Assessment of heavy metal concentrations in urban grown vegetables in Thika Town, Kenya

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dc.contributor.authorKiende, Judy Inoti
dc.contributor.authorKawaka, Fanuel
dc.contributor.authorOrinda, G. O.
dc.contributor.authorOkemo, P. O.
dc.date.accessioned2012-10-24T12:46:39Z
dc.date.available2012-10-24T12:46:39Z
dc.date.issued2012-02
dc.description.abstractConsumption of leafy vegetables grown in urban areas contaminated with heavy metals is a major source of health problems for both humans and animals. This study was conducted to analyze the heavy metal levels in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) grown in Thika town. Heavy metal concentration was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The mean concentrations of lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in all the samples were more than the maximum permitted concentrations while there was no evidence of copper (Cu) contamination. Heavy metal uptake differences by the vegetables were attributed to plant differences in tolerance. Further Lead (mgkg-1) concentration in the vegetables was above the maximum limit of 0.3 mgkg-1 accepted for human health by World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Due to increased consumption of vegetables by urban communities, we suggest that it is important to treat industrial effluents which are significant sources of heavy metals and phyto-extract excess metals from polluted environments to reduce health risks.en_US
dc.identifier.citationAfrican Journal of Food Science Vol. 6(3), pp. 41-46, 15 February, 2012en_US
dc.identifier.issn1996-0794
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5819
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherAcademic Journalsen_US
dc.subjectLycopersicon esculentumen_US
dc.subjectSpinacia oleraceaen_US
dc.subjectleaden_US
dc.subjectzincen_US
dc.subjectcadmiumen_US
dc.subjectcopperen_US
dc.subjectatomic absorption spectrometryen_US
dc.titleAssessment of heavy metal concentrations in urban grown vegetables in Thika Town, Kenyaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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