Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the accumulation
of heavy metal in five different leafy green vegetables
grown in 10 different agricultural lands in the
province of Nevşehir, Turkey, and determine the human
health risks that may arise as a result the consumption of
such metals. The heavy metal concentrations found in
the soil samples taken from the agricultural lands were
as follows: manganese (Mn) > lead (Pb) > arsenic (As) >
nickel (Ni) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd). These
concentrations were found to be well above the permitted
limits imposed by the World Health Organization/
Food and Agricultural Organization (WHO/FAO) and
the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA). Also, particularly the concentrations of Pb
and As were found to be dangerous levels in the soil.
According to their accumulation in the vegetables, the
detected heavy metal concentrations were listed as Mn >
Zn > Cu > Ni > As > Cd. The estimated daily intake
amount of the heavy metals was also found to be higher
than the limits determined by FAO/WHO. Furthermore,
the target hazard quotient of the metals was Mn > As >
Cu > Zn > Ni > Cd > Pb. It was found to be > 1 for the
sampling areas, except for Cd and Pb. As a result of the
study, it was determined that almost all of the annual
heavy metal intake amount that the population living in
this region should receive was met as a result of the
consumption of leafy vegetables grown in the stations
designated for this study. It is vital to effectivelymonitor
the heavy metal in the soil and vegetables to reduce
metal concentrations in the studied area and to investigate
its effects on human health. By doing so, acute and
chronic health problems due to the heavy metal exposure
in this region can be prevented
