ORIGINAL PAPER Risk assessment of heavy metals pollution at Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt A. A. A. Romeh 1 Received: 24 November 2016 / Revised: 25 April 2017 / Accepted: 21 July 2017 Ó Islamic Azad University (IAU) 2017 Abstract The aim of this study is to measure the levels of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Pb) in common plantain (P. major L.) grown in meadowland sites in Zagazig University, Zagazig City, Sharkia governorate, Egypt, among seasons of year which this plant used as bioindi- cators and biomonitoring. The concentration of heavy metals in soil, roots, leaves and fruits of P. major was measured. The daily metal intake and the target hazard quotients for normal daily consumption of P. major were evaluated. The soils in the Zagazig University area are primarily contaminated by Fe, followed by Zn, Mn, Cu and Pb. Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations in most samples of P. major are above the permissible limit. The values of target hazard quotient for all examined samples of P. major (leaves, roots and fruits) were less than 1, with the exception of Mn (2.56) and Fe (1.45) in P. major leaves for adult human, Mn (3.08), Fe (1.75) and Pb (1.18) for chil- dren, which indicates the presence of potential health risk posed by Mn and Fe derived from consumption of con- taminated P. major leaves for adult human and Mn, Fe and Pb for children. These results demonstrate that P. major can be used as a bioindicator and a biomonitor for eco- toxicological risk assessment of heavy metals in urban areas. Also, it can be taken as a guide of contamination with heavy metals in other vegetables and grains in urban areas. Graphical Abstract Risk assessment of heavy metals pollution at Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt Keywords Accumulation Á Heavy metals Á Plantain Á Zagazig University Á Health risk Introduction Heavy metal pollution is becoming a growing global problem as the population increases, and as urbanization and industrialization expand (Rodriguez et al. 2007). Potentially, harmful metal contents in soils may originate from both the bedrock and from anthropogenic activities Editorial responsibility: Agnieszka Galuszka. & A. A. A. Romeh ahmedromeh2006@yahoo.com 1 Plant Production Department, Faculty of Technology and Development, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt 123 Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. DOI 10.1007/s13762-017-1489-6