Determination of Toxic Heavy Metal Contents of Some Selected Tropical Fruits Grown in Industrial Areas of Bangladesh

Abstract

Fourteen tropical fruit items were collected from different industrial sites of the Dhaka and Chattogram region, Bangladesh to
determine toxic heavy metal contents. This study aimed at the assessment of the distribution of heavy metals (As, Pb and Cr) as well
as comparison of their level among different locations. The fruit items were analyzed for the quantification of the selected heavy
metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The range of lead, chromium and arsenic in the fruit items were 1.12
± 0.077 to 2.899 ± 0.013, 0 to 0.217 ± 0.005 and 0 to 0.078 ± 0.002 mg kg-1 respectively. It was revealed from the results that the
level of toxic metals (As, Cr) in almost all fruit samples were within tolerable limit whereas the level of Pd in all of the fruit samples
exceeded the acceptable limits of WHO standard value. It was also observed from the results obtained that the concentration of the
metals found in the samples from Dhaka regions were considerably higher than that of Chattogram. These metal contributors mainly
arising from anthropogenic sources including industrial wastes, automobile emissions, use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides in
agriculture, paints, sewage and waste disposal. The extended level of these metals causing environmental pollution is hazardous since
plants accumulate them. Subsequently, crops uptaking these heavy metals consumed by humans and animals which is detrimental to
health. It is therefore very important that necessary actions need to be taken to monitor the level of these deleterious elements in food
plants. In decision making, planning and risk assessing this present study will play significant role.

Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 70(1): 22-27, 2022 (January)