ISSN:

1579-4377

HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

IN TWO DISTRICTS OF WEST BENGAL, INDIA
Debopam Banerjee, Himadri Bairagi, Sibabrata Mukhopadhyay, Anju Pal, Debabrata Bera, Lalitagauri Ray*
Department of Food Technology and Biochemical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
lgrftbe@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the extent of heavy metal contamination in fruits and vegetables grown
in two districts Kolkata and South Twenty Four Parganas in West Bengal, India. Samples
(fruits, vegetables and soils) from six sites across fruit and vegetable growing regions were
collected and tested for heavy metal content. The mean concentration of copper in all the
samples (washed) collected from different areas is within the safe value recommended by
FAO/WHO. The concentration of lead in almost all the collected samples, cadmium and
chromium in some of the samples exceed the allowable limit. The study investigates the
magnitude of heavy metal contamination in fruits and vegetables and highlights the
increased danger of taking fresh fruits and vegetables. No soil sample was found to contain
heavy metals above allowable concentration, which shows that contamination was mainly
due to automobile exhaust, pesticides and industrial exhaust.
KEYWORDS

Heavy metal, contamination, fruits, vegetables, India.

Ray, L. et al. EJEAFChe, 9 (9), 2010. [1423-1432]

INTRODUCTION
The implication associated with heavy metal contamination is of great concern, particularly
in agricultural production systems. These metals can pose a significant health risk to
humans, particularly in elevated concentrations above the very low body requirements
(Gupta and Gupta, 1998) [1]. Dietary exposure to heavy metals, namely Cadmium (Cd),
Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu) has been identified as a risk to human health through the
consumption of vegetable crops (Kachenko and Singh, 2006) [2]. Heavy metals have toxic
and mutagenic effects even at very low concentration. Several cases of human disease,
disorders, malfunction and malformation of organs due to metal toxicity have been reported
[3]. Along with the human beings, animals and plants are also affected by toxic levels of
heavy metals. Toxicological significance of heavy metals has been recognized several
decades ago in developed countries and extensive studies have been reported from Denmark
by Hansen and Anderson in 1982 [4] and Japan by Tsuda et al in 1995. [5] However,
developing countries lag behind in this area of research and scanty effort has come forth. In
recent years there are a number of reports on heavy metal contamination in fruits and
vegetables by different authors [6 10].
Fruits and vegetables are an important component of diet after cereals. It is known
that systematic health problems can develop as a result of excessive accumulation of dietary
heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Pb, in human body [11]. Heavy metals are extremely persistent
in the environment. They are nonbiodegradable and thermostable and thus readily
accumulate to toxic levels [12]. One important dietary pathway could be through crops
irrigated with contaminated waste water. The main sources of heavy metals to vegetable
crops are their growth media (soil, air, nutrient solutions) from which these are taken up by
the roots or foliage [13].
Cultivation areas near highways are also exposed to atmospheric pollution in the
form of metal containing aerosols. These aerosols can be deposited on soil and are absorbed
by vegetables, or alternatively deposited on leaves and fruits and then absorbed. Voutsa et al.
in 1996 have reported high accumulation of Pb, Cr and Cd in leafy vegetables due to
atmospheric depositions [14]. There is a positive relationship between atmospheric metal
deposition and elevated concentrations of heavy metals in plants and top soil. The levels of
heavy metals in vegetables collected from peri-urban areas of New Delhi were found to be
high due to atmospheric deposition as well as due to use of contaminated water. The
magnitude of heavy metal deposition on vegetable surfaces varied with morphological nature
of the vegetables [9]. Considering the significance of heavy metals and consumption of fruits
and vegetables, this investigation was carried out to monitor the levels of heavy metals in
these commodities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
CHEMICALS AND REAGENTS
All the chemicals and reagents were of analytical grade and were purchased from Merck
(Darmstadt, Germany) or BDH Laboratory supplies (Poole, England).

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Ray, L. et al. EJEAFChe, 9 (9), 2010. [1423-1432]

