Heavy metal contamination risk through consumption of traditional food plants growing around Bindura town, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Mining activities are a leading cause of heavy metal contamination of soils and food plants leading to health risk fears. The concentration of heavy metals in soils, Bidens pilosa and Fadogia ancylantha in the vicinity of Bindura town were investigated. Results show that heavy metal concentration of soils and plants found around Bindura town was higher than that of the control area where there were no mining activities suggesting heavy metal contamination. The higher values of heavy metals may place consumers of these plants at health risk with time via bioaccumulation. It is suggested therefore that measures should be taken to lower plant and soil heavy metal accumulation.