Concentrations of six trace elements [chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As)] were assessed in 'non-piscine protein source' foodstuffs (meat, milk and eggs) to evaluate contamination level and human health risks in Bangladesh. The range of Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Pb and As in the investigated foodstuffs was 1.24-2.17, 1.29-2.56, 0.92-2.31, 0.12-0.44, 0.15-0.48 and 0.14-0.57 mg kg fresh weight(-1), respectively. The estimated mean levels of most of the elements were higher than the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) for dietary foods. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of Cr and Cd were higher than the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI) for children, indicating that they are more susceptible to toxic elements through food consumption. The target hazard quotients (THQs) and target carcinogenic risk (TCR) of As (THQ > 1 and TCR > 10(-4)) for both the adults and children suggest that the consumers of non-piscine foodstuffs (especially cow milk and chicken meat) are exposed chronically to metal pollution with carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health consequences.

Health risk assessment of trace elements via dietary intake of 'non-piscine protein source' foodstuffs (meat, milk and egg) in Bangladesh.

The current study evaluated the effect of groundwater and wastewater irrigation on lead (Pb) accumulation in soil and vegetables, and its associated health implications. A pot experiment was conducted in which spinach (Spinacia oleracea), radish (Raphanus sativus) and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) were irrigated with groundwater and wastewaters containing varying concentrations of Pb. Lead contents were measured in wastewaters, soils and root and shoot of vegetables. We also measured health risk index (HRI) associated with the use of vegetables irrigated by wastewaters. Results revealed that Pb contents in groundwater and wastewater samples (range: 0.18–0.31 mg/L) were below FAO permissible level (0.5 mg/L). Application of Pb-containing groundwater and wastewater increased Pb concentration in soil and vegetables. Lead concentrations in all soils ranged from 10–31 mg/kg and were below the permissible levels of 300 mg/kg of the European Union. Significant Pb enrichment was observed in the soils wh...

Influence of groundwater and wastewater irrigation on lead accumulation in soil and vegetables: Implications for health risk assessment and phytoremediation.

The Gumuskoy mining area is located about 25 km west of Kutahya and is the largest silver deposit in Turkey. The present study investigated translocation and accumulation of cadmium (Cd) from the soil into 11 native plants. Plant and soil samples were collected from the field, and Cd concentrations were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Mean Cd values in the soil, root, and shoot of native plants in the study area were 82.8 ± 5, 55.4 ± 6, and 43.5 ± 4 mg kg- 1, respectively. Plants were separated into several groups according to the enrichment coefficients for shoot and root values of plants. These groups showed Carduus nutans and Phlomis could be potentially bioaccumulator plants useful for phytoremediation of mining soils contaminated by Cd.

Phytoremediation of Cadmium by Native Plants Grown on Mining Soil.

Environmental pollution has increased many folds in recent years and in some places has reached levels that are toxic to living things. Among pollutant types, toxic heavy metals and metalloids are among the chemicals that pose the highest threat to biological systems (Jjemba 2004). Unlike organic pollutants, which are biodegradable, heavy metals are not degraded into less hazardous end products (Gupta et al. 2001). Low concentrations of some heavy metals are essential for life, but some of them like Hg, As, Pb and Cd are biologically non-essential and very toxic to living organisms. Even the essential metals may become toxic if they are present at a concentration above the permissible level (Puttaiah and Kiran 2008). For example, exposure to Zn and Fe oxides produce gastric disorder and vomiting, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Intake of Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd and Cu causes heart problems, leukemia and cancer, while Co and Mg can cause anemia and hypertension (Drasch et al. 2006). Similarly, various studies indicated that overexposure to heavy metals in air can cause cardiovascular disorders (Miller et al. 2007; Schwartz 2001), asthma (Wiwatanadate and Liwsrisakun 2011), bronchitis/emphysema (Pope 2000), and other respiratory diseases (Dominici et al. 2006).

