Five heavy metals accumulation and health risk in a traditional Chinese medicine Cortex Moutan collected from different sites in China

This study assessed the concentrations of five heavy metals Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn in both soil and a traditional Chinese medicine Cortex Moutan collected from 6 typical sites, growing this medicine, in China. The potential health risks associated with those heavy metals were also assessed. It is shown that Cd content in soils from five of the six sites was higher than the environmental Quality Standard for Soils of China (EQSS). The cortex from a copper tailings area in Tongling (marked as TLC) accumulated much higher amounts of heavy metals than the other sites. Calculated pollution index implied that the herbs in TLC were mildly contaminated by Pb, Cd, and Cu. Hazard quotient (HQ) indicated the intake of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Zn was safe by cortex consumption, but noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of all metals in Cortex Moutan in hillside near the copper tailings (marked as TLB) and TLC were higher. The results suggested more attention should be paid to the planting area near the mining tailing, and in order to ensure the quality of the herbal medicines, the regions where this herb is grown should be at distance from the mining tailing area.