Green Dangers: Probability of Human Health Risk from Heavy Metals in Vegetables of Bangladesh

Green Dangers: Probability of Human Health Risk from Heavy Metals in Vegetables of Bangladesh | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Green Dangers: Probability of Human Health Risk from Heavy Metals in Vegetables of Bangladesh Akibul Islam Chowdhury, Lincon Chandra Shill, M Maruf Raihan, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3850822/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study aims to evaluate the heavy metal concentration in fifteen species of vegetables as well as associated health risk. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) is used to assess heavy metals. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni and Fe in vegetables were 4.78, 0.713, 9.266, 0.083, 5.06 mg/kg/fw exceeding the reference value of FAO/WHO indicating unsafe to consumption. Based on principal component analysis, the Pb, Cr, Ni and Fe are from same sources. Health risk was estimated in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR). The EDI values of metals except Cr were found to be lower than maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The total THQs of metals were > 1 indicating non-carcinogenic health risk. The individual HI values for vegetables except potato (0.831) and total HI values were found to be > 1 (94.747). The TCR of Pb, Cd and Cr were > 1.0E-04 which indicating carcinogenic risk. Fruit and pod vegetables contribute much in carcinogenic risk for Pb and Cr whereas fruit, root and stems vegetables for Cd. The study revealed that potential human health risk was associated with the consumption of different types of vegetables in Bangladeshi adult population. Biological sciences/Plant sciences Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences Earth and environmental sciences/Natural hazards Health sciences/Risk factors heavy metal vegetables carcinogenic non-carcinogenic atomic absorption spectrometry Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Introduction With the increasing risk of human health through consumption of contaminated foods by heavy metals, pesticides, chemical fertilizers and toxins, the concern regarding food safety issues is attracted to many environmental scientist 1,2 . Consumption of different types of vegetables are crucial for human health as they supply fiber and different types of vitamins and minerals required for growth and tackling different associated deficiencies 3 . So, safety of vegetables for human from pollution are optimal 4 . Plants especially vegetables contain both essential and optimal metals. Contamination like toxic metals in agricultural production may come from climate, environmental pollution, wasted water, industrial waste, soil, use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides 5–7 . Metals found in vegetables have both positive and negative roles in human health, however, intake of toxic metals from vegetables have adverse health effects. Heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr and As are considered most toxic metals by US Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) 8,9 . Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in vegetables may cause carcinogenic or mutagenic effect in human body prior to ingestion. Pb and Cd are most harmful elements for human health which cause breathing problems, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, neurological problems and bone disease etc. 10,11 . Chromium (Cr) is commonly found in soil and rock which effects the biological process in various plants and vegetables 12 . Ingestion of Cr contaminated vegetables may cause DNA damage, carcinogenic and mutagenic effects 11 . In Bangladesh, vegetables are one kind of main foodstuffs consumed by people on regular basis. Consumption of vegetables by Bangladeshi people ranges from 70 to 191 g/day depending on types of vegetables 13 . So, assessment of heavy metals intake by Bangladeshi population is necessary to evaluate the health risks 7,14 . In Bangladesh, different types of vegetables are grown throughout the year. Evaluation of heavy metals in vegetables are assessed in many previous studies 6,7,14,15 but on a specific region basis data are very limited and no study yet compare the differences of heavy metals in different types of vegetables. Noakhali is a coastal region of Bangladesh where different types of industries are established. However, there is no specific data of heavy metals contamination in vegetables grown in this area. As there is lack of information about heavy metal contents in most common consumed vegetables in Noakhali, Bangladesh as well as differences of metal concentration among vegetable types, the study aim to represent metals concentration in vegetables and potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk for these vegetables’ consumption. The study also evaluates the sources and differences of heavy metals in the vegetables. Methodology Sampling and Study area: The study was carried out in Noakhali district of Bangladesh during the year of 2022. Fifteen different sample species of vegetables were collected from three different local markets located in Noakhali district. For each species, 3 replicate vegetable sample were collected from each market. In total, 135 samples were collected from three local markets. All samples were washed and stored in fresh polybag and brought to laboratory for analysis. Wet digestion: In the sample preparation, all samples were cleaned with deionized water and chopped with stainless steel blade. Then, all samples were dried in oven at 100 0 C to remove all moisture and grinded with the help of mortar. To digest the samples, acid mixture was used (69% concentrated HNO 3 :95–97% concentrated H 2 SO 4 = 1:4). According to digestion, 0.5 g of each homogenous dried sample was placed in digestion tube and added 5 ml of acid mixture into it. Then the mixture was heated from 130 0 C -170 0 C for an hour until transparent solution was observed. After cooling, added 2 ml of H 2 O 2 (30% concentrated) was added and heated until clear solution was found. Then the clear solution was filtered using Wattman 102 filter paper and then diluted to 250 ml of deionized water. Then, the samples were collected in falcon tube and stored for analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS): The heavy metal determination was carried out using a Perkin-Elmer novAA 900H atomic absorption spectrometer. To detect each metal, a single beam hollow cathode lamp of chromium, cadmium, lead, iron, and nickel were used at specific wavelengths. Both graphite furnace (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni) and flame (Fe) techniques were used. The reliability of each method was evaluated by linearity, range and recovery. The percentage of recovery (% R) was ranged from 97.65 to 107.27% and the linearity was ranged from 0.995 to 0.997. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of heavy metals: EDI was measured in in mg/kg body-weight/day by following formulae 16 . EDI = \(\frac{MC \times IR}{BW}\) Where, MC is the metal concentration in vegetables (mg/kg wet weight), IR (kg/day/person) is the ingestion rate of vegetables adopted from household income and expenditure survey (HIES) 13 for an adult individual of 60 kg (adult) body weight. N on-carcinogenic risk : The non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals due to consuming vegetables were estimated in terms of target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ), and hazard index (HI). THQ THQ was calculated as per USEPA Region III Risk-based Concentration Table 1 7 and in Wang et al 18 . The equation used for estimating THQ was $$TH\text{Q}= \frac{EF \times ED \times FIR \times CM}{BW \times \text{A}T \times RfD} \times {10}^{-3}$$ Where; EF is the exposure frequency (365 days/year) ED is the exposure duration (70 years for non-cancer risk in this study), as used by 19 ; FIR is the food ingestion rate (g/person/day); CM is the heavy metal concentration in vegetable (mg/kg); BW is the average body weight (bw) (adult: 60 kg); AT is the average exposure time for non-carcinogens (EF×ED) (365 days/year for 70 years (i.e. AT = 25,550 days); RfD is the oral reference dose of the metal. RfD values of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Fe are 0.001, 1.5, 0.02, 0.0035 and 0.667 (mg/kg-bw/day), respectively 20 . If the THQ < 1, the exposed consumers are unlikely to experience any adverse health risk, while if the THQ ≥ 1, there is a potential health risk 18 , and associated interventions and protecting initiatives are required to be taken. TTHQ TTHQ for individual from THQs is expressed as the sum of the hazard quotients 19 . $$TTHQ=TH\text{Q}\left(\text{C}\text{r}\right)+TH\text{Q} \left(\text{P}\text{b}\right)+\text{T}\text{H}\text{Q}\left(\text{C}\text{d}\right)+\text{T}\text{H}\text{Q} \left(\text{N}\text{i}\right)+\text{T}\text{H}\text{Q}\left(\text{F}\text{e}\right)$$ Where TTHQ 1 is hazardous, and THQ (Cr) is the target hazard quotient for Cr intake. Hazard risk (HI) HI is assessed to estimate overall potential for non-carcinogenic health risk from consuming more than one metals. HI = TTHQ (food 1 ) + TTHQ (food 2 ) +…………..