Bioaccumulation and Transfer of Potentially Toxic Elements in the Yam-Soil System and Associated Health Risks in Kampala's Luzira Industrial Area
Gabson Baguma, Gadson Bamanya, Hannington Twinomuhwezi, Allan Gonzaga, Timothy Omara, Patrick Onen, Simon Ocakacon, Christopher Angiro, Wilber Waibale, Ronald Ntuwa
Journal of Xenobiotics
Urban Farm DB summary
In the Luzira Industrial Area of Kampala's Nakawa Division, Uganda — a park hosting metal fabrication, pharmaceuticals, brewing and plastics — researchers sampled 20 composite soils and 20 yam tubers from five sites (four under industrial influence, one control) in March 2024 and measured copper, cadmium, chromium, zinc and lead. Soils held 137.30–162.30 mg/kg zinc, 39.50–54.53 mg/kg lead and 28.70–42.13 mg/kg copper. Tubers held less (zinc 6.68–33.1, lead 0.023–0.291, cadmium 0.013–0.116 mg/kg), yet hazard indices for children exceeded the safe threshold at every industrial site (HI = 1.14–2.06) and total cancer risk of 1.27 × 10⁻⁴ to 5.83 × 10⁻⁴ exceeded EPA limits, with cadmium and chromium the main drivers. Limitations: standard EPA exposure parameters rather than population-specific data, and no metal speciation.