Transition Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal(loid)s in Angelica gigas Nakai and Cnidium officinale Makino

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify transition characteristics of heavy metal(loid)s and to assess dietary riskin the Angelica gigas and Cnidium officinale grown at the major medicinal plant producing districts in Korea. Average bio-concentration factor (BCF) values and range were 0.056 (0.006-0.511) in arsenic (As), 2.030 (0.021-15.678) in cadmium (Cd), 0.179 (0.052-0.393) in mercury (Hg), and 0.061 (0.013-0.474) in lead (Pb) in Angelica gigas. Average BCF values and range were 0.044 (0.011-0.264) in As, 0.557 (0.052-4.255) in Cd, 0.174 (0.069-0.286) in Hg, and 0.024 (0.012-0.057) in Pb in Cnidium officinale. The BCF values by heavy metal(loid)s in Angelica gigas and Cnidium officinale were high in Cd, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), while As and Pb were found to be less transferable. The BCF values calculated in this study will be useful for predicting the uptake of heavy metal(loid)s. Human exposure to As, Cd, Hg, and Pb through dietary intake of Angelica gigas and Cnidium officinale might not cause adverse health effects although some Angelica gigas were higher than the allowable value for Cd. Further study on uptake and accumulation mechanism of Cd by Angelica gigas is required to assess the human health risk associated with soil contamination.