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Health risk assessment of trace metals in selected food crops at Abuakwa South Municipal, Ghana

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Abstract

Trace metals contamination has recently been a major issue due to its damaging effects on public health and environmental receptors. This study focussed on the health risk assessment of trace metals (As, Pb, Cr, and Ni) associated with the direct intake of some selected food crops (namely cocoyam and plantain) at Abuakwa South Municipal, Ghana. The food crops and soil samples were selected randomly from three reclaimed mined sites and one non-mining site in the study area. Results from the trace metal concentration analyses in the soil samples showed that As, Cr, and Ni were above the control. The daily intake of metals (DIM), target hazard quotient (THQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR) assessments of health risks accompanied by the continuous ingestion of the selected food crops polluted through these trace metals were evaluated. 0.23 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg, 0.11 mg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg, 0.78 mg/kg and 0.65 mg/kg, and 0.23 mg/kg and 0.09 mg/kg were recorded for As, Cr, Ni, and Pb in that order in the cocoyam and plantain, respectively. The As and Pb concentrations in the food crops were above the WHO recommended limits. This implies that individuals within the vicinity are exposed to high levels of As and Pb through food intake which could result in varying health implications. The DIM and THQ for the studied trace metals were below their permissible limits suggesting that there is a tolerable non-carcinogenic adverse health risk level for adults and children within the studied area. In addition, the lifetime probability of contracting cancer by ingesting Ni, Pb, and Cr in plantain grown in the study area is high. It is recommended that regular monitoring of these trace metals in food crops be carried out in preventing their excessive accumulation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all stakeholders in the Abuakwa South Municipal for facilitating access to the study sites. Appreciation also goes to the Technical staff of the Soil Research Institute, Kwadaso, Ghana, for their assistance during the laboratory analyses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Kumasi, Ghana

    Douglas Siaw Baah

  2. Department of Materials Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

    Emmanuel Gikunoo & Emmanuel Kwesi Arthur

  3. Department of Geological Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

    Gordon Foli

  4. Department of Herbal Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

    Philomena Entsie

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  1. Douglas Siaw Baah
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  2. Emmanuel Gikunoo
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This multi-disciplinary research was conceived and undertaken by all authors. Douglas Siaw Baah was involved in data collection and experimental work. Philomena Enstie was involved in data analysis. Emmanuel Kwesi Arthur, Emmanuel Gikunoo, and Gordon Foli provided the needed supervisory role and technical support throughout the study. Each author wrote different sections of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Emmanuel Gikunoo.

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Baah, D.S., Gikunoo, E., Foli, G. et al. Health risk assessment of trace metals in selected food crops at Abuakwa South Municipal, Ghana. Environ Monit Assess 193, 609 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09373-8

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