IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i15p6666-d1706898.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Heavy Metals in Leafy Vegetables and Soft Fruits from Allotment Gardens in the Warsaw Agglomeration: Health Risk Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Jarosław Chmielewski

    (Department of Public Health, Academy of Medical Sciences of Applied and Holistic Sciences, 01-234 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Elżbieta Wszelaczyńska

    (Department of Agronomy and Food Processing, Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Prof. S. Kaliskiego 7, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland)

  • Jarosław Pobereżny

    (Department of Agronomy and Food Processing, Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Prof. S. Kaliskiego 7, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland)

  • Magdalena Florek-Łuszczki

    (Department of Medical Anthropology, Institute of Rural Medicine, 20-090 Lublin, Poland)

  • Barbara Gworek

    (Department of Environmental Chemistry and Risk Assessment, The Institute of Environmental Protection—National Research Institute, 02-170 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Vegetables and fruits grown in urban areas pose a potential threat to human health due to contamination with heavy metals (HMs). This study aimed to identify and quantify the concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd) in tomatoes, leafy vegetables, and fruits collected from 16 allotment gardens (AGs) located in Warsaw. A total of 112 samples were analyzed (72 vegetable and 40 fruit samples). Vegetables from AGs accumulated significantly higher levels of HMs than fruits. Leafy vegetables, particularly those cultivated near high-traffic roads, exhibited markedly elevated levels of Pb, Cd, and Zn compared to those grown in peripheral areas. Lead concentrations exceeded permissible limits by six to twelve times, cadmium by one to thirteen times, and zinc by 0.7 to 2.4 times. Due to high levels of Pb and Cd, tomatoes should not be cultivated in urban environments. Regardless of location, only trace amounts of HMs were detected in fruits. The greatest health risk is associated with the consumption of leafy vegetables. Lettuce should be considered an indicator plant for assessing environmental contamination. The obtained Hazard Index (HI) values indicate that only the tested fruits are safe for consumption. Meanwhile, the values of the Hazard Quotient (HQ) indicate no health risk associated with the consumption of lettuce, cherries, and red currants. Among the analyzed elements, Pb showed a higher potential health risk than other metals. This study emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring of HM levels in urban soils and the establishment of baseline values for public health purposes. Remediation of contaminated soils and the implementation of safer agricultural practices are recommended to reduce the exposure of urban populations to the risks associated with the consumption of contaminated produce. In addition, the safety of fruits and vegetables grown in urban areas is influenced by the location of the AGs and the level of industrialization of the agglomeration. Therefore, the safety assessment of plant products derived from AGs should be monitored on a continuous basis, especially in vegetables.

