Background This study evaluated the concentrations of toxic metals in soils and vegetables, as well as the environmental and health risks in selected Tatsawarki Farms. Methods Physico-chemical parameters, including pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), and particle size, were analyzed, and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) was used for metal concentration assessment. Pollution indices (Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Ecological risk Factor (<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="44339_2025_33_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="21" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="19" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">\({\text{E}}_{r}^{i}\)</EquationSource> </InlineEquation>), Ecological Risk Index (RI), and Pollution Load Index (PLI)) were calculated. Additionally, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were used to trace contamination sources. Health risks were assessed using (EDIM), target hazard quotient (THQ), Health Risk Index (HRI) and, transfer factor (TF) calculations to analyze metal accumulation. Results Soil pH samples ranged from 7.30 to 8.20. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Zn in soil ranged from 0.25 to 17.50 mg/kg, 8.25 to 194.50 mg/kg, 6.00 to76.75 mg/kg, respectively, while levels in vegetables were 0.00–13.50 mg/kg, 1.50–82.25 mg/kg, and 0.00–92.25 mg/kg, respectively. Pollution indices indicated Cd posed the highest contamination risk, followed by Cr, while Zn had the least pollution impact. PCA and HCA classified the toxic metals into two groups, indicating that both human activities and parent material significantly contributed to the contamination of Cd, Cr and Zn. Cd and Zn may originate from anthropogenic sources, whereas Cr may originate from lithogenic-anthropogenic sources. Cadmium concentrations were 9.06 ± 0.72 mg/kg, 10.08 ± 0.92 mg/kg and 8.53 ± 0.13 mg/kg from F1, F2 and F3 Farms, respectively. However, the concentration of Cr was significantly higher in F3 compared to F1 and F2. There was no significant difference in the concentrations of Cd and Zn in the soil samples from the three farms (Post-hoc, p > 0.05). Heavy metal concentration followed the pattern: soil > vegetables. Zinc had the highest transfer factor (TF = 1.20), followed by Cr (0.88) and Cd (0.74). Health risk assessments (EDIM, THQ, HRI) revealed Cd exposure exceeded safe limits, posing greater risks for children and adults. Conclusion The study reveals that excessive toxic metal concentrations in vegetables could pose serious health risks to consumers, necessitating continuous environmental monitoring. Graphical abstract

Health risk analysis of toxic metals in soils and vegetables from Tatsawarki Farms in Kano State, Nigeria

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2025年9月15日

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Blessing Edogbo,
Shehu Usman Adamu,
Oluremi Aduke Saliu,
Suwaiba Nasir,
Salima Adamu Sada,
Idowu Oluwafemi Ayodeji,
Habibu Tijjani,
Frank Ebhodaghe,
Abraham Yisa,
Tagang Aluwong,
Emmanuel Okolocha,
Chidiebere Uchendu

摘要

Background

This study evaluated the concentrations of toxic metals in soils and vegetables, as well as the environmental and health risks in selected Tatsawarki Farms.

Methods

Physico-chemical parameters, including pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), and particle size, were analyzed, and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) was used for metal concentration assessment. Pollution indices (Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Contamination Factor (CF), Ecological risk Factor ( \({\text{E}}_{r}^{i}\) ), Ecological Risk Index (RI), and Pollution Load Index (PLI)) were calculated. Additionally, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were used to trace contamination sources. Health risks were assessed using (EDIM), target hazard quotient (THQ), Health Risk Index (HRI) and, transfer factor (TF) calculations to analyze metal accumulation.

Results

Soil pH samples ranged from 7.30 to 8.20. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Zn in soil ranged from 0.25 to 17.50 mg/kg, 8.25 to 194.50 mg/kg, 6.00 to76.75 mg/kg, respectively, while levels in vegetables were 0.00–13.50 mg/kg, 1.50–82.25 mg/kg, and 0.00–92.25 mg/kg, respectively. Pollution indices indicated Cd posed the highest contamination risk, followed by Cr, while Zn had the least pollution impact. PCA and HCA classified the toxic metals into two groups, indicating that both human activities and parent material significantly contributed to the contamination of Cd, Cr and Zn. Cd and Zn may originate from anthropogenic sources, whereas Cr may originate from lithogenic-anthropogenic sources. Cadmium concentrations were 9.06 ± 0.72 mg/kg, 10.08 ± 0.92 mg/kg and 8.53 ± 0.13 mg/kg from F1, F2 and F3 Farms, respectively. However, the concentration of Cr was significantly higher in F3 compared to F1 and F2. There was no significant difference in the concentrations of Cd and Zn in the soil samples from the three farms (Post-hoc, p > 0.05). Heavy metal concentration followed the pattern: soil > vegetables. Zinc had the highest transfer factor (TF = 1.20), followed by Cr (0.88) and Cd (0.74). Health risk assessments (EDIM, THQ, HRI) revealed Cd exposure exceeded safe limits, posing greater risks for children and adults.

Conclusion

The study reveals that excessive toxic metal concentrations in vegetables could pose serious health risks to consumers, necessitating continuous environmental monitoring.

Graphical abstract