학술논문

Human health risk assessment of toxic heavy metals in summer crops and vegetables: a study in Ilam Province, Iran
Document Type
Report
Source
Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering. November 1, 2023
Subject
Iran
Language
English
ISSN
2052-336X
Abstract
Author(s): Ali Amarloei[sup.1,2], Seyed Abbas Mirzaei[sup.1,2], Zahra Noorimotlagh[sup.1], Shahrokh Nazmara[sup.3], Heshmatollah Nourmoradi[sup.1,2], Neamatollah Jaafarzadeh Haghighi Fard[sup.4], Mohsen Heidari[sup.5], Fazel Mohammadi-Moghadam[sup.6] and Sajad Mazloomi[sup.1,2] Introduction Metal pollution has spread rapidly in [...]
Purpose The presence of toxic heavy metals (HMs) in agricultural crops can be considered as a noteworthy threat for consumers. The aim of this study was to assess the content of HMs (Pb, As, Cr, Cd, Co, Hg, and Ag) and their potential health risk in summer crops and vegetables (watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, melon, tomato, onion, potato, raw and stewed vegetables) in Ilam province, Iran. Methods Totally, 31 crop samples were collected from local farms during the 2019 harvest season and the elements content were evaluated using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The non-carcinogenic health risk of HMs to the adults and children was estimated by Monte Carlo simulation method and target hazard quotients (THQs). Results In general, the results showed that the concentration of Cr in the studied agricultural crops was higher than other HMs. As well as, the carcinogenic risk (CR) obtained for adults and children were more than the acceptable range for As. Also, CR for As in raw vegetable was the most (8.19E-1) and violated the threshold risk limit. The total carcinogenic risk of HMs in children was higher than that in adults. Conclusion These results suggest that the agricultural crops were not safe for human consumption with potential risks associated. Due to the possible health effects of such products consumption, proper action should be taken to avoid chronic exposure, prevention of further pollution and consequent adverse health implications. Keywords: Heavy metals, Agricultural crops, Health risk assessment, Ilam province