Evaluation of Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Risk of Heavy Metals Due to the Consumption of Vegetables Produced in the Greenhouse of Markazi Province

Background: High concentration of heavy metals and NO3 in vegetables may pose serious health risks to humans. Therefore, this research was done to evaluate the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risk of heavy metals and NO3 due to the consumption of most important greenhouse vegetables produced in Markazi province. Methods: In this descriptive study, sampling of cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper produced in the greenhouses of Markazi province was done randomly and the concentration of Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni and NO3 of them were determined. Non-cancer risk related to heavy metals and NO3 sorption from vegetables was evaluated using the EPA method for men and women. Results: The mean concentration of all the studied metals except Cu was in the allowable concentration range. The mean concentration of NO3 in the cucumber was 300 mg/kg FW, which was about 1.5 times higher than the maximum allowable concentration of that in vegetables. The HQ of Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu and NO3 for all population groups were smaller than 1. The results showed that NO3 and Pb were the major risk contributor for the consumers. The excess lifetime cancer risks of Ni for all receptor groups were greater than 1×10−6. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the total risk index of heavy metals and NO3 through consumption of greenhouse vegetables grown in Markazi province was below one. Also, in the most age groups this index is greater for women related to the men.