Heavy Metal Content In Vegetables Research Articles

Heavy metal accumulation in vegetable species and health risk assessment in Serbia.

Continuous monitoring of heavy metal content in vegetables is of high priority for population nutrition control, as well as risk assessment for human health. The chemical composition of plants is a reliable indicator of their contamination by hazardous substances accumulated in the environment as a consequence of inadequately applied agro-technology. The main goal of this study was to examine the quality of vegetables that reach consumer markets as a function of growth location. Samples of 11 of the most common vegetable species used in the human diet were collected during a 4-year survey. Vegetables originated from local farm producers who cultivated them at different locations in Vojvodina Province, Serbia. Many vegetable samples contained disturbingly high levels of the investigated metals: cadmium, lead, nickel, and chromium. The plant species with the highest Cd accumulation was spinach, where Cd leaves exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs) in more than half of the analyzed samples from different localities (54%). Pb concentrations in spinach were also higher than MPC values (according to Serbian law 3.0μg/g) in 46% of all analyzed samples. Results showed that Cr levels in all tested vegetable species were below MPC values recommended by the FAO/WHO organization. The largest chromium accumulator was spinach, with average values of 2.3μg/g, followed by beetroot and parsnips with an average concentration of 1.4μg/g. The highest average content of Ni in all analyzed vegetable species was also recorded in spinach leaves, with an average value of 2.2μg/g, followed by broccoli (1.7μg/g) and tomatoes (1.5μg/g).

Detection of heavy metals in common vegetables at Varaždin City Market, Croatia.

The present study was aimed at the estimation of heavy metal content in vegetables sold at the city market of one of the densely populated Croatian cities, Varaždin, and to establish the relationship between their levels and possible sources of contamination. Twenty-eight samples of the most common diet vegetables (red and white potato, onion, carrot, common bean, lettuce, and cabbage) were randomly bought at the market in September and October 2013. Using the atomic absorption spectrometry method, concentrations of nine heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were measured in the selected samples. The results showed that, in five out of 28 samples analysed, six concentrations exceeded the maximum levels provided for in the regulations: five for Pb and one for Cd. Maximum regulated levels for Pb were exceeded in two samples of red potato, two samples of common bean, and one sample of carrot (17.9 %), and for Cd in a sample of red potato (3.6 %). In conclusion, the cause of the overstepping of the maximum levels for Pb and Cd in the vegetables analysed was most likely the contaminated soil. The possible sources of soil contamination include traffic, nearby industry, floodwaters of rivers and streams, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers in agricultural production.

Heavy metal content in vegetables and fruits cultivated in Baia Mare mining area (Romania) and health risk assessment.

Information about heavy metal concentrations in food products and their dietary intake are essential for assessing the health risk of local inhabitants. The main purposes of the present study were (1) to investigate the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in several vegetables and fruits cultivated in Baia Mare mining area (Romania); (2) to assess the human health risk associated with the ingestion of contaminated vegetables and fruits by calculating the daily intake rate (DIR) and the target hazard quotient (THQ); and (3) to establish some recommendations on human diet in order to assure an improvement in food safety. The concentration order of heavy metals in the analyzed vegetable and fruit samples was Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. The results showed the heavy metals are more likely to accumulate in vegetables (10.8-630.6 mg/kg dw for Zn, 1.4-196.6 mg/kg dw for Cu, 0.2-155.7 mg/kg dw for Pb, and 0.03-6.61 mg/kg dw for Cd) than in fruits (4.9-55.9 mg/kg dw for Zn, 1.9-24.7 mg/kg dw for Cu, 0.04-8.82 mg/kg dw for Pb, and 0.01-0.81 mg/kg dw for Cd). Parsley, kohlrabi, and lettuce proved to be high heavy metal accumulators. By calculating DIR and THQ, the data indicated that consumption of parsley, kohlrabi, and lettuce from the area on a regular basis may pose high potential health risks to local inhabitants, especially in the area located close to non-ferrous metallurgical plants (Romplumb SA and Cuprom SA) and close to Tăuții de Sus tailings ponds. The DIR for Zn (85.3-231.6 μg/day kg body weight) and Cu (25.0-44.6 μg/day kg body weight) were higher in rural areas, while for Pb (0.6-3.1 μg/day kg body weight) and Cd (0.22-0.82 μg/day kg body weight), the DIR were higher in urban areas, close to the non-ferrous metallurgical plants SC Romplumb SA and SC Cuprom SA. The THQ for Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd was higher than 5 for <1, <1, 12, and 6% of samples which indicates that those consumers may experience major health risks.

