Cadmium and lead contamination in vegetables collected from industrial, traffic and rural areas in Bursa Province, Turkey

Cadmium and lead contamination of vegetables produced in rural areas of Bursa Province, Turkey, was found to be less contaminated than vegetables grown close to heavy traffic and industrial activities. The highest levels of cadmium and lead were found in lettuce; the lowest levels in vegetables were found in leeks. The lead levels in spinach grown in traffic areas were at least twofold higher than those found in industrial areas. For other vegetables, the results from industrial and traffic areas were almost identical. Lettuce grown in traffic areas had the highest amount of cadmium (0.81 +/- 0.25 mg kg(-1)) and lead (1.59 +/- 0.45 mg kg(-1)), whilst leeks grown in rural areas had the lowest levels of lead (0.10 +/- 0.03 mg kg(-1)) and cadmium (0.05 +/- 0.01 mg kg(-1)) compared with other vegetables. This study shows that people and animals living in the same area in Bursa are always exposed to metallic pollution and in turn the consumption of contaminated vegetables could lead to increased dietary intake.     

Cadmium and lead contamination in vegetables collected from industrial,traffic and rural areas in Bursa Province,Turkey

Cadmium and lead contamination of vegetables produced in rural areas of Bursa Province, Turkey, was found to be less contaminated than vegetables grown close to heavy traffic and industrial activities. The highest levels of cadmium and lead were found in lettuce; the lowest levels in vegetables were found in leeks. The lead levels in spinach grown in traffic areas were at least twofold higher than those found in industrial areas. For other vegetables, the results from industrial and traffic areas were almost identical. Lettuce grown in traffic areas had the highest amount of cadmium (0.81 ± 0.25 mg kg^?1) and lead (1.59 ± 0.45 mg kg^?1), whilst leeks grown in rural areas had the lowest levels of lead (0.10 ± 0.03 mg kg^?1) and cadmium (0.05 ± 0.01 mg kg^?1) compared with other vegetables. This study shows that people and animals living in the same area in Bursa are always exposed to metallic pollution and in turn the consumption of contaminated vegetables could lead to increased dietary intake.     

The effect of environmental pollution on the heavy metal content of raw milk

This investigation was conducted to determine the contents of some heavy metals in milk samples collected from three different regions, an industrial region, a rural and heavy traffic intensity region around Bursa, a province of Turkey. A total of 75 raw milk samples were collected from these different regions, and the contents of lead, arsenic, copper, zinc, mercury and iron were determined. The average amounts in the samples from these three regions were for Pb 0.032, 0.049, 0.018 mg/kg; for As 0.05, 0.009, 0.0002 mg/kg; for Zu 4.49, 5.01, 3.77 mg/kg; for Cu 0.58, 0.96, 0.39 mg/kg; for Fe 1.78, 4.27, 1.01 mg/kg, while no mercury was detected in the samples. The highest heavy metal content was found in the milk samples collected from industrial region followed by traffic intensive region and rural region.     

Mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium in fish and shellfish from the Adriatic Sea

The aim was to measure concentrations of total mercury, total arsenic, lead and cadmium in common edible fresh fish and shellfish from various areas of the Adriatic Sea. Estimates of intake of these elements were made through seafood consumption by the general population. Samples were either wet digested for mercury and arsenic, or dry ashed for lead and cadmium analysis. Mercury was measured by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CV AAS) and arsenic, lead and cadmium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS). Quality control procedures of analytical methods, which included analyses of dogfish muscle-certified reference material DORM-2, confirmed the acceptability of methods. The highest mercury and arsenic concentrations were found in hake ( Merluccius merluccius ) and the lowest in mackerel ( Scomber scombrus ). The respective values in hake were 0.373 ±0.075 and 23.3 ±3.6, and in mackerel 0.153 ±0.028 and 1.06 ±0.29 mg kg -1 fresh weight (mean ±SD). Lead and cadmium concentrations were about 10 times higher in shellfish than in analysed fish. The highest lead and cadmium concentrations were found in mussel ( Mytilus galloprovincialis ) and the lowest in hake. Respective lead and cadmium values in mussel were 0.150 ±0.009 and 0.142 ±0.017, and in hake were 0.007 ±0.004 and 0.002 ±0.001 mg kg -1 fresh weight. The concentrations of analysed elements were below acceptable levels for human consumption set by the Croatian Ministry of Health, except for total arsenic. The estimated intake of those trace elements included in this study through seafood consumption by the general population did not exceed the provisional tolerable weekly intake recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.     

