Abstract:

In order to evaluate pollution degree of the heavy metal in vegetables and to assess health risks through vegetables for the general population , the study was undertaken as a preliminary survey of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd concentrations in 49 vegetables samples of 3 kinds from a large supermarket and vegetables wholesale market in Wuhu City. The results showed that heavy metal concentrations among 3 kinds of vegetables in edible parts decreased in following order: leafy vegetables> fruit vegetables> rhizome vegetables; Zinc contents in edible parts of Chinese little greens, spinach and lettuce, beyond the limit of Zinc content in food, are 20.31 mg / Kg, 30.83 mg / Kg and 23.40 mg / Kg respectively; Lead content in edible parts of Chinese little greens is 0.342 mg / Kg, beyond the limit of Lead content in food ; Cadmium content in edible parts of spinach and lettuce are 0.219 mg / Kg and 0.203 mg / Kg respectively, beyond the limit of Cadmium content in food; Chinese little greens, spinach, lettuce and cucumbers had been slightly contaminated by heavy metals ; eggplant and pepper were in warning line; carrot, white radish and potatoes were safe. Exposed risk indexes is less than 1, so consumption of vegetables from market will not cause health risk.