+ TTHQ (food 23 ) Carcinogenic risk assessment: Target cancer risk The method to estimate TCR is also provided in USEPA Region III Risk-Based Concentration Table 1 9 . The model for estimating TR was shown as follows ( 4 ) $$TR= EDI \times CPSo$$ Where; EDI is the estimated daily intake CPSo is the carcinogenic potency slope for oral route of 0.0085 (mg/kg bw/day) −1 for Pb, 6.3 (mg/kg bw/day) −1 for Cd, and 0.5(mg/kg bw/day) −1 for Cr. In general, CR value lower than 1.0E − 06 is considered to be negligible, above 1.0E − 04 is considered unacceptable, and lying between 1.0E − 06 and 1.0E − 04 is considered an acceptable range 21,22 . Ethical Consideration The study was classified as exempt according to the institutional ethics committee of the Noakhali Science and Technology University. All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. Statistical Analysis: All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 23.0 Inc., Chicago, IL, USA for Windows. Data were presented as mean and standard deviation (SD) and were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p < 0.05) to assess whether heavy metals varied significantly between vegetables (p < 0.05). To check the similarities and differences of heavy metals distribution principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were performed. The PCA analysis was done using Varimax normalized rotation method to maximize the sum of the variance of the factor coefficient and CA was performed using Ward’s method. Result and Discussion Concentration of heavy metals in commonly consumed vegetables: Heavy metals concentration (Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe and Ni) in vegetables (mg/kg fw) were presented in Table 1 . The concentration of heavy metals was increasing in the following order of Fe < Cd < Pb < Ni yard-long bean > cauliflower > teasel gourd > egg plant > ladies finger > taro > bitter gourd > Chinese okra > snake gourd > carrot > pumpkin > tomato > papaya > potato. Highest concentration of Cr was observed in vegetables and in Bangladesh the source of Cr are utilization of industrial and untreated water in vegetable production, use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides 14,23 . Compared with other vegetable types, the concentration of Pb, Cr, Fe and Ni was higher in pod vegetables. The concentration of metals in vegetables were higher than the recommended value set by FAO/WHO except Fe. The highest concentration of Pb was found in cauliflower and yard-long bean. The mean concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni were higher than the previously studied literature in Bangladesh 4,7,24,25 (Table 2 ) whereas the concentration of Fe in vegetables was less than Ahmed et al and Sultana et al studies 24,26 (Table 2 ). Table 1 Concentration of heavy metals (mg/kg fw) in commonly consumed vegetables in Bangladesh Common name Scientific name Type of vegetable Heavy metals (mg/kg fw) Pb Cd Cr Fe Ni Bitter gourd (n = 9) Momordica charantia Fruit 1.696 ± 0.20 0.529 ± 0.23 14.047 ± 0.78 0.074 ± 0.01 4.4113 ± 0.15 Egg plant (n = 9) Solanum melongena L Fruit 5.603 ± 0.54 0.625 ± 0.23 13.347 ± 0.48 0.091 ± 0.007 5.63 ± 0.16 Snake gourd (n = 9) Trichosanthes cucumerina Fruit 1.982 ± 0.49 1.053 ± 0.10 12.178 ± 0.18 0.086 ± 0.01 4.650 ± 0.08 Pumpkin (n = 9) Cucurbita moschata Fruit 4.230 ± 0.29 0.402 ± 0.15 5.678 ± 0.20 0.062 ± 0.006 4.096 ± 0.002 Papaya (n = 9) Carica papaya Fruit 1.148 ± 0.31 0.042 ± 0.02 4.969 ± 0.17 0.066 ± 0.005 2.504 ± 0.10 Chinese okra (n = 9) Luffa acutangular Fruit 3.632 ± 0.87 0.321 ± 0.15 6.935 ± 0.07 0.098 ± 0.001 9.494 ± 0.06 Tomato (n = 9) Solanum lycopersicum Fruit 1.773 ± 0.65 0.925 ± 0.06 5.424 ± 0.04 0.085 ± 0.01 3.456 ± 0.15 Pointed gourd (n = 9) Trichosanthes dioica Pod 8.903 ± 0.38 0.419 ± 0.15 13.735 ± 0.25 0.163 ± 0.05 5.373 ± 0.22 Teasel gourd (n = 9) Momordica dioica Pod 3.888 ± 0.54 0.252 ± 0.09 12.767 ± 0.28 0.130 ± 0.05 8.006 ± 0.02 Ladies finger (n = 9) Abelmoschus esculentus Pod 4.472 ± 0.85 0.968 ± 0.15 12.592 ± 0.41 0.070 ± 0.02 4.996 ± 0.11 Yard-long Bean (n = 9) Vigna XXXnguiculate ssp. Sesquipedalis Pod 12.593 ± 0.99 0.243 ± 0.11 9.367 ± 0.11 0.087 ± 0.008 6.063 ± 0.09 Carrot (n = 9) Daucus carota Root 1.785 ± 0.54 0.254 ± 0.10 8.623 ± 0.15 0.066 ± 0.003 4.272 ± 0.02 Taro (n = 9) Colocasia esculenta Root 7.746 ± 0.50 2.558 ± 0.20 8.115 ± 0.14 0.124 ± 0.01 3.632 ± 0.06 Potato (n = 9) Solanum tuberosum Root 0.298 ± 0.07 0.452 ± 0.10 3.912 ± 0.14 0.034 ± 0.01 3.055 ± 0.02 Cauliflower (n = 9) Brassica oleracea botrytis Stem 12.16 ± 0.78 1.724 ± 0.18 6.447 ± 0.05 0.085 ± 0.005 6.06 ± 0.08 Permissible limit 0.3 27 0.05 28 2.3 27 450 29 2.7 27 % of vegetables exceeded permissible limit 93.3 93.3 100 0 93.3 Table 2 Comparison of heavy metals (mg/kg) in vegetables with previous studies in Bangladesh Place of Study Pb Cd Cr Fe Ni Bangladesh (Noakhali) (Present study) 4.74 0.71 9.27 0.084 5.06 Bangladesh (Patuakhali) 25 0.71 0.17 1.2 2.6 Bangladesh (Noakhali) 4 3.7 0.058 0.64 1.44 Bangladesh (Dhaka) 7 0.84 0.15 0.69 3.2 Bangladesh (Patuakhali) 15 0.5 0.1 0.8 1.9 Bangladesh (Dhaka) 24 3.9 0.62 1.7 65.95 3.0 Principal component analysis and cluster analysis: Varimax-normalized rotation method was used for principal component analysis for estimating the factor loadings in each metal (Fig. 1 ). According to the result, two eigen values were greater than one and the first two component were explained the variance by 39.63% and 26.21% (supplementary table 1 ). PC1 revealed highest loadings for Pb, Cr, Ni and Fe which indicated that their source of origin was same and mostly contributed by anthropogenic activities such as use of fertilizers, pesticides, organic matters etc. 30,31 . Further, we used cluster analysis (CA) using Ward’s method with dendrogram for dividing the vegetables into different species (Fig. 2 ). Mean concentration of heavy metals was used for CA. Different cluster was formed between the vegetable species according to their similarity of nature. Dietary intake of heavy metals: Assessment of dietary intake of foods is a essential tool for measuring the amount of nutrients intake which may be lead to deficiencies or health risks 32 . According to the average concentration of heavy metals in vegetable, dietary of metals for adult individual was estimated and presented in Table 3 . Total dietary intake of metal of Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe and Ni from vegetables are 0.185, 0.0255, 0.3823, 3.4059, and 0.2057 mg/day for adults respectively. Dietary consumption of all of the metals except Cr from vegetables were less than the value of maximum tolerable dietary intake (MTDI) set by FAO/WHO which indicates that there is no potential human risk prior to consumption of vegetables from the studied area. Table 3 Comparison of estimated daily intake (EDI) of heavy metals from vegetable with maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI) Vegetable type Consumption rate (g/day/person) EDI of heavy metals (mg/day) Pb Cd Cr Fe Ni Fruits Bitter gourd 191 0.0053 0.0014 0.0459 0.2334 0.0140 Egg plant 191 0.0160 0.0016 0.0423 0.2887 0.0179 Snake gourd 191 0.0061 0.0033 0.0388 0.2658 0.0150 Pumpkin 191 0.0125 0.0012 0.0187 0.1768 0.0130 Papaya 191 0.0033 0.0001 0.0153 0.2303 0.0082 Chinese okra 191 0.0112 0.0011 0.0223 0.3096 0.0301 Tomato 130 0.0026 0.0020 0.0116 0.1781 0.0077 EDI from fruits vegetables 0.057 0.0107 0.1949 1.6827 0.1059 Pod Pointed gourd 191 0.0294 0.0014 0.0439 0.3899 0.0173 Teasel gourd 191 0.0118 0.0007 0.0409 0.3684 0.0255 Ladies finger 130 0.0103 0.0019 0.0274 0.1653 0.0105 Yard-long Bean 130 0.0277 0.0005 0.0203 0.1780 0.0128 EDI from pod vegetables 0.0792 0.0045 0.1325 1.1016 0.0661 Root and stem Carrot 130 0.0038 0.0005 0.0187 0.1518 0.0093 Taro 130 0.0178 0.0055 0.0178 0.2328 0.0076 Potato 70.3 0.0004 0.0005 0.0046 0.0383 0.0035 Cauliflower 130 0.0268 0.0038 0.0138 0.1987 0.0133 EDI from root and stem vegetables 0.0488 0.0103 0.0549 0.6216 0.0337 Total intake from vegetables 0.185 0.0255 0.3823 3.4059 0.2057 MTDI 0.21 27 0.046 27 0.2 33 17 27 0.3 34 Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk: The non-carcinogenic risk in term of target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) and hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk of consuming studied vegetables were presented in Table 4 . The THQ values of Pb and Cd for almost all species of vegetable were higher than 1, indicated that consumption of these vegetables might cause non-carcinogenic risks. The THQ values of the studied vegetables (except Cr) were higher than 1 which indicated people might have potential health risk prior to vegetables consumption. The ranking order of total THQ for vegetables species were cauli flower > taro > pointed gourd > yard-long bean > egg plant > Chinese orka > snake gourd > teasel gourd > pumpkin > ladies finger > bitter gourd > tomato > carrot > papaya > potato. Considering all the metals, the total THQ (sum of individual metals or HI) was 35.36, 32.44, and 27.017 for fruit vegetable, pod vegetable and root and stem vegetable respectively, in a total 94.797 which is > 1 indicating that these vegetables were not safe for human consumption and consumption on regular basis is not recommended. Table 4 Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals consuming vegetables in Bangladesh Vegetable Type Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) TTHQ Total Cancer risk (TCR) Pb Cd Cr Fe Ni Pb Cd Cr Fruits Bitter gourd 1.5352 1.4301 0.0306 0.3335 0.7044 4.0338 4.6E-05 0.0214 0.02298 Egg plant 4.584 1.6895 0.0282 0.4124 0.8992 7.6133 1.0E-04 0.0253 0.02115 Snake gourd 1.7499 3.3729 0.0259 0.3797 0.7535 6.2819 5.2E-05 0.050 0.01942 Pumpkin 3.5748 1.2672 0.0124 0.2526 0.6516 5.7586 1.0E-04 0.0190 0.00936 Papaya 0.9554 0.1546 0.0102 0.3291 0.4146 1.8639 2.8E-05 0.00231 0.00765 Chinese okra 3.2279 1.1365 0.0149 0.4423 1.5065 6.3281 9.6E-05 0.01704 0.01118 Tomato 0.7552 2.0725 0.0077 0.2544 0.3896 3.4794 2.3E-05 0.03108 0.0058 TTHQ from fruit vegetables 16.3824 11.1233 0.1299 2.404 5.3194 HI = 35.36 Pod Pointed gourd 8.4221 1.4269 0.0292 0.557 0.8658 11.301 2.0E-04 0.0214 0.02195 Teasel gourd 3.3793 0.795 0.0273 0.5263 1.2757 6.0036 1.0E-04 0.0119 0.02048 Ladies finger 2.9689 1.9585 0.0183 0.2362 0.5292 5.7111 8.8E-05 0.0293 0.01374 Yard-long Bean 7.9423 0.5649 0.0135 0.2543 0.6445 9.4195 2.0E-04 0.0084 0.01015 TTHQ from pod vegetables 22.7126 4.7453 0.0883 1.5738 3.3152 HI = 32.44 Root and stem Carrot 1.0935 0.5487 0.0125 0.2169 0.4661 2.3377 3.3E-05 0.0082 0.00939 Taro 5.0885 5.5826 0.0118 0.3326 0.3848 11.4003 1.0E-04 0.08373 0.0089 Potato 0.127 0.523 0.003 .00054 0.17 0.831 3.8E-06 0.00785 0.00232 Cauliflower 7.67 3.8193 0.0092 0.2839 0.6662 12.4486 2.0E-04 0.05729 0.00691 TTHQ from root and stem vegetables 13.97 10.47 0.0365 0.8339 1.68 HI = 27.017 TTHQ 53.065 26.3386 0.2547 4.8112 10.3146 94.797 1.4E-03 3.9E-01 1.9E-01 As, Pb, Cd and Cr contributed both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk depending on the exposure dose and duration, the present study estimated the TCR values of Pb, Cd and Cr due to exposure from several vegetables presented in Table 4 . TCR values for Pb ranged from 3.8E-06 to 2.0E-04, for Cd TCR ranged from 2.3E-03 to 5.72E-02 whereas 2.32E-03 to 2.29E-02 for Cr in vegetables. The TCR values of Pb for pointed gourd, yard-long bean and cauliflower were higher than 1.0E-04 22 which indicated that potential carcinogenic risk of the consumers in the studied area. TCR values of Pb for other vegetable except potato were lying between the range of 1.0E-06 to 1.0E-04 which are considered as acceptable 22 . The TCR of Cd and Cr from the consumption of vegetables were than USEPA acceptable limit risk (10 − 4 ) indicating that consumers of these vegetables are exposed to Cd and Cr with a life-time cancer risk. The percentage of carcinogenic risk of Cr and Cd was higher among consumers who intake fruit vegetables whereas higher carcinogenic risk for Pb was found in pod vegetables consumption (Fig. 3 ). Conclusion The present study revealed the concentrations of heavy metals in commonly consumed vegetables in Noakhali district of Bangladesh and assessed the potential