Evaluating Soil-Vegetable Contamination with Heavy Metals in Bogura, Bangladesh: A Risk Assessment Approach

This study quantified hazardous heavy metals (Cu, Cr, and Pb) in soil and vegetables (potato, tomato, pepper, cauliflower, and cabbage) across six upazilas (Kahaloo, Bogura Sadar, Shajahanpur, Shibganj, Nandigram, and Dupchanchia) in Bogura district, Bangladesh, assessing their health and environmental impacts. The detection method was validated for its accuracy and precision with QC samples. Results indicated that Cu levels in all samples were within safe limits set by BFSA and FAO/WHO, whereas Cr and Pb in vegetables exceeded permissible levels, though soil concentrations remained within limits. Pb contamination was particularly severe in vegetables (CF > 6), and all vegetables showed significant contamination degrees (CD), highlighting extensive heavy metal pollution. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) identified Kahaloo and Bogura Sadar as the most polluted, whereas Nandigram and Dupchanchia were the least. Bioaccumulation factors (BF) for all metals were <1, suggesting minimal transfer to edible parts. However, the ecological risk index (ERi) and potential ecological risk index (PERI) suggested low ecological risks, but health risk assessments indicated that vegetable consumption poses significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks (CHR > 10^-4, HI > 1) across all upazilas. The findings underscore the urgent need for measures to mitigate heavy metal pollution in these areas to safeguard environmental and public health.