Cadmium and lead distribution in fresh asparagus.

Cadmium and lead were determined in fresh asparagus, as a function of diameter and portions, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry to evaluate the contribution of these vegetables to the daily intake of cadmium and lead in Spain. Cadmium content of the asparagus ranged from less than 0.006 mg/kg to 0.062 mg/kg, whereas lead content varied from 0.059 to 0.409 mg/kg. The concentration of cadmium and lead was compared statistically for the different diameters and portions of asparagus. The asparagus tip/remainder ratio metal concentration was determined and a greater concentration of cadmium and lead in the tip relative to the remainder of the asparagus was observed. If we take into account the mean level of cadmium and lead (0.022 mg/kg and 0.165 mg/kg respectively), the daily intake contribution of these metals in Spain is 0.04 micrograms/day for cadmium and 0.3 microgram/day for lead.