Heavy Metal Accumulation in Vegetables, Water and Soil in Different Regions of India - A Review

Abstract

Environmental contamination caused by heavy metals resulting from fast economic expansion and inappropriate waste and wastewater management is a big problem. Expansion in industry and urbanisation, along with population expansion, resulted in a rise in sewage discharge in cities and towns. Many small-scale farmers in urban and semi-urban areas in developing nations rely on urban streams to irrigate crops and vegetables. As a result, the toxins in wastewater represent a significant risk to both flora and wildlife. Depleting fresh water supplies causes a rise in the use of wastewater for irrigation, which eventually packs hazardous metals into soil and enters the food supply via vegetables and agricultural produce. Food safety is of the utmost importance to the people since it is the primary source of sustenance. There are three basic pathways for human exposure to pollutants: inhalation, absorption, and ingestion. Ingestion accounts for 90% of exposure when matched to other means of toxicity. As a result, contaminates in wastewater pose a substantial threat to both plants and wildlife. Depleting fresh water resources leads to an increase in the utilisation of wastewater for agriculture, which eventually packs harmful metals into soil and penetrates the chain of food through crops and agricultural products. Food safety is extremely important to individuals since it is their major source of nutrition. Human exposure to contaminants occurs through three fundamental pathways: inhalation, absorption, and ingestion. When compared to other modes of toxicity, ingestion represents for 90% of total exposure.

Keywords: Heavy metals, Ingestion, Wastewater.

View PDF