Human health risk assessment of toxic heavy metals in summer crops and vegetables: a study in Ilam Province, Iran

PurposeThe presence of toxic heavy metals (HMs) in agricultural crops left-to-right markcan be considered as a noteworthy threat for consumers. The aim of this study was to assess the content of HMs left-to-right mark(Pb, As, Cr, Cd, Co, Hg, and Ag) and their potential health risk in summer crops and vegetables (watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, melon, tomato, onion, left-to-right markpotato, raw and stewed vegetables) in Ilam province, Iran.MethodsTotally, 31 crop samples were collected from local farms during the 2019 harvest left-to-right markseason and the elements left-to-right mark content were evaluated using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The non-carcinogenic health risk of HMs to the adults and children was estimated by Monte Carlo simulation method and target hazard quotients (THQs).ResultsIn general, the results showed that the concentration of Cr in the studied left-to-right markagricultural crops was higher than other HMs. As well as, the carcinogenic risk (CR) obtained for adults and children were more than the acceptable range for As. Also, CR for As in raw vegetable was the most (left-to-right mark8.19E-1) and violated the threshold risk limit. The total carcinogenic risk of HMs in children was higher than that in adults.ConclusionThese results suggest that the agricultural crops were not safe for human consumption with potential risks associated. Due to the possible health effects of such products consumption, proper action should be taken to avoid chronic exposure, prevention of further pollution and consequent adverse health implications.