Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research

Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research

Investigating the Concentration of NO3- and Heavy Metals in Some Leafy Vegetables in the Greenhouses of Kermanshah County

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Masoomeh Amerian
Department of Horticultural Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering, Campus of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
10.34172/jaehr.1345
Abstract
Background: Vegetables are an important part of healthy diet. This study investigated the concentration of heavy metals and nitrate (NO3-) in leafy vegetables cultivated within selected greenhouses in Kermanshah County.
Methods: The concentration nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), and cadmium (Cd) were determined using an atomic absorption spectrometer. NO3- content was measured utilizing a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 410 nm. To assess the potential health risks associated with vegetable consumption, the health risk index (HRI) for non-cancerous diseases was employed.
Results: A significant difference was evident among the three examined vegetables regarding their concentrations of heavy elements and NO3-. Spinach exhibited the highest NO3- content at 203.33 mg/kg, while mint demonstrated the lowest at 113 mg/kg. Among the studied vegetables, spinach exhibited the highest concentrations of NO3- (203.33 mg/kg) and Fe (177.66 mg/kg). Coriander showed the highest concentration of Cd (0.366 mg/kg) and Ni (1.900 mg/kg), while mint displayed the highest concentration of Cu (40.0 mg/kg). The concentration of Ni, Pb and Cd in all three studied vegetables was higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) limit. The HRI for non-cancerous diseases was less than one for the studied heavy metals, and it was higher than one for NO3- in spinach (1.080).
Conclusion: Given that prolonged consumption of vegetables poses a risk of carcinogenesis to consumers, it is imperative to implement corrective measures and maintain ongoing monitoring of heavy metal and NO3- levels in crops cultivated within greenhouses in Kermanshah.
Keywords
Food safety
Organic agriculture
Inorganic chemicals
Vegetables

Subjects

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Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research
Volume 12, Issue 3
Summer 2024
Pages 168-176