Assessment of Potentially Toxic Element Concentrations in Soil And Vegetables and Impact on Human Health Through TF, EDI, and HRI Indicators: Case Study Anadrinia Region (Kosovo)

Vegetable cultivation areas in the Anadrinia region may have higher than background concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from contaminated sources including anthropogenic activity and lithologic composition. The purpose of the present study was to assess PTEs concentrations in soil and vegetables and their impact on human health. In this study, 50 soils and 5 vegetables were sampled from the studied area. PTEs (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) after digestion in microwave system. PTEs in soil and vegetables were assessed and compared to international data (Dutch List and WHO/FAO 2011), and their toxicological risk was estimated using transfer factor (TF), estimated daily intake (EDI), and hazard quotients (HQ). The average values of As, Cd, Co, Fe, and Mn in soil were 44.96, 0.324, 16.34, 13,172, and 765.1 mg/kg, and Cr, Ni, and Pb in vegetables were 21.02, 17.11, and 4.982 mg/kg. TF values were less than 1, suggesting low bioaccumulation. EDI values of Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn were 6.29, 6.23, 2.09, and 16.6 mg/kg, higher than international guidelines. HQ values of Pb, Ni, and Cu were 6.22, 3.66, and 1.72, higher than maximum tolerable value 1 indicating significant health risk. Some of the analyzed elements in soil and vegetable exceeded permissible limits to Dutch List and WHO/FAO 2011, respectively. From a health point of view, this study revealed vegetable contamination, recommends periodic monitoring.