Evaluation of Some Selected Metals in Rice Cultivated in Four Local Government Areas in Enugu State, Nigeria

In this study, we investigated the presence of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Ca in rice cultivated in four local government areas (Nkanu East, Aninri, Uzo Uwani, Isi Uzo) within Enugu state, Nigeria. We employed an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer with an air acetylene flame to analyze these metals after digesting the rice samples. Risk assessment studies were carried out to determine any potential health risk to consumers by evaluating the estimated daily intake (EDI), the target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI). The average concentration (mg/kg) of trace metals in the rice samples was within the acceptable limits established by FAO/WHO. Specifically, Zn ranged from 0.265 to 0.632 mg/kg, Fe from 2.73 to 4.131 mg/kg, Cu from 0.205 to 4.131 mg/kg, and Ca from 9.718 to 12.150 mg/kg. There were no statistically significant differences in metal concentrations among the various locations. Consequently, the rice analyzed in this study can be considered safe for consumption. The calculated EDI (mg/kg-day) values were below the maximum tolerable daily intake thresholds. THQ values also fell within safe levels, and the HI values were less than 1, signifying no potential health risks associated with consuming rice from these locations. In conclusion, there is no significant non-carcinogenic health risk associated with exposure to trace metals through the consumption of rice from these areas.

Levels of Heavy Metals in Some Vegetables and Human Health Risk Assessment in Loumbila Area, Burkina Faso

Contamination by heavy metals of soil, water and agricultural products is currently a major problem of environmental pollution in the world. The consumption of plants contaminated with heavy metals can be the cause of diseases such as cancers, the number of cases of which is only growing. The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) in plants from the vegetable farm of LOUMBILA and the assessment of health risks linked to the consumption of plants. In this paper, the concentration of heavy metal in vegetable was measured using the model AANALYST 200 flame atomic absorption spectrometer from PERKIN ELMER. The level of Zn in the vegetables from Loumbila vegetable farms ranged between 42.95 mg/kg and 78 mg/kg. The concentrations of Zn in the studies vegetables were higher than the permissible levels set by FAO/WHO (20 mg/kg). The concentration Pb in vegetables varied from 1.73 mg/kg to 27.02 mg/kg. All concentrations of Pb in vegetable were higher than the permissible levels set by FAO/WHO (0.3 mg/kg). Daily intake of Ni, Cr and Pb was higher than the MTDI, so consumption of vegetables from Loumbila vegetable farms can lead to health problems related to Ni, Cr and Pb. In vegetables from LOUMBILA, the estimated daily intake decreased in the following order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr. The Hazard index values for carrot, onion, lettuce, green bean and onion leaves were greater than (>) one (1) which indicates that there might be a potential health risk to those consuming these vegetables. The Target Cancer Risk (TCR) analysis also revealed the potential cancer risk induced by Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr and Pb due to the consumption of carrot, onion leaves, onion, lettuce, green bean, and bell pepper because their TCR values were above the threshold.

Potentially Toxic Element Concentration in Fruits Collected from Markazi Province(Iran): A Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment

Objective This study was conducted to evaluate the concentration of potentially toxic elements(PTEs)such as arsenic(As),cadmium(Cd),mercury(Hg),and lead(Pb)in fruit samples collected from Markazi Province,Iran.A probabilistic health risk assessment due to ingestion of PTEs through the consumption of these fruits was also conducted.Methods The concentration of PTEs in 90 samples of five types of fruits(n=3)collected from six geographic regions in Markazi Province was measured.The potential health risk was evaluated using a Monte Carlo simulation model.Results A significant difference was observed in the concentration of PTEs between fruits as well as soil and water samples collected from different regions in Markazi Province.The order of PTE concentration in the soil and water samples was as follows:Pb>As>Hg>Cd.Furthermore,the highest level of transfer factor for Cd and Hg correlated with the grape.The estimated daily intake for adults and children was lower than the recommended tolerable daily intake.Conclusion The population in Markazi Province,Iran,is not at considerable noncarcinogenic or carcinogenic risk due to the ingestion of PTEs through the consumption of the examined fruits.

