Health risk of heavy metals from the consumption of cucumber in Darrehshahr Township, west of Iran

Abstract

Because of the routine consumption of vegetables and the possibility of heavy metals contamination, it can threaten the health of consumers. In this investigation, the concentration and human health risks of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Ni) were evaluated in the harvested cucumber samples in nine villages of the Darrehshahr Township, Iran. The average concentrations of elements in all the villages were ranked as follows: Zn < Pb < Cu < Ni < Cd. The concentration of Cd (except village I) and Pb as toxic pollutants in all the samples were higher than maximum levels (ML) of Iran standard. Among all the studied elements, only EDI and EWI values of Pb were found to be higher than recommended value limits of Iran standard. THQ (Target Hazard Quotient) of all the elements except Pb was less than 1and was in the order Pb > Cu > Zn > Ni > Cd. So, the health risk of cucumber consumption, because of Pb, was high. Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) in all the villages was more than 10. It represented that the health risk for non-carcinogenic diseases due to long term cucumber consumption would be high. Based on the results, there is a health risk from consumption of cucumber grown in Darrehshahr Township because of high Pb concentration.