Selected trace metal levels in common vegetables grown in NWFP, Pakistan

Seventeen vegetables procured from local markets of Peshawar nod its suburb s were analyzed using wet digestion atomic absorption method for Ee, As, ph , Hg Cd, Cr, and Ni. The families investigated were: Cucurbitaceae; Solanac eae, Cruciferae, Liliaceae, Araceae, Leguminosae, Malvaceae, Umbelliferae a nd Zingiberaceae. The heavy metal data are reported at 99% (+/-2S) confiden ce level for triplicate measurements on subsamples of a given sample with a n overall reproducibility of 2% compared with standard material samples. Co mparison of averages thought t-test indicates that each vegetable group is distinctly different from the other in terms of metal content, Maximum iron was present in garlic, at 4.585 mu g/g dry weight (edible part-stem) of th e Liliaceae: family. Arsenic was found to be below detection limit in all t he vegetable groups. Lead level were quite low: maximum, concentration (0.0 200 mu g/g dry weight) was found in karaila (edible part-fruit). Mercury le vels were relatively higher, with maximum concentration (2.590 mu g/g, dry weight) in gem (edible part-stem). The levels of nickel were moderately hig her, being maximum (2.375 mu g/g dry weight) in karaila, The overall conten t of trace metals appeared to be within limits laid down internationally fo r safe human consumption, with only a few exceptions.