Determination of heavy metal levels in some vegetable types abundant in Van City, Turkey

Abstract

The environmental exposure to heavy metals is a well-known risk factor for human health. The levels of seven elements (Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Cd, Mn) in some vegetable samples from the Van and Mersin regions in Turkey were investigated. These vegetables are pepper (Capsicum annuum), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum), cucumber (cucumis sativus), eggplant (Solanum melongena) and potato (Solanum tuberosum). The heavy metal contents of the samples were determined by use of a flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). Investigated heavy metal concentrations were compared with standard acceptable values and between the two regions. The mean values of between sample regions and vegetable kinds were compared by one-way ANOVA. The sample regions (Mersin and Van regions) showed non-significant (p>0.05) concentrations of all elements. Among the vegetable types, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, and Cr were non-significant (p>0.05), Mn was significant (p<0.05).