In contaminated areas, people may be additionally exposed to Cd via ingestion of home-produced vegetables. Food is the main source of Cd for non-smoking population. The study included 123 garden owners. In soil samples pH-value, organic matter content, texture and the concentration of Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn were determined. Sampled home-produced vegetables were: courgettes, tomato, cabbage, onion, early potato, carrot, red beet, endive, chicory and purchased vegetables were: courgettes, tomato, onion, carrot, endive, chicory. The effect of cooking on the concentration of Cd was determined in potato, red beet and carrot. On average the investigated soil samples were contaminated with Cd, Pb and Zn. At least contaminated area was the north and the most critically contaminated gardens were in the city centre and in the vicinity of past zinc smelter. Root (carrot and red beet) and leafy vegetables (chicory and endive) accumulated the highest concentrations of Cd. Median concentrationof Cd in home-produced vegetables were few times higher than in the purchased vegetables. The effect of cooking had a low influence on the cadmium concentration in potatoes. Cooking of red beet and carrots in water or in alkaline mainly increased the concentration of cadmium. The concentrationof cadmium was slightly reduced when carrot was cooked in an acidand it was significantly reduced when sliced carrot was cooked in acidic, neutral or alkaline medium. The regression models were designed for almost all vegetables, except for zucchini. Garden owners were not excessively exposedto cadmium via the consumption of selected vegetables. It prevailed the estimated weekly intake of 0.5 Žg/kg bw/week, in the Municipality of Celje.The lowest estimated weekly intakes were determined in the area north of the motorway A1 and the highest (1,2 Žg/kg bw/week) in the city centre and in the vicinity of past zinc smelter. Production of selected vegetables in the MOC and their consumption did not pose the risk of adverse effects to human health due to excessive intake of cadmium. The risk of adverse effects to human health existed only in the garden, where the highest concentration of cadmium in the soil was determined and in case of worst case scenario-a woman,the 5th percentile for weight and 95th percentile for consumption and concentration of cadmium in vegetables.
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