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Metal(oid)s in Vegetables: Human Health Risks Though Vegetable Consumption.
Asma Zarei1, Mehdi Qasemi2, Jalal Mardaneh3
1Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
Biological Trace Element Research
|September 13, 2025
Summary
Vegetable contamination with metals like arsenic and lead poses health risks, especially for children. Routine monitoring is crucial to prevent metal accumulation in the food chain and protect public health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Food Safety
- Toxicology
Background:
- Metal contamination in vegetables is a significant public health concern.
- Frequent consumption of contaminated vegetables can lead to various health issues.
- Assessing metal levels and associated risks in commonly eaten vegetables is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the levels of ten metal(oid)s in 11 vegetable species from Gonabad market.
- To evaluate the potential health risks, including non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, for different age groups (children, teenagers, adults).
Main Methods:
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze metal(oid) concentrations.
- Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Total Cancer Risk (TCR) were calculated to assess health risks.
- Vegetable samples were collected from Gonabad's market for analysis.
Main Results:
- Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), and Lead (Pb) levels in some vegetables exceeded FAO/WHO limits.
- Hazard Index (HI) values were higher for children than teenagers and adults, with specific risks identified for eggplant and parsley consumption by children.
- Total Cancer Risk (TCR) indicated a high cancer risk from consuming certain vegetables across all age groups, particularly for adults.
Conclusions:
- Routine monitoring of metal levels in vegetables is recommended.
- Health hazard assessments are crucial for understanding and mitigating risks associated with metal-contaminated vegetables.
- Preventing metal accumulation in the food chain is vital for long-term public health.
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