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Potentially Harmful Element Concentrations in the Vegetables Cultivated on Arable Soils, with Human Health-Risk Implications

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  • Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska

    (AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, Department of Environmental Protection, Al. Mickiewicza 30, Kraków 30-059, Poland)

Abstract

Potentially harmful elements (PHEs) were investigated in eight groups of vegetables cultivated in southern Poland and the relevant health-risk implications were assessed. The PHE contents belonged to the following ranges (mg/kg wet weight) in edible parts: As < limit of detection (LOD)-0.056, Cd < LOD–0.375, Co < LOD–0.029, Cu < LOD–7.638, Hg < LOD–0.163, Ni < LOD–0.299, Pb < LOD–0.580, Sb < LOD–0.163, Tl < LOD–0.128, and Zn 1.23–34.9. The PHE concentrations decreased in the following order: Zn > Cu > Ni > Cd > Pb > Sb > Hg > Tl > As > Co. The concentrations of essential PHEs decreased as follows: root > leaf > seed > tuber > legume > inflorescence > shoot > fruit, while the unnecessary PHEs followed this sequence: leaf > root > tuber > legume > inflorescence > seed > shoot > fruit. Soil-to-plant transfer factors revealed capacities to adsorb Cd, Hg, and Tl in roots; Cd, Hg, Tl, and Zn in leaves; Cd, Hg, and Sb in tubers; and Cu, Sb, and Zn in legumes and seeds. The daily intake rates, as a percentage of permissible maximum tolerable daily intake, amounted to the following proportions: Cd 23%, Tl 13%, Hg 5.0%, Ni 3.1%, Pb 2.6%, and As 0.4%. Non-carcinogenic risk described as hazard quotient (HQ) was exceeded in root (HQ = 12.1), leafy (HQ = 2.1), and tuber (HQ = 1.4) vegetables. The carcinogenic risk of As (CR = 8.54 × 10 −5 ) was found unacceptable. The margins of exposure for adults (MOE = 3.1) and children (MOE = 1.6), respectively, indicated a low health risk of Pb in consumed vegetables.

Suggested Citation

  • Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska, 2019. "Potentially Harmful Element Concentrations in the Vegetables Cultivated on Arable Soils, with Human Health-Risk Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-25, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:20:p:4053-:d:279156
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Man Wang & Boheng Liang & Weiwei Zhang & Kuncai Chen & Yuhua Zhang & Hongwei Zhou & Yanfang Cheng & Huachun Liu & Xianwu Zhong & Yingyue Li & Yufei Liu, 2019. "Dietary Lead Exposure and Associated Health Risks in Guangzhou, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-16, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska, 2020. "Human Health Risk Assessment and Potentially Harmful Element Contents in the Cereals Cultivated on Agricultural Soils," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-26, March.
    2. Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska, 2019. "Human Health Risk Assessment and Potentially Harmful Element Contents in the Fruits Cultivated in the Southern Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-24, December.
    3. Marioara Nicoleta Filimon & Ion Valeriu Caraba & Roxana Popescu & Gabi Dumitrescu & Doina Verdes & Liliana Petculescu Ciochina & Adrian Sinitean, 2021. "Potential Ecological and Human Health Risks of Heavy Metals in Soils in Selected Copper Mining Areas—A Case Study: The Bor Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-18, February.

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