Search

Wastewater irrigation to grow fodder for animals and cattle farming is common practice in Pakistan. Hence, this study was conducted in Multan, Pakistan, to assess heavy metal pollution, human health risk and the total target health quotient (TTHQ) of heavy metals in raw milk of buffalo feeding at different agricultural farms and to identify sources of toxicity in milk. Samples of raw milk (n = 60) were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Pb by ICP-OES, Perkin Elmer, USA. The TTHQ values of heavy metals ranged from 6.92 to 42.44 in raw milk of buffalo, highest at wastewater-irrigated agricultural farms and lowest at tube well water site, indicating high carcinogenic health risk to exposed population. The multivariate statistical analysis revealed that contaminated fodder like Maize and Brassica plants grown with wastewater and contaminated soil are common sources contributing the heavy metal contamination in raw milk. It invites attention of government to remediate the situation to avoid the potential risks to public health from resulting food chain contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in peri-urban areas of Multan, Pakistan for the assessment of heavy metals risk on animal health by the consumption of maize as fodder grown with different types of wastewater/water and its source apportionment. Total 120 samples (wastewater, soil, raw milk, and maize plants) from six sites were collected and analyzed for cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel and lead contents by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The maize plants grown with industrial effluents were highly contaminated and exhibited the highest carcinogenic health risk and the lowest at the canal water irrigation site. The Total Target Health Quotient (TTHQ) values ranged between 27.44 and 80.34 at wastewater, 2.32 and 5.0 at canal water and 3.68 and 7.5 at tube well water irrigation site. The animal population at all studied sites were found expose to carcinogenic health risks. The multivariate statistical analysis indicated that the wastewater/water containing heavy metals and contaminated soil were common sources of maize plants contamination. The consumption of contaminated maize as fodder by lactating animals resulted in milk contamination which indicated that the application of wastewater/water containing heavy metals was causing food chain contamination. The untreated wastewater is not suitable to grow maize to use as fodder for animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic and carcinogenic metal (loid)s, such arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd), found in contaminated paddy soils pose a serious danger to environmental sustainability. Their geochemical activities are complex, making it difficult to manage their contamination. Rice grown in Cd and As-polluted soils ends up in people's bellies, where it can cause cancer, anemia, and the deadly itai sickness. Solving this issue calls for research into eco-friendly and cost-effective remediation technology to lower rice's As and Cd levels. This research delves deeply into the origins of As and Cd in paddy soils, as well as their mobility, bioavailability, and uptake mechanisms by rice plants. It also examines the current methods and reactors used to lower As and Cd contamination in rice. Iron-modified biochar (Fe-BC) is a promising technology for reducing As and Cd toxicity in rice, improving soil health, and boosting rice's nutritional value. Biochar's physiochemical characteristics are enhanced by the addition of iron, making it a potent adsorbent for As and Cd ions. In conclusion, Fe-BC's biomembrane properties make them an attractive option for remediating As- and Cd-contaminated paddy soils. More efficient mitigation measures, including the use of biomembrane technology, can be developed when sustainable agriculture practices are combined with these technologies. [Display omitted] • Cadmium and arsenic have opposite geochemical behaviours in paddy soils. • Modifying biochar with iron increases its adsorption capacity for both cadmium and arsenic. • Iron-modified biochar decreased the bioavailability of metal (loid) and limited their uptake in rice plants. • Future goals include optimizing performance while reducing production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]