Heavy metals in vegetables and respective soils irrigated by canal, municipal waste and tube well waters

Heavy metal contamination in the food chain is of serious concern due to the potential risks involved. The results of this study revealed the presence of maximum concentration of heavy metals in the canal followed by sewerage and tube well water. Similarly, the vegetables and respective soils irrigated with canal water were found to have higher heavy metal contamination followed by sewerage- and tube-well-watered samples. However, the heavy metal content of vegetables under study was below the limits as set by FAO/WHO, except for lead in canal-water-irrigated spinach (0.59 mg kg−1), radish pods (0.44 mg kg−1) and bitter gourd (0.33 mg kg−1). Estimated daily intakes of heavy metals by the consumption of selected vegetables were found to be well below the maximum limits. However, a complete estimation of daily intake requires the inclusion of other dietary and non-dietary exposure sources of heavy metals.

湘南某矿区蔬菜中Pb、Cd污染状况及健康风险评估

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 湘南某矿区蔬菜中Pb、Cd污染状况及健康风险评估 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201212251868 作者: 作者单位: 中南林业科技大学林学院环境科学与工程研究中心,中南林业科技大学环境科学与工程研究中心,中南林业科技大学环境科学与工程研究中心,长沙环境保护职业技术学院,中南林业科技大学环境科学与工程研究中心,中南林业科技大学环境科学与工程研究中心 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 环保部公益项目（201009047）；湖南省环境科学重点学科建设项目（2006180） Contamination status of Pb and Cd and health risk assessment on vegetables in a mining area in southern Hunan Author: Affiliation: Research Center for Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology,,,,,Research Center for Environmental Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:通过采集湘南某矿区周边农田中种植的蔬菜和对应耕作层土壤样品，探究了农田蔬菜Pb、Cd的污染状况，蔬菜和土壤重金属含量之间的相关性，蔬菜中重金属对人体的健康风险。结果表明：（1）污染区土壤重金属污染非常严重，叶菜类蔬菜重金属超出了食品卫生标准限值，但是果菜类蔬菜中重金属没有超出食品卫生标准限值。（2）不同蔬菜不同器官所含Pb、Cd有明显差异；不同种类蔬菜Pb、Cd含量不同，一般是叶菜类 > 果菜类；同种蔬菜不同部位重金属含量的顺序也不同，一般为根 > 茎 > 叶 > 果，或根 > 叶 > 茎 > 果。（3）二类蔬菜中重金属Pb、Cd的富集系数顺序为叶菜类 > 果菜类。（4）蔬菜中Pb、Cd含量与土壤中相对应元素含量均无显著相关性。（5）就农产品安全性而言，果菜类蔬菜比叶菜类蔬菜更适合在此矿区栽培。 Abstract:Vegetables, including leafy vegetables and fruit, are of importance to human health. In order to evaluate the heavy metal contamination status and associated health risks of vegetables, 57 vegetables (34 spring vegetables and 23 winter vegetables) and 34 corresponding soil samples (sampled with the spring vegetables) were collected from farmland surrounding a mining area in southern Hunan, China. Analysis was carried out to determine the correlation between the heavy metal content of vegetables and soils, to enable assessment of the potential health risk to local inhabitants consuming the vegetables grown in the contaminated soils. The results showed that: (1) The measured maximum total Pb and Cd in the soils were up to 1251.9 mg/kg (the corresponding soil to the three-colored amaranth) and 13.2 mg/kg (the corresponding soil to the kidney bean), respectively. The average concentration of total Pb and Cd in all soils were 841.7 mg/kg and 6.5 mg/kg, respectively, which were 3.37 and 21.67 times the standard allowable concentration of Pb and Cd for vegetable soils in China (pH level < 6.5, Pb ≤ 250 mg/kg, Cd ≤ 0.3 mg/kg; Environment Quality Standard for Soil Heavy Metals GB15168-1995, Grade Ⅱ). It suggested that contamination from heavy metals in these soils was very serious. (2) Vegetables grown on the contaminated soils were rich in Pb and Cd in different plant organs. The highest levels of heavy metals were 5.03 mg/kg for total Pb and 2.92 mg/kg for total Cd in the edible parts of garlic and three-colored amaranth, respectively, which exceeded the maximum levels of the China National Food Sanitation Standards for total Pb (GB 14935-94, 0.2 mg/kg) and Cd (GB 15201-94, 0.05 mg/kg). The heavy metal content of leafy vegetables, not fruit, exceeded the China National Food Sanitation Standards for Heavy Metals. The contents of total Pb and Cd in different organs of the vegetables were quite different and generally followed a sequence of root > stem > leaf > fruit, or root > leaf > stem > fruit. Pb and Cd contents in leafy vegetables were generally higher than those in fruits. (3) The order of bioaccumulation factors (BFs) of heavy metals in the two vegetable types was leafy vegetables > fruits. Based on fresh weight, the average BFs of Pb varied within (0.7-8.4)×10-3 for leafy vegetables and (0-0.02)×10-3 for fruits, and those of Cd varied within (15.4-895.2)×10-3 for leafy vegetables and (0.04-38.1)×10-3 for fruits, which signified that the average BFs of Pb and Cd for leafy vegetables was greater than those for fruit vegetables. (4) The correlations were not significant between the heavy metal content in vegetables and those in soils; however, total Pb and Cd in the edible parts of vegetables presented a higher significant correlation level (R2 =0.821; n =18, R20.01 =0.590). (5) The results of the risk assessment on vegetables indicated that the hazard quotient (HQ) for total Pb and Cd in the edible parts of leafy vegetables were 1.70 and 3.73, respectively, 34.00 times and 53.28 times higher than those of the fruits (0.005 and 0.070). In relation to suitability of agricultural products in this mining area, fruits were more suitable for planting than leafy vegetables. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

