Sources and pathways of heavy metals in fruits and the countermeasures

Abstract

To explore the main sources and pathways of heavy metals entering fruits and the corresponding countermeasures, a field survey was conducted in Pujiang County, Zhejiang Province, China. The results showed that heavy metals in fruits came mainly from the use of foliar fertilizers, ripening agents, fungicides, pesticides, and other sprayed materials during the flowering and ripening stages. Therefore, a government program should be established to improve monitoring of agricultural products entering the market. The program should guide and help agriculture workers to correct and improve their practices, build a proper compensation system based on the quality of agricultural products, and strengthen the planning and management of agricultural products.