Heavy metals in lettuce and chard leaves from urban agriculture in Miraflores. Is it safe to consume?

Prialé Reátegui D.; Achata Böttger J. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2025) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2025.1.1.1643

Resumen

Urban agriculture is an activity that generates global interest because of the benefits it purportedly brings to food systems. However, urban air quality can jeopardize the safety of urban crops due to the accumulation of heavy metals in the edible parts of plants. To do this, we grow the species Lactuca sativa and Beta vulgaris var. Cicla on balconies, terraces and parks in the district of Miraflores, Lima, Perú, the lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) leaf contents were compared with the limits recommended by international organizations, and the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) indicator was estimated. The edible leaves had negligible concentrations of lead, but cadmium was found to be above the expected quality threshold for leafy vegetables established in the Codex Alimentarius.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas