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

Background: Heavy metals represent one of the most pressing environmental hazards, with cadmium being a highly toxic element that adversely affects both crop quality and human health. Agricultural soils in developing countries, including Pakistan, are increasingly contaminated due to the use of phosphate fertilizers, untreated wastewater, and industrial effluents. Such contamination promotes cadmium accumulation in edible crops, where consumption poses risks of kidney dysfunction, osteoporosis, and cancer. Monitoring cadmium levels in food products is therefore essential to safeguard consumer health. Objective: The study was designed to evaluate cadmium concentrations in the peels and pulp of locally grown and imported fruits and vegetables commonly consumed in Multan, Pakistan. Methods: A total of 22 samples representing 11 types of fruits and vegetables, including apples, oranges, cucumbers, and potatoes, were analyzed. Each sample was separated into peel and pulp, dried at 190°C for 24 hours, ground, and digested using a mixture of nitric and perchloric acids. Cadmium concentrations were quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were statistically evaluated to compare cadmium levels between peels and pulps as well as across different plant types and origins. Results: The results showed that in 10 out of 11 samples, cadmium concentrations were higher in the pulp than in the peel. The highest pulp concentration was observed in cucumbers from Multan Saddar (0.43 ppm), exceeding the WHO permissible limit of 0.1 ppm by 0.33 ppm. Oranges obtained from fruit vendor shops also exceeded the safe threshold with a pulp concentration of 0.16 ppm. Conversely, the lowest levels were recorded in peels of Multani apples (0.00093 ppm) and oranges (0.00031 ppm). Potatoes showed a unique pattern with higher cadmium accumulation in peels (0.16 ppm) than in pulp (0.034 ppm). Conclusion: The study highlighted the presence of cadmium contamination in fruits and vegetables from Multan, with certain commodities surpassing permissible safety limits. These findings emphasize the need for strict monitoring of irrigation water and fertilizers, alongside promoting sustainable agricultural practices, to reduce cadmium accumulation and ensure food safety.