Norwegian Journal of Agricultural Sciences : cadmium and lead levels in Norwegian vegetables

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to present the levels of concentration of cadmium and lead in vegetables grown in Norway. The mean concentrations were found to be within the same levels as those for vegetables from some other European countries. There were, however, higher concentration levels in vegetables grown in the southernmost part of the country compared with vegetables from Central Norway. It was found that the leveIs of concentration were higher early in the growing season. Paring carrots lowered the concentration of lead by about 50%. Washing Chinese cabbage in deionized water did not lower the concentration of cadmium or of lead. A reasonable consumption of these vegetables does not constitute a health risk for the consumer , based on the FAO/WIIO provisional tolerable weekly intake of cadmium and lead. This study, however, shows that several factors may have a great influence on the intake of heavy metaIs through a vegetable diet.