Heavy metals in soils and selected root vegetables from allotment gardens in Warsaw, Poland - health risk assessment.

Introduction and objective: Heavy metals are considered the main sources of pollution among various soil contaminants. Urban soils, acting as receptors for the considerable influx of heavy metals from various sources, experience accumulation from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Contamination of urban soils with heavy metals may create a potential risk for health, especially in cities where industrial activity is carried out, and there is a high volume of road transport traffic. The aim of the study was assessment of the content of heavy metals: manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in root vegetables grown in 16 allotment gardens in Warsaw, Poland, and evaluation of risk to health.

Material and methods: The content of heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) was investigated in soils (N = 196 samples) and vegetables (N = 94 samples).

Results: It was found that vegetables such as parsley, carrots, beetroots and celery grown in allotment gardens in Warsaw, Poland, accumulated an elevated content of the heavy metals Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd.

Conclusions: The health risk assessment carried out shows that consumption of root vegetables (parsley, carrots, beetroots and celery) from the examined allotment gardens showed an increased risk of the carcinogenic effects of cadmium and lead. For health reasons, the consumption of these vagtables should be very limited, or should be totally eliminated from the diet.