Heavy metal(oid)s concentration in Tehran supermarket vegetables: carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment*

Abstract

This research was carried out for two purposes. First, investigation of seven heavy metals concentrations in six supermarket vegetables in two seasons in Tehran, second, to estimate the potential health risk for consumers by calculating the target hazard quotient and excess lifetime cancer risk of each metal. The lead concentrations were higher than CODEX permissible limits in terms of root and fruit vegetables. Chromium content of root and leafy vegetables exceeded the CODEX standard. The non-cancer risk level in all metals was found to safe but the total cancer risk level was evaluated as unsafe even in non-conservative situation.