US EPA

357297 

Journal Article 

Investigation of metals accumulation in some vegetables irrigated with waste water in Shahre Rey-Iran and toxicological implications 

Bigdeli, M; Seilsepour, M 

2008 

4 

1 

86-92 

Vegetables grown in environmentally contaminated sites in Sahre Rey, Iran, could take up and accumulate metals at concentrations that are probably toxic to human health. This study was conducted to analyse the metal contents of some vegetables in Sahre Rey, with emphasis on their toxicological implications. Recently matured leaf and fruit samples of Sahre Rey vegetable farms were sampled and analysed to determine heavy metals. Data showed that differences in metal uptake by vegetables are attributed to vegetable species and plant differences in tolerance of heavy metals. The Pb concentrations in all vegetable samples were higher than the maximum permitted concentrations, while Cd pollution was observed in radish, cress, dill, spinach and aubergine. Data showed that Zn concentrations in celery, mint, dill, spinach and green pepper were higher than the Zn permitted level. There was no evidence of Cu contamination in the vegetables. Data also showed that the intake of most of the metals constitutes less than the TMDI (theoretical maximum daily intake) at present, and hence the health risk is minimal. However, with increasing vegetable consumption by the community, the situation could worsen in the future. Treatment of industrial effluents and phyto-extraction of excess metals from polluted environments could reduce health risk. 

aubergines; cadmium; celery; copper; cress; dill; food contamination; fruits; heavy metals; irrigation water; lead; leaves; metal tolerance; pollution; radishes; risk; spinach; toxicology; uptake; vegetables; waste water; zinc; Iran; Anethum graveolens; Apium graveolens; Capsicum; Lepidium sativum; Mentha; Raphanus sativus; Solanum melongena; Spinacia oleracea; Anethum; Apiaceae; Apiales; dicotyledons; angiosperms; Spermatophyta; plants; eukaryotes; Apium; Solanaceae; Solanales; West Asia; Asia; Middle East; Developing Countries; Threshold Countries; Lepidium; Brassicaceae; Capparidales; Lamiaceae; Lamiales; Raphanus; Solanum; Spinacia; Chenopodiaceae; Caryophyllales; Araliales; brinjal; Capparales; eggplants; environmental pollution; food contaminants; vegetable crops; Horticultural Crops (FF003) (New March 2000); Environmental Tolerance of Plants (FF900); Soil Water Management (Irrigation and Drainage) (JJ800) (Revised June 2002) [formerly Soil Water Management]; Pollution and Degradation (PP600); Crop Produce (QQ050); Food Contamination, Residues and Toxicology (QQ200); Industrial Wastes and Effluents (XX400)