Heavy metal residue and potential human health risk factors of celosia argentea (lagos spinach) planted in a soil mixed with landfill leachate

Landfill leachate could constitute significant health impact on human health due to its penetrating tendency and eventual contamination of nearby groundwater. Therefore, assessment of the leachate probable environmental impact is paramount so as to prevent adverse ill-health to man and other living organisms. This study evaluates the heavy metals residue and the potential human health risk assessment factor of Celosia argentea (Lagos spinach) planted on soil mixed with leachate. The concentrations of the heavy metals in the harvested samples were determined with Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Heavy metals residue in Celosia argentea (Lagos spinach) was highest in soil mixed with 40 ml leachate. The daily intake of metals (DIM) of Zn (0.145 - 0.498 mg/kg) and Ni (0.032 - 0.090 mg/kg) were below the recommended limit while that of Cd (0.048 - 0.161 mg/kg) and Pb (0.158 - 0.341 mg/kg) were above the recommended DIM and the upper tolerable daily level. The health risk indexes (HRI) for Cd, Pb, Zn and Ni from this study were far greater than 1 (HRI > 1) except Cr that is less than 1. Thus, findings revealed that inhabitants may be highly exposed to health risks associated to these metals in the order Pb > Cd > Zn > Ni > Cr and as such people should be advised not to grow vegetables and other edible plants around the location of the dumpsite. Government and Policy makers should sensitize the public on the potential danger of eating heavy metal polluted foods.