Volume 18, Issue 4 (3-2026)
ijhe 2026, 18(4): 745-764 |
Back to browse issues page
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Salami M, Saeedi R, Yazdanbakhsh A, Heydari M, Mohagheghian A, Abtahi M. Risk assessment and disease burden of colorectal cancer attributable to dietary nitrate exposure from fruits and vegetables in Shahre-Rey market of fruits and vegetables. ijhe 2026; 18 (4) :745-764
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-7097-en.html
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-7097-en.html
Mehrdad Salami1 
, Reza Saeedi2 , Ahmadreza Yazdanbakhsh2 , Maryam Heydari2 , Azita Mohagheghian3 , Mehrnoosh Abtahi *4
, Reza Saeedi2 , Ahmadreza Yazdanbakhsh2 , Maryam Heydari2 , Azita Mohagheghian3 , Mehrnoosh Abtahi *4
1- Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Environment, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND MPH Department, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Gilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
4- Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Environment, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,mehrabtahi@sbmu.ac.ir
2- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Gilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
4- Air Quality and Climate Change Research Center, Research Institute for Health Sciences and Environment, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract: (49 Views)
Background and Objective: Despite their high nutritional value, fruits and vegetables may pose a risk to public health due to nitrate accumulation. This study aimed to assess the health risks associated with dietary exposure to nitrates present in fruits and vegetables sold in produce markets of Shahre-Rey.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, samples of apples, oranges, potatoes, onions, and both greenhouse- and field-grown tomatoes and cucumbers (n = 13, 12, 22, 18, 24, and 32, respectively) were collected during autumn and winter 2023 and spring and summer 2024. Nitrate concentrations were measured using a spectrophotometric method. The non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated based on the measured nitrate levels. In addition, using GBD data, the contribution of nitrate to the disease burden of colorectal cancer was estimated through YLL (Years of Life Lost), YLD (Years Lived with Disability), and DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) indices.
Results: The mean nitrate concentration varied significantly across the products, with the highest level found in field cucumbers (294.06 mg/kg) and the lowest in apples (51.99 mg/kg). In some products, nitrate levels exceeded the permissible limits set by the Iranian national standard. The highest non-carcinogenic risk was observed in potatoes, with a mean HQ of 0.231. Potatoes also had the highest incidence rate of colorectal cancer (2.02 per 100,000 population), the greatest DALY (23.15), and the highest nitrate-related mortality. The mean DALY attributed to nitrate exposure was estimated at 107.38 for potatoes, 94.87 for onions, and 12.10 for greenhouse cucumbers.
Conclusion: Certain agricultural products, particularly potatoes and onions, are significant sources of dietary nitrate exposure and may contribute to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Continuous monitoring and management of nitrate levels in these products are essential.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, samples of apples, oranges, potatoes, onions, and both greenhouse- and field-grown tomatoes and cucumbers (n = 13, 12, 22, 18, 24, and 32, respectively) were collected during autumn and winter 2023 and spring and summer 2024. Nitrate concentrations were measured using a spectrophotometric method. The non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated based on the measured nitrate levels. In addition, using GBD data, the contribution of nitrate to the disease burden of colorectal cancer was estimated through YLL (Years of Life Lost), YLD (Years Lived with Disability), and DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) indices.
Results: The mean nitrate concentration varied significantly across the products, with the highest level found in field cucumbers (294.06 mg/kg) and the lowest in apples (51.99 mg/kg). In some products, nitrate levels exceeded the permissible limits set by the Iranian national standard. The highest non-carcinogenic risk was observed in potatoes, with a mean HQ of 0.231. Potatoes also had the highest incidence rate of colorectal cancer (2.02 per 100,000 population), the greatest DALY (23.15), and the highest nitrate-related mortality. The mean DALY attributed to nitrate exposure was estimated at 107.38 for potatoes, 94.87 for onions, and 12.10 for greenhouse cucumbers.
Conclusion: Certain agricultural products, particularly potatoes and onions, are significant sources of dietary nitrate exposure and may contribute to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Continuous monitoring and management of nitrate levels in these products are essential.
Send email to the article author
| Rights and Permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
