Lead Deposits on the Leaves of Roadside Plants of Nashik Region- A Growing Concern

Consumption of plants and plant based food materials can be a source of essential elements or a route of human exposure to toxicants. Lead is easily accumulated in the edible parts of leafy vegetables as compared to grains or fruit crops. The accumulation of lead in agricultural soils is potentially hazardous to humans, livestock and plants species. The purpose of this study is to determine the lead deposited on the leaves of roadside plants with an attempt to find its interference in human comfort & health. The study area was different crowded locations in Nashik region. Dominant tree species Magnifera indica, Ficus religiosa, Psidium guajava, Magnolia alba, Zea mays were selected for screening from high traffic streets namely Dwarka circle, College road, Aurangabad Naka, Mumbai Naka and from outskirts of Nashik city namely Chandwad and Shinde palse gaon. Samples were collected in November- December. We collected leaves as they are most sensitive to pollution as well as least harmful to plants. The data collected was analyzed by ICP/MS technique and the results were obtained. The results of lead concentration of different samples of leaves collected were in the range of 0.36 mg/kg in Zea mays to 3.59 mg/kg in Magnolia alba. Higher concentrations of lead were observed in Nashik city heavy traffic zone as compared to low traffic routes in the outskirts of the city. The present study indicates that traffic volume may influence the concentration of lead deposited on the leaves of plants. Lead being a highly poisonous metal affecting almost every organ in the body its concentration in the consumed foodstuff of human beings should be monitored. This study emphasizes public to avoid feeding domestic animals and avoid the use of other agricultural food items grown close to this traffic zones which are high in lead concentration.