Dietary intake of trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons via vegetables grown in an industrial Greek area

In order to assess the importance of vegetables cultivated in industrialized regions in Greece as a dietary factor, the daily intake of trace elements and PAHs via vegetables were estimated. Intake estimations were based on vegetable availability data and analyses of vegetable contaminants. The mean daily intake of potentially toxic elements ranged between 1.7% (for As) and 23.6% (for Pb) the provisional tolerable daily intakes for adults. Vegetables were found to contribute significantly to the recommended daily intake of essential elements, such as Cr and Mn. The intakes of Cr, Pb, Zn, Co and Hg were highest in spring, whereas the intakes of As and Se were highest in winter. The daily intake of PAHs via vegetables was in general low. The potential dose of carcinogenic PAHs was at the lower range of estimates worldwide.