RESUMEN
This study aimed to investigate the accumulation of heavy metal in five different leafy green vegetables grown in 10 different agricultural lands in the province of Nevsehir, Turkey, and determine the human health risks that may arise as a result the consumption of such metals. The heavy metal concentrations found in the soil samples taken from the agricultural lands were as follows: manganese (Mn) > lead (Pb) > arsenic (As) > nickel (Ni) > copper (Cu) > cadmium (Cd). These concentrations were found to be well above the permitted limits imposed by the World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization (WHO/FAO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Also, particularly the concentrations of Pb and As were found to be dangerous levels in the soil. According to their accumulation in the vegetables, the detected heavy metal concentrations were listed as Mn > Zn > Cu > Ni > As > Cd. The estimated daily intake amount of the heavy metals was also found to be higher than the limits determined by FAO/WHO. Furthermore, the target hazard quotient of the metals was Mn > As > Cu > Zn > Ni > Cd > Pb. It was found to be > 1 for the sampling areas, except for Cd and Pb. As a result of the study, it was determined that almost all of the annual heavy metal intake amount that the population living in this region should receive was met as a result of the consumption of leafy vegetables grown in the stations designated for this study. It is vital to effectively monitor the heavy metal in the soil and vegetables to reduce metal concentrations in the studied area and to investigate its effects on human health. By doing so, acute and chronic health problems due to the heavy metal exposure in this region can be prevented.