Toxic metals in vegetables from regions of the Kyrgyz Republic with varying technogenic loads

Salymbekova K.S.

Sharshenova A.A.

Isirayiilov M.B.

https://dx.doi.org/10.51350/zdravkg2026.1.3.16.131.138

Toxic metals in vegetables from regions of the Kyrgyz Republic with varying technogenic loads

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Abstract About the authors References

Abstract

Introduction. To assess the impact of environmental pollution on the quality of plant-based food products, a study was conducted on the content of toxic metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, antimony, and selenium) in carrots and potatoes grown in Batken Region (zone of technogenic impact) and Talas Region (control zone). In Batken, 16 potato samples and 7 carrot samples were collected; in Talas, 19 potato samples and 8 carrot samples were taken. In total, 50 samples were analyzed, including peeled and unpeeled fractions of root crops. Objective of the study. To evaluate the content of toxic metals in the peel and pulp of potatoes and carrots grown in regions with different levels of technogenic load, and to determine potential risks to public health. Materials and methods. The determination of toxic element content was carried out using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The data were processed using statistical methods. Results. The analysis showed that in samples from Batken Region, the concentrations of most toxic elements were significantly higher, especially in the peels of vegetables, despite thorough preliminary washing. The highest levels of contamination were observed for cadmium, antimony, mercury, and arsenic, and in some cases the concentrations of cadmium and mercury exceeded the established maximum permissible concentrations (MPC). The obtained data indicate a pronounced ability of the peel to accumulate toxic metals, and the consumption of vegetables grown under conditions of technogenic impact may lead to potential risks to public health. Conclusion. The conducted study showed that in carrots and potatoes grown in areas with technogenic impact in the Batken region, the concentrations of toxic metals (As, Cd, Sb, Hg, Pb) were significantly higher compared to the control area. The highest levels were detected in the peel, indicating a potential health risk with regular consumption. The results highlight the systematic accumulation of metals by plants from the soil and emphasize the need for regular monitoring of vegetable quality, as well as public health education among the population.

About the authors

Салымбекова Касиет Салымбековна, соискатель, научный сотрудник Национального института общественного здоровья МЗ, Бишкек, Кыргызская Республика

Шаршенова Айнаш Акыновна, доктор медицинских наук, профессор, профессор кафедры общественного здравоохранения, Международная высшая школа медицины; Главный научный сотрудник Национальный институт общественного здоровья при Министерстве здравоохранения, Бишкек, Кыргызская Республика

Исирайилов Махмуд Борубаевич, заведующий аккредитованной санитарно-гигиенической лабораторией Межрайонного Кадамжайского центра профилактики заболеваний и Госсанэпиднадзора, Кадамжайский район, Баткенская обл., Кыргызская Республика

Salymbekova Kasiet Salymbekovna, applicant, research fellow, National Institute of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

Sharshenova Ainash Akynovna, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department of Public Health, International Higher School of Medicine, International Higher School of Medicine, Chief Researcher, National Institute of Public Health under the Ministry of Health Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

Isirayilov Makhmud Borubaevich, head of the accredited sanitary and hygienic laboratory of the Interdistrict Kadamzhai Center for Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, Kadamzhai district, Batken region, Kyrgyz Republic

Салымбекова Касиет Салымбековна, Саламаттыкты сактоо министрлигинин Улуттук саламаттыкты сактоо институтунун аспиранты, илимий кызматкери, Бишкек, Кыргыз Республикасы

Шаршенова Айнаш Акыновна, медицина илимдеринин доктору, профессор, Эл аралык жогорку медицина мектебинин коомдук саламаттыкты сактоо кафедрасынын профессору; Саламаттыкты сактоо министрлигинин Улуттук саламаттыкты сактоо институтунун башкы илимий кызматкери, Бишкек, Кыргыз Республикасы

Исирайилов Махмуд Борубаевич, Кадамжай районунун Оорулардын алдын алуу жана мамлекеттик санитардык-эпидемиологиялык көзөмөл борборунун аккредитацияланган санитардык-гигиеналык лабораториясынын башчысы, Баткен облусу, Кадамжай району, Кыргыз Республикасы

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