Health Risks Due to Metal Concentrations in Soil and Vegetables from the Six Municipalities of the Island Province in the Philippines

Ronnel C. Nolos, Christine Joy M. Agarin, Maria Ysabel R. Domino, Pauline B. Bonifacio, Eduardo B. Chan, Doreen R. Mascareñas and Delia B. Senoro
Additional contact information
Ronnel C. Nolos: Mapua-MSC Joint Research Laboratory, Marinduque State College, Boac 4900, Philippines
Christine Joy M. Agarin: Analytical Support Services for Environmental Technologies, Incorporated, Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles City 2009, Philippines
Maria Ysabel R. Domino: Mapua-MSC Joint Research Laboratory, Marinduque State College, Boac 4900, Philippines
Pauline B. Bonifacio: Mapua-MSC Joint Research Laboratory, Marinduque State College, Boac 4900, Philippines
Eduardo B. Chan: Dyson College of Arts and Science, Pace University, New York, NY 10038, USA
Doreen R. Mascareñas: School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Science, Marinduque State College, Torrijos 4903, Philippines
Delia B. Senoro: Mapua-MSC Joint Research Laboratory, Marinduque State College, Boac 4900, Philippines

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-26

Abstract: This paper investigated the health risks due to metal concentrations in soil and vegetables from the island province in the Philippines and the potential ecological risks. The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in vegetables and soil in six municipalities of the province were analyzed using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) Perkin Elmer Optima 8000. It was recorded that all metal concentrations in the soil, except for Cd, exceeded the soil quality standard (SQS). The concentration of Fe and Mn was highest among other metals. The Nemerow synthetical pollution index (P n ) in all soil samples was under Class V which means severe pollution level. Likewise, the risk index (RI) of soil ranged from high to very high pollution risk. Most of the metal concentrations in the vegetables analyzed also exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL). All health hazard indices (HHIs) were less than 1, which means potential low non-carcinogenic risk to human population by vegetable consumption. However, it was found that concentration of Cr and Ni in vegetables is a potential health hazard having concentrations exceeding the maximum threshold limit. A 75% temporary consumption reduction of bitter melon, eggplant, sweet potato tops, and string beans produced from two municipalities may be helpful in reducing exposure to target metals. Additional studies are needed to confirm this recommendation. Spatial correlation analysis showed that six out of target metals had datasets that were more spatially clustered than would be expected. The recorded data are useful for creation of research direction, and aid in developing strategies for remediation, tools, and programs for improving environmental and vegetable quality monitoring.

Keywords: vegetables; soil; metals; health risks; pollution; risk assessment; island (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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