An analysis of heavy metals contamination and estimating the daily intakes of vegetables from Uganda

Background: Environmental contamination with elevated levels of copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr 6+ ), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni)—all states which are found in Uganda—raises health risk to the public. Pb, Cr , Cd, Ni for instance generally considered nonessential cellular functions, notwithstanding importance oxidative state metals bioavailability. As such, we aimed this study (i) evaluate heavy metal concentrations four vegetables from a typical open-air market Uganda, (ii) assess safety consuming these against World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits consumption, (iii) formulate model estimated daily intake (EDI) among consumers country. Methods: This was cross-sectional conducted five georeferenced markets Bushenyi district January 2020. Amaranthus, cabbages, scarlet eggplants, tomatoes were collected open markets, processed, analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Modeled EDI, principal component (PCA) cluster analysis (CA) identify relationships samples. Results: The essential elements fall Co > Cu Fe Zn. Those non-essential significantly higher followed pattern Cd Pb Ni. highest EDI values those Zn amaranthus, total eggplant, cabbages tomatoes, cabbages. In comparison international limits, EDIs Zn, Cu, low while high. PCA showed high variations eggplant amaranthus. be related each other, not according location where they obtained, but their species CA. Conclusion: presence above WHO raises policy challenges consumption marketing area. Furthermore, create demand nutritious foods promote healthy communities.