Determinación de la concentración de metales pesados (cadmio, plomo y cromo) en la lechuga (Lactuca sativa) que se cultiva en la parroquia Presidente Urbina del cantón Píllaro

Abstract

Lettuce is a vegetable frequently used in the diet due to its low caloric value and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Environmental contamination has increased in recent years because of anthropogenic activities, being the most interesting the irrigation water and soil where they are grown because they have presented heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and chromium, which are considered toxic and therefore it affects the health of the population when they ingest it through contaminated food with high concentrations. This research determined the presence of cadmium, lead, and chromium in samples composed of lettuce, irrigation water, and agricultural soil collected in the Presidente Urbina parish of the Pillaro canton belonging to the province of Tungurahua, through the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. The three samples were compared with national and international standards, as a result, it was found that the analyzed samples have concentrations below the maximum permissible limit for cadmium, lead, and chromium. Therefore, the crops of the Presidente Urbina parish are free of heavy metal contaminants, this is guaranteeing the health of these consumers.