Recently, concerns have been raised regarding environmental contamination by heavy metals, which pose significant risks to agriculture and human health. Industrial and domestic waste discharge into the environment contributes to the accumulation of toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in soil and water. These metals, when absorbed by plants, lead to physiological, morphological, and biochemical disruptions, including chlorosis, necrosis, and reduced crop yield. Furthermore, excessive metal concentrations generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which interfere with cellular functions, including DNA and protein integrity. In Nigeria, heavy metal pollution in soil is escalating due to erratic rainfall patterns and the increasing use of wastewater for irrigation, particularly in semi-arid regions. Understanding the bioaccumulation and health risks associated with these contaminants is crucial for ensuring food safety and sustainable agricultural practices.

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1. Adesuyi, A.A., Njoku, K.L., Akinola, M.O. (2015). Assessment of Heavy Metals Pollution in Soils and Vegetation around Selected Industries in Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 3: 11-19.

2. Ahamad, M.I., Song, J., Sun, H., Wang, X., Mehmood, M.S., Sajid, M., Su, P., Khan, A.J. (2020). Contamination level, ecological risk, and source identification of heavy metals in the hyporheic zone of the Weihe River, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, 1070.

3. Alsafran, M., Usman, K., Al Jabri, H., Rizwan, M. (2021). Ecological and Health Risks Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals and Metalloids Contaminants: A Case Study of Agricultural Soils in Qatar. Toxics, 9, 35.

4. Bamuwamye, M., Ogwok, P., Tumuhairwe, V. (2015). Cancer and noncancer risks associated with heavy metal exposures from street foods: Evaluation of roasted meats in an urban setting. Journal of Environmental Pollution and Human Health, 3: 24-30.

5. Gupta, D.K., Huang, H.G., Corpas, F.J. (2013). Lead tolerance in plants: Strategies for phytoremediation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20, 2150–2161.

6. Hallenbeck, W.H. (1993). Quantitative Risk Assessment for Environmental and Occupational Health. Chelsea: Lewis Publishers, pp. 121-130.

7. Liu, X., Song, Q., Tang, Y., Li, W., Xu, J. (2013). Human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil–vegetable system: A multimedium analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 463: 530-540.

8. Naughton, D.P., Petroczi, A. (2008). Heavy metal ions in wines: Meta-analysis of target hazard quotient reveals health risk. Chemistry Central Journal, 2: 22.

9. Oves, M., Khan, M.S., Zaidi, A., Ahmad, E. (2012). Soil contamination, nutritive value, and human health risk assessment of heavy metals: An overview. Toxicity of Heavy Metals to Legumes and Bioremediation, 1-27. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0730-01

10. Rattan, R.K., Datta, S.P., Chhonkar, P.K., Suribabu, K., Singh, A.K. (2005). Long-term impact of irrigation with sewage effluents on heavy metal contents in soils, crops, and groundwater – a case study. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 109: 310-322.

11. Saadaoui, W., Gamboa-Rosales, H., Sifuentes-Gallardo, C., et al. (2022). Effects of Lead, Copper, and Cadmium on Bioaccumulation and Translocation Factors and Biosynthesis of Photosynthetic Pigments in Vicia faba L. at Different Stages of Growth. Applied Sciences, 12, 8941. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12188941

12. Wang, X., Sato, T., Xing, B., Tao, S. (2005). Health risks of heavy metals to the general public in Tianjin, China via consumption of vegetables and fish. Science of the Total Environment, 350: 28-37.

Recently, concerns have been raised regarding environmental contamination by heavy metals, which pose significant risks to agriculture and human health. Industrial and domestic waste discharge into the environment contributes to the accumulation of toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) in soil and water. These metals, when absorbed by plants, lead to physiological, morphological, and biochemical disruptions, including chlorosis, necrosis, and reduced crop yield. Furthermore, excessive metal concentrations generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which interfere with cellular functions, including DNA and protein integrity. In Nigeria, heavy metal pollution in soil is escalating due to erratic rainfall patterns and the increasing use of wastewater for irrigation, particularly in semi-arid regions. Understanding the bioaccumulation and health risks associated with these contaminants is crucial for ensuring food safety and sustainable agricultural practices.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Adesuyi, A.A., Njoku, K.L., Akinola, M.O. (2015). Assessment of Heavy Metals Pollution in Soils and Vegetation around Selected Industries in Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 3: 11-19.

2. Ahamad, M.I., Song, J., Sun, H., Wang, X., Mehmood, M.S., Sajid, M., Su, P., Khan, A.J. (2020). Contamination level, ecological risk, and source identification of heavy metals in the hyporheic zone of the Weihe River, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, 1070.

3. Alsafran, M., Usman, K., Al Jabri, H., Rizwan, M. (2021). Ecological and Health Risks Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals and Metalloids Contaminants: A Case Study of Agricultural Soils in Qatar. Toxics, 9, 35.

4. Bamuwamye, M., Ogwok, P., Tumuhairwe, V. (2015). Cancer and noncancer risks associated with heavy metal exposures from street foods: Evaluation of roasted meats in an urban setting. Journal of Environmental Pollution and Human Health, 3: 24-30.

5. Gupta, D.K., Huang, H.G., Corpas, F.J. (2013). Lead tolerance in plants: Strategies for phytoremediation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20, 2150–2161.

6. Hallenbeck, W.H. (1993). Quantitative Risk Assessment for Environmental and Occupational Health. Chelsea: Lewis Publishers, pp. 121-130.

7. Liu, X., Song, Q., Tang, Y., Li, W., Xu, J. (2013). Human health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil–vegetable system: A multimedium analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 463: 530-540.

8. Naughton, D.P., Petroczi, A. (2008). Heavy metal ions in wines: Meta-analysis of target hazard quotient reveals health risk. Chemistry Central Journal, 2: 22.

9. Oves, M., Khan, M.S., Zaidi, A., Ahmad, E. (2012). Soil contamination, nutritive value, and human health risk assessment of heavy metals: An overview. Toxicity of Heavy Metals to Legumes and Bioremediation, 1-27. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-0730-01

10. Rattan, R.K., Datta, S.P., Chhonkar, P.K., Suribabu, K., Singh, A.K. (2005). Long-term impact of irrigation with sewage effluents on heavy metal contents in soils, crops, and groundwater – a case study. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 109: 310-322.

11. Saadaoui, W., Gamboa-Rosales, H., Sifuentes-Gallardo, C., et al. (2022). Effects of Lead, Copper, and Cadmium on Bioaccumulation and Translocation Factors and Biosynthesis of Photosynthetic Pigments in Vicia faba L. at Different Stages of Growth. Applied Sciences, 12, 8941. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12188941

12. Wang, X., Sato, T., Xing, B., Tao, S. (2005). Health risks of heavy metals to the general public in Tianjin, China via consumption of vegetables and fish. Science of the Total Environment, 350: 28-37.