Determination of the level of certain trace elements in vegetables in differently contaminated regions

The aim of the investigations was the determination of the lead, cadmium, copper, iron, zinc and magnesium content in some vegetables in an industrial region (Cracow) and in an agricultural region far from industrial centres (control). It was found that all the vegetables analysed contained lead and cadmium contaminations. The average lead concentration in parsley-haulm and parsley-root and cadmium concentration in beets, onion, parsley-haulm, leek, lettuce and potatoes coming from the Cracow region exceeded the permissible norm. In the vegetables from the Cracow region the levels of the determined trace elements were higher (P < 0.01) than that of the controls.