Heavy Metal Contamination, Bioaccumulation, and Health Risk Assessment in Carrots from Two Regions of Kosovo
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1University of Pristina, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Kosovo
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Univeristy of Pristina, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Department of Veterinary, Kosovo.
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Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
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Univeristy of Pristina, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Department of Horticulture and Viticulture
Corresponding author
Imer Haziri
Univeristy of Pristina, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Department of Veterinary, Kosovo.
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ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the accumulation and potential health risks of five heavy metals—Arsenic (As), Mercury (Hg), Thallium (Tl), Palladium (Pd), and Antimony (Sb) in carrots grown in two regions of Kosovo. We looked at soil and carrot samples to find out how much metal was in them. Then we figured out the bioaccumulation factor (BAF), estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard risk index (HRI), and total hazard index (THI) for both adults and kids. The findings indicated that the BAF values for As, Hg, Tl, and Pd were predominantly low, signifying minimal translocation from soil to edible carrot tissues, whereas Sb demonstrated moderate bioaccumulation. Children had higher EDI values because they weighed less, and As and Sb were the main sources of dietary exposure. The HRI values for all metals were below 1 for adults, indicating a minimal non-carcinogenic risk; however, children showed notably higher HRI values, especially for arsenic. THI assessment indicated that overall exposure remained within safe boundaries for most municipalities; nonetheless, Obiliq recorded the highest THI figures (7.22 for adults, 22.66 for children), highlighting the necessity for regional monitoring. In conclusion, the research demonstrates that carrot consumption in the assessed regions is generally safe for adults, while children may face elevated yet still acceptable levels of exposure. These results offer vital information for food safety evaluations and stress the importance of ongoing monitoring of heavy metal pollution in agricultural soils and crops.