Heavy Metals Content in Soil-Plant System of Herbal Medicine and Associated Health Risks Assessment: A Case Study of Paeonia Ostii Collected from Genuine Producing Area in China

In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, As (metalloid) and Pb were determined for a traditional Chinese medicine cortex Moutan (Paeonia ostii) and its planting soil collected from the genuine producing area in Anhui province, China. Mean concentration of Cu, Zn and Pb was higher than the Environmental Quality Standard for Soils of China (EQSS). The Newmerow comprehensive pollution index (Pc) showed that the soil was seriously contaminated by Cu. Average concentration of Cu and Pb in Moutan exceeded safe limits as recommended by various authorities worldwide. Potential health risks related to the metals in Moutan were assessed using target hazard quotient (THQ) approved by the US Environmental protection Agency. Although Cu and Pb level in Moutan exceeded the limits, THQ indicated the intake of Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, As and Pb was considered safe by Moutan consumption. Furthermore, correlation study exhibited THQ of Cu and Zn had significant positive relationship with certain metals content in soils. The results also suggested that more attention should be paid to the heavy metal content of the soil in herbal medicine planting area.