Abstract:
The aim of this study is to assess the impact of heavy metal contaminated vegetables irrigated with polluted untreated effluent water from the sewage in Vinayakiya Nallah region of Jodhpur district. Samples of cabbage, radish and chandaliya have been analyzed for six different heavy metals viz. lead, cadmium, copper, nickel, zinc and iron. Twelve samples from each study site were taken for each vegetable and then analyzed and compared with those of natural limits and the safe limits of various agencies. It is found that concentration of each metal exceeded the natural limits in all vegetable samples. Extreme lead pollution was observed in Radish leaves whereas all are severely contaminated with cadmium toxicity. But the levels of metals are below the levels in waste water. Except the lead and cadmium all the other metals are present below the safe limits of WHO/ML. But they all exceeded the limits of FAO. Thus consumption of such vegetables by community can bring about worst health risks in near future. Sewage water treatment and metal extraction from polluted environment could reduce the health hazards.
Anjula Asdeo and Sangeeta Loonker, 2011. A Comparative Analysis of Trace Metals in Vegetables. Research Journal of Environmental Toxicology, 5: 125-132.
Subscribe Today 
