بررسی وضعیت عناصر سنگین (کادمیم، سرب و آرسنیک) در محصولات کشاورزی ایران و نقدی بر مطالعات منتشر شده-مطالعه مروری

نوع مقاله : مروری

نویسندگان

1 سازمان تحقیقات، ترویج و آموزش کشاورزی (AREEO)، موسسه تحقیقات خاک و آب (SWRI)، کرج، ایران.

2 موسسه تحقیقات خاک و آب، سازمان تحقیقات، آموزش و ترویج کشاورزی، کرج، ایران، کرج، ایران.

3 گروه علوم و مهندسی خاک، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه تهران، کرج، ایران.

چکیده

برای انجام این پژوهش، تمامی مطالعات منتشر شده تا پایان سال 1403 در زمینه پایش غلظت عناصر سنگین در محصولات کشاورزی ایران گردآوری و از نظر متدولوژی و کنترل کیفیت نتایج ارزیابی و با شاخص­های یک مطالعه استاندارد مقایسه گردید. سپس بررسی وضعیت غلظت فلزات سنگین در محصولات کشاورزی ایران با استفاده از نتایج گزارش­هایی که از حداقل­های یک مطالعه استاندارد برخوردار بودند انجام گرفت. ارزیابی متدولوژی مطالعات نشان داد که تنها در 4/70 درصد مطالعات روش  نمونه­برداری و آماده­سازی نمونه­ها و در 6/28 درصد مطالعات روش اندازه­گیری غلظت، منطبق با استانداردهای معتبر انجام شده بود. همچنین، تنها در 1/24 درصد مطالعات به شاخص­های کنترل و تضمین کیفیت توجه شده بود. ارزیابی غلظت عناصر سنگین نشان داد که میانگین وزنی غلظت کادمیم در محصولات برنج 0376/0، گندم 0111/0، جو 0097/0، ذرت 0129/0، لوبیا 0256/0، نخود <LOQ، سیب­زمینی 0075/0، پیاز 0046/0، خیار 0045/0، گوجه­فرنگی 0038/0، فلفل 0028/0، کاهو 0044/0، اسفناج 0150/0، سبزی خوردن 0400/0، سیب 0076/0 و پرتقال 0038/0 میلی­گرم در کیلوگرم وزن تازه بود و برای سرب به­ترتیب 0726/0، 0350/0، 0124/0، 0543/0، 0150/0، 0320/0، 0280/0، 0211/0، 0075/0، 0133/0، 0064/0، 0259/0، 0326/0، 0660/0، 0250/0 و 0193/0 میلی­گرم در کیلوگرم بود. میانگین غلظت آرسنیک در دانه برنج نیز 0831/0 (دامنه ND-8720/0) میلی­گرم در کیلوگرم بود. این مطالعه نشان داد که میانگین غلظت کادمیم، سرب و آرسنیک در محصولات مورد بررسی از بیشینه سطوح مجاز توصیه شده در استاندارد ملی ایران و سایر استانداردهای بین­المللی کمتر است، بنابراین، نگرانی جدی در مورد سطوح بیش از حد این عناصر در محصولات کشاورزی خوراکی در سطح وسیع وجود ندارد.

کلیدواژه‌ها

موضوعات


عنوان مقاله [English]

Investigation of heavy metals (Cadmium, Lead, and Arsenic) status in Iranian agricultural products and a critique of published studies – a review study

نویسندگان [English]

  • Meysam Cheraghi 1
  • Karim Shahbazi 2
  • Arzhang Fathi-Gerdelidani 3
  • Mojgan Yeganeh 1
  • Kobra Sadat Hasheminasab Zavareh 1
  • Mostafa Marzi 1
  • Mehdi Beheshti 1
  • Roya Toluee 1
  • Ayoub Avizhgan 3
  • Meisam Rezaei 1
  • Kambiz Bazargan 1
1 Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Soil and Water Research Institute (SWRI), Karaj, Iran.
2 Soil and Water Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education, and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran.
3 Department of Soil Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
چکیده [English]

