Heavy metal concentrations in contaminated soil and vegetables of tannery area in Dhaka, Bangladesh

The present investigation was conducted to determine levels of heavy metal pollution in tannery area of Dhaka city. Concentration of Fe, Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb, Ni and As have been estimated in soil and vegetables grown around the leather industrial area. The investigated soil and vegetables samples were collected in open place of different distances from the tannery area. The order of metal contents was found Fe > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > As > Cd both in soil and vegetables. The results were compared with the recommended maximum tolerable levels proposed by the joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. The experimental results indicate that the concentration of Pb, Cu, Ni, As and Cd both in soil and vegetables were within the limit however the concentration of Cr and Fe were extremely higher than the tolerance limit.