Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of vegetables grown in old mining area; a case study: Banat County, Romania

The aim of this study is to measure the levels of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb) found in common vegetables (parsley, carrot, onion, lettuce, cucumber and green beans) grown in contaminated mining areas compared with those grown in reference clear area and to determine their potential detrimental effects via calculation of the daily metal intake (DImetal) and Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) for normal daily consumption of these vegetables, for male and female gender. The results indicate that soil and plant contents of analyzed metals are generally higher in contaminated areas, particularly noting higher values for Cu and Pb beyond intervention threshold values. Combined THQ values suggest health risks associated with the consumption of certain vegetables, notably surpassing the safe level for parsley and carrot roots, and leafy vegetables in severely contaminated zones. A notable gender difference in THQ was observed where female values exceeded male ones across all areas. This study underscores the necessity of utilizing the complex THQ parameter over simpler measures to assess health risks linked to heavy metal exposure through vegetable consumption in mining-affected regions.