Comparative assessment of heavy metal contamination and non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks in guava (Psidium guajava L.) from home gardens and commercial farms in Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh

Le résumé fourni par la source

Guava ( Psidium guajava L.) is one of the most widely consumed fruits in Bangladesh and an important component of the daily diet, making heavy metal contamination in this fruit a significant food safety concern. This study evaluates the contamination levels of heavy metals in guava samples collected from home gardens and commercial farms in the Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh. Metal concentrations were quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and health risks were evaluated using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standard metrics. Heavy metal concentrations were consistently higher in farm-grown than home-garden guava, with maximum mean concentrations of 3.84, 2.05, 1.88, and 9.04 mg/kg for As, Pb, Cd, and Cu, respectively. About 30% of farm samples exceeded the permissible limit for As, 70% for Pb, and 90% for Cd, whereas home-garden samples were mostly within acceptable limits, except for Cd in 20% of cases. Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) results revealed a potential non-carcinogenic risk in 90% of the farm samples and 30% of the home-garden samples for adults, and almost all the samples presented a risk for children. Moreover, the total target carcinogenic risk (TTCR) for the farm samples exceeded 1.0 × 10⁻⁴, suggesting a possible carcinogenic effect. There is a need to regulate fruit crops with heavy metals and encourage farmers to practice safe measures.

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