Health risk assessment of heavy metals in root and fruit vegetables in Iran using Monte Carlo simulation

Carrots and cucumbers are highly consumed root and fruit vegetables that constitute a significant portion of the diet. However, pollutants such as heavy metals in these vegetables can lead to health consequences for consumers. In this study, heavy metal concentrations in carrots and cucumbers in southern Iran were analyzed, and the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from their consumption were assessed using Monte Carlo simulation. The results showed that the average concentrations of chromium, cadmium, nickel, and lead in cucumber samples (0.175, 0.003, 0.136, and 0.075 mg kg− 1) were lower than those in carrots (0.654, 0.004, 0.409, and 0.303 mg kg− 1). Hazard Index (HI) due to the concentrations of the studied heavy metals in cucumber and carrots were 2.31E-3 and 8.2E-3 respectively. The order of metals effective in Hazard Quotient (HQ) in studied vegetables were Pb > Ni > Cd > Cr. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of the total studied metals resulting from the consumption of cucumber and carrot was 1.1 and 2.2, respectively. Therefore, the calculated carcinogenic risk based on the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) associated with cucumber and carrot consumption was 2.32E-5 and 1.00E-4, respectively. Based on results, the concentrations of studied heavy metals in cucumbers and carrots may lead to potential long-term health concerns if not controlled in a plan to identify sources of emissions and reduce these pollutants in agricultural land and water.