health risk prior to vegetable consumption in terms of THQ and TCR. In Noakhali, maximum of vegetables had toxic metals (Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni) which are higher than the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) however, in case of EDI, only Cr exceed the permissible limit (MTDI) set by FAO/WHO. The total THQ for Pb, Cd, Fe and Ni were > 1 through vegetables consumption indicating potential health risk. Consumption of fruit vegetable, pod vegetable and root and stem vegetables would be unsafe as HI value was > 1. Considering TCR values, the total TCR values for Pb, Cd and Cr were higher than 1.0E-04 suggesting potential health risk from vegetable consumption. This study concerns about food safety considering the health risk of population from highly vegetable consumption. Declarations Competing Interest: Authors declare no competing interest. Funding source: This work was supported by the NSTU research grant 2021–2022 by the Research cell of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU/RC-FN-01/T-22144). Author Contribution Conceptualization: MRA; Analysis and investigation: MRA, MMR, SR; Interpretation of data: AIC, MRA, MMR; Draft preparation: AIC, LCS, RR, MNHB. Data Availability: Data will be made available upon request. References D'Mello, J. F. Food safety: contaminants and toxins . (CABI, 2003). Mansour, S. A., Belal, M. H., Abou-Arab, A. A. & Gad, M. F. Monitoring of pesticides and heavy metals in cucumber fruits produced from different farming systems. Chemosphere 75, 601–609 (2009). Nachman, K. E. et al. Roxarsone, inorganic arsenic, and other arsenic species in chicken: a US-based market basket sample. Environmental health perspectives 121, 818–824 (2013). Rahman, M. M., Asaduzzaman, M. & Naidu, R. 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Supplementary Files Supplementarytable.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 26 Mar, 2024 Reviews received at journal 24 Mar, 2024 Reviews received at journal 28 Jan, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Jan, 2024 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Jan, 2024 Reviewers invited by journal 18 Jan, 2024 Editor assigned by journal 17 Jan, 2024 Editor invited by journal 17 Jan, 2024 Submission checks completed at journal 17 Jan, 2024 First submitted to journal 10 Jan, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-3850822","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":267863975,"identity":"9546b5f6-9521-4778-b8de-47a05045c42c","order_by":0,"name":"Akibul Islam Chowdhury","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Noakhali Science and Technology University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Akibul","middleName":"Islam","lastName":"Chowdhury","suffix":""},{"id":267863976,"identity":"9c226ac6-be78-4634-a393-bb5e2765351e","order_by":1,"name":"Lincon Chandra Shill","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Noakhali Science and Technology University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Lincon","middleName":"Chandra","lastName":"Shill","suffix":""},{"id":267863977,"identity":"2ccb601a-239b-4dc2-97ec-44c62aed4739","order_by":2,"name":"M Maruf Raihan","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Noakhali Science and Technology University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"M","middleName":"Maruf","lastName":"Raihan","suffix":""},{"id":267863978,"identity":"92ddc5f2-f7a4-4f12-ada5-f03deb3551dc","order_by":3,"name":"Rumana Rashid","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Primeasia University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Rumana","middleName":"","lastName":"Rashid","suffix":""},{"id":267863979,"identity":"fc5a3647-0c5b-4f73-b2f4-cc0b4eca3c07","order_by":4,"name":"Md. Nizamul Hoque Buiyan","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Dhaka","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Md.","middleName":"Nizamul Hoque","lastName":"Buiyan","suffix":""},{"id":267863980,"identity":"7bb80f75-95fe-48fd-9358-3c1fdf53717b","order_by":5,"name":"Sompa Reza","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Dhaka","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sompa","middleName":"","lastName":"Reza","suffix":""},{"id":267863981,"identity":"2142b72c-1716-46bf-9375-79a0cc3d6c23","order_by":6,"name":"Mohammad Rahanur Alam","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA+ElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACHgjF3gAkPkDFJBgYDjA2ENLCc4yBgXEGWDUpWph5iNFi3n724OfCtnsMPPK9hz/b7qirMzjAfPA2D8MdWVxaZM7kJUvPbCtm4GHjS5POPXNYwuAAW7I1D8MzY1xaJBhyDKR52xIY7Nl4zJhz2w4AtfCYSfMwHE7EqYX/jfFvkBYeNh7jz5ZtdUAt/N/wa5HIMZOGajGQZmxjBtnCRkDLGzNrnnMJPDxsOWaSvW2HJWceZjO2nGOAxy/8Oca3ecoS5HiYzxh/+NlWx893vPnhjTcVuEMMBngQTGYQYUBA/SgYBaNgFIwCvAAAydJL8UqIXrIAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Noakhali Science and Technology University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mohammad","middleName":"Rahanur","lastName":"Alam","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-01-10 15:59:14","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3850822/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3850822/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":49895736,"identity":"d059dc52-b182-4e5e-992a-373148f8f56d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-19 21:44:52","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":11140,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003ePrincipal component analysis of heavy metals in vegetables by varimax normalized rotation method showing loading of metals\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3850822/v1/9bb725e16e8f5d997f6c2534.png"},{"id":49894897,"identity":"9ce235a3-8d51-41d4-a706-f4c34a6f0298","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-19 21:36:52","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":9943,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eCluster analysis (CA) of the vegetables from Noakhali region of Bangladesh\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3850822/v1/2aa3b43d410b0be4606e9e25.png"},{"id":49894900,"identity":"3bdcaa17-4130-435c-b245-03ab2de964a4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-19 21:36:52","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":34447,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eCumulative cancer risk (%) of heavy metals according to different studied vegetable type.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"floatimage3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3850822/v1/91711c1494ab1ec09c29e90c.png"},{"id":49896151,"identity":"2d6be90e-6c5d-4f0a-967e-dacb3624e57d","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-19 21:52:54","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":571749,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3850822/v1/a08bb47d-9485-46c4-867a-b4a95cafeb97.pdf"},{"id":49894899,"identity":"6db28a55-372e-4997-b76d-4548ab035581","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-01-19 21:36:52","extension":"docx","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":15855,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Supplementarytable.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3850822/v1/42910fab7d0617015c08409c.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Green Dangers: Probability of Human Health Risk from Heavy Metals in Vegetables of Bangladesh","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eWith the increasing risk of human health through consumption of contaminated foods by heavy metals, pesticides, chemical fertilizers and toxins, the concern regarding food safety issues is attracted to many environmental scientist \u003csup\u003e1,2\u003c/sup\u003e. Consumption of different types of vegetables are crucial for human health as they supply fiber and different types of vitamins and minerals required for growth and tackling different associated deficiencies \u003csup\u003e3\u003c/sup\u003e. So, safety of vegetables for human from pollution are optimal \u003csup\u003e4\u003c/sup\u003e. Plants especially vegetables contain both essential and optimal metals. Contamination like toxic metals in agricultural production may come from climate, environmental pollution, wasted water, industrial waste, soil, use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides \u003csup\u003e5\u0026ndash;7\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMetals found in vegetables have both positive and negative roles in human health, however, intake of toxic metals from vegetables have adverse health effects. Heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr and As are considered most toxic metals by US Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) \u003csup\u003e8,9\u003c/sup\u003e. Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in vegetables may cause carcinogenic or mutagenic effect in human body prior to ingestion. Pb and Cd are most harmful elements for human health which cause breathing problems, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, neurological problems and bone disease etc. \u003csup\u003e10,11\u003c/sup\u003e. Chromium (Cr) is commonly found in soil and rock which effects the biological process in various plants and vegetables \u003csup\u003e12\u003c/sup\u003e. Ingestion of Cr contaminated vegetables may cause DNA damage, carcinogenic and mutagenic effects \u003csup\u003e11\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Bangladesh, vegetables are one kind of main foodstuffs consumed by people on regular basis. Consumption of vegetables by Bangladeshi people ranges from 70 to 191 g/day depending on types of vegetables \u003csup\u003e13\u003c/sup\u003e. So, assessment of heavy metals intake by Bangladeshi population is necessary to evaluate the health risks \u003csup\u003e7,14\u003c/sup\u003e. In Bangladesh, different types of vegetables are grown throughout the year. Evaluation of heavy metals in vegetables are assessed in many previous studies \u003csup\u003e6,7,14,15\u003c/sup\u003e but on a specific region basis data are very limited and no study yet compare the differences of heavy metals in different types of vegetables.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNoakhali is a coastal region of Bangladesh where different types of industries are established. However, there is no specific data of heavy metals contamination in vegetables grown in this area. As there is lack of information about heavy metal contents in most common consumed vegetables in Noakhali, Bangladesh as well as differences of metal concentration among vegetable types, the study aim to represent metals concentration in vegetables and potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk for these vegetables\u0026rsquo; consumption. The study also evaluates the sources and differences of heavy metals in the vegetables.