Trace elements accumulation in vegetables and soils of waste dumping sites in southwestern Bangladesh and implication on human health

• The ecological and health risk assessment were performed. • The trace metals were found in the order of Fe > Pb > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Cd > Co in the MSWs dumpsites soil and growing plant. • The EDI of trace metals of cultivated vegetables were lower than MTDI except Fe, Ni, Pb, and Cr. • TTHQ and HI index revealed that peoples would experience health risk due to long term consumption of vegetable in MSWs. • Multivariate analysis indicates the sources of metals in soils and vegetables were geogenic and anthropogenic. The untreated municipal solid wastes (MSWs) dumping and improper management causes major concerns of environmental degradation and human health risks. In this study, we collected soil and vegetable from the MSWs dumpsites of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) in southwestern Bangladesh. Trace metals (Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn) were measured to explore the health risk of cultivated vegetables from dumpsites. Soil contamination was evaluated by geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), and pollution load index (PLI), while health risk was evaluated by transfer factor (TF), estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ). Results exhibited that the average trace metals in soil and vegetables followed in the order of Fe > Pb > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Cd > Co. The Igeo, EF, CF, and PLI values revealed that the soil contamination was dominated by Pd, Cd, Mn, and Zn. The EDI of metals in vegetables were exceed the maximum daily intake only for Fe, Pb, and Cr. The total THQ was > 1, implying potential health hazards for the local people due to the long-term consumption of the cultivated vegetables. The multivariate analysis reveled that the sources of trace metals in the soils and vegetables of dumpsites were natural and anthropogenic. Overall, the findings suggest that growing vegetables in dumpsite is unsafe for long-term consumption by local inhabitants. Immediate action should be taken to protect the environment and human health from trace metal hazards.