COLLECTION
Samples of fresh fruits and vegetables were collected from fields of Dhapa, near solid waste
disposal centre of Kolkata and different areas of South Twenty four parganas, of West
Bengal, India during November, 2006 February, 2008. Samples were collected randomly
(five samples for each commodity) in order to estimate the total heavy metal content (Pb,
Cu, Cd, & Cr) in these samples.
SAMPLE PREPARATION AND TREATMENT
400 g of edible portion of each of five samples from each commodity collected from
different places were examined. On the basis of manner of consumption, samples were
peeled off or washed with distilled water. 200 g edible portion (unwashed & washed) were
homogenized, oven dried at 105C [15]. The grounded sample was mineralized following
the method of AOAC, 1990 [16]. Dried samples were powdered in a manual grinder and
were used for heavy metal analysis. Powdered samples (14 g each) with three replicates for
each food item were accurately weighed and placed in a silica crucible and few drops of
concentrated nitric acid were added to the solid as an ashing aid. Dry ashing process was
carried out in a muffle furnace by stepwise increase of temperature upto 550C and then left
to ash at this temperature for 6 h [17]. The ash was kept in desiccators and then rinsed with
3N hydrochloric acid. The ash suspension was filtered in a 50 ml volumetric flask with
Whatman No 1 filter paper and the volume was made up to the mark with 3N hydrochloric
acid.
STANDARDS
Standard solutions of heavy metals viz. Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb) and
Cadmium (Cd) were prepared using Copper sulphate (CuSO4, 5H2O), Potassium
dichromate (K2Cr2O7), Lead chloride (PbCl2) and Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) were
prepared using distilled water having 500ppm concentration. Working standards were
freshly prepared from the stock solutions.
ALLOWABLE LIMIT OF HEAVY METALS
Safe values for Copper, Lead, Cadmium and Chromium in fruits and vegetables
recommended by WHO/FAO and range of heavy metals in non polluted soil are shown in
Table 1 [18].
Table: 1.

Levels of metals in collected and natural soils, fruits and vegetables.

Element

Elements in collected
World range of elements in
soils mg/Kg (range)
non polluted soil mg/Kg a
Cd
0.014 0.721
0.07 1.1
Pb
0.629 11.59
10 70
Cu
0.948 7.865
6 60
Cr
0.016 2.947
5 121
[30] a
Kabuta Pandias and Pandias, 1992.
[31] b
Eslami et al, 2007.

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Maximum allowable limits of elements in

fruits and vegetables mg/Kg dry weight b
0.2
0.3
40
2.3

Ray, L. et al. EJEAFChe, 9 (9), 2010. [1423-1432]

ANALYSIS
Concentration of heavy metals in the acidic solution was estimated using Atomic absorption
spectrophotometer, (Chemito Technologies Pvt. Ltd., India, Model No AA 203, Slit
width 0.5 nm). Estimations were carried out using the hollow cathode lamps depending upon
the element to be tested.
SOIL ANALYSIS
0.5 gm of each soil samples was digested (wet acid digestion) with concentrated HNO3,
H2SO4 and HClO4 (5:1:1) at 80C [19] until the solution becomes transparent. The digested
samples were filtered through the Whatman No. 42 filter paper and the filtrates were diluted
to 50 ml with distilled water. The heavy metal concentrations of soil samples were estimated
by Atomic absorption spectrophotometer as usual.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Toxic heavy metals easily enter into food commodities from various sources of polluted
ecosystem. The aim of this study was to monitor the heavy metals in fruits and vegetables.
The results obtained so far are shown in Table 2 to 5. An ANOVA of log-transformed data
showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in heavy metal (Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr) concentrations
between same types of vegetables collected from different sites of Kolkata and 24 Parganas,
India. Chromium concentration was found within safe value in the washed samples collected
from Chittosali, Ghatakpukuur and Bakrahat. Chromium content in Cauliflower and
Pumpkin leaves collected from Dhapa, Indian Spinach, Broad beans from Maheswara,
Brinjal, Tomato, and Indian Spinach from Sitakundu exceed allowable limit. Lead content of
all washed samples collected from different sites (except tomato from Maheswara) exceed
the permissible limit. Copper content of no washed samples exceed safe value. Cadmium
content of washed samples from Ghatakpukur does not exceed safe value. Broad beans from
Bakrahat, Goard and Taro from Chittosali, Red Indian Spinach from Sitakundu, Cabbage,
Cauliflower and Broad beans from Maheswara, Brinjal Indian Spinach and Pumpkin leaves
from Dhapa contain high amount of Cadmium. No samples collected from Falta, 24
parganas contain heavy metals above allowable limit recommended by FAO/WHO (Results
not shown).

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Ray, L. et al. EJEAFChe, 9 (9), 2010. [1423-1432]

Table: 2. Mean Cd concentrations (g/g dry weight) in unwashed and washed samples of different sites of
Kolkata and South 24 Parganas of West Bengal, India.
Site
Dhapa (Solid
waste Disposal
ground)
EM By Pass,
Kolkata.

Maheshwara,
Raichak,
24 pgs South,

Sitakundu,
Ramnagar I,
Baruipur, 24
Parganas (South).
Chittosali
Ramnagar,
Moderhat,
Baruipur,
24 pgs South

Ghatakpukur,
Kolkata

Bakrahat,
Manashatala, 24
Parganas, South.

