Effect of Wastewater Irrigation on Trace MetalAccumulation in Spinach (Spinacia oleraceaL.) andHuman Health Risk

The presentresearch determinesthe effect of wastewater for irrigation on heavy metalaccumulation in vegetables in the example of spinach (Spinacia oleraceaL.) and to evaluatehuman health risk from consumption. Trace metal valuesofCd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Zn, Ni and Mn, weredetermined in the water, soil and plant samples by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Tracemetal concentrations in spinach samples ranged from 0.29 to 0.37, 0.14 to 1.25, 0.07 to 0.67, 1.12to 2.48, 0.33 to 0.38, 1.92 to 2.90 and 0.51 to 0.63 mg/kg for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni,Zn and Mn,respectively. These values of trace metals were lower than the permissible limits except for Cd.All health risk index (HRI) values except for Cdwere less than 1. However, the HRI valuesrelated to spinach samples irrigated with canal water and sugar mill water were generally higherthan the values of the samples irrigated with groundwater. The HRI value of Cd was higher than 1and consumers ofsuch vegetables in which HRI of metal was greater than 1 will be at risk.