LEAD AND CADMIUM IN BERRIES AND VEGETABLES ON THE FINNISH MARKET 1987-1989

Lead and cadmium contents of berries and vegetables of both domestic and imported origin were studied in samples collected from the Finnish food industry (berries) or from large wholesale markets (vegetables) located in Southern and Central Finland. Contents of Pb and Cd were analysed by GFAAS after wet digestion using concentrated HNO3. The contents of heavy metals in berries and vegetables were either very low, at the same level or lower than reported earlier from Sweden, the Netherlands and the USA. The mean contents of Pb (mu-g/kg) and Cd (mu-g/kg) in berries and vegetables on the Finnish Market in 1987 were respectively: strawberry 11, 24; black current 23, 2; red currant 27, 7; apple 2, < 1; tomato 3, 2; cucumber 2, < 1; carrot 8, 10; onion 4, 18; white cabbage 3, 3; cauliflower 6, 5 and lettuce 8, 13. The results of the present study are in agreement with those of a Finnish Market Basket study showing that berries and vegetables only slightly contribute to the total lead and cadmium intake in Finland.