Heavy metal contamination, bioaccumulation, and health risk assessment in carrots from two regions of Kosovo

Abstract

This study evaluated the accumulation and potential health risks of five heavy metals – Arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), thallium (Tl), palladium (Pd), and antimony (Sb) in the carrots grown in two regions of Kosovo. The authors analyzed soil and carrot samples to determine how much metal was in them. Then, the bioaccumulation factor (BAF), estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard risk index (HRI), and total hazard index (THI) for both adults and children were established. The findings indicated that the BAF values for As, Hg, Tl, and Pd were predominantly low, signifying minimal translocation from soil to edible carrot tissues, whereas Sb demonstrated moderate bioaccumulation. Children had higher EDI values because they weighed less, and As and Sb were the main sources of dietary exposure. The HRI values for all metals were below 1 for adults, indicating a minimal non-carcinogenic risk; however, children showed notably higher HRI values, especially for arsenic. The THI assessment indicated that overall exposure remained within safe limits for most municipalities; nonetheless, Obiliq recorded the highest THI figures (7.22 for adults, 22.66 for children), highlighting the necessity for regional monitoring. In conclusion, the research demonstrated that carrot consumption in the assessed regions is generally safe for adults, while children may face elevated yet still acceptable levels of exposure. These results offer vital information for food safety evaluations and stress the importance of ongoing monitoring of heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils and crops.