Assessment of Cadmium Levels in Selected Local and Imported Fruits and Vegetables in Iraq: A Study on Environmental and Health Risks

Heavy metals, such as cadmium, are among the most hazardous environmental pollutants that threaten the quality of agricultural products and human health. This study, conducted in Iraq, analyzed 22 plant samples, including the peels and pulp of 11 types of local and imported fruits and vegetables, using precise analytical techniques such as atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results revealed significant variations in cadmium levels across different plant parts, with concentrations in the pulp being, on average, 4 to 21 times higher than in the peels in 10 out of 11 samples, except for Syrian potatoes, which recorded higher concentrations in the peels. This highlights the influence of soil and surrounding environmental conditions on cadmium uptake. Some samples, such as Syrian cucumbers (0.41 ppm in the pulp), exceeded the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (0.1 ppm), reflecting the impact of contaminated phosphate fertilizers or irrigation with polluted water. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring the quality of water and fertilizers used in agriculture. Adopting sustainable agricultural practices is crucial to minimizing heavy metal accumulation in crops and ensuring food safety for consumers in Iraq.