Accumulation of heavy metals and human health risk assessment of vegetable consumption from a farm within the Korle lagoon catchment
Loading...
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Heliyon
Abstract
The Korle lagoon is known to have high concentration of heavy metals. The use of land for
agriculture and water for irrigation within the Korle Lagoon’s catchment constitutes a potential
health risk. Due to this, the study assessed the concentration of heavy metals in some vegetables
(Amaranth, Spinach, Eggplant, Lettuce, Cauliflower, and Onion) and their corresponding soil
from a farm within the Korle Lagoon’s catchment. The estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard
quotient (HQ), and lifetime cancer risk (LCR) was used to assess their health risks. Among the
vegetables tested, heavy metals in lettuce exceeded their recommended guideline level. Additionally, the concentrations of Fe (265.94–3599.60 mg/kg) and Zn (76.77–294.70 mg/kg) in all
vegetables were above the recommended guideline level. Also, Zn (227.30–534.57 mg/kg) and Pb
(101.53–407.58 mg/kg), in soil were above the recommended guideline level for soil. The results
also showed not only the severity of heavy metal pollution of soil in the study area, but also risks
that were deemed carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic to both adults and children as a result of
consumption of vegetables from the study area. The hazard index for adults (0.46–41.156) and
children (3.880–384.122), were high for all vegetables tested and are associated with cancer risk
due to high Cr and Pb levels. The risk assessment showed that children may suffer more carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic health risk than adults. The study concluded that vegetables grown
within the Korle lagoon’s catchment is not suitable for consumption due to the associated adverse
health effect.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Heavy metals, Korle lagoon catchment, Human health risk assessment, Dietary intake