Probabilistic health risk assessment in the consumption of toxic metal polluted zea mays and talinum fruticosum from farms near mining sites in southwest of Nigeria

Health Risk in Toxic Metal Polluted Farm Produce

Abstract

Toxic metals found in food chain are due to plants intakes. This research work identifies and quantifies the amount of toxic metals (Pb, Co, and Zn) in samples of Zea Mays and Talinum Fruticosum widely cultivated and consumed in a locality near a limestone mining company and estimated daily dose (EDD). Three Farms in the neighborhoods of limestone mining site were identified for both Zea Mays and Talinum Fruticosum; samples were collected, digested and prepared for analysis using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) model S4 series, Model (GBC 906) (USA). The mean concentrations of Zn from Zea Mays and Talinum Fruticosum farms are in the range of 9.38±1.63 mg/kg to 13.95±1.02 mg/kg and 0.30±0.10 mg/kg to 59.41±3.02 respectively. Pb, concentration in Zea Mays in the range of 0.20±0.05 mg/kg - 79.45±3.08 mg/kg and for Talinum Fruticosum in the range of 3.04±1.01 mg/kg - 3.82±1.01 mg/kg; and of Ni is between 0.03±0.01 mg/kg – 0.22±0.06 mg/kg and 0.04±0.01 mg/kg – 0.80±0.06 mg/kg for Zea Mays and Talinum Fruticosum respectively. Health risk index (HI) value of 1.51 and 2.18 for the adult and children respectively from Talinum Fruticosum; Zea Mays HI value is 3.13 for the adults and 2.49 for children these values exceeded recommended value of HI < 1 thus adults is more prone to health related problems than the children. The total toxic metal pollution index (TTMPI) in the environment is lower in Zea Mays farms than Talinum Fruticosum farms. Probability of carcinogenic cases in adult is 20% higher than in children taking Zea Mays; while in Talinum Fruticosum the probability of cancer related sickness is 91% in adult than children.