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methodology","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSampling and Study area:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was carried out in Noakhali district of Bangladesh during the year of 2022. Fifteen different sample species of vegetables were collected from three different local markets located in Noakhali district. For each species, 3 replicate vegetable sample were collected from each market. In total, 135 samples were collected from three local markets. All samples were washed and stored in fresh polybag and brought to laboratory for analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eWet digestion:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the sample preparation, all samples were cleaned with deionized water and chopped with stainless steel blade. Then, all samples were dried in oven at 100\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003eC to remove all moisture and grinded with the help of mortar. To digest the samples, acid mixture was used (69% concentrated HNO\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e:95\u0026ndash;97% concentrated H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eSO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1:4). According to digestion, 0.5 g of each homogenous dried sample was placed in digestion tube and added 5 ml of acid mixture into it. Then the mixture was heated from 130\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003eC -170\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003eC for an hour until transparent solution was observed. After cooling, added 2 ml of H\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003eO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e (30% concentrated) was added and heated until clear solution was found. Then the clear solution was filtered using Wattman 102 filter paper and then diluted to 250 ml of deionized water. Then, the samples were collected in falcon tube and stored for analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAtomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS):\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe heavy metal determination was carried out using a Perkin-Elmer novAA 900H atomic absorption spectrometer. To detect each metal, a single beam hollow cathode lamp of chromium, cadmium, lead, iron, and nickel were used at specific wavelengths. Both graphite furnace (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni) and flame (Fe) techniques were used. The reliability of each method was evaluated by linearity, range and recovery. The percentage of recovery (% R) was ranged from 97.65 to 107.27% and the linearity was ranged from 0.995 to 0.997.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEstimated daily intake (EDI) of heavy metals:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eEDI was measured in in mg/kg body-weight/day by following formulae \u003csup\u003e16\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eEDI =\u003cspan class=\"InlineEquation\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"mathinline\"\u003e\\(\\frac{MC \\times IR}{BW}\\)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere, MC is the metal concentration in vegetables (mg/kg wet weight),\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIR (kg/day/person) is the ingestion rate of vegetables adopted from household income and expenditure survey (HIES) \u003csup\u003e13\u003c/sup\u003e for an adult individual of 60 kg (adult) body weight.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eN\u003cb\u003eon-carcinogenic risk\u003c/b\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals due to consuming vegetables were estimated in terms of target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ), and hazard index (HI).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTHQ\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eTHQ was calculated as per USEPA Region III Risk-based Concentration Table\u0026nbsp;1\u003csup\u003e7\u003c/sup\u003e and in Wang \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u003cem\u003e18\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The equation used for estimating THQ was\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Equa\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e \u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equa\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$TH\\text{Q}= \\frac{EF \\times ED \\times FIR \\times CM}{BW \\times \\text{A}T \\times RfD} \\times {10}^{-3}$$\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere; EF is the exposure frequency (365 days/year)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eED is the exposure duration (70 years for non-cancer risk in this study), as used by \u003csup\u003e19\u003c/sup\u003e; FIR is the food ingestion rate (g/person/day); CM is the heavy metal concentration in vegetable (mg/kg); BW is the average body weight (bw) (adult: 60 kg); AT is the average exposure time for non-carcinogens (EF\u0026times;ED) (365 days/year for 70 years (i.e. AT\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;25,550 days); RfD is the oral reference dose of the metal. RfD values of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Fe are 0.001, 1.5, 0.02, 0.0035 and 0.667 (mg/kg-bw/day), respectively \u003csup\u003e20\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIf the THQ\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1, the exposed consumers are unlikely to experience any adverse health risk, while if the THQ\u0026thinsp;\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;1, there is a potential health risk \u003csup\u003e18\u003c/sup\u003e, and associated interventions and protecting initiatives are required to be taken.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTTHQ\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eTTHQ for individual from THQs is expressed as the sum of the hazard quotients \u003csup\u003e19\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Equb\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e \u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equb\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$TTHQ=TH\\text{Q}\\left(\\text{C}\\text{r}\\right)+TH\\text{Q} \\left(\\text{P}\\text{b}\\right)+\\text{T}\\text{H}\\text{Q}\\left(\\text{C}\\text{d}\\right)+\\text{T}\\text{H}\\text{Q} \\left(\\text{N}\\text{i}\\right)+\\text{T}\\text{H}\\text{Q}\\left(\\text{F}\\text{e}\\right)$$\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere TTHQ\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;1 is safe, TTHQ\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;1 is hazardous, and THQ (Cr) is the target hazard quotient for Cr intake.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHazard risk (HI)\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eHI is assessed to estimate overall potential for non-carcinogenic health risk from consuming more than one metals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHI\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;TTHQ (food\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e)\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;TTHQ (food\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e) +\u0026hellip;\u0026hellip;\u0026hellip;\u0026hellip;..+ TTHQ (food \u003csub\u003e23\u003c/sub\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCarcinogenic risk assessment:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTarget cancer risk\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe method to estimate TCR is also provided in USEPA Region III Risk-Based Concentration Table\u0026nbsp;1\u003csup\u003e9\u003c/sup\u003e. The model for estimating TR was shown as follows (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Equc\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e \u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equc\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$TR= EDI \\times CPSo$$\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere; EDI is the estimated daily intake CPSo is the carcinogenic potency slope for oral route of 0.0085 (mg/kg bw/day)\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;1\u003c/sup\u003e for Pb, 6.3 (mg/kg bw/day)\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;1\u003c/sup\u003e for Cd, and 0.5(mg/kg bw/day)\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;1\u003c/sup\u003e for Cr. In general, CR value lower than 1.0E\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;06 is considered to be negligible, above 1.0E\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;04 is considered unacceptable, and lying between 1.0E\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;06 and 1.0E\u0026thinsp;\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;04 is considered an acceptable range \u003csup\u003e21,22\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEthical Consideration\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was classified as exempt according to the institutional ethics committee of the Noakhali Science and Technology University. All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eStatistical Analysis:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 23.0 Inc., Chicago, IL, USA for Windows. Data were presented as mean and standard deviation (SD) and were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) to assess whether heavy metals varied significantly between vegetables (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05). To check the similarities and differences of heavy metals distribution principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were performed. The PCA analysis was done using Varimax normalized rotation method to maximize the sum of the variance of the factor coefficient and CA was performed using Ward\u0026rsquo;s method.