Skip to main content

Table 4 Guideline for safe limits of heavy metals

From: Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of food crops and fruits in Owerri, South Eastern, Nigeria

Sample

Standard

Cd

Pb

Ni

Soil, ug·g-1

Indian Standard Awashthi

3-6

250-500

75-150

 

WHO/FAO, 2007

-

-

-

 

European Union, 2002

3-0

300

75

Soil, mg·kg-1

Canadian human quality health soil quality guideline

14

140

 

Plant, ug·g-1

Indian Standard Awashthi

1.5

2.5

1.5

 

WHO/FAO, 2007

0.2

5.0

-

 

Commission regulation (EU, 2006)

0.2

0.30

-

Leaf vegetables Tubers, cereals and fruits

European Union maximum levels in foods (mg·kg-1 wet weight)

0.20 a

0.3b

 
  

0.050 a

  

Stem vegetables, root vegetables, and potatoes

 

0.10 a

  

Bran, germ, wheat, and rice, Soyabean

    
  1. a COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 420/2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs.
  2. b FAO/WHO (2001), Joint Codex Alimentarius Commission.