Heavy metal health risk assessment and microbial menaces via dietary intake of vegetables collected from Delhi and national capital regions peri urban area, India

The present study was conducted to assess the risk to human health by microbial load and heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb) through the intake of locally grown vegetables irrigated by metal contaminated water and waste water in Delhi and NCR region. Twenty-two varieties of vegetables grown in the agricultural land were collected for analysis. The results revealed that concentrations of copper, chromium and zinc were uneven with different crops and vegetables. Nickel and lead concentrations were higher than the safe limits suggested by the different agencies. Hazard index for most of the vegetables was out of safe limit. Health risk index of all metals except lead was below the value of hazard. Metal pollution index value for brinjal, pigweed, bottlegourd, Armenian cucumber, cucumber, ridgegourd, red spinach, bittergourd, ladyfinger and radish were very high, indicating heavy metal contamination and negative impact on human health.