Assessment of potential health risks associated with heavy metal concentrations in leafy vegetables in Kerman, Iran

ABSTRACT

Despite the growing awareness of the nutritional benefits of leafy vegetables, there is a lack of information about the presence of heavy metals and the associated risks in these products. This study aimed to investigate the concentration of heavy metals in leafy vegetables in Kerman City. The research also assessed the intake of heavy metals and the associated drisks for children and adults who consume these vegetables. The study followed the recommended methods by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to evaluate both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic diseases. A total of 400 leafy vegetable samples, including parsley, coriander, Persian leek, and basil, were randomly collected from agricultural farms in the outskirts of Kerman City. The samples were analysed using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer to measure the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), and copper(Cu). The results revealed that the levels of heavy metals in leafy vegetable samples exceeded the recommended standards set by international organisations such as FAO/WHO, European countries, and Iran. The total target hazard quotient (THQ) for non-carcinogenic diseases resulting from the consumption of leafy vegetables was higher than one for both children and adults in all studied areas, indicating a potential risk of non-carcinogenic diseases associated with the consumption of these vegetables. Furthermore, the average Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) resulting from exposure to agricultural soil through leafy vegetable consumption exceeded the hazardous and unacceptable range of 10⁴⁻ × 10⁻⁶ in both children and adults. This suggests the possibility of carcinogenic diseases caused by Pb and Cd through the consumption of leafy vegetables in all studied areas, with a higher overall risk observed in children compared to adults. In conclusion, while leafy vegetables are widely recognised for their nutritional benefits, our study underscores a critical gap in understanding the presence of heavy metals and the associated risks in these products. The findings reveal that the concentrations of heavy metals in leafy vegetables from Kerman City exceed international standards, posing potential health risks, particularly in children. Further research and regulatory actions are warranted to address this pressing issue and ensure the safety of our food supply.

KEYWORDS:

• Heavy metals
• leafy vegetables
• health risk assessment
• Kerman

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Consent to participate

Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their involvement in the study. Participants were provided with detailed information about the study objectives, procedures, potential risks, and benefits, and they had the freedom to withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences.

Consent to publish

All participants provided written consent for the publication of anonymised data and findings derived from this study. Confidentiality and privacy of the participants were strictly maintained, and any identifying information was removed or disguised to ensure anonymity.

Authors contributions

All authors contributed to the conception and design of the study. The first draft of manuscript was written by Roghayeh Abedi Sarvestani. The literature search and data analysis were performance by Roghayeh Abedi Sarvestani and Majid Aghasi, Hadi niknejad and Fahimeh Ebrahimi Tirtashi contributed to the revision of the manuscript.