Survey of nitrate and nitrite contents of vegetables grown in Korea.

A scientific basis for the evaluation of the risk to public health arising from excessive dietary intake of nitrate in Korea is provided. The nitrate () and nitrite () contents of various vegetables (Chinese cabbage, radish, lettuce, spinach, soybean sprouts, onion, pumpkin, green onion, cucumber, potato, carrot, garlic, green pepper, cabbage and Allium tuberosum Roth known as Crown daisy) are reported. Six hundred samples of 15 vegetables cultivated during different seasons were analysed for nitrate and nitrite by ion chromatography and ultraviolet spectrophotometry, respectively. No significant variance in nitrate levels was found for most vegetables cultivated during the summer and winter harvests. The mean nitrates level was higher in A. tuberosum Roth (5150 mg kg(-1)) and spinach (4259 mg kg(-1)), intermediate in radish (1878 mg kg(-1)) and Chinese cabbage (1740 mg kg(-1)), and lower in onion (23 mg kg(-1)), soybean sprouts (56 mg kg(-1)) and green pepper (76 mg kg(-1)) compared with those in other vegetables. The average nitrite contents in various vegetables were about 0.6 mg kg(-1), and the values were not significantly different among most vegetables. It was observed that nitrate contents in vegetables varied depending on the type of vegetables and were similar to those in vegetables grown in other countries. From the results of our studies and other information from foreign sources, it can be concluded that it is not necessary to establish limits of nitrates contents of vegetables cultivated in Korea due to the co-presence of beneficial elements such as ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol which are known to inhibit the formation of nitrosamine.     

Lead and cadmium contamination of foods and feeds from selected areas of the Erfurt district. 4. Lead in vegetables grown in culture centers of the Erfurt region

For the purpose of determining the effect of heavy metal emissions of a great town on the lead and cadmium levels of vegetables that are of relevance to food supply, we analyzed 193 samples of vegetables from the important vegetable-growing centre of Erfurt during a 3-year period. With regard to the main wind direction and the infrastructure of the town, the samples were collected at four different areas under vegetable. Apart from a single exception, the lead and cadmium contents were inferior to the maximum tolerances provided by the regulation concerning the contents of foreign substances in foods, the metal contents of leaf vegetables being higher than those of brassicaceous plants. Vegetable samples from areas with heavier emission burdens showed somewhat higher metal contents. In contrast to this, the cadmium contents did not exhibit such differences. The highest lead and cadmium contents were found in spinach. To elucidate the effect of the washing and blanching techniques used in industrial processing, 23 spinach preserves were analyzed in addition; as expected, the heavy metal contents were reduced by these techniques. In summary, our investigations evidence that the main vegetables cauliflower, white cabbage, red cabbage, savoy cabbage, as well as lettuce and spinach (grown in the district of Erfurt) contribute but little to total food contamination if we consider the amounts consumed on an average.     

Lead,cadmium and chromium in raw and boiled portions of Norway lobster

Lead, cadmium and chromium levels were determined in different raw and boiled portions of Norway lobster caught in the central Adriatic Sea (Italy). In raw specimens, the lowest concentrations were always detected in the white meat. Lead and cadmium content in the edible portion never exceeded the maximum levels set by European legislation. The highest cadmium and chromium values (0.47 ± 0.04 and 0.62 ± 0.13 mg/kg wet weight, respectively) were detected in the brown meat, while the highest lead concentrations were found in the exoskeleton (0.21 ± 0.01 mg/kg wet weight). Also, the boiled samples showed the lowest metal levels in the white meat, even if a significant increase (p < 0.01) was found for lead and cadmium compared to the corresponding raw portions. Among metals, chromium showed the highest concentrations in both raw and boiled portions, but up to now, the European legislation did not envisage any limits in seafood.     

