Heavy Metal Accumulation from Water, Soil to Vegetables: Implications for Human Health in Onion, Beetroot, ‎and Rice‎

Vegetables represent potential pathways for increasing heavy metal exposure in humans. ICP MS was applied to estimate Al, Ag, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Fe, Sb, Se, Ti, Tl, and Zn in various parts of beetroot, onion, and rice plants, as well as the irrigation water and corresponding cultivated soils. The compartmentalization of heavy metals in beetroot, rice, and onion did not exhibit a consistent pattern except for Al, Ag, Ti, and Pb ( root > stem > leaf > rice grain) in rice. The HQ values for the majority of heavy metals in various parts of beetroot and rice grain did not exceed one and the HI values of all parts of beetroot, onion, and rice grain were higher than one, indicating potential non-carcinogenic risks due to these heavy metals. Although, the CR values for Cd, Cr (except in leaf and stem of onion), and Pb for adults were within an acceptable range, the values for As, Cr in the leaf and stem of onion, and Ni in the stem of beetroot and all parts of onion exceeded 1.0E-04 for adults posing lifetime risk of cancer due to exposure to these metals.