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Multivariate analysis and health risk assessment of heavy metal contents in foodstuffs of Durban, South Africa

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Abstract

This study presented a comprehensive analysis of heavy metal contents in foodstuffs and the associated health risk for the residential population in Durban, South Africa. The concentrations of elements in fruits and vegetables, respectively, were (in mg kg−1 dry weight) Cu, 0.52–1.47 and 0.27–2.25; Zn, 0.30–3.05 and 0.56–6.24, Fe, 1.70–22.60 and 0.73–44.90; Mn, 0.37–28.50 and 0.67–13.70; Cr, 0.47–1.47 and 0.37–3.06; Ni 0.03–1.14 and 0.11–2.5;, and Pb, 1.52–3.45 and 1.57–4.52. Multivariate analysis revealed that pineapple in fruits and turnip and carrot in vegetables contained remarkable components of trace metals. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values for heavy metals were arranged in the order of Pb > Mn > Cu > Ni > Zn > Cr. No potential health risks were reported for individual elements over a lifetime of exposure, except children’s exposure to Mn in pineapple and Pb in banana, orange small, guava, grape green, grape red, yellow-orange, and kiwifruit. The total THQ due to the dietary intake of multiple metals demonstrated unsafe limits in banana, pineapple, orange small, guava, grape green, grape red, yellow-orange, kiwifruit, and spinach leaf for children and pineapple for adults.

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Acknowledgements

The authors hereby acknowledge the Durban University of Technology for providing financial assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi, India

    Sanjay Kumar Gupta

  2. Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa

    Sanjay Kumar Gupta, Faiz Ahmed Ansari & Faizal Bux

  3. Sanitary Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21544, Egypt

    Mahmoud Nasr

  4. Department of Environmental Biology and Wildlife Sciences, Cotton College State University, Guwahati, Assam, 781001, India

    Mayuri Chabukdhara

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  1. Sanjay Kumar Gupta
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Correspondence to Sanjay Kumar Gupta.

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Gupta, S.K., Ansari, F.A., Nasr, M. et al. Multivariate analysis and health risk assessment of heavy metal contents in foodstuffs of Durban, South Africa. Environ Monit Assess 190, 151 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-6546-1

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