Using wastewater for irrigation of consumable plant products may present a health hazard if the water contains?

Using wastewater for irrigation of consumable plant products can present a health hazard primarily due to the presence of cadmium. Cadmium is a heavy metal that can accumulate in crops and pose serious health risks to humans if ingested. It is toxic and can lead to various health issues, including kidney damage and bone fragility. The bioaccumulation of this metal in plants can occur through the soil or water used in irrigation, especially when wastewater is not properly treated to remove contaminants.

While nitrates, iron, and chlorides may have their own environmental or health considerations, they do not present the same level of acute toxicity associated with cadmium when it comes to the safety of consumables. Nitrates can lead to health issues, particularly in infants, but they generally do not accumulate to the same extent in plant tissues as cadmium. Iron is typically not harmful in significant amounts and is actually an essential nutrient for plants. Chlorides, while they can impact plant water uptake and may lead to salinity issues, are not considered a direct health risk when associated with food consumption like cadmium is.

Thus, the potential health hazard of using wastewater in agricultural practices emphasizes the importance of monitoring and controlling heavy metal content, particularly cadmium, to safeguard public