Assessment of heavy metal contamination of water, soil and cultivated vegetables in the Juybar landfill area (North- Eastern Iran)

•The ecological indicators of water pollution in the burial area were investigated.•The potential of leachate pollution for the transfer of water to the environment has been investigated.•The transfer factor of heavy metals from soil to was investigated. Vegetables consumption is one of the main routes of entry of heavy metals into the human body. the aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of carcinogenesis and non-carcinogenesis caused by vegetables grown in the fields near the landfill of Juybar city in 2021 focusing on heavy metal contamination. Six types of vegetables (lettuce, spinach, radish, parsley, potato and watercress) were sampled, and the leachate pollution index indicated levels (32.33) exceeding the standard for municipal waste management, highlighting the need for better landfill management. The concentration of heavy metals varied, with cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and zinc(zn) identified in decreasing order. While the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) values were below 1 for all vegetables, indicating no non-carcinogenic risk, lettuce, spinach, and watercress in children, as well as specific vegetables in adults, showed potential cancer risks. The study stresses the importance of continuous monitoring and improved landfill practices to prevent health risks associated with vegetable consumption.