Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Vegetables Grown in and Around Nashik City, Maharashtra State, India

Abstract

The study was conducted to find out the content of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and copper (Cu) in some selected vegetables grown in and around Nashik city, Maharashtra state (India). Vegetable samples from four different sites were collected and digested by using tri-acid digestion method. Concentrations of heavy metals were analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results of this study showed that there was wide variation in the concentration of these metals in vegetables collected from different sites. Vegetables grown in the vicinity of an industrial area were most contaminated while vegetables grown in rural area were least contaminated. Analytical results indicated that the concentration of lead in 35% vegetable samples collected from industrial area were more than maximum permitted limit. The high concentration of cadmium was found in onion and coriander, while lead content was recorded high in spinach and cauliflower. Arsenic concentration in 25% samples collected from industrial area was more than maximum permitted limit. Copper concentration in most of the vegetable sample was within permissible limit; only two out of forty samples have high concentration of copper. The results of the study showed that consumers are at greater risk of purchasing these fresh vegetables with high levels of heavy metals beyond permissible limits as defined by the Indian Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954.