A Survey of Toxic Metal Concentrations in Food Chain Level at Rajshahi District Area in Bangladesh

This study reports the base line levels of some potentially toxic heavy elements such as. Pb, Cd, Mn and Cr in 21 locally grown vegetables including rice variety. Vegetable and rice samples were collected from Mohanpur upazila area of Rahshahi district. The samples were collected and digested with HNO3 and H2O2. The total concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Mn and Cr) in vegetables and rice were determined using a flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentration of lead obtained from the minority of the vegetables collected from the studied area surpassed the maximum recommended limit of the metal for two samples in the edible part of the vegetables. The rests are within the limit Cd, Mn and Cr concentrations in all the collected samples are found within the recommended limit.