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Arsenic Contamination in Taro of Gazipur: Health Risk Issues (2015 – 2016)

Md. Harunur Rashid
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

M. Rahman
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

M. Akter
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

H. M. Naser
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

S. Akhter
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

R. A. Begum
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid and ubiquitous in the environment that affects around 70 countries in the world. To estimate the level of arsenic contamination and health risk of aroid/taro of Gazipur bulk amount of samples (soil, water, and taro plant) were collected from Kaliakoir, Joydevpur and Kapashia regions during 2015. Arsenic-contaminated irrigation water (0.318– 0.843 mg L^-1) and soil (6.6-12.6 mg kg^-1) considerably influenced the accumulation of arsenic in taro and its different parts. Arsenic concentrations of irrigation water samples were many folds higher than the WHO recommended permissible limit for drinking water (0.01 mg L^-1) and FAO permissible limit for irrigation water (0.10 mg L^-1). The mean total arsenic concentrations (mg kg^-1) in the taro samples of Kaliakoir, Joydevpur and Kapashia were 0.127, 0.164 and 0.133 respectively. The average concentration of arsenic in leaf, stem, rhizome and stolon was 0.227, 0.013, 0.151 and 0.176 mg kg^-1, respectively. Arsenic concentrations in the studied crop samples did not exceed the Australian food hygiene concentration limit (1.0 mg kg^-1) but exceeded the Chinese food safety standards (0.05 mg kg^-1). According to the Chinese food safety standard, only the stem of arum is safe for consumption. The Taro alone was responsible for about 6.4% of the health risk for arsenic toxicity.

Keywords: Arsenic, Irrigation water, Soil, Vegetable

Location: Kaliakoir, Joydevpur and Kapashia upazila

Start Date: 00-00-2015

End Date: 00-00-2016

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Arsenic, Aroids

Objectives:

The objective of the present study was to ascertain arsenic accumulation in taro along with its different parts (e.g. leaf, stem, rhizome and stolon) grown in different parts of Gazipur, to compare with the safety limits and also to find out the safe source of food.

Methodology:

Irrigation water, soil and taro were collected from farmers’ fields of Kaliakoir, Joydevpur and Kapashia upazila during 2015. Samples were collected freshly from the site as close as possible to the point where soil samples were collected. Sample processing- The soil samples were immediately sun-dried after collection and later dried in the hot air oven at 60°C for 72 h. The dried soil samples were then grinded by cautiously disaggregating in a mortar and screened through 2.0-mm pore-sized sieve to get a homogenized representative powder sample. Finally, the samples were stored in airtight polyethylene bags at room temperature. The rice, pulse, and vegetable samples were washed thoroughly with arsenic-free water to remove soil and other contaminants followed by rinsing with de-ionized water with continuous shaking for several minutes. The washing of the plant samples was finished as fast as possible to avoid any possible leakage of absorbed arsenic (Huang et al. 2006). Finally, the samples were dried in the hot air oven at 60°C for 72 h and were stored in airtight polyethylene bags at room temperature with proper labeling. Most of the plant samples were cut into pieces. Proper care was taken at each step to minimize any sort of contamination. Soil and vegetable samples were digested separately following the heating block digestion procedure (Rahman et al. 2007). Of the sample, 0.5 g was taken into clean, dry digestion tubes, and 5 ml of concentrated HNO₃ was added to it. The mixture was allowed to stand overnight under a fume hood. On the following day, the digestion tubes were placed on a heating block and heated at 60°C for 2 h. The tubes were then allowed to cool at room temperature. About 2 ml of concentrated HClO₄ was added to the plant samples. For the soil samples, 3 ml of concentrated H2SO₄ was added in addition to 2 ml of concentrated HClO₄. Then, the tubes were heated at 160°C for about 4-5 h. The heating was stopped when the dense white fume of HClO₄ was emitted. The content was then cooled, diluted to 25 ml with de-ionized water, and filtered through Whatman No. 42 filter papers for soil samples and Whatman No. 41 for plant samples and finally stored in polyethylene bottles. Prior to sample digestion, all-glass goods were washed with 2% HNO₃ followed by rinsing with deionized water and drying. Sample analysis-The total arsenic of samples was analyzed by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin Elmer Analyst 400) using external calibration (Welsch et al. 1990). For each sample of the digested soil and vegetable, three replicates were taken and the mean values were obtained on the basis of the calculation of those three replicates.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report 2015 – 2016, Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

Article Link (Online Journal): Soil Science Division of the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur Bangladesh

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The concentration of arsenic varied extensively within the plant parts of taro. Consumption of taro alone contributed 6.4% of the health risk in Gazipur based on the available consumption data. It is important therefore to examine other food sources, such as rice, pulses, spices, tubers etc. to assess the total exposure load from main Bangladeshi foods for arsenic.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings