Contenidos de plomo en hortalizas cultivadas en huertos urbanos de la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract

Higher Lead levels (Pb) were identified in vegetables harvested in urban gardens located in areas of high vehicular traffic in the city of Bogotá. 49 places were sampled, situated in the different places of the city and the variables of soils, irrigation water, and Plant tissue. As a result, the analyzed variables showed no abnormal values compared to the Pb content when compared with national and international regulations, which concluded that urban agriculture should not represent a risk A significant chemical for consumers’ health because of the possible ingestion of this heavy metal. However, it is necessary to expand the study range and include other types of elements such as Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, and Nickel; These are reported by the literature as highly harmful elements for the health of living beings and could be present in soils, irrigation waters and the vegetal fabric of the vegetables harvested in the cities.