Objective To determine four heavy metal/metalloid elements (lead, cadmium, total chromium, and total arsenic) in commercially available aquatic vegetables in Anhui Province, China, and to evaluate their pollution status.

Methods Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine lead, cadmium, total chromium, and total arsenic in four major aquatic vegetables, and the single-factor pollution index method and the comprehensive pollution index method were performed for evaluation according to the National Food Safety Standard-Limits of Contaminants in Food (GB 2762-2022).

Results Four kinds of aquatic vegetables were mainly contaminated by lead and cadmium, with unqualified rates of 22.8%(23/101) and 49.5%(50/101), respectively. The unqualified rate of lead in Houttuynia cordata was 50.0%(21/42), and the maximum lead content in Houttuynia cordata was 6.92 times of its limit. The unqualified rates of cadmium in taro, Artemisia selengensis, and Houttuynia cordata were 35.7%(10/28), 85.7%(12/14), and 66.7%(28/42), respectively; the maximum content of cadmium in Artemisia selengensis was 4.4 times of its limit, and that of cadmium in Houttuynia cordata was 4.6 times of its limit. The comprehensive pollution index of cress was less than 0.7, which was at a safe level. Taro had a comprehensive pollution index of 0.9, which was at the alert level. Artemisia selengensis had a pollution index of 2.1, suggesting that Artemisia selengensis was moderately contaminated by cadmium, and its comprehensive pollution index was 1.6, which was in the state of mild pollution. Lead and cadmium in Houttuynia cordata had a pollution index of 1.6 and 1.5, respectively, suggesting that Houttuynia cordata was mildly contaminated by lead and cadmium, and its comprehensive pollution index was 1.3, which was at the level of mild pollution.

Conclusion Four kinds of commercially available aquatic vegetables in Anhui Province are polluted by lead and cadmium, which needs to be taken seriously by the departments related agriculture and market supervision. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and monitoring of lead and cadmium pollution, so as to ensure the safety of aquatic vegetables.