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Result and Discussion","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eConcentration of heavy metals in commonly consumed vegetables:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eHeavy metals concentration (Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe and Ni) in vegetables (mg/kg fw) were presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e. The concentration of heavy metals was increasing in the following order of Fe\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;Cd\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;Pb\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;Ni\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;Cr. The mean concentration of metals in vegetables was decreasing in order of pointed gourd\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;yard-long bean\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;cauliflower\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;teasel gourd\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;egg plant\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;ladies finger\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;taro\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;bitter gourd\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;Chinese okra\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;snake gourd\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;carrot\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;pumpkin\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;tomato\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;papaya\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;potato. Highest concentration of Cr was observed in vegetables and in Bangladesh the source of Cr are utilization of industrial and untreated water in vegetable production, use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides \u003csup\u003e14,23\u003c/sup\u003e. Compared with other vegetable types, the concentration of Pb, Cr, Fe and Ni was higher in pod vegetables. The concentration of metals in vegetables were higher than the recommended value set by FAO/WHO except Fe. The highest concentration of Pb was found in cauliflower and yard-long bean. The mean concentration of Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni were higher than the previously studied literature in Bangladesh \u003csup\u003e4,7,24,25\u003c/sup\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e) whereas the concentration of Fe in vegetables was less than Ahmed \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e and Sultana \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e studies \u003csup\u003e24,26\u003c/sup\u003e (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eConcentration of heavy metals (mg/kg fw) in commonly consumed vegetables in Bangladesh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCommon name\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eScientific name\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eType of vegetable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c8\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHeavy metals (mg/kg fw)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePb\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCr\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFe\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBitter gourd (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMomordica charantia\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFruit\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.696\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.529\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.047\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.074\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.4113\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEgg plant (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum melongena L\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFruit\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.603\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.625\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.347\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.091\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.63\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSnake gourd (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrichosanthes cucumerina\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFruit\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.982\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.053\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.178\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.086\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.650\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePumpkin (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCucurbita moschata\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFruit\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.230\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.402\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.678\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.062\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.096\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.002\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePapaya (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCarica papaya\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFruit\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.148\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.042\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.969\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.066\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.504\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChinese okra (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLuffa acutangular\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFruit\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.632\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.321\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.935\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.098\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.494\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTomato (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum lycopersicum\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFruit\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.773\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.925\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.424\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.085\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.456\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePointed gourd (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrichosanthes dioica\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePod\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.903\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.419\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.735\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.163\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.373\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTeasel gourd (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMomordica dioica\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePod\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.888\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.252\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.767\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.130\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.006\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLadies finger (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAbelmoschus esculentus\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePod\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.472\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.968\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.592\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.070\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.996\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYard-long Bean (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eVigna XXXnguiculate ssp. Sesquipedalis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePod\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.593\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.243\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.367\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.087\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.008\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.063\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarrot (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDaucus carota\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoot\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.785\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.254\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.623\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.066\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.272\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaro (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eColocasia esculenta\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoot\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.746\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.558\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.115\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.124\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.632\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePotato (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSolanum tuberosum\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoot\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.298\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.452\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.912\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.034\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.055\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCauliflower (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBrassica oleracea botrytis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStem\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.724\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.447\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.085\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.06\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePermissible limit\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3\u003csup\u003e27\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.05\u003csup\u003e28\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3\u003csup\u003e27\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e450\u003csup\u003e29\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.7\u003csup\u003e27\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e% of vegetables exceeded permissible limit\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparison of heavy metals (mg/kg) in vegetables with previous studies in