[Levels of copper and zinc in vegetables, fruit and cereal from areas differing in the degree of industrial pollution and from greenhouses].

The content of copper and zinc was determined in vegetables, fruit and cereals derived from areas exposed or non-exposed to industrial pollution and from greenhouses. The elements were determined after dry mineralization by atomic absorption spectrometry immediately from mineral solution. Copper and zinc were measured in 506 samples of vegetables, 101 fruit samples and 117 cereal samples. In the vegetables from areas not exposed to industrial pollution the copper content was from 0.10 to 6.69 mg/kg, and zinc content was from 1.10 to 27.90 mg/kg. In the vegetables from areas exposed to this pollution copper was found in amounts from 0.10 to 3.26 mg/kg and zinc from 0.88 to 27.90 mg/kg. In the vegetables from green-houses copper amounted to 0.14-1.20 mg/kg and zinc from 1.00 to 10.60 mg/kh. In fruit samples copper was found in amounts from 0.04 to 7.01 mg/kg and zinc from 0.60 to 17.30 mg/kg. In cereals copper ranged from 1.14 to 11.68 mg/kg and zinc from 7.20 to 72.07 mg/kg. Table I. Copper in vegetables, fruit and cereals from areas differing in the degree of industrial pollution and from greenhouses copper amounted to 0.14-1.20 mg/kg and zinc from 1.00 to 10.60 mg/kh. In fruit samples copper was found in amounts from 0.04 to 7.01 mg/kg and zinc from 0.60 to 17.30 mg/kg. In cereals copper ranged from 1.14 to 11.68 mg/kg and zinc from 7.20 to 72.07 mg/kg. Table I. Copper in vegetables, fruit and cereals from areas differing in the degree of industrial pollution and from greenhouses.