NON-CARCINOGENIC HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN VEGETABLES CULTIVATED IN DISTRICT GHOTKI, SINDH, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The cultivation of vegetables in District Ghotki, Sindh, Pakistan, is a cornerstone of the local economy but faces significant food safety challenges due to heavy metal contamination. This study conducted a non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of seven metals—Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu), Tin (Sn), Cobalt (Co), and Arsenic (As)—across 15 vegetable varieties. Utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), the research quantified metal concentrations and evaluated human exposure through the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), and Hazard Index (HI). While essential micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) and trace elements (Sn, Co) remained within safe WHO/FAO limits, Arsenic concentrations in several vegetables, including Lotus, Cauliflower, and Mustard, exceeded permissible thresholds. The THQ for Arsenic surpassed 1.0 in five varieties, identifying it as the primary toxic contributor. Furthermore, the cumulative Hazard Index exceeded 1.0 for 10 out of 15 vegetables, indicating potential long-term health risks for the local population. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation confirmed that while essential minerals often co-occur, Arsenic contamination likely originates from independent external sources.