Assessing zinc (Zn) accumulation and human health risks in vegetables grown in municipal solid waste-amended soil

The zinc concentration was evaluated in soil amended with municipal solid waste (MSW) as well as in vegetables. This work consists of two sets of observations. The research aimed to assess the potential contamination of vegetables with Zn and its implications for human health upon consumption. All the species that were studied had Zn concentrations that were below the phytotoxic limit. In Y₁, Cucurbita pepo, Allium cepa, and Lycopersican esculentum showed consistent increases in both DIM (daily intake of metals) and HRI (health risk index) over the treatment periods, indicating a positive response to the applied treatments. Among all the treatments, Luffa acutangula and A. cepa had the greatest DIM and HRI values in Y₂. Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of Zn dynamics in vegetable crops under different soil conditions and underscores the importance of sustainable waste management practices to ensure food safety and human health.