[Survey and evaluation of heavy metal in the major vegetables in Shaanxi Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contamination condition of the Pb, Cd, Hg and As in ten kinds of vegetables in Shaanxi Province. METHODS: The Pb and Cd contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the As contents were determined by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry, and the Hg contents were determined by mercury vapourmeter. One factor contamination index was employed to evaluate the metal pollution situation of different types of vegetables. Moreover, the health risk after intake of those heavy metals through vegetables were described. RESULTS: In ten kinds of vegetables of Shaanxi Province, the Pb contents in cowpea reached the alertness level, while the contents of Cd, Hg and As were below the safety level. What' s more, the contents of the Pb, Cd, Hg and As were below the safety level in other nine vegetables, and the over standard rate of were Hg > Pb > Cd > As. CONCLUSION: The contamination extents of Pb, Cd, Hg and As in ten kinds of vegetables in Shaanxi Province were low.