Assessment of heavy metals food risk of cadmium, lead, and copper due to the consumption of agricultural products distributed in Ramhormoz city

Contamination of agricultural products with heavy metals is a serious threat to the quality and safety of these products. This study was conducted to investigate the heavy metals concentrations of lead, cadmium, and copper in cucumber, tomato, leek, and parsley products in the Ramhormoz fruit and vegetable field in the spring of 2019.

Sampling from 3 stations with 3 repetitions was done randomly. Samples were measured after preparation and acid digestion using the atomic absorption apparatus. Then, the daily intake of heavy metals (DIM) and health risk index (HRI) of crop consumption were calculated.

The results showed that the concentration of cadmium and lead in cucumber and tomato was not significantly different (P>0.05), but their concentration in parsley was significantly higher than in leek (P<0.05). The copper levels in cucumber, tomato, leek, and parsley were not significantly different (P>0.05). Cucumbers had the highest mean concentration of cadmium, lead, and copper (3.42±1.22, 6.79±2.47, and 4.39±1.57 mg/kg, respectively). Leeks had the lowest concentrations of cadmium (1.72±0.56 mg/kg) and lead (2.72±0.64 mg/kg) and parsley had the lowest copper levels (1.52±0.34 mg/kg) among the products. Lead and cadmium concentrations in all samples were significantly higher than the FAO and WHO standards.

The health risk index of copper in all products was less than 1 and consumption of these products will not pose a health threat to people. The lead health risk index in children was more than 1 in cucumber and tomato and less than 1 in parsley and leek.