Deciphering the consequences of heavy metals and metalloid hazard in agricultural soil of West Bengal: A comprehensive soil to health risk analysis

Heavy metals and metalloids (HMMs) pollution is an escalating global concern, driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and agricultural intensification. Contaminated soil not only compromise crop productivity but also introduce toxic elements into the food chain, posing serious risks to human health and ecological integrity. This study investigates the extent of HMMs-contamination (As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Zn) in agricultural soils across the Gangetic plain and surrounding industrial regions of West Bengal, India, a microcosm of global challenges in soil pollution. Using Inductively Coupled Plasma – Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, we have analyzed a total 50 soil samples from Malda, Paschim Bardhaman, and Murshidabad districts. Results indicate significant contamination with arsenic (8.89–21.85 and 3.74–33.28 mg kg⁻¹) and nickel, dominating the Gangetic plain soils due to overuse of contaminated groundwater and agrochemicals. While, industrial areas exhibited alarming levels of cadmium (0.89–3.39 mg kg⁻¹), nickel (31.87–92.06 mg kg⁻¹), and zinc. A pot experiment with soybean (Glycine max) seedlings revealed that HMMs-toxicity impaired growth, elevated reactive oxygen species, and caused DNA-damage. Human health risk assessments identified arsenic and cadmium as primary carcinogens (target carcinogenic risk >1.0 × 10⁻⁴) for adults and children under prolonged exposure. These findings underscore the urgency of global regulatory measures and innovative remediation strategies to mitigate soil pollution, safeguard food security, protect public health and prevent further environmental degradation. This also study highlights the Gangetic plain as a critical area reflecting broader environmental challenges, offering insights applicable to regions facing similar industrial and agricultural pressures worldwide.