Summary
This study analyses the heavy metal content (Pb, Cd, As, Hg) of five vegetables — tomatoes, carrots, green peppers, coriander, and mint — sourced from organic and conventional farms in the Kenitra region of Morocco, using atomic absorption spectrometry. The analytical method was validated against NIST certified reference materials, lending credibility to the quantitative findings. The paper contributes comparative evidence on food safety and dietary exposure risk associated with farming system type in a North African context.
UK applicability
The study is conducted in Morocco and its findings reflect local agricultural practices, soil conditions, and regulatory contexts that differ from the UK. However, the comparative framework and health risk assessment methodology are broadly applicable to UK food safety discussions, particularly regarding heavy metal monitoring in horticultural produce and the relative merits of organic certification.
Key measures
Heavy metal concentrations (Pb, Cd, As, Hg in mg/kg); health risk indices; comparison against regulatory limits; analytical validation against NIST standard reference materials
Outcomes reported
The study measured concentrations of lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury in five vegetable types grown under organic and conventional systems, and assessed associated human health risks. Results indicated that heavy metal concentrations were generally higher in conventionally produced vegetables.
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