Abstract
The evaluation of composition of treated soil is the key component for the determination of metal transfer to the plants and, as a result, the level of risk these metals pose to crops and the food chain. The uptake of heavy metal by fifteen different commonly consumed food crops by the application of different fractions of municipal solid waste (MSW) was evaluated. To characterize the pollutant levels, different pollution indices were utilized. The value of Pb was observed high in the vegetable A. cepa at 75% MSW amended soil in the 2nd growing year which was also exceeded the maximum permissible limit. The current observed HRI via consumption of contaminated vegetables was below 1. However, continuous uptake of contaminated food crops can cause heavy metal toxicity in the consumers. The study taken from different subjects living in different sites of Sargodha revealed that consumers unknowingly eating contaminated vegetables contained Pb in their serum samples. Therefore, it is recommended to apply MSW as an organic supplement but in small amounts as well as crop rotation is highly recommended to diminish the accretion of metals in plants & to make stronger health of the soil and as well consumers.