Bangladesh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlace of Study\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePb\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCr\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFe\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBangladesh (Noakhali) (Present study)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.084\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBangladesh (Patuakhali) \u003csup\u003e25\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBangladesh (Noakhali) \u003csup\u003e4\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.058\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.64\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBangladesh (Dhaka) \u003csup\u003e7\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBangladesh (Patuakhali) \u003csup\u003e15\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBangladesh (Dhaka) \u003csup\u003e24\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003ePrincipal component analysis and cluster analysis:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eVarimax-normalized rotation method was used for principal component analysis for estimating the factor loadings in each metal (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). According to the result, two eigen values were greater than one and the first two component were explained the variance by 39.63% and 26.21% (supplementary table \u003cspan refid=\"MOESM1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). PC1 revealed highest loadings for Pb, Cr, Ni and Fe which indicated that their source of origin was same and mostly contributed by anthropogenic activities such as use of fertilizers, pesticides, organic matters etc. \u003csup\u003e30,31\u003c/sup\u003e. Further, we used cluster analysis (CA) using Ward\u0026rsquo;s method with dendrogram for dividing the vegetables into different species (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Mean concentration of heavy metals was used for CA. Different cluster was formed between the vegetable species according to their similarity of nature.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDietary intake of heavy metals:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssessment of dietary intake of foods is a essential tool for measuring the amount of nutrients intake which may be lead to deficiencies or health risks \u003csup\u003e32\u003c/sup\u003e. According to the average concentration of heavy metals in vegetable, dietary of metals for adult individual was estimated and presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e. Total dietary intake of metal of Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe and Ni from vegetables are 0.185, 0.0255, 0.3823, 3.4059, and 0.2057 mg/day for adults respectively. Dietary consumption of all of the metals except Cr from vegetables were less than the value of maximum tolerable dietary intake (MTDI) set by FAO/WHO which indicates that there is no potential human risk prior to consumption of vegetables from the studied area.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eComparison of estimated daily intake (EDI) of heavy metals from vegetable with maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVegetable type\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsumption rate (g/day/person)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c7\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEDI of heavy metals (mg/day)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePb\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCr\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFe\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFruits\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBitter gourd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e191\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0053\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0014\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0459\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2334\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0140\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEgg plant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e191\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0160\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0016\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0423\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2887\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0179\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSnake gourd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e191\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0061\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0033\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0388\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2658\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePumpkin\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e191\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0012\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0187\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1768\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePapaya\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e191\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0033\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0001\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0153\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2303\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0082\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChinese okra\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e191\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0112\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0011\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0223\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3096\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0301\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTomato\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0026\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0116\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1781\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0077\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEDI from fruits vegetables\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.057\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0107\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1949\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6827\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1059\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePod\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePointed gourd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e191\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0294\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0014\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0439\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3899\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0173\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTeasel gourd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e191\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0007\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0409\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3684\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0255\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLadies finger\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0103\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0019\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0274\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1653\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0105\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYard-long Bean\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0277\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0203\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1780\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0128\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEDI from pod vegetables\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0792\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0045\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1325\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.1016\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0661\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRoot and stem\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarrot\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0038\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0187\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1518\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0093\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaro\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0178\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0055\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0178\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2328\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0076\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePotato\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0004\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0005\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0046\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0383\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0035\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCauliflower\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0268\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0038\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0138\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1987\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0133\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEDI from root and stem vegetables\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0488\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0103\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0549\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.6216\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0337\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTotal intake from