Vegetables play an important role in the food basket of the nation either directly or indirectly. Therefore, the low quality of the food in terms of nutrients and toxic metals content can greatly affect public health. This study was conducted to investigate the statues of heavy metal content in different vegetables and dust in Ahvaz, Khuzestan and also to calculate risk of developing non-cancerous diseases, estimated daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI) from the heavy metals associated with vegetables consumptio and dust inhalation or digestion in the region. Different vegetables and grain samples(tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, carrots, leeks, basil, rice and wheat) were collected from consumer markets thought city of Ahvaz. We also collected 21 dust samples from high-traffic residential and commercial locations in the city. Concentration manganese, copper, iron and zinc, chromium, lead, nickel and cadmium were measured in the samples, The results showed that in the vegetables and grains the concentration of manganese, copper, iron and zinc are lower than the standards set by the World Health Organization(WHO). Cadmium concentration of samples was below the detection limit of Atomic Absorption spectrometry. The average concentration of Pb was 0.02 mgkg -1 which is lower than the toxic level of lead for plants. Average concentration of Cr in the samples was 0.5 mgkg -1 which is in the usual range of chromium concentration suggested by WHO. Typical concentrations of Ni in the grain samples and vegetables samples except onion and basil were higher than the WHO (5 mg kg) -1 . All daily intakes (EDI) obtained in this study were lower than the limit set by the USEPA. Our results indicate that the amount of heavy metals consumption by eating the vegetable in city of Ahvaz will not cause toxicity. The (THQ) for all the elements was low thus will not cause any problems at ranges we measured. The total risk (HI)of age groups under 6 years 7-14 years, 14-18 years, 18-54 years and 54 years were 0.76,0. 89, 0.49, 0.41 and 0.44 respectively. Keywords : vegetables, heavy metals, the estimation of the daily intake, potential risks, risk of Ahvaz.
