PJB-2024-104
TOXICOLOGICAL HEALTH RISK EVALUATION OF NICKEL AND LEAD CONTAMINATION IN VARIOUS CITRUS FRUIT VARIETIES UNDER REGIMES IN SARGODHA, PAKISTAN
Kafeel Ahmad
Abstract
Soil quality, water quality, and food safety are interconnected, requiring assessment of pollution levels. Soil contamination from hazardous elements can harm plant growth, entering the food chain with potential health effects. Intense cultivation in Pakistan may enrich soils with hazardous elements due to excessive fertilizer use, affecting fruits safety. This study was conducted to investigate the nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) concentrations in various citrus cultivars subjected to varying irrigation sources (canal water, sewage water, and fertilizer types). Samples of water, fruits, and soil were collected randomly from two different locations (Shaheenabad & Sillanwali) of Sargodha, Pakistan and analyzed for metal concentrations using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean of Ni and Pb were varied from 0.84-2.60, 0.037-0.197 mg L-1 in water, 0.57-12.80, 8.54-39.10 mg kg-1 in soil, and 0.061-1.112, 0.018-0.091 mg kg-1 in fruits, respectively. Whereas sewage water irrigated site treated with inorganic fertilizer have higher contamination factor as compared to canal water irrigated soil treated with organic fertilizer. The contamination factor (CF) and health risk assessment for Ni indicated potential carcinogenic concerns for consumers. However, transfer factor, enrichment factor, and hazard qoutient values for Pb and Ni indicated minimal health risks associated with citrus fruit consumption. The results underscore the necessity of focused farming methods and the management of water resources in order to mitigate the adverse effects of these heavy metals on citrus and guarantee environmentally sustainable farming practices.
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