Heavy metals in vegetables grown in The Netherlands and in domestic and imported fruits

The contents of cadmium, lead mercury, copper, manganese and zinc in 242 samples of 37 different species of domestic and imported fruits have been determined. Also contents of the same heavy metals, except mercury, have been determined in 205 samples of 7 species of domestic vegetables (lettuce, spinach, endive, beetroots, onions, celeriac and Swedish turnips). The median contents (in mg/kg fresh mass of the edible part) found for fruits are: Cd 0.002; Pb 0.017; Hg 0.002; Cu 0.61; Mn 0.52 and Zn 0.99. In the vegetables median levels have been found (mg/kg) of 0.009-0.073 for Cd, 0.01-0.03 for Pb, less than 0.2-0.3 for Cu, 0.69-1.41 for Mn and 0.95-5.5 for Zn. The contribution of fruits to the tolerable daily intakes of Cd, Pb and Hg is, for an average consumption pattern, less than 1%. On the other hand, the contribution to the recommended amounts of the essential elements Cu, Mn, and Zn is no more than 1%-3%. From the vegetables an average portion of spinach contains 19% and 2.6% of the tolerable daily amounts of Cd and Pb, respectively. For the other species of vegetables these figures are less than 5% for Cd (except for endive, 6.8%) and for lead less than 1%. Spinach contributes considerably to the need for Cu, Mn and Zn, in general more than 10% of the recommended daily amounts. The other species of vegetables contribute only from less than 1% to less than few percents.     

南通地区干条斑紫菜中砷、铝、铅、镉的 污染情况研究

目的分析南通3个条斑紫菜主产区的干条斑紫菜中砷、铝、铅、镉4种金属元素污染情况。方法对南通3个地区共计170批次干条斑紫菜进行采样,参照国标GB 5009.11-2014、GB 5009.182-2017、GB5009.12-2017、GB 5009.15-2014分别对无机砷、铝、铅、镉4种金属污染物进行分析。结果南通地区干条斑紫菜无机砷含量范围为ND~0.303 mg/kg,平均含量是0.147 mg/kg;铅含量范围为ND~0.208 mg/kg,平均含量为0.025 mg/kg;镉的含量范围为0.108~3.11 mg/kg,平均含量为1.50 mg/kg;铝含量范围为66~511 mg/kg,平均含量为122 mg/kg。结论该地区干条斑紫菜中铅和无机砷含量处于较低水平,无污染风险。铝和镉含量较高,应引起相关部门的注意。不同采样地区间干条斑紫菜4种污染物含量无显著性差异。同时,建议尽快建立检测紫菜中多种形态铝和镉的标准方法。     

Relationship between cobalt,copper and zinc content of soils and vegetables

The relationship between cobalt, copper and zinc content of soils and the vegetables grown in them is discussed. Samples of soil and edible vegetables were taken from 15 different sites, corresponding to four agricultural areas exposed to different degrees of environmental pollution: high industrial and traffic, high industrial and urban, and low industrial and urban pollution. Elements were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Variance analysis (ANOVA) was applied to cobalt, copper and zinc content of vegetables and soils in order to detect significant differences among soils of different areas and the vegetables grown there. The possible relationship between the heavy metal content of soils (total and extractable) and of the vegetables grown in them was estimated by the correlation coefficient value. Statistically significant correlations were observed between the total and extractable cobalt content of soils and of roots and bulbs (p < 0.1) and between the total copper content of soils and of inflorescences (p < 0.05). In the case of zinc no correlation was found.     

Arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in meat, livers, and kidneys of swine slaughtered in The Netherlands during the period 1980-1985

The results obtained between 1980 and 1985 in a Dutch monitoring programme on the presence of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in meat and organs of swine are presented. For meat, livers and kidneys the median values were, respectively, 0.001, 0.001, and 0.003 mg/kg (fresh weight) for arsenic, 0.002, 0.044, and 0.260 mg/kg for cadmium, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.08 mg/kg for lead and 0.001, 0.002, and 0.005 mg/kg for mercury. No significant changes were observed in the tissue arsenic and mercury levels during the investigated period. A decrease was observed in the cadmium and lead concentrations in livers and kidneys. The provisional Dutch legal limits were exceeded only for lead in one kidney sample. A significant recti linear relation was found between the cadmium concentrations in livers and kidneys. In general the cadmium and lead levels found are comparable with published data, reported from other countries. Compared with data from the literature, the arsenic and mercury concentrations found in the present study are low.     

Determination of the level of certain trace elements in vegetables in differently contaminated regions

The aim of the investigations was the determination of the lead, cadmium, copper, iron, zinc and magnesium content in some vegetables in an industrial region (Cracow) and in an agricultural region far from industrial centres (control). It was found that all the vegetables analysed contained lead and cadmium contaminations. The average lead concentration in parsley-haulm and parsley-root and cadmium concentration in beets, onion, parsley-haulm, leek, lettuce and potatoes coming from the Cracow region exceeded the permissible norm. In the vegetables from the Cracow region the levels of the determined trace elements were higher (P < 0.01) than that of the controls.     

