Levels of three heavy metals in ground water and cereals in Chattogram Division, Bangladesh

Abstract

Heavy metals determination in cereals and vegetables is one of the vital interests, because of their essential or toxic nature. In order to assess the levels and the impact of different toxic metals on human health, a study was carried out to determine the concentration of different toxic metals present in ground water and edible cereals (rice, wheat, and maize), which are grown in Chattogram area of Bangladesh. The concentrations of three heavy metals, Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr) and Copper (Cu) in ground water and three varieties of cereals were determined by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS).

Results on ground water showed that the mean concentrations of Pb content were within the permissible limits in terms of Bangladesh Drinking water standards, but exceed the WHO Drinking Water Standards (WHODWS), US Environmental Protection Agency Drinking Water Standards (USEPADWS) values. However, Cr and Cu content were within the permissible limits in terms of Bangladesh Drinking water standards, WHODWS and USEPADWS values, respectively.

The concentrations of Pb, Cr and Cu in rice ranged from 0.853 to 9.265mg/L, 0.096 to 0.475µg/L and 0.096 to 0.562mg/L; in wheat, from 0.363 to7.523 mg/L, 0.056 to 0.284 µg/L and 0.065 to 0.326 mg/L; in maize, from 0.739 to 8.372 mg/L, 0.058 to 0.248 µg/L and 0.036 to 0.478 mg/L, respectively. Thus, awareness should be raised among the people about the adverse health effects of these metals. The carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of Pb, Cr and Cu for human health is a matter of concern.