. The frequency and levels of lead occurrence varied with topographical, diurnal and seasonal characteristics of sample collection. The results of this study raise concerns on the use of water for human and animal consumption from rivers which run across urban areas and call for further studies to investigate for any health consequences to consumers

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Mineral and Trace Element Analysis of Australian/Queensland Apis mellifera Honey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17176304 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (17) ◽

pp. 6304

Author(s):

Natasha L. Hungerford ◽

Ujang Tinggi ◽

Benjamin L. L. Tan ◽

Madeleine Farrell ◽

Mary T. Fletcher

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Trace Elements ◽

Apis Mellifera ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Trace Element Analysis ◽

Toxic Heavy Metals ◽

Floral Nectar ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

Minerals And Trace Elements

Honey is an extensively utilized sweetener containing sugars and water, together with small quantities of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and proteins. Naturally produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from floral nectar, honey is increasingly sold as a health food product due to its nutritious features. Certain honeys are retailed as premium, trendy products. Honeybees are regarded as environmental monitors, but few reports examine the impact of environment on Australian honey trace elements and minerals. In higher density urban and industrial environments, heavy metals can be common, while minerals and trace elements can have ubiquitous presence in both agricultural and urban areas. Honey hives are traditionally placed in rural and forested areas, but increasingly the trend is to keep hives in more urban areas. This study aimed to determine the levels of 26 minerals and trace elements and assess elemental differences between honeys from various regional Queensland and Australian sources. Honey samples (n = 212) were acquired from markets, shops and supermarkets in Queensland while urban honeys were purchased online. The honey samples were classified into four groups according to their regional sources: urban, rural, peri-urban and blend honey. Elemental analyses of honey were performed using ICP-MS and ICP-OES after microwave and hot block digestion. Considerable variations of essential trace elements (Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn) and mineral levels (Ca, K, Mg, Na and P) were found in honeys surveyed. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between urban and rural honey samples for B, Na, P, Mn, K, Ca and Cu. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were also found between blend and urban honey samples for K, Cu, P, Mn, Sr, Ni, B and Na. Peri-urban versus urban honeys showed significant differences in P, K and Mn. For rural and peri-urban honeys, the only significant difference (p < 0.05) was for Na. Toxic heavy metals were detected at relatively low levels in honey products. The study revealed that the Queensland/Australian honey studied is a good source of K and Zn and would constitute a good nutritional source of these elements.

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ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN THE LEAVES OF SORBUS AUCUPARIA L. IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT (ON THE EXAMPIE OF ORENBURG)

Bulletin of Nizhnevartovsk State University ◽

10.36906/2311-4444/20-1/09 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 55-60

Author(s):

D. G. Fedorova

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Biological Indicator ◽

Sorbus Aucuparia ◽

Toxic Heavy Metals ◽

Environmentally Sustainable ◽

Heavy Metals Pollution ◽

Anthropogenic Intervention ◽

The Impact ◽

The City

In urban areas, trees play an essential role to cleanse the airborne toxic pollution in the environment. The species Sorbus aucuparia L. was studied as a biological indicator of toxic heavy metals pollution in the city of Orenburg, Russia. The impact of airborne pollution was assessed by the evaluation of morphometric parameters and the chemical analysis of leaves. The rowan leaves were collected in Orenburg in areas exposed to anthropogenic intervention of various degree. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe in leaf samples were compared. It was found that the concentration of heavy metals in plants growing in the city is higher than in the control samples and decreases in the order Cd ˃ Cu ˃ Pb ˃ Zn ˃ Fe. The biological monitoring can be used to study environmental pollution as an environmentally sustainable tool for environmental management in urban areas.

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Analysis of Environmental Contaminants in Australian Honey and Comparison to Stingless Bee Honey from Queensland and Malaysia

Proceedings ◽

10.3390/proceedings2019036101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 101

Author(s):

Natasha L. Hungerford ◽

Benjamin L. L. Tan ◽

Ujang Tinggi ◽

Norhasnida Zawawi ◽

Madeleine Farrell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Environmental Contaminants ◽

Stingless Bee ◽

High Density ◽

Toxic Heavy Metals ◽

Icp Ms ◽

Elemental Analyses ◽

Forested Areas ◽

Mineral Levels

Honey is a widely available natural sweetener containing sugars, and small quantities ofvitamins and minerals, proteins, amino acids and fatty acids. Owing to its nutritious components,commercial honeys are sold in bulk blends or as trendy and premium products. Meanwhile, honeybees are considered as environmental monitors and have the potential to transfer environmentalcontaminants, if present, to honey. In high density urban and industrial environments polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals can be prevalent, whilst pesticides and mineraland trace elements are ubiquitous. Honey hives are traditionally located in rural and forested areas,but there is a growing trend to locate hives in urban areas. This project has investigated the presenceof environmental contaminants in honey samples from high density urban, peri-urban as well asrural areas. Australian honey samples (n = 211) were purchased between 2016 and 2018, including52 honeys claiming to be of urban origin purchased online. Stingless bee honeys (n = 36) fromQueensland and Malaysia were compared. Processed samples were analysed by UHPLC-MS/MS(herbicides), GC-MS/MS (pesticides and PAHs) and ICP-MS and ICP-OES (elemental analyses). Theresults showed low or negligible pesticide, herbicide, and PAH contamination, and that these lowresults were similar regardless of urban or rural origins. Wide variations of essential trace element(Fe, Zn, Cu, Mo, Co, Mn, Cr) and mineral levels (K, Na, P, Mg, Ca) were found in honey products,which are a good dietary source of K and Zn. Relatively low levels of toxic heavy metals were foundin honeys.

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Monitoring and mitigation of toxic heavy metals and arsenic accumulation in food crops: A case study of an urban community garden

Plant Direct ◽

10.1002/pld3.198 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Andrew M. Cooper ◽

Didra Felix ◽

Fatima Alcantara ◽

Ilya Zaslavsky ◽

Amy Work ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Urban Community ◽

Community Garden ◽

Food Crops ◽

Toxic Heavy Metals ◽

Arsenic Accumulation ◽

Heavy Metals And Arsenic

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A Food-Safety Risk Assessment of Mercury, Lead and Cadmium in Fish Recreationally Caught from Three Lakes in Poland

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11123507 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 3507

Author(s):

Agnieszka Chałabis-Mazurek ◽

Jacek Rechulicz ◽

Renata Pyz-Łukasik

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Food Safety ◽

Muscle Tissue ◽

Fish Species ◽

Safety Assessment ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Fish Muscle ◽

Predatory Fish ◽

Toxic Heavy Metals ◽

Lead And Cadmium

Heavy metals are introduced into water due to anthropogenic activities and can significantly affect an entire ecosystem. Due to their close integration with the water environment, fish are a sensitive indicator of contamination. In addition, fish is an important element in human diets, therefore, monitoring the concentrations of metallic contaminants in their meat is particularly important for food safety. This study aimed to assess the pollution of water ecosystems with selected toxic heavy metals in lakes Dratów, Czarne Sosnowickie, and Syczyńskie. The concentration of Pb, Cd, and Hg in water, sediment, and freshwater fish muscle tissue was determined, and a food safety assessment was performed. The analysis of water and sediments showed that the sediments were characterised by a significantly higher concentration of heavy metals. Presumably, this ecosystem element plays an important role in the uptake of heavy metal contaminants by fish whose levels were higher in planktonophagous and benthophagous fish species as compared to predatory fish. The food safety assessment showed that amounts of heavy metals in the muscle tissue posed no threat to the health of consumers ingesting that fish species, neither individually (THQ) nor collectively (TTHQ).

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