Fumonisin B(1) in maize harvested in Iran during 1999.

The fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) contamination of maize collected in two areas of Iran during 1999 was determined. The 20 maize samples from Mazandaran Province, situated on the Caspian littoral of Iran, consisted of random samples of farmers' lots and were all contaminated with FB(1) at a mean level of 3.18 mg kg(-1) (range 0.68-7.66 mg kg(-1)). The 10 samples (of the same maize cultivar) from Isfahan Province in central Iran were purchased as maize cobs in local retail markets and had mean FB levels of 0.22 mg kg(-1) (mean of all samples, 6/10 samples positive, range <0.01-0.88 mg kg(-1)). The FB levels in Mazandaran, an area of high oesophageal cancer, were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher than the FB levels found in maize from Isfahan, an area of low oesophageal cancer in Iran.     

Multi-element survey of wild edible fungi and blackberries in the UK.

A survey of 12 metals including lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As) and platinum (Pt) was carried out using ICP-MS in 34 samples of wild fungi and 48 samples of wild blackberries collected from sites across the UK. On a fresh weight basis (mg/kg) levels of Pb were in the range 0.003-5.990, Cu 0.596-34.800, Cd<0.001-19.6, Hg<0.001-4.150, As 0.001-0.972 and Pt (microg/kg) 0.006-0.200, with higher concentrations found in fungi than in blackberries. The results of the survey showed that the concentrations of the metals were consistent with previous studies, where available. Concentrations in wild fungi of Pt, tin (Sn), and titanium (Ti) were significantly higher at urban sites than at rural sites. Urban blackberries had significantly higher levels of Pb, Ti, and Cd than rural ones, but lower levels of manganese (Mn). Pb, Ti and Sn concentrations were significantly higher in blackberries sampled near main roads rather than in rural areas.     

Cadmium and lead in muscle tissue and organs of broilers, turkeys and spent hens and in mechanically deboned poultry meat

Cadmium and lead levels have been determined in meat, livers and kidneys of turkeys, in livers and kidneys of spent hens, in kidneys of broilers and in mechanically deboned poultry meat (MDPM), by dry ashing of the sample with Mg(NO3)2 followed by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric analysis. The possible age-dependent cadmium and lead accumulation in livers and kidneys of turkeys was also studied. The cadmium concentrations in meat and organs of poultry are in good agreement with data reported for other countries, but lead concentrations were low compared with most data reported in the literature. The cadmium levels in kidneys and livers of turkeys increased with age, whilst the lead concentrations were unrelated to age. The cadmium and lead concentrations in industrially prepared MDPM from broiler carcasses were very low (less than 0.001-0.004 mg/kg and less than 0.01-0.06 mg/kg, respectively). In MDPM prepared from backs (including the kidneys) and necks, elevated cadmium concentrations were found. The increase was related to the cadmium concentrations in the kidneys. In MDPM prepared from broilers, turkeys and spent hens the cadmium concentrations varied between 0.001 and 0.002 mg/kg, 0.005 and 0.006 mg/kg and 0.007 and 0.028 mg/kg, respectively. For lead the concentrations in meat and MDPM were similar. It can be concluded from the results that in MDPM prepared from spent hens and possibly turkeys, when incorporating the kidneys, cadmium concentrations greater than 0.05 mg/kg, (the legal limit for cadmium in poultry meat in The Netherlands) may occur.     

Quality and safety assessment of ginseng extracts by determination of the contents of pesticides and metals.

Ginseng extracts are available as ingredients for improving energy and vitality and can be used in functional foods and as flavouring ingredients. A survey was been performed to determine the content of pesticides and toxic metals in ginseng extracts. Forty-seven samples from 20 suppliers, including both Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Asian ginseng) and P. quinquefolius (American ginseng) species, were analysed for arsenic content and for the following metals: aluminium, molybdenum, chromium, copper, magnesium, zinc, cadmium, mercury and lead, while pesticide residues were analysed in 30 samples from 17 suppliers. The results showed that 24 samples (80%) contained pesticides above the detection limit and 13 samples (43%) did not comply with the maximum residue limits (MRL) for total quintozene, hexachlorobenzene, total hexachlorocyclohexane, lindane, total heptachlor, e-chlorpyrifos and folpet, imposed for botanical extracts. Total quintozene, hexachlorobenzene, total hexachlorocyclohexane and lindane were present in all contaminated samples and exceeded the MRL in eleven samples, with levels up to 55 and 30 times their respective MRL. Cadmium (<0.05-259 microg kg(-1)), mercury (<0.3-72 microg kg(-1)), lead (3-2710 microg kg(-1)) and arsenic (<0.3-918 microg kg(-1)) were present in most samples at concentrations lower than the MRL imposed for flavouring substances. Among the other elements, aluminium (0.3-1068 mg kg(-1)) was the most abundant.     

