Abstract
Background: For generations, vegetarian food products have been fundamental to the diets of rural Armenian communities. However, villages situated near territories near mines face severe chemical contamination of soil, air and water. This poses a significant problem in Syunik Region, Republic of Armenia (RA), where metal mines have operated for over 50 years. Notably, this region is one of Armenia’s most important agrarian areas ensuring food production for the entire country. Therefore, assessing potential chemical contamination risks in food products from this region is crucial.
Objectives: This article assesses the risks associated with chemical contamination of traditional vegetarian food products commonly consumed in the villages of Artsvanik, Sevaqar, and Chapni in Syunik region of Republic of Armenia (RA). Specifically, this region has hosted both a thriving mining industry and agriculture for over 50 years.
Results: According to the results obtained, there was no significant increase in the concentrations of most studied metals in the plant samples.
Conclusions: Concentrations of most studied metals remained unchanged. However, copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) levels were elevated in nettle samples. Long-term consumption of nettle-based foods, from this region may pose health risks. In contrast, consuming other plants is considered lower risk. Nevertheless, to minimize health risks ongoing monitoring of Cu and Mo concentration in this area is essential.
Keywords: heavy metals, vegetarian food, Phaseolus vulgaris, Urtica dioica, Malus domestica, Solanum tuberosum.