Name of The Sample

Brinjal
Indian Spinach
Red Indian Spinach
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Pumkin leaves
Tomato
Brinjal
Indian Spinach
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broad beans
Indian beans
Brinjal
Tomato
Indian Spinach
Red Indian Spinach
Broad beans
Brinjal
Ladies finger
Pumkin
Papaya
Gourd
Taro
Cow pea
Brinjal
Gourd
Tomato
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Indian Spinach
Indian beans
Gourd
Cauliflower
Taro
Broad beans

Unwashed Sample
1.46
2.62
4.16
3.44
2.32
2.24
2.59
10.13
1.14
2.12
2.05
1.89
0.82
1.79
1.35
0.05
2.52
0.03
0.05
0.01
0.03
-0.92
1.21
-0.72
----0.85
0.93
-0.29
0.68
3.22

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Washed Sample
0.51
0.37
0.94
0.11
0.073
1.12
1.25
7.32
0.12
0.85
0.64
0.74
0.03
0.17
0.2
-0.11
-----0.3
0.5
---------0.037
0.037
1.41

Soil

0.721

0.073

0.062

0.042

0.014

0.086

Ray, L. et al. EJEAFChe, 9 (9), 2010. [1423-1432]

Table: 3. Mean Cu concentrations (g/g dry weight) in unwashed and washed samples of different sites of
Kolkata and South 24 Parganas of West Bengal, India.
Site
Dhapa (Solid waste Disposal ground)
EM By Pass, Kolkata.

Maheshwara, Raichak,
24 pgs South,

Sitakundu, Ramnagar I, Baruipur, 24

Parganas (South).

Chittosali Ramnagar, Moderhat, Baruipur,

24 pgs South

Ghatakpukur, Kolkata

Bakrahat, Manashatala, 24 Parganas, South.

Name of The
Sample
Brinjal
Indian Spinach
Red Indian
Spinach
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Pumkin leaves
Tomato
Brinjal
Indian Spinach
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broad beans
Indian beans
Brinjal
Tomato
Indian Spinach
Red Indian
Spinach
Broad beans
Brinjal
Ladies finger
Pumkin
Papaya
Gourd
Taro
Cow pea
Brinjal
Gourd
Tomato
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Indian Spinach
Indian beans
Gourd
Cauliflower
Taro
Broad beans

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Unwashed
Sample
22.16
71.16

Washed
Sample
11.75
16.13

63.23
8.16
3.12
45.29
11.25
24.21
62.15
10.12
6.15
6.22
3.41
27.29
20.43
65.41

17.14
6.11
0.45
10.85
5.92
12.12
5.91
6.43
3.9
4.11
1.61
14.14
13.7
13.44

52.51
5.29
21.82
20.19
6.21
3.82
37.89
80.19
9.23
27.25
23.15
26.21
13.32
8.92
62.58
10.21
19.52
10.89
61.25
15.81

3.4
3.43
11.14
9.71
1.48
0.59
21.87
21.25
6.23
13.25
14.65
16.87
9.87
6.8
8.97
6.65
11.1
8.84
9.79
13.59

Soil

7.865

1.54

3.995

3.115

4.726

0.948

Ray, L. et al. EJEAFChe, 9 (9), 2010. [1423-1432]

Table: 4. Mean Pb concentrations (g/g dry weight) in unwashed and washed samples of different sites of
Kolkata and South 24 Parganas of West Bengal, India.
Site
Dhapa (Solid
waste Disposal
ground)
EM By Pass,
Kolkata.
Maheshwara,
Raichak,
24 pgs South,

Sitakundu,
Ramnagar I,
Baruipur, 24
Parganas (South).
Chittosali
Ramnagar,
Moderhat,
Baruipur,
24 pgs South

Ghatakpukur,
Kolkata

Bakrahat,
Manashatala, 24
Parganas, South.

Name of The Sample

Brinjal
Indian Spinach
Red Indian Spinach
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Pumkin leaves
Tomato
Brinjal
Indian Spinach
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broad beans
Indian beans
Brinjal
Tomato
Indian Spinach
Red Indian Spinach
Broad beans
Brinjal
Ladies finger
Pumkin
Papaya
Gourd
Taro
Cow pea
Brinjal
Gourd
Tomato
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Indian Spinach
Indian beans
Gourd
Cauliflower
Taro
Broad beans

Unwashed Sample
25.16
70.66
102.83
6.11
8.29
62.52
3.14
18.13
68.25
16.12
10.94
5.21
6.13
25.79
6.42
86.67
75.28
6.28
35.15
31.39
19.26
10.12
13.79
19.52
4.29
12.16
16.12
5.21
7.92
10.25
57.52
9.25
11.21
4.52
22.15
7.91

