Determination of Lead Levelin Lettuce in Kerman

Heavy metals are chemical permanent pollutants that they do not biodegrade like organic compounds. The high concentration of lead in lettuce can have harmful effect on health. The source of the lead in lettuce can be city industrial and domestic wastewater, agricultural waste and also air pollution for the lettuce near the roads. The lettuce has high capacity of store and absorption of lead. considering high consumption of lettuce, the control of lead in lettuce is very important for health. In this study 20 samples of lettuce used in kerman in 2009 was provided. After preparation, the lead content of samples was measured by atomic absorption. All the tests were measured by standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. The mean concentration of lead in the lettuce imported from Dezfol Jahrom,Yazd and Varamin were 0.02,0.05,0.03,0.07(µg/g) respectively. The mean concentration of lead in all the citis was lower than WHO guideline. According to the results, the lead level in the lettuce of the countries such as Turkey and Kenya was higher than that of used in Kerman.