Concentration of Heavy Metals in Soil and Staple Crops and the Associated Health Risk

Background & Aims of the Study: The main objectives of the current research were (1) tostudy the extent of soil pollution by heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Ba and Li) insampling locations (2) to investigate the extent of heavy metal pollution and soil to plant transferof these elements in wheat and barley (3) to study the health risk of heavy metals viaconsumption of wheat grains for adults and children.Materials &Methods: The levels of heavy metals in 29 sampling locations in soil and differentparts of wheat and grains of barley were quantified in Shahrood and Damghan of Iran byinductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Different statisticalmethods including ANOVA were used for the comparison of heavy metals in different soilgroups and plant s tissues.Results: All of the bio concentration factors (BFs) were lower than one indicating the low levelof accumulation in wheat and barley. The BFs were higher in aerial parts than that of grainsshowing the restricted translocation of these elements by wheat and barley. The highestaccumulation was obtained for Zn, Ag and Cu.Conclusions: Considering Hazard Quotients (HQs), there was not any detrimental effect due tothe consumption of wheat grains in the study area. The HQs of all heavy metals for adults werehigher than that of children. The highest and lowest HQs values were for Mn and Cr in both agegroups, respectively. The Hazard Index (HI) associated with wheat grains for children and adultswere 1.36 and 2.06, respectively which is indicated the adverse health effects due to theconsumption of this staple crop.

Keywords:

Bioconcentration factor , Hazard quotient , Heavymetal , Wheat , BarleyIran