Pesticides and heavy metals levels in Egyptian leafy vegetables and some aromatic medicinal plants

A total of 835 samples of leafy vegetables and some aromatic medicinal plants were collected from five different areas of Egypt during 1999. Ninety-seven per cent of the leafy vegetables were contaminated with heavy metals with 39% exceeding the maximum limits for each element. Cadmium was detected in 78 of 116 samples of leafy vegetable, although without any exceeding the maximum limits. However, lead was detected in 99 samples, of which 39 exceeded the maximum limits (0.3 mg kg^-1) and 56 medicinal plant samples of 70 had lead levels above 0.5 mg kg^-1. Copper was detected in 69 medicinal plant samples, of which 58 samples contained levels higher than 10 mg kg^-1. However, cadmium was only found in 43% of samples with only two of 70 samples above the maximum limit. Seventy-three per cent of the samples of medicinal plants were contaminated with pesticide residues, of which 44% contained amounts that exceeded maximum residue limits. Malathion was the most frequently found pesticide residue, being detected in 203 of 391 (52%.) samples, followed by profenofos, which was detected in 131 of 391 (33%) samples.     

Cadmium and lead distribution in fresh asparagus

Cadmium and lead were determined in fresh asparagus, as a function of diameter and portions, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry to evaluate the contribution of these vegetables to the daily intake of cadmium and lead in Spain. Cadmium content of the asparagus ranged from less than 0.006 mg/kg to 0.062 mg/kg, whereas lead content varied from 0.059 to 0.409 mg/kg. The concentration of cadmium and lead was compared statistically for the different diameters and portions of asparagus. The asparagus tip/remainder ratio metal concentration was determined and a greater concentration of cadmium and lead in the tip relative to the remainder of the asparagus was observed. If we take into account the mean level of cadmium and lead (0.022 mg/kg and 0.165 mg/kg respectively), the daily intake contribution of these metals in Spain is 0.04 micrograms/day for cadmium and 0.3 microgram/day for lead.     

Accumulation of trace elements in cattle from rural and industrial areas in Belgium

Trace element concentrations were determined in meat, kidney and liver tissue of cattle, which had resided more than 18 months in areas historically contaminated by emissions from the non-ferrous metal industry or in regions with normal background metal contamination levels in Belgium. Trace element levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Lead, arsenic and cadmium concentrations in meat were low for all cattle. Concentrations in kidneys were, respectively, 1.8-, 2.2- and 2.5-fold higher in cattle from the contaminated areas compared to animals from reference areas. The European maximum level for cadmium in kidney was exceeded by 75% of the kidneys from contaminated areas and 47% of the kidneys from reference areas. Lead, arsenic and cadmium concentrations in bovine livers from contaminated areas were increased by a factor of 2.3. Zinc levels in livers and kidneys were within normal ranges, but 20% higher in the contaminated areas compared to reference areas. Copper levels in livers were high in all areas. Dairy cattle accumulated significantly higher levels of cadmium in kidneys and of lead in liver and kidneys than did beef cattle.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and lead in roadside lettuce and rye grain

Thirty-eight samples of lettuce and three samples of rye from an experimental site close to a highway were analysed for 20 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and lead. The lettuce plants were grown 8–65 m from the road and collected after 5,9 and 11 weeks of exposure. The levels of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and lead varied from 0.1 to 1.3 μg kg^?1 and from 0.18 to 1.6 mg kg^?1, respectively. The plants grown close to the road and with long exposure times showed the highest levels. The positive gradients for PAH and lead with exposure time and closeness to the road were nearly identical, but in different concentration ranges. Lettuce plants grown in a cold frame showed lower levels than those grown in the open. In rye sampled at 7–25 m from the road, BaP was not detected and lead levels ranged from 0.07 to 0.11 mg kg^?1. The results suggest that the Swedish National Food Administration/National Environmental Protection Board recommendations, i.e. not to grow leafy vegetables closer than 25 m from roads with intense traffic, are sufficient at traffic flows of up to 12 000 vehicles per day.