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Background and purpose: Heavy metals due to non-biodegradability and having physiological effects on living organisms are particularly important. Due to the low mobility, these elements gradually accumulate in soil and eventually enter the food chain and threaten human and other organism’s health. Therefore, measurement and monitoring of heavy metal concentrations is necessary to . The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of lead in irrigation water, soil and vegetables in farmlands lands in Ahwaz (southwest of Iran) Materials and methods: The studied vegetables were basil, radish and purslane. The sampling was performed during June to August in 2013 on water, soil and vegetable in Ahwaz farmlands. Seventy samples of vegetables were collected and analyzed by furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry according to standard methods. Also, samples of water and soil were analyzed according to standard methods. The concentration of lead in vegetables, soil and irrigation water were compared with the standard values recommended by WHO and FAO. Results: Themean concentration of lead in basil, radish and purslane were 9.7, 10.61, and11.13 mg/kg, respectively. Mean concentration of lead in water and soil were 0.47 and 10.19 mg/kg, respectively. The lead contents in vegetables were higher than standard values recommended by WHO/FAO. Conclusion: High concentration of lead in vegetables could be due to high accumulation of this metal in soil. Therefore, continues monitoring of heavy metals in soil and irrigation water of farmlands plays an important role in reducing the environmental risks threating human health.

Keywords: Heavy metals, vegetables, irrigation water, agricultural soil, Ahvaz

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