Toxic Metals in Farmland: Impact on Tomato Growth and Human Health

Jenn Hoskins
29th August, 2024

Toxic Metals in Farmland: Impact on Tomato Growth and Human Health

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by Woldia University in Northeast Ethiopia examined heavy metal contamination in soil, irrigation water, and tomatoes
  • Levels of Zn, Ni, Cd, and Cr in soil, all metals in tomatoes, and Cu, Ni, Cd, and Pb in irrigation water exceeded WHO safety limits
  • While individual exposure to soil, tomatoes, or water posed no significant health risks, combined exposure to all three sources did increase health risks, including cancer
Exposure to heavy metal-contaminated vegetables, irrigation water, and agricultural soil is a pressing environmental issue with significant health implications. A recent study conducted by Woldia University[1] investigated the health effects of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) such as Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Cobalt (Co) from agricultural soil, irrigation water, and tomato plants in the Abuarie irrigation site, Northeast Ethiopia. The study employed an acid digestion method to prepare the samples, and concentrations were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The findings revealed that PTMs in soil, tomato, and irrigation water samples ranged from 49,020 ± 275 mg/kg (Fe) to 11.85 ± 0.44 mg/kg (Cd) in soil, 170 ± 1.98 mg/kg (Fe) to 0.29 ± 0.006 mg/kg (Cd) in tomatoes, and 0.24 ± 0.003 mg/L (Fe) to 0.025 ± 0.005 mg/L (Ni) in irrigation water. Notably, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Cr levels in soil, all metals in tomatoes, and Cu, Ni, Cd, and Pb in irrigation water exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold values. The health risks from these metals were assessed using the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). While individual exposure to soil, tomatoes, or irrigation water did not pose significant health risks (HQ < 1), simultaneous exposure to all three sources did (HI > 1). Additionally, the total carcinogenic concentrations of Cr, Cd, Ni, and Pb suggested a high probability of cancer development among farmers over their lifetime. The findings align with previous studies that highlight the risks associated with heavy metal contamination in various environmental contexts. For instance, research on the Awash River basin in Ethiopia showed elevated levels of heavy metals such as As, V, Mo, Mn, and Fe in surface water, surpassing WHO drinking water standards, particularly during the dry season[2]. Similarly, a study on urban dust in Rafsanjan indicated that potentially toxic metals like As, Cu, and Pb in road dust could increase cancer risks through ingestion[3]. Another investigation near a copper smelter factory found significant levels of PTEs like As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn in topsoil, posing ecotoxicological and human health risks, especially to children[4]. Moreover, research in Dera Ghazi Khan revealed that heavy metals from wastewater irrigation could accumulate in soil and crops, leading to elevated health risks for consumers[5]. The Woldia University study ties these findings together by demonstrating the cumulative health risks from simultaneous exposure to contaminated soil, irrigation water, and crops. This underscores the importance of considering multiple exposure pathways when assessing environmental health risks. The study's recommendation to minimize simultaneous exposure to these sources is crucial for preventing PTM-related health issues. In conclusion, the study by Woldia University provides critical insights into the health risks posed by heavy metal contamination in agricultural settings. It highlights the need for comprehensive risk assessments and regulatory measures to protect local communities from the adverse effects of PTMs.

AgricultureEnvironmentHealth

References

Main Study

1) Potentially toxic metals in Northeast Ethiopian agricultural soils: implications for Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato) production and human health.

Published 28th August, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-024-02183-0

Related Studies

2) Spatio-temporal variability and potential health risks assessment of heavy metals in the surface water of Awash basin, Ethiopia.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15832

3) Evolution of human health risk based on EPA modeling for adults and children and pollution level of potentially toxic metals in Rafsanjan road dust: a case study in a semi-arid region, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2176-y

4) Elucidating of potentially toxic elements contamination in topsoils around a copper smelter: Spatial distribution, partitioning and risk estimation.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-021-01057-z

5) Amassing of heavy metals in soils, vegetables and crop plants irrigated with wastewater: Health risk assessment of heavy metals in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1080635


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