The health risk index
of cereals was higher than vegetables due to higher proportion
of cereals in the diet.
Consumption of foodstuff with elevated levels
of heavy metals may lead to high level of accumulation in the body
causing related health disorders.
The study suggests that even
though there are low concentrations of heavy metals in irrigation
water, its long term use caused heavy metal contamination leading
to health risk of consumers. Thus urgent attention is needed to
3devise and implement appropriate means of monitoring and regulating
industrial and domestic effluent, and providing appropriate
advice and support for the safe and productive use of wastewater
for irrigation.