مسلم بسیج

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the concentration of heavy metals, specifically lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), in selected agricultural products including onion, lettuce, cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, and potato, sourced from farms, greenhouses, and markets in Kerman Province and Jiroft County. Additionally, the health risk index (HRI) was measured for these products to assess potential risks to consumers. Research Methods: The sample set included 15 samples each of cucumber, tomato, onion, potato, and bell pepper, as well as 10 samples of lettuce. Approximately one kilogram of each product was collected as a representative sample. After sample preparation using the dry digestion method, the concentrations of lead and cadmium were quantified using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Findings: The lowest concentration of lead was detected in cucumber samples (0.0007 mg/kg), while the highest levels were observed in tomato and lettuce samples (0.01 mg/kg). Regarding cadmium, the lowest concentration was recorded in lettuce (non-detectable levels), whereas the highest concentration was found in tomato samples (0.007 mg/kg). The results indicated that the concentrations of both lead and cadmium in products such as lettuce, cucumber, and tomato were less than one-fifth of their permissible limits. Conclusion: Based on the findings, the average concentrations of the studied heavy metals were below the permissible limits established by Iran's National Standard. Furthermore, the health risk index (HRI) for all analyzed products was below 1, indicating no significant health risk to consumers.