Suggested Citation

  • Jarosław Chmielewski & Elżbieta Wszelaczyńska & Jarosław Pobereżny & Magdalena Florek-Łuszczki & Barbara Gworek, 2025. "Heavy Metals in Leafy Vegetables and Soft Fruits from Allotment Gardens in the Warsaw Agglomeration: Health Risk Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6666-:d:1706898
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/15/6666/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/15/6666/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Philip J. White & Paula Pongrac & Claire C. Sneddon & Jacqueline A. Thompson & Gladys Wright, 2018. "Limits to the Biofortification of Leafy Brassicas with Zinc," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Sonia Collado-López & Larissa Betanzos-Robledo & Martha María Téllez-Rojo & Héctor Lamadrid-Figueroa & Moisés Reyes & Camilo Ríos & Alejandra Cantoral, 2022. "Heavy Metals in Unprocessed or Minimally Processed Foods Consumed by Humans Worldwide: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-25, July.
    3. Gang Liang & Wenwen Gong & Bingru Li & Jimin Zuo & Ligang Pan & Xinhui Liu, 2019. "Analysis of Heavy Metals in Foodstuffs and an Assessment of the Health Risks to the General Public via Consumption in Beijing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-10, March.
    4. Hang Zhou & Wen-Tao Yang & Xin Zhou & Li Liu & Jiao-Feng Gu & Wen-Lei Wang & Jia-Ling Zou & Tao Tian & Pei-Qin Peng & Bo-Han Liao, 2016. "Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Vegetable Species Planted in Contaminated Soils and the Health Risk Assessment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-12, March.
    5. Agnieszka Gruszecka-Kosowska, 2019. "Potentially Harmful Element Concentrations in the Vegetables Cultivated on Arable Soils, with Human Health-Risk Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-25, October.
    6. Meie Wang & Haizhen Zhang, 2018. "Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Roadside Soil in Urban Area and the Related Impacting Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-11, May.
    7. Giuseppe Pulighe & Flavio Lupia, 2019. "Multitemporal Geospatial Evaluation of Urban Agriculture and (Non)-Sustainable Food Self-Provisioning in Milan, Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-17, March.
    8. Maria Dettwiler & Angela C. Flynn & Jessica Rigutto-Farebrother, 2023. "Effects of Non-Essential “Toxic” Trace Elements on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Narrative Overview of Recent Literature Syntheses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-16, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Guanghui Guo & Degang Zhang & Yuntao Wang, 2019. "Probabilistic Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Intake via Vegetable Consumption around Pb/Zn Smelters in Southwest China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-17, September.
    2. Qing Ma & Lina Han & Jiquan Zhang & Yichen Zhang & Qiuling Lang & Fengxu Li & Aru Han & Yongbin Bao & Kaiwei Li & Si Alu, 2019. "Environmental Risk Assessment of Metals in the Volcanic Soil of Changbai Mountain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-17, June.
    3. Shingo Yoshida & Hironori Yagi, 2021. "Long-Term Development of Urban Agriculture: Resilience and Sustainability of Farmers Facing the Covid-19 Pandemic in Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-23, April.
    4. Elżbieta Zawierucha & Monika Skowrońska & Marcin Zawierucha, 2022. "Chemical and Biological Properties of Agricultural Soils Located along Communication Routes," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-11, November.
    5. Maëlle Tripon & Dorothée Boccanfuso & Marie-Eve Yergeau, 2020. "Agriculture urbaine, pratiques agricoles et impacts environnementaux et de santé publique," Cahiers de recherche 20-02, Departement d'économique de l'École de gestion à l'Université de Sherbrooke.
    6. Szilárd Bartha & Ioan Taut & Győző Goji & Ioana Andra Vlad & Florin Dinulică, 2020. "Heavy Metal Content in PolyfloralHoney and Potential Health Risk. A Case Study of Copșa Mică, Romania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-12, February.
    7. Zhou Li & Hong Su & Li Wang & Danbiao Hu & Lijun Zhang & Jian Fang & Micong Jin & Samuel Selorm Fiati Kenston & Xin Song & Hongbo Shi & Jinshun Zhao & Guochuan Mao, 2018. "Epidemiological Study on Metal Pollution of Ningbo in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-14, February.
    8. H. Holly Wang & Jing Yang & Na Hao, 2022. "Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Rice from Remediated Soil: Potential from the Public in Sustainable Soil Pollution Treatment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-22, July.
    9. Nattanan Krailertrattanachai & Daojarus Ketrot & Worachart Wisawapipat, 2019. "The Distribution of Trace Metals in Roadside Agricultural Soils, Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-12, February.
    10. Mohineeta Pandey & Astha Tirkey & Ankesh Tiwari & Sang Soo Lee & Rashmi Dubey & Ki Hyun Kim & Sudhir Kumar Pandey, 2022. "The Environmental Significance of Contaminants of Concern in the Soil–Vegetable Interface: Sources, Accumulation, Health Risks, and Mitigation through Biochar," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-23, November.
    11. Jaskaran Kaur & Sartaj Ahmad Bhat & Navdeep Singh & Sandip Singh Bhatti & Varinder Kaur & Jatinder Kaur Katnoria, 2022. "Assessment of the Heavy Metal Contamination of Roadside Soils Alongside Buddha Nullah, Ludhiana, (Punjab) India," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-24, January.
    12. Aiman M. Bobaker & Intisar Alakili & Sukiman B. Sarmani & Nadhir Al-Ansari & Zaher Mundher Yaseen, 2019. "Determination and Assessment of the Toxic Heavy Metal Elements Abstracted from the Traditional Plant Cosmetics and Medical Remedies: Case Study of Libya," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-14, June.
    13. Min Yang & Jianghua Zhang & Huaqing Chen & Hailing Ke & Youning Xu, 2023. "Human health risk assessment of toxic elements in soils and crops around Xiaoqinling gold-mining area, Northwestern China," Energy & Environment, , vol. 34(2), pages 283-303, March.
    14. Jorge Paz-Ferreiro & Gabriel Gascó & Ana Méndez & Suzie M. Reichman, 2018. "Soil Pollution and Remediation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-3, August.
    15. Dawid Krakowiak & Dorota Adamczyk-Szabela & Małgorzata Szczesio & Wojciech M. Wolf, 2025. "Roses in the City Environment: A Heavy Metals Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-16, May.
    16. Zhen Wang & Jianguo Bao & Tong Wang & Haseeb Tufail Moryani & Wei Kang & Jin Zheng & Changlin Zhan & Wensheng Xiao, 2021. "Hazardous Heavy Metals Accumulation and Health Risk Assessment of Different Vegetable Species in Contaminated Soils from a Typical Mining City, Central China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-18, March.
    17. Harsimranjit Kaur Romana & Ramesh P. Singh & Chandra S. Dubey & Dericks P. Shukla, 2022. "Analysis of Air and Soil Quality around Thermal Power Plants and Coal Mines of Singrauli Region, India," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-22, September.
    18. Wanjiang She & Linghui Guo & Jiangbo Gao & Chi Zhang & Shaohong Wu & Yuanmei Jiao & Gaoru Zhu, 2022. "Spatial Distribution of Soil Heavy Metals and Associated Environmental Risks near Major Roads in Southern Tibet, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-17, July.
    19. Giulia Lucertini & Gianmarco Di Giustino, 2021. "Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture as a Tool for Food Security and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: The Case of Mestre," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, May.
    20. Jingyun Wang & Jun Yang & Chen Zhao & Xinglei Tian & Xiaofeng Zhao & Wei Zhao & Hao Xin & Xianjun Li, 2025. "Revealing Influencing Mechanisms and Spatial Pattern of Soil Cadmium Through Geodetector and Spatial Analysis," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-16, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:15:p:6666-:d:1706898. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.