Objective To investigate the level of chromium in the crops planted around leather industrial parks (LIPs), and to provide scientific data for the prevention and control of chromium pollution in food.
Methods Samples of crops planted in the vicinity of LIPs (36 samples) and in a control area (22 samples) were collected to determine the levels of chromium. The unqualified rate of chromium was calculated according to the Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods (GB 2762-2005). The degree of food pollution was evaluated using single factor pollution index.
Results The average levels of chromium in crops around the LIPs and in the control area were 0.74 mg/kg and 0.18 mg/kg respectively (P< 0.05). The unqualified rate of chromium in the crops samples from the LIPs was 16.66% which was significantly higher than that in the crops samples from the control area (0%) (P< 0.05). The single factor pollution indices for both wheat and corn were lower than 1.
Conclusion Some of the crops grown around the leather industrial parks are polluted by chromium, and it is possible to have adverse health effects on the exposed population.
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