Fertility Cancer and Hereditary Risks in Soil Sample of Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

A survey of Fertility Cancer and Hereditary Risks in Soil Sample of Nasarawa was carried out.This study assessed the level of Fertility Cancer and Hereditary Risks from the naturally occurring radionuclides;^(232)Th,^(226)Ra and ^(40)K.12 soil samples collected from the respective part of the Nasarawa were analyzed using the gamma-ray spectrometry NaI(Tl)detector system.The mean concentration for ^(40)K was 645.29±07.32 Bq/kg,for ^(226)Ra was 28.43±4.8422 Bq/Kg and for ^(232)Th was 66.84±2.0201 Bq/Kg.The average effective dose due to the ingestion was 0.36±0.1μSv/y which was approximately 1000 times lower than the world average effective dose.Radium equivalent activity Ra_(eq)(Bq/kg),alpha index and total cancer risk were found to be 161.44±8.08 Bq/kg,0.142±0.02 and(0.21±0.05)×10^(-5) respectively.UNSCEAR/USEPA stipulated that;radium equivalent activity,alpha index,effective dose and total cancer risk should not exceed the limit of 370 Bq/kg,unity,300μSv/y and 1×10^(-4) respectively.Hence the values obtained in this work were within the acceptable limits.This implies that the ingestion or inhalation of soil is not associated with any radiological risk of concern.

Non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of nitrate and fluoride contamination in the groundwater of Noyyal basin,India

The study aims to assess the nitrate and fluoride concentration in groundwater and its adverse effects on human health.In 2019,42 groundwater samples were collected from various bore wells within the western Noyyal basin,India.Sodium and chloride are the dominant cation and anion,respectively.The nitrate concentration in groundwater samples varies from 2 to 89 mg/L,of which 33.33%are above the permissible limit of 45 mg/L for drinking water.The fluoride concentration ranges from 0.2 to 2.4 mg/L,with 28.57%of the samples exceeding the safe value of 1.5 mg/L for drinking water.Correlation plots demonstrate that the potential of hydrogen(pH),electrical conductivity(EC),total dissolved solids(TDS),Na^(+)and HCO^(-)_(3)are positively correlated with F^(-),whereas Ca^(2+)is negatively correlated.Mixed Ca-Mg-Cl is the most common water type in the investigated region.The Gibbs diagram demonstrates that the interaction between rock and water impacts the groundwater chemistry.Using the method of the United States Environmental Production Agency(USEPA),this study assesses the non-carcinogenic health risk posed by nitrate and fluoride in different age groups(infants,children,and adults).The values of total hazard index(THI)vary from 0.59 to 10.07(mean=4.76)for infants,0.36 to 6.23(mean=2.95)for children,and 0.19 to 3.32(mean=1.57)for adults.Furthermore,97.62%,92.86%,and 73.81%of the samples surpass the recommended limit(THI=1)for infants,children,and adults,respectively.Thus,the health risk assessment(HRA)indicates that infants and children are more susceptible to noncarcinogenic health hazards than adults.The THI spatial variation map shows that central and southern regions of the study area have been identified as high health risk areas(THI>3.0)for all age groups.

Contribution to the Knowledge of Biodeteriogenic Flora on Three Historical Calabrian (Southern Italy) Churches

The effect of biodeteriogenic living organisms on historical and archeological sites is a well-known problem affecting the world’s cultural heritage. Indeed, the growth inside the bricks of shrubs and herbs roots can cause breakage, collapse and, detachment of materials. The knowledge of the spontaneous vascular flora present on monuments is essential for protection and safeguarding of cultural heritage. In this paper, we identify and describe biodeteriogenic vascular flora of three historical Calabrian (Southern Italy) churches, showing the relationship between plant biodiversity and exposure and building material of churches. The species present on the wall and in perimeter for each church were sampled noting substrate type, surface inclination (vertical or horizontal) and exposure. The total number of plant species recorded was 27. Hemicryptophytes (41%) prevail over the other biological forms and the most represented families are that of the Asteraceae. Parietaria judaica is the only species present in all three sites. Substrate type, climatic condition and surface inclination affect the floristic composition. Sixteen out of 27 species grow on vertical surfaces, all Geophythes and Chamaephytes grow on horizontal surfaces, while Therophytes were rather on vertical surfaces. A significant difference was found in the Hazard Index values in the three churches. Only one site, presents a high average value of Hazard Index, due to the simultaneous presence of Ailanthus altissima, Ficus carica, Rubus ulmifolius and Sambucus nigra. The data collected indicate that the flora growing on wall of three Calabrian churches partially reflects the floristic context in which they are located. The diversity of the vegetational spectrum is remarkable, most of the plants are ruderal herbaceous, many weeds and invasive, and for the most part typical of the Mediterranean environment. The data collected contribute to the knowledge of the spontaneous vascular flora present on three historical Calabrian churches and their biodiversity, also in terms of conservation interest, considering its biodeteriogenic potential in the evaluation of the impact of the vegetation on each monument.