The comparisons of heavy metal content in vegetables collected from the west side of Romania

The comparisons of heavy metal content in vegetables collected from the west side of Romania

Heavy Metal Contamination of Water Bodies, Soils and Vegetables in Peri-Urban Areas: A Case Study in Bangaluru

A study was conducted in peri-urban Bangaluru (where city wastewater from four water bodies, viz., Bellandur, Varthur, Byramangala and Nagavara tanks, is being used for cultivation of vegetable crops) to assess heavy metal contamination in water, soil and vegetable samples. Analyses revealed that concentration of cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) in waters from all the tanks exceeded recommended levels of 0.01 and 0.1 mg/l, respectively, while content of lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) are within safe limits. Concentration of Cd was highest in the water of Bellandur tank (0.039 mg/ l) and of Cr was highest in the water of Byramangala tank (0.311 mg/l). Bellandur and Varthur tanks were found highly contaminated with Cd, Pb and Ni. Mean concentration of heavy metals in soils receiving sewage water from the four tanks ranged from 1.92 to 2.9 mg/kg for Cd, 47.04 to 68.12 mg/kg for Pb, 35.08 to 92.78 mg/kg for Cr and 48.2 to 57.3 mg/kg for Ni. Cd and Pb content were highest in soils around Varthur and Bellandur tanks, while, mean concentration of Cr was highest in soils around Byramangala tank. Similar trends were observed for heavy metal content in vegetables. Among the vegetables studied, leafy vegetables accumulated higher concentration of heavy metals, followed by root vegetables. Cd concentration in all the vegetables grown around Varthur and Bellandur tanks exceeded the safe limit prescribed under Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA 1954). Pb and Ni concentration exceeded safe limits in all the vegetables in all the tank areas studied.

Determination of Heavy Metal Content in Vegetables and Oils From Spain and Morocco by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

An optimized inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method was used to analyze trace metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Sn) in vegetable and oil samples. Prior to analysis, the samples were accurately weighed into a Teflon digestion vessel and the metals extracted from their matrix by using nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide in a closed-vessel digestion system. The proposed method is sensitive, with limits of detection between 5 and 38 ng/kg, and precise, with relative standard deviations from 2.8 to 6.1%. In order to verify its accuracy, the method was used to analyze the Standard Reference Materials NCS ZC85006 Tomato and Certified Used Oil HU-1. The method was successfully applied to the comparative determination of residues of the studied metals in vegetable (tomato, pepper, onion, spinach, lettuce, carrots, and marrow squash) and oil samples (virgin olive, maize, sunflower, and olive pomace) from Spain and Morocco. The results obtained revealed that the contents in metal residues depend on the particular type of food and its origin, probably due to the different production, processing, storage, and preservation methods.