vegetables\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.185\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0255\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3823\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.4059\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2057\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMTDI\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.21\u003csup\u003e27\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.046\u003csup\u003e27\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2\u003csup\u003e33\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003csup\u003e27\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3\u003csup\u003e34\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNon-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe non-carcinogenic risk in term of target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) and hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk of consuming studied vegetables were presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e. The THQ values of Pb and Cd for almost all species of vegetable were higher than 1, indicated that consumption of these vegetables might cause non-carcinogenic risks. The THQ values of the studied vegetables (except Cr) were higher than 1 which indicated people might have potential health risk prior to vegetables consumption. The ranking order of total THQ for vegetables species were cauli flower\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;taro\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;pointed gourd\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;yard-long bean\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;egg plant\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;Chinese orka\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;snake gourd\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;teasel gourd\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;pumpkin\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;ladies finger\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;bitter gourd\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;tomato\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;carrot\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;papaya\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;potato. Considering all the metals, the total THQ (sum of individual metals or HI) was 35.36, 32.44, and 27.017 for fruit vegetable, pod vegetable and root and stem vegetable respectively, in a total 94.797 which is \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;1 indicating that these vegetables were not safe for human consumption and consumption on regular basis is not recommended.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals consuming vegetables in Bangladesh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVegetable\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eType\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTarget Hazard Quotient (THQ)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTTHQ\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c10\" namest=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal Cancer risk (TCR)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePb\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCr\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFe\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNi\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePb\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCr\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFruits\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBitter gourd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.5352\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.4301\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0306\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3335\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.7044\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.0338\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.6E-05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0214\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02298\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEgg plant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.584\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.6895\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0282\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.4124\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8992\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.6133\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0E-04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0253\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02115\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSnake gourd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.7499\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3729\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0259\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3797\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.7535\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.2819\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.2E-05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.050\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01942\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePumpkin\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.5748\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.2672\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0124\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2526\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.6516\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.7586\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0E-04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0190\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00936\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePapaya\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.9554\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1546\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0102\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3291\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.4146\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.8639\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.8E-05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00231\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00765\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChinese okra\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.2279\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.1365\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0149\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.4423\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.5065\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.3281\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.6E-05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01704\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTomato\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.7552\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.0725\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0077\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2544\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3896\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.4794\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3E-05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.03108\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0058\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTTHQ from fruit vegetables\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.3824\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.1233\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.1299\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.404\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.3194\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHI\u003c/b\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;35.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePod\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePointed gourd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.4221\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.4269\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0292\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.557\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8658\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.301\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.0E-04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0214\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02195\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTeasel gourd\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3793\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.795\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0273\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.5263\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.2757\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.0036\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0E-04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0119\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02048\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLadies finger\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.9689\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.9585\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0183\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2362\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.5292\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.7111\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.8E-05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0293\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01374\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYard-long Bean\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.9423\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.5649\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0135\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2543\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.6445\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.4195\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.0E-04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0084\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01015\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTTHQ from pod vegetables\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.7126\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.7453\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0883\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.5738\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3152\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHI\u003c/b\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;32.