Assessment of Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metals in the Surface Water of North Alabama

Water quality in North Alabama is becoming a critical issue and in order to understand the quality of water in the Flint Creek and Flint Rivers,concentration levels of physicochemical parameters and trace heavy metals were measured in six strategically selected sites within the streams to obtain baseline data.A total of 192 surface water samples were collected and analyzed for total phosphorous and five heavy metals of concern.Physical and chemical parameters were determined for dissolved oxygen(DO),turbidity,pH,temperature,water conductivity and total phos-phorous.The concentration of the DO was above guidelines in three sites at both rivers.All metals were statistically significant(P≤0.05)at 95%confidence interval by watershed.Aluminum and lead exceeded their maximum permissible levels.The results for heavy metals in this study show location and seasonal variability.There was significantly higher heavy metal content during winter>spring>summer>fall.The values for the Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index for both watershed sites were mostly more than 1,indicating some levels of concern.Additionally,surrounding rocks and other anthropogenic sources appeared to be causing the elevated chemical content of the rivers and may have resulted in significant adverse impacts on the study areas.

The Activity Concentrations, Radiation Contamination, and Hazards from Wastes and Soil Samples in Nasirabad Industrial Area, Chattogram, Bangladesh

Soils and other solid wastes from industrial areas of Nasirabad, Chattogram are usually dumped or used for land development. Information about the radioactivity level presented on these soil and wastes enables one to assess any possible radiological hazard to humankind by the use of such materials. A total of 37 (31 soils and 6 solid waste) samples near from different types of industries along four kilometre range were collected. The presence and activity concentrations of naturally occurred radioactive materials (NORM) and anthropogenic radionuclides in the samples were estimated using HPGe detector of 40% relative efficiency. The activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to be ranging from 8 ± 2 to 131 ± 18.33 with an average of 21 Bq·kg-1, 10 ± 2.69 to 133 ± 15.96 with an average of 40 Bq·kg-1 and 81 ± 22.68 to 930 ± 260.40 with an average of 449 Bq·kg-1 respectively. Besides this, some hazard indices like, the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), and the activity concentration index (Iy) were calculated to assess the radiation hazard in this region. The averages of calculated hazard indices were within the normal limits, except the activity concentration index, which shows elevated values. The outcomes of this study could serve as important baseline radiological data for future epidemiological studies and environmental monitoring initiatives in the study area.

Seismic Hazard Matrix of Buildings in Yunnan

Seismologists have begun to investigate the earthquake damage and assess the economic losses on the spot in the Yunnan area since the earthquakes with M_S6.7 and M_S6.9 that occurred on the boundary between China and Myanmar west of Menglian county,Yunnan Province,on April 23,1992.From 1992 to 2003,50 destructive earthquakes occurred in Yunnan,and large amounts of data on seismic hazard have been accumulated.With focus on the major building structures,the paper makes statistical analysis on the earthquake damage ratio,loss ratio and seismic hazard index in the areas with different seismic intensity of the 50 events,and presents the seismic hazard matrix of buildings for the Yunnan area.

Processing of Landsat 8 Imagery and Ground Gamma-Ray Spectrometry for Geologic Mapping and Dose-Rate Assessment, Wadi Diit along the Red Sea Coast, Egypt

Maximum Likelihood (MLH) supervised classification of atmospherically corrected Landsat 8 imagery was applied successfully for delineating main geologic units with a good accuracy (about 90%) according to reliable ground truth areas, which reflected the ability of remote sensing data in mapping poorly-accessed and remote regions such as playa (Sabkha) environs, subdued topography and sand dunes. Ground gamma-ray spectrometric survey was to delineate radioactive anomalies within Quaternary sediments at Wadi Diit. The mean absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) and external hazard index (Hex) were found to be within the average worldwide ranges. Therefore, Wadi Diit environment is said to be radiological hazard safe except at the black-sand lens whose absorbed dose rate of 100.77 nGy/h exceeds the world average. So, the inhabitants will receive a relatively high radioactive dose generated mainly by monazite and zircon minerals from black-sand lens.

