Concentrations of heavy metals in vegetables around the industrial area of Dhaka city, Bangladesh and health risk assessment

The present study evaluates the concentration of heavy metals in eight different vegetables species around industrial area of Dhaka city Bangladesh. Metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after microwave digestion system. The levels of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb in vegetables were 0.61 to 3.0, 1.6 to 12, 8.3 to 34, 16 to 119, 0.007 to 0.24, 0.009 to 1.0 and 0.06 to 3.5 mg/kg fw, respectively. There were differences in the concentrations of metals between vegetables species. Potential health risks of heavy metals to the local population via vegetables consumption were estimated. The health risks of Cr, Cu, As, Cd and Pb should be of great concern due to vegetables consumption.