Assessment of heavy metal contamination in vegetables consumed in Zanzibars英文文献资料.docVIP

Vol.4, No.8, 588-594 (2012) Natural Science /10.4236/ns.2012.48078 Assessment of heavy metal contamination in vegetables consumed in Zanzibars Najat K. Mohammed , Fatma O. Khamis * Department of Physics, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Corresponding Author: najat@udsm.ac.tz * Received 20 June 2012; revised 28 July 2012; accepted 8 August 2012 ABSTRACT shown that vegetables grown in some parts of Tanzania mainland are contaminated with heavy metals [8,9]. Othman (2001) analyzed vegetables, from Ukonga, Kiwalani, Tabata, Buguruni and Sinza in Dar es Salaam, which were cultivated along high ways [9]. Bahemuka and Mubofu (1999) reported data from samples collected in regions within the proximity of River Msimbazi [8]. In both studies high concentrations of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr and Ni which were above the permissible limit set by FAO/ WHO were reported. Vegetables from these and other areas in Tanzania mainland might be among the stock imported to markets in Zanzibar. The concentrations of heavy metals might as well be high in vegetables grown in Zanzibar. This is because vegetable farming in Zan- zibar includes application of manure and chemical fer- tilizers, which are reported to be a source of metals in food [10,11]. At the same time, most of the vegetable farms are situated along highways which might be receiving deposits of metals from vehicle emissions. Heavy metals such as Cr, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe are considered essential components of biological activities in the body, however, in excess are reported to cause problem to human [1]. On the other hand, Pb, Cd, and As have no important functions in human body rather play toxic role to living organism, hence are considered as toxic elements [1]. Heavy metals are toxic because they react with body’s biomolecules, clog up receptor sites, break and bend sulfur bonds in