Determination of toxic heavy metal contaminated in food crops in Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand

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Chalisa Choprathumma
Thitiporn Thongkam
Chakkaphop Jaiyen
Thitaporn Tusai
Amara Apilux
Sumana Kladsomboon

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The contamination of toxic heavy metals including mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in food crops collected from Nakhon Pathom province was investigated. Fourteen crop species (n=42) were obtained from three public markets, namely, Sampran, Muang, and Phuttamonthon. Mercury was analyzed by Cold Vapor-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (CV-AAS) while As, Cd, and Pb were simultaneously determined by Inductively Coupled PlasmaMass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). Results indicated that the ranges of Hg, Pb, Cd, and As contents in crop samples for fresh weight were 0.005-2.468, 0.001-0.094, 0.001-0.028, and 0.001-0.156 mg kg-1, respectively. The heavy metal residue levels were ranked as follows: Cd < Pb < As < Hg. The Pb and Cd contents in all analyzed samples were below the permissible limits of Pb established by the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand and the permissible limits of Cd established by Codex; FAO/WHO. However, 78.57% of analyzed samples including pak choi, lettuce, and chinese cabbage showed that the levels of Hg exceeded the permissible limits (0.02 mg kg-1) set by the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. 35.71% of analyzed samples such as basil, chinese cabbage, kangkung, lettuce, rice, and spring onion showed that the levels of As exceeded the permissible limit (0.02 mg kg-1) of As from Codex; FAO/WHO. These results represented information of contaminated toxic heavy metals in crop samples for the food safety in this area. Additionally, the sources of heavy metal contamination were discussed in this study.

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