Bioaccumulation of Lead in Edible Vegetables Growing on Waste Dump Sites in Owerri, Nigeria: Implications for Public Health

ABSTRACT: Municipal waste dumps are likely to contain heavy metals including lead, whose contamination poses serious public health problems. This study examined the bioaccumulation of lead in vegetables growing in waste dump sites in Owerri and its environment. Eight (8) dump sites were visited, namely 1 dump at Avu, 3 dumps at Nekede, 2 dumps at Obinze. Other dumps visited were at Owerri municipal and portharcourt road. Of the eight dump site sample, edible vegetables were growing only in three: Avu and two dump sites at Nekede. The three edible vegetables collected were fluted pumpkin, water leaf and African spinach. The level of bio-accumulated lead in these edible vegetables were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The result from AAS showed that there was bioaccumulation of lead in African spinach and water leaf. There was no trace of lead in fluted pumpkin. African spinach has significantly the higher lead bioaccumulation of (0.15mg/kg) than water leaf (0.05mg/kg). Residents living around waste dump sites should be enlightened on the health effects of consuming vegetables growing in waste dump sites.   Keywords: Bioaccumulation, Lead, Dumpsites, Edible Vegetables