Assessment of Toxic Metals in Agricultural Produce

This study was conducted to analyze the metals in selected vegetables available in Powai area, Mumbai, India. The total 9 samples viz., 5 vegetables, 3 cereals and 1 medicinal plant were collected which are commonly consumed in the locality. These were digested using microwave acid digester with nitric acid and hydrochloric acid and analyzed with the aid of ICP-AES to determine toxic metals. Highly toxic metals such as arsenic and silver were below detectable limit while two of the samples had high mercury and lead content. The results obtained were compared with their permissible levels set by the FAO and WHO and were found to be within safe limits for some metals while concentrations of some of the metals were much greater than permissible limits and were, hence, not safe to consume. It was found that the overall toxic metal accumulation was greater in leafy vegetables viz. spinach, coriander and tubers such as potato.