Heavy metal contamination in vegetables cultivated on a major urban wetland inlet drainage system of Lake Victoria, Uganda

The population of the Ugandan capital, Kampala, located close to Lake Victoria, appears to be exposed to risk of ingesting the heavy metals Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) through vegetables in their diet. Lake Victoria is responsible for frequent torrential polluted runoffs in the city. The Nakivubo channel, the city’s major wetland drainage system, empties directly into the lake. Vegetables are grown on the urban wetland soils. Heavy metal content in vegetables from the wetland cultivation sites was determined by wet acid digestion, with 87–92% recovery. The results showed that although the heavy metal levels of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were significantly higher than those in similar food crops from rural control sites, only Cd and Pb exceeded the World Health Organisation (WHO) maximum permissible levels. Cd and Pb pose serious human health risks. Early pollution control measures are advisable.

A Market Survey of Vegetables in Bangalore for Heavy Metal Contamination in Relation to Human Health

Vegetable samples from one of the main whole sale markets of Bangalore city were collected over two years and analysed for heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cr and Ni. Heavy metal content of vegetables ranged from 0.24 to 2.54 mg Cd kg-1, 2.16 to 10.40 mg Pb kg-1, 3.08 to 16.2 mg Cr kg-1 and 1.66 to 11.52 mg Ni kg-1. Leafy vegetables accumulated higher concentration of heavy metals followed by root vegetables. Fruit vegetables accumulated the lowest content of heavy metals. But the heavy metal content of all the vegetables crossed the safe limits permitted for human consumption to a far greater extent except that Cd content of root and fruit vegetables were within the safe levels. Among leafy vegetables, amaranthus and palak accumulated the highest content of all the four heavy metals studied.

Heavy metal content of vegetables irrigated with mixtures of wastewater and sewage sludge in Zimbabwe: Implications for human health

Abstract There is growing public concern in Zimbabwe over the illegal cultivation of vegetables on soils amended with sewage sludge or irrigated with admixtures of sewage and sewage sludge. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils may not only result in environmental contamination, but lead to elevated heavy metal uptake by crops, which may affect food quality and safety. The work reported here studied heavy metal concentrations in crops irrigated with sewage sludge and sewage/sewage sludge admixtures at Firle Municipal Farm in Harare. The crops analysed in this study are heavily contaminated with the four regulated elements: Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. This contamination is at its highest in two of the staple dietary crops maize and tsunga. Tsunga leaves contained 3.68 mg kg−1 Cd, over 18 times the permissible level by the EU standards (0.2 mg kg−1); Cu concentrations were 111 mg kg−1, 5 times the EU Standard (20 mg kg−1); concentrations of Pb were 6.77 mg kg−1, over 22 times the permissible levels allowed by both EU standards and UK guidelines (0.3 mg kg−1); Zn concentrations were 221 mg kg−1, over 4 times the guideline value (50 mg kg−1). The other plants (beans, maize, peppers and sugarcane) also contained concentrations of heavy metals above the permissible levels. Furthermore, the concentrations observed in this study were higher than those reported by other workers who have examined vegetation from other contaminated sites. This study highlights the potential risks involved in the cultivation and consumption of vegetables on plots irrigated with sewage sludge, a practice which may place at risk the health of the urban population who consume these vegetables.

Intake of heavy metals from foods in Finland, West Germany and Japan

Comparison of heavy metal intakes between Finland, West Germany and Japan suggests that the average oral exposure to lead and cadmium in Finland is 30-40% of that in the other two countries. Environmental contamination is the obvious cause of high heavy metal content of vegetables and liver in West Germany and Japan and this explains a part of the difference observed in the intake rates. For example cabbage and lettuce in West Germany contain on average over 10 times more lead than the corresponding Finnish products. On the other hand a part of the difference is explained by food consumption habits. For example there is a high consumption of fish and seaweed in Japan, and beer in West Germany, and these products also significantly contribute to intake of heavy metals. Since international comparisons of intakes of food contaminants are at present inaccurate and difficult to conduct, a co-ordinated international study should be implemented. The analytical work should be centralized or alternatively an intercalibration of participating laboratories could precede the actual study. The sampling should cover polluted areas in proportion to their yield of crops.

Factors affecting heavy metal content of garden vegetables

Analyse of soil and vegetables from gardens in metropolitan Boston and Washington, DC indicate the existence of elevated Pb and Cd contents in some gardens. The analytical method involves dry ashing of dry, powdered vegetable samples and shows both improved sensitivity over wet ashing and good agreement with certified values for Pb and Cd in NBS Standard Reference Materials. The heavy metal content of the vegetables analysed shows a strong dependence on the edible part, garden fruits being lower in heavy metals than leafy or root vegetables. Species differences in Pb and Cd uptake among leafy vegetables have been observed. Elevated Pb content has been found in leafy vegetables grown near heavy traffic and in leafy and root vegetables from gardens with high soil Pb content.