DETERMINATION OF RADON AND NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY CONCENTRATION IN SOME BUILDING MATERIALS USED IN IZMIR,TURKEY

The aim of this study is to determine the radon and natural radioactivity concentra-tions of some building materials and to assess the radiation hazard associated with those mortar materials when they are used in the construction of dwellings.Radon measurements were realized by using LR-115 Type 2 solid state nuclear track detec-tors.Radon activity concentrations of these materials were found to vary between 130.00±11.40 and 1604.06±40.5 Bq m^(-3).The natural radioactivity in selected mortar materials was analyzed by using scintillation gamma spectroscopy.The activity concentrations for 226Ra,232Th and 40K for the studied mortar materials ranged from ND to 48.5±7.0 Bq kg^(-1),ND to 41.0±6.4 Bq kg^(-1)and ND to 720.4±26.8 Bq kg^(-1),respectively.Radium equivalent activities,external and internal hazard indexes,gamma and alpha indexes and absorbed gamma dose rates were calculated to assess the radiation hazard of the natural radioactivity in studied samples.The calculated Raeq values of all samples were found to be lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg-1 set for building materials.The estimated hazard index values were found to be under the unity and the absorbed dose rate values were also below the worldwide average of 84 nGy h^(-1).

Contamination of Phthalate Esters in Vegetable Agriculture and Human Cumulative Risk Assessment

Phthalate esters （PAEs）, which can disturb human endocrine system, have been widely detected in vegetable greenhouse agriculture in China. To investigate the effects of environmental factors on PAEs in soils, pollution sources were identified, and the cumulative risks of PAEs to humans through vegetables in the diet were evaluated in this study. Ninety-eight vegetable samples were collected from 10 markets along with 128 vegetable and 111 soil samples from agricultural greenhouses and open field. All soil and vegetable samples were contaminated with PAEs, and the total concentrations of the 5 PAEs, including dimethyl phthalate （DMP）, diethyl phthalate （DEP）, di-iso-butyl phthalate （DiBP）, di-n-butyl phthalate （DnBP）, and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate （DEHP）, were in the ranges of 0.26-2.53 mg kg-1 for soils and 0.95-8.09 mg kg-1 for vegetables. Three components extracted from principle component analysis could explain 51.2%, 19.8%, and 15.3% of the total variance of the 5 PAEs in soils, which may represent three major sources of PAEs, i.e., wastewater irrigation, application of fertilizers and pesticides, and plastic film. Long-term greenhouse cultivation could accumulate DEHP in soils, and a higher soil FeOx content reduced the DnBP concentration. Based on a survey of vegetables in the diet, the hazard index of PAEs was 〈 0.15 for individuals in different cities. The exposure of PAEs through vegetable intake was higher than the total exposure from other food stuffS, inhalation, and dermal absorption. More attention should be g!ven to controlling PAEs in greenhouse vegetables.

Distribution of fluoride in surface water and a health risk assessment in the upper reaches of the Yongding River

The excessive exposure to high concentrations of fluoride in drinking water can lead to a serious disease called fluorosis.The upstream region of the Yongding River is an ecological protection area for Beijing.Some studies have reported that there is a high concentration of fluoride in the groundwater in this area.However,there are few data on the distribution of fluoride in surface water and health risk assessments in this area.In this study,the fluoride concentrations were determined by using the spectrophotometric method using data from 2013 to 2017 from 9 surface water quality monitoring stations in the upper reaches of the Yongding River.The health risks of fluoride were assessed using the approach developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency(US EPA).The results indicated that the fluoride content in the drinking water ranged from 0.30 to 1.50 mg L 1,with an average of 0.86 mg L"1.In total,22.7%of the analyzed samples exceeded the Chinese limit of 1.0 mg L"1 for fluoride,and 5.5%of samples had less than the permissible limit of 0.5 mg L"1.Higher fluoride concentrations and fluorosis hotspots were found to be predominately located downstream of the Yanghe River close to the Guanting Reservoir,where 71.4%of samples exceeded the limit of 1.0 mg/L'1.The spatial distribution of high fluoride concentrations was found to be primarily determined by industry.The hazard quotient(HQ)index for children,teenagers and adults indicated that 19.6%,15.6%,and 5.1%of the samples in the upper reaches of the Yongding River,respectively,posed health hazards to the associated groups.Furthermore,the HQ index more than 1 for children,teenagers and adults had values of 64.3%,56.1%,and 19.4%,respectively,in samples from the downstream region of the Yanghe River.Therefore,there are potential risks of dental and skeletal fluorosis in the upper river reaches of the Yongding River.It is imperative to take measures to reduce the fluoride pollution in surface water and control fluorosis.Action should be taken to improve the disposal of industrial waste.