Bibliometric Analysis and Hidden Risks of Arsenic Contamination in Vegetables and Edible Crops: A Review

Abstract

Among elemental toxins, arsenic (As) is one of the most notorious and extensively studied. It is a naturally occurring metalloid in the earth’s crust, and arsenic poisoning, recognized as a serious health hazard, primarily occurs through the ingestion of contaminated food, water, or agricultural products. The Indo-Gangetic Plain in India is particularly known for arsenic pollution due to the region’s natural geological composition. Within this area, the mid-Gangetic plain, especially districts in Uttar Pradesh such as Bahraich, Gorakhpur, Ghazipur, Chandauli, and Bareilly, are severely affected by arsenic contamination in both soil and groundwater. This review aims to investigate the health risks and the urgency of addressing arsenic contamination in vegetables and edible crops in Uttar Pradesh, India. Employing a systematic review methodology, it compiles data from previous studies to assess arsenic concentrations across various crops. Additionally, a bibliometric analysis reveals that arsenic-related research is a global concern and ranks among the most highly cited topics in the biological sciences. This review explores the origin, mobilization, and contamination of arsenic in groundwater and its subsequent accumulation in vegetables.