moslem basij

Purpose: Excessive nitrate concentrations in consumable agricultural products can lead to various health issues, including anemia, poisoning, and the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in adults. This study was conducted to evaluate the health risks associated with the use of nitrate fertilizers in some widely consumed agricultural products in Kerman and Jiroft counties.Research Methods: A total of 70 two-kilogram samples of fruits and vegetables were randomly collected from farms, wholesale markets, and retail outlets in Kerman and Jiroft counties and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The samples included 15 samples each of tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, and onions, along with 10 samples of lettuce. Potassium nitrate powder was used to prepare calibration standards. After sample preparation and extraction, nitrate concentrations were determined using a spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 410 nm. Findings: The highest nitrate residue was found in lettuce (187.68 mg/L), while the lowest was observed in tomatoes (12.61 mg/L). However, due to the higher Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) for nitrates in lettuce and the lower limit in tomatoes, the Health Risk Index (HRI) was highest for tomatoes (0.59) and lowest for lettuce (0.12). Conclusion: The findings indicate that nitrate concentrations in all samples were below the MRLs established by the National Standards Organization and Codex. Additionally, the HRI values for all samples were less than one, suggesting no significant risk of non- carcinogenic diseases related to nitrate exposure for consumers.