Evaluation of soil contamination and health risks associated with consumption of Brassica perviridis grown on various soils collected in Northern Vietnam

The accumulation of As, Co, Fe, and Zn in Brassica perviridis grown on 23 soil samples collected in Northern Vietnam was investigated using neutron activation analysis by irradiating the samples in the Cd-screen channel of the REGATA facility at the IBR-2 reactor. According to ecological indices, the soil samples from several locations were characterized by a significant or extremely high degree of contamination, which may be associated with mining activities. The average content of As, Co, Fe, and Zn in vegetable samples was 0.17, 0.38, 320, and 176 mg·kg −1 , respectively. For all samples, target hazard index values were less than one, except for Brassica perviridis grown on soils collected in Laocai and Phutho.