For this study, all research published up to the end of 2024 regarding the monitoring of heavy metal concentrations in Iranian agricultural products was collected, evaluated in terms of methodology and quality control, and compared against the benchmarks of a standard study. Subsequently, the assessment of heavy metal concentrations in Iranian agricultural products was carried out using data only from reports that met the minimum standards of a valid study. The methodological evaluation revealed that only 70.4% of the studies had applied proper sampling and sample preparation methods, and just 28.6% had used validated measurement techniques. Furthermore, quality assurance and control indicators were considered in only 24.1% of the studies. The concentration analysis showed that the weighted mean concentration of cadmium (mg/kg fresh weight) was as follows: rice 0.0376, wheat 0.0111, barley 0.0097, maize 0.0129, bean 0.0256, chickpea <LOQ, potato 0.0075, onion 0.0046, cucumber 0.0045, tomato 0.0038, pepper 0.0028, lettuce 0.0044, spinach 0.0150, fresh herbs 0.0400, apple 0.0076, and orange 0.0038. For lead, the respective concentrations were 0.0726, 0.0350, 0.0124, 0.0543, 0.0150, 0.0320, 0.0280, 0.0211, 0.0075, 0.0133, 0.0064, 0.0259, 0.0326, 0.0660, 0.0250, and 0.0193 mg/kg. The mean arsenic concentration in rice grain was 0.0831 mg/kg (range: ND–0.8720). The findings of this study indicated that the mean concentrations of cadmium, lead, and arsenic in the assessed products were lower than the maximum permissible limits recommended by the Iranian National Standard and other international standards. Therefore, there is no major concern regarding excessive levels of these elements in edible agricultural products on a broader national scale.

کلیدواژه‌ها [English]

  • Standard methods
  • Product safety
  • Heavy metals
  • Quality control
  • Agricultural products

Objectives

Given the growing concerns regarding the contamination of agricultural products with heavy metals and their potential impacts on human health, this study was conducted with the aim of providing a comprehensive and systematic assessment of the concentrations of three heavy metals—cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As)—in edible agricultural products produced in Iran. A key component of this research also involved a qualitative evaluation of the methodologies used in previous studies, including sampling procedures, sample preparation, digestion, measurement techniques, and quality control, in comparison with standard methodological requirements. Additionally, the study sought to present an integrated overview of the sources of heavy metals, their uptake, translocation, accumulation, and effects on plants, along with standard analytical methods and data validation procedures.

Methodology

In this review study, all scientific sources—including Persian and English articles, theses, and research project reports—related to the monitoring of heavy metals in Iranian agricultural products published up to the end of 2024 were collected and analyzed. After initial screening, 199 relevant sources were selected and evaluated against the criteria of a standard study. The qualitative assessment revealed that only 70.4% of the studies employed appropriate sampling and sample preparation methods, and only 28.6% used standard-compliant measurement techniques. Moreover, indicators of quality control and assurance were considered in just 24.1% of the studies. In total, 134 studies (equivalent to 67.3%) met the methodological requirements and were included in the final analysis of heavy metal concentrations.

Results

Based on the analysis of validated data, the weighted mean concentration of Cd in various agricultural products was as follows (mg/kg fresh weight): rice 0.0376, wheat 0.0111, barley 0.0097, maize 0.0129, bean 0.0256, chickpea <LOQ, potato 0.0075, onion 0.0046, cucumber 0.0045, tomato 0.0038, pepper 0.0028, radish 0.0467, sugar beet 0.0116, lettuce 0.0044, spinach 0.0150, fresh herbs 0.0400, apple 0.0076, orange 0.0038, and pistachio 0.0131. The corresponding concentrations for Pb were 0.0726, 0.0350, 0.0124, 0.0543, 0.0150, 0.0320, 0.0280, 0.0211, 0.0075, 0.0133, 0.0064, 0.0909, 0.0927, 0.0259, 0.0326, 0.0660, 0.0250, 0.0193, and 0.0523 mg/kg, respectively. The mean As concentrations in rice, chickpea, and pepper were 0.0831, 0.0101, and 0.0085 mg/kg, respectively.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that the mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, and As in edible agricultural products produced in Iran are below the maximum permissible limits set by the Iranian National Standard as well as international guidelines such as Codex and the European Union. Therefore, from a public health perspective, there is no significant concern regarding excessive levels of these elements in agricultural products on a national scale. However, the insufficient adherence to methodological principles and quality control procedures in a substantial portion of the reviewed studies may lead to high levels of uncertainty in the reported data, thus hindering scientific interpretation and evidence-based policymaking. Accordingly, the design and implementation of monitoring programs based on standardized protocols and rigorous quality assurance are essential for the reliable assessment of agricultural product safety in the country.

Authors’ Contributions

Meysan Cheraghi and Karim Shahbazi: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Investigation, Information collection, Original idea of the study, Conceptualization, Supervision, Validation. Arzhang Fathi-Gerdelidani, Mojgan Yeganeh, Kobra Sadat Hasheminasab, Mostafa Marzi, Mehdi Beheshti, and Roya Toluee: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Information collection, Investigation, Conceptualization. Ayoub Avizhgan, Meisam Rezaei, and Kambiz Bazargan: Writing – review & editing, Conceptualization, Validation.

Data Availability

Not applicable

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Soil and Water Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. This support was instrumental in facilitating the successful completion of the present research.

Ethical considerations

The authors avoided data fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, and misconduct.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

 

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