Investigation of contamination pathway and human health risk assessment from metals in milk from the cows grazing in an industrial area: a mass balance approach

The water bodies within the industrial areas are often used for the disposal of effluents leading to heavy metal contamination in water, soil, and vegetation. However, the impact of this metal enrichment on the food web has not been much explored. The present study investigates the food chain contamination of eight metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in the milk from the cattle grazing on a shallow lake bed within the industrial town of Ranipet, India, and associated health risk from the consumption in adults and children. The average concentrations were found to be 24.93, 7.08, 3.31, 0.18, 0.12, 0.08, 0.014, and 0.008 in mg/L for Zn, Al, Fe, Cr, Pb, Mn, Cu, and Cd, respectively. The hazard indices ranged from 0.55 to 1.85 for children; the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) values of Cd and Cr were above 10 − 4 for consumption of milk in both adults and children, which signify serious health risk. The mass balance evaluates the primary intake of all the metals, except Al, are from forage; where for Al it is from the soil. The existing milk consumption patterns projected that 531 children and 1279 adults, drinking contaminated milk are at considerable risk. The analyses of tail switch hair samples indicated the cattle are also environmentally exposed to metals indicating their subclinical effect. Hence the study alerts the elevated and often overlooked risk associated with the food chain contamination from milk in the industrial belt and recommends stringent quality control and monitoring.

Variation of Some Water Quality Parameters from Winter to Summer Period in Chittagong Karnafully River of Bangladesh

A study has been conducted to investigate the variation of water quality parameters during January to June of 2014 in Karnafully River of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Water samples were collected from January to June 2014 of each month in 5th day. Samples of water from three points of Karnafully Rive were collected and brought in laboratory for analysis and analyzed by using different standard prescribed methods. Total eight water quality parameters were measured like as pH, EC, TDS, Total Hardness, Fe, Cl-, As and Turbidity. All the water quality parameters were attenuated from January (winter) to June (summer) except pH. Another important fact was most of the parameter’s values exceeded the permissible limit recommended by WHO. It is a concerning event for ecology and environment of this catchment area. Our findings will convey a sound message for the government body and policy maker to set up rules and regulation in order to keep ecological balance as well as save our environment and this research will be helpful for public awareness. An immediate attention from the concerning body is mandatory in order to protect the aquatic environment of Karnafully River as well as food chain contamination.

Human health risk assessment for heavy metals via intake of contaminated milk and milk products

The present study was conducted to assess the risk of human health against heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cd) through the intake of milk and milk products produced by animals which are feeding the fodder produced by polluted irrigation water. The milk samples contained amounts of Fe (10.43 ppm) Cu (1.23 ppm), Mn(0.60 ppm ), Zn (2.32),Cr (0.05 ppm), Ni (0.17 ppm) Pb (0.28 ppm ) and Cd (0.13 ppm ) than MAL in buffaloes milk and Ni (0.16 ppm ) and Pb (0.41 ppm) than MAL in cow milk. The milk samples from the small animals (goat) were associated with only Fe (11.24ppm,), Zn (2.47 ppm ), Cr (0.07 ppm) and Pb (0.05 ppm) than maximum allowable limit. The hazardous quotient (HQ) indicated that milks from all types of animals were contaminated with metals. From the results the hazardous quotient (HQ) indicated that higher risk for Pb and Cd (>1) metals contamination in buffalo and cow milk. However HI (2 to 14) for all studied milk sample was found to be not safe. Females are at somewhat higher risk than males. This study projected a high multi-metal threat due to food chain contamination in the study area.

Artificial environmental radionuclides in Europe and methods of lowering their foodstuff contamination – a review

This review discusses the consequences of the food chain contamination with radionuclides, especially focusing on the radiocaesium impact after the Chernobyl nuclear accident. In particular, the137Cs isotope still represents a risk. Until present it is still detectable in the meat of game animals, especially in wild boar, but also in elk and reindeer. Although the occurrence of highly contaminated foods in most of Europe is currently limited, along the German-Czech border (the Šumava Region) the activity concentration of the137Cs isotope in the meat of wild boar exceeds the acceptable limit several times. Additionally, the article describes simple processing technologies (cooking, pickling etc.) that lead to reduction of radionuclides in contaminated food.

Heavy Metal Concentration in Some Common Spices Available at Local Market as well as Branded Spicy in Chittagong Metropolitan City, Bangladesh

A study has been conducted to evaluate some metal concentration of spicy from local market of Chittagong metropolitan city, Bangladesh. Total 30 spicy samples of red chili or chili red, coriander, turmeric were collected from five different spot (Khatungonj, Chakbazar, Muradpur, Baluchora, Amanbazar) under Chittagong metropolitan city and metal as Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Fe concentration was measured. Metal concentration in red chili, coriander, turmeric were found as increasing order as CuKhatungonj>Muradpur>Baluchora>Amanbazar,Khatungonj>Chakbazar>Amanbazar>Muradpur>Baluchora,Khatungonj>Chakbazar>Baluchora>Amanbazar>Muradpur,Khatungonj>Chakbazar>Muradpur>Amanbazar>Baluchora,Khatungonj>Chakbazar> Baluchora >Amanbazar>Muradpur respectively. So, Spicy of Khatungonj was the highly contaminated with metal followed by chakbazar spicy and least metal concentrated spicy was in Amanbazar at Chittagong city. According to WHO (World Health Organization), Cr and Fe concentrations exceeded the permissible limit of heavy metals in spicy but other metal concentrations was within tolerable limit. The current research’s findings will convey a strong message for the government body, policy maker to establish rules and regulation in order to protect food chain contamination, environment pollution and will be helpful for public awareness. An immediate attention from the concerned authorities is required in order to protect food chain contamination and environment pollution.