Lead, zinc, and cadmium in vegetable/crops in a zinc smelting region and its potential human toxicity

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2011 Nov;87(5):586-90. doi: 10.1007/s00128-011-0388-7. Epub 2011 Aug 21.

Abstract

Lead, Zn, and Cd in vegetables/crops were investigated in a zinc smelting region in China, and their daily dietary intake by local residents was estimated. It is observed that Pb, Zn, and Cd were in 34.7-91.1, 242-575, and 0.199-2.23 μg g(-1) dry weight in vegetables/crops with their greatest concentrations in leafy vegetable. The daily dietary intake of Pb, Zn, and Cd by adult residents reached 3, 646, 59,295, and 186 μg day, respectively, and lettuce and cabbage together contributed 75% of the Pb, 50% of the Zn, and 70% of the Cd.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cadmium / analysis
  • China
  • Crops, Agricultural / chemistry*
  • Diet / statistics & numerical data
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis*
  • Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Lead / analysis
  • Metallurgy
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis*
  • Soil Pollutants / analysis*
  • Vegetables / chemistry*
  • Zinc / analysis

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Soil Pollutants
  • Cadmium
  • Lead
  • Zinc