A survey of arsenic and other heavy metals in vegetation from markets or mine tailings

Abstract

This research includes two investigations. The first one is a market basket survey of the levels of arsenic (As) and trace elements in bracken fern (Aeridium aquilinum) originated from three countries: South Korea, China and North Korea. The results showed that the mean As concentrations in stems of samples were significantly higher than those in leaves. As concentrations in all samples did not exceed food safety limits for vegetables. Generally, concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in leaves were higher than those in stems. The second investigation is a survey on the levels of As and other heavy metals in vegetation in the vicinity of Myoungbong mine tailings. The results demonstrated that As, Pb and Cu concentrations and bioaccumulation factors (BCF) in seedlings of the fern(Asplenium achilleifolium) were the highest, whereas Marsh horsetail(Equisetum palustre) accumulated the highest levels of Zn. Concentrations of As, Pb, Zn and Cu in vegetable-cress (Lepidium sativum) and the edible herb-aromatic madder (Elasholtzia splendens) were higher than food safety limits. Therefore, a risk assessment of As and other heavy metals in vegetables and herbs on local human health should be conducted in the future.