The potential risk of heavy metals on human health due to the daily consumption of vegetables

Journal Title: Environmental Health Engineering and Management Journal - Year 2019, Vol 6, Issue 1

Abstract

Background: Vegetables are one of the most important components of daily food. Thus, this research was done to evaluate the potential risk of heavy metals on human health due to the consumption of vegetables distributed in the fruits and vegetables central market of Arak, Iran. Methods: In this study, a total 45 samples from edible parts of parsley, mint, chard, fenugreek, cress, basil, coriander, lettuce, and cabbage distributed in the fruits and vegetables central market of Arak were randomly collected and the concentration of heavy metals including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) in these crop plants was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals intake through the consumption of the studied vegetables was evaluated for male and female using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method. Results: The highest and lowest Pb daily intake and Pb risk index was related to the consumption of cabbage and basil, respectively. And the highest daily intake of Cd and As was related to lettuce consumption, while the lowest daily intake of these metals was related to the consumption of coriander. Among the studied heavy metals, As had the highest hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogenic diseases. The highest HQ belonged to As through lettuce consumption and the lowest one belonged to As through coriander consumption (58 g/day). The HQ for female was higher than that for male. Conclusion: According to the results, the total hazard quotient (THQ) of non-carcinogenic diseases from the total studied vegetables was above the standard level. On the other hand, the HQ for female was higher than that for male.

Authors and Affiliations

Amir Hossein Baghaie , Mohammad Fereydoni

Keywords

Related Articles

Performance improvement of textile wastewater treatment plant design by STOAT model simulation

Background: To control pollution, wastewater treatment from textile plays an important role in treating wastewater to meet quality standards before it is discharged into the environment. Without properly treated wastew...

Selecting phototrophic species of native biocrusts in arid and semi-arid regions

Background: Biological soil crusts (BSCs) that are able to produce sticky extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play an important role in the formation of soil aggregates, thereby, reducing soil erosion. In this stu...

Assessing some heavy metals pollutions in sediments of the northern Persian Gulf (Bushehr province)

Background: Land and water pollution by heavy metals is a universal issue. Although the pollution affects all countries, but its range and severity vary hugely. The pollution of the marine environment by heavy metals is...

Evaluation of biosurfactant production by Sporosarcina halophila and its application in crude oil remediation

Background: Biosurfactants are valuable microbial products that have significant applications in various industries. The advantages of these compounds are biodegradability, low toxicity, activity in difficult environme...

A new magnetic bio-sorbent for arsenate removal from the contaminated water: Characterization, isotherms, and kinetics

Background: Arsenic (AS) is a heavy metal pollutant in water that has been known as one of the most important environmental contaminants due to its serious effects on both human health and the environment. This study w...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP45321
  • DOI 10.15171/EHEM.2019.02
  • Views 460
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Amir Hossein Baghaie, Mohammad Fereydoni (2019). The potential risk of heavy metals on human health due to the daily consumption of vegetables. Environmental Health Engineering and Management Journal, 6(1), -. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-45321