The effect of arsenic (As) contamination on domestic vegetables
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Abstract
Elemental arsenic and arsenic compounds are classified as "toxic" and "dangerous for the environment" in
the European Union under directive 67/548/EEC. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
recognizes arsenic and arsenic compounds as group 1 carcinogens, and the EU lists arsenic trioxide, arsenic
pentoxide and arsenate salts as category 1 carcinogens. Arsenic is easily absorbed by vegetables from
irrigation water. The accumulation of arsenic in vegetables could pose a serious risk on the quality of
vegetables and human health. The two forms of inorganic arsenic, arsenate/As(V) and arsenite/As(III), are
easily taken up by plant root cells (e.g. carrot, parsley, kohlrabi). Once in the cell, As(V) can be readily
converted to As(III), the more toxic form of arsenic. In the present research we have determined the level of
arsenic contamination in two of the economically most important vegetables grown in Hungary (sweet
pepper; tomato) and the irrigation water in an arsenic contaminated area. In order to eliminate arsenic,
decontamination was achieved by use of a Japanese-developed special cerium filter.
the European Union under directive 67/548/EEC. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)
recognizes arsenic and arsenic compounds as group 1 carcinogens, and the EU lists arsenic trioxide, arsenic
pentoxide and arsenate salts as category 1 carcinogens. Arsenic is easily absorbed by vegetables from
irrigation water. The accumulation of arsenic in vegetables could pose a serious risk on the quality of
vegetables and human health. The two forms of inorganic arsenic, arsenate/As(V) and arsenite/As(III), are
easily taken up by plant root cells (e.g. carrot, parsley, kohlrabi). Once in the cell, As(V) can be readily
converted to As(III), the more toxic form of arsenic. In the present research we have determined the level of
arsenic contamination in two of the economically most important vegetables grown in Hungary (sweet
pepper; tomato) and the irrigation water in an arsenic contaminated area. In order to eliminate arsenic,
decontamination was achieved by use of a Japanese-developed special cerium filter.
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How to Cite
Szalay, András, Toshiaki Hasebe, Dániel Horváth, Lóránt Király, András Künstler, Zsuzsanna Szakály, and Ferenc Lantos. 2014. “The Effect of Arsenic (As) Contamination on Domestic Vegetables”. Review on Agriculture and Rural Development 3 (1):141-43. https://ojs.bibl.u-szeged.hu/index.php/rard/article/view/13409.
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