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Washed Sample
14
16.57
57.92
3.93
5.14
21.61
0.08
7.32
14.72
13.19
8.13
1.44
1.84
14.6
3.5
30.48
31.07
2.18
24.19
19.36
7.16
5.81
7.27
1.42
3.61
0.685
9.02
1.775
4.48
7.56
3.567
4.127
5.625
1.3
3.04
3.21

Soil

11.59

2.458

3.622

0.629

3.88

0.743

Ray, L. et al. EJEAFChe, 9 (9), 2010. [1423-1432]

Table: 5. Mean Cr concentrations (g/g dry weight) in unwashed and washed samples of different sites of
Kolkata and South 24 Parganas of West Bengal, India.
Site
Dhapa (Solid
waste Disposal
ground)
EM By Pass,
Kolkata.
Maheshwara,
Raichak,
24 pgs South,

Sitakundu,
Ramnagar I,
Baruipur, 24
Parganas (South).
Chittosali
Ramnagar,
Modarhat,
Baruipur,
24 pgs South

Ghatakpukur,
Kolkata

Bakrahat,
Manashatala, 24
Parganas, South.

Name of The Sample

Brinjal
Indian Spinach
Red Indian Spinach
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Pumkin leaves
Tomato
Brinjal
Indian Spinach
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broad beans
Indian beans
Brinjal
Tomato
Indian Spinach
Red Indian Spinach
Broad beans
Brinjal
Ladies finger
Pumkin
Papaya
Gourd
Taro
Cow pea
Brinjal
Gourd
Tomato
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Indian Spinach
Indian beans
Gourd
Cauliflower
Taro
Broad beans

Unwashed Sample
1.73
3.02
1.72
3.92
0.89
4.51
0.89
1.02
5.13
2.11
0.82
6.25
2.56
11.21
3.58
9.21
2.78
0.81
1.26
0.95
1.62
0.05
0.39
2.89
0.02
1.52
1.29
1.35
1.89
1.23
1.34
1.42
0.02
0.03
0.09
0.01

Washed Sample
1.21
1.13
0.693
2.45
0.21
3.38
0.12
0.24
3.5
1.35
0.15
4.69
1.94
8.39
2.38
7.68
0.83
0.15
0.16
0.23
0.39
--1.97
-0.12
0.125
0.2
0.466
0.1
0.11
0.17
-----

Soil

2.947

0.134

2.09

0.047

0.092

0.016

Brinjal, leafy vegetables, cauliflower, vegetables grown very close to soil contain
high amount of heavy metals. Actually, fields of Dhapa is not only solid waste disposal land,
it is situated at the side of Eastern Metropolitan By Pass of Kolkata. Fields of Ghatakpukur
is situated far from EM By Pass. Fields of Falta is far away from road. Other fields are either
at the side of Highway or Roadside. The air surrounding the highway is high in Pb aerosol
resulting from emission from automobile/industrial exhaust. Yu et al [20] in 2006 reported
that among eight species of vegetables analyzed, non leafy vegetables are less contaminated
than the leafy vegetables cultivated in same area. Miller et al in 2004 and Lacatusu et al in
1996 found that Pb concentration in Lettuce is higher than onions and carrots, suggesting
that the accumulation effect stringly depends on the crop physiological properties [21- 22].

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Ray, L. et al. EJEAFChe, 9 (9), 2010. [1423-1432]

Whilst support for increased production and consumption of fresh vegetables is an

important goal, citizens have a right to get safe food and to be ensured that the vegetables
available to them are not contaminated beyond acceptable safe limits. Heavy metal
depositions are associated with a wide range of sources such as small scale industries
(including battery production, metal products, metal smelting and cable coating industries);
brick kilns; vehicular emissions; re-suspended road dust and diesel generator sets. These can
all be important contributors to the contaminants found in vegetables. Coal combustion is
also an important source and has high heavy metal contents. Vegetable crops are often
grown in polluted and degraded environmental conditions in the peri-urban (or urban fringe)
zone and are subjectd to further pollution from vehicles and industries during marketing.
There is therefore significant cause for concern regarding contamination. It is fact that
vegetable production also has a major role to play in supporting the livelihoods of the poor.
These people often have little choice but to farm in polluted areas and have limited access to
advice and support. This investigation highlights the increased danger of growing vegetables
in the vicinity of highway and industrial area. The present study provides additional data on
heavy metals pollution in two districts viz, Kolkata and South 24 Parganas in West Bengal,
India and also can help in risk assessment of consumer exposure to the expected heavy metal
levels. It is therefore suggested that regular survey of heavy metals should be done on all
food commodities in order to evaluate whether any health risks from heavy metal exposure
do exist, to assume food safety and to protect the end user from food that might injure their
health. Heavy metal concentrations for the examined vegetables showed large variations
even at the same location in the field. This is due to the difference in physiological properties
of plant uptake.
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