The objective of the current study was to determine the levels of heavy metals in three spring plants (Gundelia tournefortii, Tragopogon porrifolius, and Terfezia boudieri), using an ICP-OES device in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. Mean levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn in G. tournefortii were 0.07, <LOD, 0.27, 6.37, 112, <LOD, 6.50, 0.52, 0.15, 0.28, and 10.3 mg/kg, respectively; in T. porrifolius, these were < LOD, 0.04, 0.43, 8.58, 36.1, <LOD, 10.6, 0.26, <LOD, 1.09, and 10.3 mg/kg, respectively; and in T. boudieri, mean levels were 0.02, <LOD, 0.09, 12.9, 189, <LOD, 7.95, 0.10, 0.05, 3.66, and 33.9 mg/kg, respectively. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks from metal exposure by consumption of spring plants were assessed, showing that there were no non-carcinogenic health risks for Iraqi adults, but children faced notable carcinogenic risks from As, Cr, and Ni in the investigated plant samples.
Shilan Muhammad Abdulla (Fri,) studied this question.