Health risk assessment of heavy metals in vegetables consumed in the central part of Mazandaran province

Background: Heavy metals (HMs) in the environment threaten food safety and human health. In this study, the health risks of HMs caused by the consumption of commonly consumed vegetables in the central part of Mazandaran province were evaluated. Methods: In this study, 42 vegetable samples were analyzed for concentration of HMs, and estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotients (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target carcinogenic risk (TCR) were calculated. Results: The mean content of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) in the studied areas were obtained 28.45, 0.26, and 79.20 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration of Pb, Cd, and Zn in the studied vegetables was found to be 1.76 ± 0.2, 0.09 ± 0.07, and 11.53 ± 1.20 mg/kg, respectively. The EDI average of Pb, Cd, and Zn in adults was 0.0064, 0.0003, and 0.0412 mg/kg day−1; and in children were 0.0099, 0.0005, and 0.0686 mg/kg day−1, respectively. The present study showed that the THQ for Pb in all vegetables consumed by children faces much higher risks than adults. The TCR for Pb in total vegetables was less than 10-4 and for Cd was identified as more than 10-4 in some vegetables in the adults and the children's population. Conclusion: The concentration of Cd and Zn in the soil and related vegetables is less than the permissible limit, but the amount of Pb in the vegetables is higher than the permissible limit. Therefore, continuous care and monitoring of agricultural soils in these areas, such as the proper use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and treated wastewater sludge, is necessary.