Toxic Metal Pollution in Pakistan and Its Possible Risks to Public Health

A selective, accurate, and sensitive method for monitoring of cadmium ions (Cd2+) based on a ratiometric electrochemical sensor was developed, by simultaneously modifying with protoporphyrin IX and 6-(ferroceney) hexanethiol (FcHT) on Au particle-deposited glassy carbon electrode. On the basis of high affinity of biomolecular recognition between protoporphyrin IX and Cd2+, the functionalized electrode showed high selectivity toward Cd2+ over other metal ions such as Cu2+, Fe3+, Ca2+, and so on. Electroactive FcHT played the role as the inner reference element to provide a built-in correction, thus improving the accuracy for determination of Cd2+ in the complicated environments. The sensitivity of the electrochemical sensor for Cd2+ was enhanced by ∼3-fold through the signal amplification of electrodeposited gold nanoparticles. Accordingly, the present ratiometric method demonstrated high sensitivity, broad linear range from 100 nM to 10 μM, and low detection limit down to 10 nM (2.2 ppb), lower than EPA a...

Ratiometric Electrochemical Sensor for Selective Monitoring of Cadmium Ions Using Biomolecular Recognition

Evaluation of toxicological risk of foodstuffs contaminated with heavy metals in Swat, Pakistan.

A study of mosquitoes was conducted to identify the population dynamics, relative abundance, distribution and habitat preferences of mosquitos of University of Peshawar Campus. Six habitats including discarded containers, waste water open drains, bamboo glasses, rain water pools, flower vases and tyres were used for the collection of immature stages of mosquitoes. A total of 2419 adult mosquitoes (1433 females and 985 males) comprising six species viz. Aedes albopictus (57.1%), Aedes unilineatus (2.52%), Aedes walbus (2.8%), Armigeres subalbatus (3.84%), Culex quinquefasciatus (33.7%) and Anopheles stephensi (0.04%) were recovered from all studied habitats. Ae. Albopictus was found to be the dominant and frequently distributed specie. Cx. Quinquefasciatus was the second dominant specie with moderate distribution. Ar. Subalbatus, Ae. unilineatus and Ae. W-albus were all identified as sub-dominant species with the former two as infrequent and the later one as sporadic species. An. stephensi was identified as satellite cum sporadic species during the study. Bamboo glasses were the richest habitat from where 4 species were recovered while no larvae were found in the tyres. The highest number of mosquitoes were detected during October (481) while the lowest in December (224).

https://www.entomoljournal.com/vol2Issue2/pdf/22.1.pdf

Population Dynamics of Mosquitoes in Various Breeding Habitats at University of Peshawar Campus, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pakistan

Purpose: This study is an attempt to identify the impacts of climate change on the lives of local people of the study area based on 30 years back data i.e. 1982-2012.
Methodology/Approach: The study was carried out through semi-structured interview.
Findings: The results showed that climate change has visibly occurred in the area during the last 30 years. The results also revealed that climate change is a reasonable risk affecting the lives of the local people more towards negatively than positively, as perceived by the residents of Swat valley.
Practical implications: The study recommends that the anthropogenic sources causing global warming and triggering climate change, should be reduced and government should restrict and implement the law regarding Green House Gases (GHG) emissions.
Originality/Value: The study is an attempt to examine the people’s perception about risk of climate change and its possible effects on their lives in Swat Valley in 1982-2012.The work is different from pre-existing literature in Pakistan.
The authors investigated the perceptions of locals regarding the effects of climate change on their lives both qualitatively and quantitatively, which have not been studied previously. Moreover, this study included a set of recommendations for the control and reduction of causes of climate change which is a significant contribution to the existing literature and can guide the government agencies for policy making.

The Perception of Local Community about the Effects of Climate Change in Upper Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Heavy metal pollution in the soil of a riverine basin: distribution, source, and potential hazards

Heavy Metal Occurrence, Pathways, and Associated Socio-ecological Risks in Riverine Water: Application of Geographic Information System, Multivariate Statistics, and Risk Assessment Models

Afsheen Maryam

Papers

Evaluation of toxicological risk of foodstuffs contaminated with heavy metals in Swat, Pakistan.

Population Dynamics of Mosquitoes in Various Breeding Habitats at University of Peshawar Campus, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pakistan

The Perception of Local Community about the Effects of Climate Change in Upper Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Heavy metal pollution in the soil of a riverine basin: distribution, source, and potential hazards

Heavy Metal Occurrence, Pathways, and Associated Socio-ecological Risks in Riverine Water: Application of Geographic Information System, Multivariate Statistics, and Risk Assessment Models