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRoot and stem\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarrot\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0935\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.5487\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2169\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.4661\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3377\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.3E-05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0082\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00939\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTaro\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.0885\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.5826\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0118\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3326\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.3848\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.4003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.0E-04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08373\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0089\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePotato\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.127\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.523\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.003\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e.00054\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.831\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.8E-06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00785\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00232\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCauliflower\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.8193\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0092\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2839\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.6662\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.4486\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.0E-04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.05729\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00691\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTTHQ from root and stem vegetables\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.97\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0365\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8339\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHI\u003c/b\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;27.017\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTTHQ\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.065\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.3386\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2547\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.8112\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.3146\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.797\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.4E-03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.9E-01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.9E-01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs, Pb, Cd and Cr contributed both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk depending on the exposure dose and duration, the present study estimated the TCR values of Pb, Cd and Cr due to exposure from several vegetables presented in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e. TCR values for Pb ranged from 3.8E-06 to 2.0E-04, for Cd TCR ranged from 2.3E-03 to 5.72E-02 whereas 2.32E-03 to 2.29E-02 for Cr in vegetables. The TCR values of Pb for pointed gourd, yard-long bean and cauliflower were higher than 1.0E-04 \u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e which indicated that potential carcinogenic risk of the consumers in the studied area. TCR values of Pb for other vegetable except potato were lying between the range of 1.0E-06 to 1.0E-04 which are considered as acceptable \u003csup\u003e22\u003c/sup\u003e. The TCR of Cd and Cr from the consumption of vegetables were than USEPA acceptable limit risk (10\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/sup\u003e) indicating that consumers of these vegetables are exposed to Cd and Cr with a life-time cancer risk. The percentage of carcinogenic risk of Cr and Cd was higher among consumers who intake fruit vegetables whereas higher carcinogenic risk for Pb was found in pod vegetables consumption (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe present study revealed the concentrations of heavy metals in commonly consumed vegetables in Noakhali district of Bangladesh and assessed the potential health risk prior to vegetable consumption in terms of THQ and TCR. In Noakhali, maximum of vegetables had toxic metals (Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni) which are higher than the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) however, in case of EDI, only Cr exceed the permissible limit (MTDI) set by FAO/WHO. The total THQ for Pb, Cd, Fe and Ni were \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;1 through vegetables consumption indicating potential health risk. Consumption of fruit vegetable, pod vegetable and root and stem vegetables would be unsafe as HI value was \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;1. Considering TCR values, the total TCR values for Pb, Cd and Cr were higher than 1.0E-04 suggesting potential health risk from vegetable consumption. This study concerns about food safety considering the health risk of population from highly vegetable consumption.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCompeting Interest:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAuthors declare no competing interest.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding source:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis work was supported by the NSTU research grant 2021\u0026ndash;2022 by the Research cell of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU/RC-FN-01/T-22144).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eConceptualization: MRA; Analysis and investigation: MRA, MMR, SR; Interpretation of data: AIC, MRA, MMR; Draft preparation: AIC, LCS, RR, MNHB.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability:\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData will be made available upon request.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eD'Mello, J. 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H. in \u003cem\u003eGuidelines for the study of dietary intakes of chemical contaminants\u003c/em\u003e 100\u0026ndash;100 (1985).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCouncil, N. R. Recommended dietary allowances. (1989).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrganization, W. H. Permissible limits of heavy metals in soil and plants. \u003cem\u003eGeneva, Switzerland\u003c/em\u003e (1996).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"heavy metal, vegetables, carcinogenic, non-carcinogenic, atomic absorption spectrometry","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3850822/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3850822/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis study aims to evaluate the heavy metal concentration in fifteen species of vegetables as well as associated health risk. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) is used to assess heavy metals. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni and Fe in vegetables were 4.78, 0.713, 9.266, 0.083, 5.06 mg/kg/fw exceeding the reference value of FAO/WHO indicating unsafe to consumption. Based on principal component analysis, the Pb, Cr, Ni and Fe are from same sources. Health risk was estimated in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR). The EDI values of metals except Cr were found to be lower than maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The total THQs of metals were \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;1 indicating non-carcinogenic health risk. The individual HI values for vegetables except potato (0.831) and total HI values were found to be \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;1 (94.747). The TCR of Pb, Cd and Cr were \u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;1.0E-04 which indicating carcinogenic risk. Fruit and pod vegetables contribute much in carcinogenic risk for Pb and Cr whereas fruit, root and stems vegetables for Cd. The study revealed that potential human health risk was associated with the consumption of different types of vegetables in Bangladeshi adult population.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Green Dangers: Probability of Human Health Risk from Heavy Metals in Vegetables of Bangladesh","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-01-19 21:36:48","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3850822/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2024-03-26T09:46:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-03-24T11:08:26+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2024-01-29T03:25:03+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"ecf371c4-304e-4fd4-b0f4-b9ee415ff058","date":"2024-01-19T15:13:48+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"2702b784-cd63-422f-8e0d-20ed03837787","date":"2024-01-19T08:04:10+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2024-01-18T14:58:22+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2024-01-18T04:15:30+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2024-01-17T18:20:43+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2024-01-17T18:19:27+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2024-01-10T15:55:59+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"db1e7701-c4be-4fec-b627-2d8d3e8d27ae","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 19th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[{"id":28226108,"name":"Biological sciences/Plant sciences"},{"id":28226109,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology"},{"id":28226110,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences"},{"id":28226111,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Natural hazards"},{"id":28226112,"name":"Health sciences/Risk factors"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-06-24T05:33:44+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-01-19 21:36:48","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-3850822","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-3850822","identity":"rs-3850822","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}