PJB-2023-553
Risk evaluation of lead in cereals under regimes, risk assessment, monitoring, implication for public health
Tahira Zafar
Abstract
Contamination of fodder species with elevated levels of metallic compounds holds significant epidemiological relevance, as it serves as the primary gateway for the introduction of these elements into the food chain. Consequently, ensuring food security stands as a paramount concern in the pursuit of sustainable global development, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. The escalating accumulation of noxious elements resulting from the rapid industrialization and urbanization processes has evolved into a worldwide predicament impacting the well-being of soil, flora, fauna, and adversely affecting a substantial 40% of the global populace. This investigation was directed to ascertain the ecological and health hazard of metal contamination through various indices in food chain resulting from the dietary consumption of commonly ingested fodder crops cultivated on contaminated sites in the proximity of Sahiwal (Sargodha) and Soone Valley (Khushab), Punjab, Pakistan. Samples of water (n=20), Soil (n=240), forage (n=240), ruminant’s blood (n=60), hair (n=60), feces (n=60) and milk (n=60) were collected from two sites; Soone Valley (Site_1) and Sahiwal (Site_2) in summer (Season_1) and winter (Season_2) during 2022-23, and were analyzed for metal concentrations employing atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean concentrations of Cr, Fe, Mo, Mn, Zn, Co, and As, in water samples (mg/L) were 0.01331-0.01461, 1.4377-1.5786, 0.03343-0.03671, 0.1307-0.1435, 0.4792-0.5262, 0.0191-0.0210, and 0.01691-0.0185; in soil (mg/kg) 0.7649-1.395, 13.769-25.116, 3.934-7.176, 3.059-5.581, 4.59-8.372, 1.1973-2.184, and 2.503-4.567; in forages (mg/kg) 0.1549-0.3559, 2.789-6.407, 0.796-1.830, 0.619-1.424, 0.9297-2.136, 0.2425-0.5572, and 0.507-0.165, correspondingly. Highly Strong positive correlations were observed between the soil and fodder of Site_1 and Site_2 during both seasons. In animals, the highest metal concentrations were detected in blood, while lowest in milk of ruminants. The following indices values were >1 indicating health hazard consequences; EF, THQ and HQ of Cr, EDD and HQ of Fe, PLI, Eri, THQ, EDD and HQ of Mo, EDD and HQ of Mn and Zn, Eri and HQ of Co, and Eri, EF, HRI, THQ, EDD, ILTCR and HQ of As, during both seasons at both sites, respectively. The assessment and continual monitoring of the concentrations of potentially harmful heavy metals and metalloids in various environmental components and the indigenous biota is of utmost significance.
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