Heavy metals in Green beans

Quick read

Green beans in the HMI library has 205 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, arsenic (As), Ba, mercury (Hg), Sr, Ti and Tl from 19 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →}^{4Guerra F, Trevizam AR, Muraoka T, Marcante NC, Canniatti-Brazaca SG · 2012Heavy metals in vegetables and potential risk for human healthScientia Agricola 69(1):54-60Read source →}^{5Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →}^{6Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid and total mercury and others, in 205 results from 19 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →}^{4Guerra F, Trevizam AR, Muraoka T, Marcante NC, Canniatti-Brazaca SG · 2012Heavy metals in vegetables and potential risk for human healthScientia Agricola 69(1):54-60Read source →}
Main drivers:
Green beans, as sold from Moldova Noua (mining area M) (mining-affected area) had lead higher at 190 µg/kg, against 70 µg/kg for Borlova (reference area) in the same study.^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →}
Practical framing:
Ask for lot results with a quantification limit well below the limit that applies in the destination market.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →}^{4Guerra F, Trevizam AR, Muraoka T, Marcante NC, Canniatti-Brazaca SG · 2012Heavy metals in vegetables and potential risk for human healthScientia Agricola 69(1):54-60Read source →}

Green beans overview

Green beans in the HMI library has 205 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, As, Ba, Hg, Sr, Ti and Tl from 19 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →}^{4Guerra F, Trevizam AR, Muraoka T, Marcante NC, Canniatti-Brazaca SG · 2012Heavy metals in vegetables and potential risk for human healthScientia Agricola 69(1):54-60Read source →}^{5Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →}^{6Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in green beans, as sold from 846 results in 4 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 5.4 to 40 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} In the US Total Diet Study, green beans, cooked had a median lead result below 4 µg/kg across 27 composites from 2017–2020.^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

Across 3 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis ranged from 2.1 µg/kg (Spungen et al. 2024) to 750 µg/kg (Guerra et al. 2012).^{4Guerra F, Trevizam AR, Muraoka T, Marcante NC, Canniatti-Brazaca SG · 2012Heavy metals in vegetables and potential risk for human healthScientia Agricola 69(1):54-60Read source →}^{7Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →} For cadmium, 4 studies on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis reported means and medians from 0.75 µg/kg (Dearing et al. 2025) to 70 µg/kg (Guerra et al. 2012).^{4Guerra F, Trevizam AR, Muraoka T, Marcante NC, Canniatti-Brazaca SG · 2012Heavy metals in vegetables and potential risk for human healthScientia Agricola 69(1):54-60Read source →}^{8Dearing C, Ye Z, Robertshaw G · 2025Assessment of Heavy Metals in Organic and Non-Organic Vegetables Post Severe Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle: A cross-sectional comparative analysisF1000ResearchRead source →} Higher results came from contaminated or exposed settings rather than ordinary supply. Green beans, as sold from Ruschita (mining area R) (mining-affected area) had lead higher at 350 µg/kg, against 70 µg/kg for Borlova (reference area) in the same study.^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →}

For a buyer the practical points are the form bought, the basis a result is reported on, where the green beans came from and the laboratory’s reporting limit. Testing finds contamination but does not remove it.

What counts as green beans

This page covers green beans in 3 forms kept separate in every comparison: green beans, as sold (194 results), green beans, cooked (9 results) and green beans, canned (2 results).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →}^{4Guerra F, Trevizam AR, Muraoka T, Marcante NC, Canniatti-Brazaca SG · 2012Heavy metals in vegetables and potential risk for human healthScientia Agricola 69(1):54-60Read source →}^{5Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →}^{6Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →} Foods made from green beans that have their own pages, such as canned green beans, are covered there.

Results stay on the basis each source reports: as sold or fresh weight, dry weight, or unstated. Dry-weight, as-sold and unstated results are never pooled, and no moisture conversion is applied.

Heavy metal contamination profile of green beans

The table holds every extracted green beans result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 205 rows in all, grouped by metal and form; percentiles, ranges and maxima for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →}^{4Guerra F, Trevizam AR, Muraoka T, Marcante NC, Canniatti-Brazaca SG · 2012Heavy metals in vegetables and potential risk for human healthScientia Agricola 69(1):54-60Read source →}^{5Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →}^{6Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →} Monitoring medians are HMI calculations from individual submissions; non-detects remain intervals between zero and the reporting limit and are never read as zero.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

26 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 11 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded. 2 values from 1 source failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.^{9Hossain AMMM, Islam MS, Mamun MM, Al-Jonaed HM, Imran M, Rahman MH, Kazi MAI, Elahi SF · 2016Environmental surveillance of commonly-grown vegetables for investigating potential lead and chromium contamination intensification in BangladeshSpringerPlusRead source →}

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of green beans, group and metal; percentiles, ranges and maxima reported for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row. Different forms and preparation states are kept apart, and dry-weight results never share a reference with as-sold or fresh-weight results. Ratings place a result against an HMI reference built from monitoring results and ordinary-setting medians for the same form and basis. Same-study contrasts compare a contaminated or treated site with its control, targeted with random sampling, a prepared form with the unprocessed one, or one group of a study with the median of its other groups. Held rows failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.

Filter findings

AnalyteFood formCollection regionCollection periodSourceCompare withComparable findings only

185 of 185 findings · 26 analytes

About this table

Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence

Green beans findings from monitoring programmes, total diet studies and every extracted field, market and contaminated-site study, in µg/kg with each source’s form, basis, statistic and censoring retained.
Food form	Collection scope	Finding (µg/kg)

35 findings · 13 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2010	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2017	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2016–2017	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2000–2017	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014–2016	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2019	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	SEARO2009–2014	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	SEARO2014	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004–2009	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2012	median.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Borlova (reference area)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Moldova Noua (mining area M)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Ruschita (mining area R)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Green beans, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019	Vegetable2019	sample value.
Green beans, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019	Vegetable2019	sample value.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	mean.Same samples: 1.2 µg/kg (minimum); 7.9 µg/kg (maximum)
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	min.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	max.
Green beans, as soldRomero-Crespo et al. 2023	Ponce Enriquez gold-mining area orchards2021	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20172009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20212009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20212009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20222009–2024	sample value.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20232009–2024	sample value.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20232009–2024	sample value.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20232009–2024	sample value.
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldAMMM et al. 2016	all samples (64 districts)Collection date unreportedDry weight	median.Same samples: 48,400 µg/kg (maximum); 23,400 µg/kg (percentile)
Green beans, as soldAMMM et al. 2016	all samples (64 districts)Collection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Green beans, as soldAMMM et al. 2016	all samples (64 districts)Collection date unreportedDry weight	percentile.
Green beans, as soldLuc et al. 2023	Loumbila market gardenCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Reform, Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy 2021	US baby-food manufacturer A2016–2019Basis not stated	not detected.
2 findings · 2 studies
Green beans, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
Green beans, cookedSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.

29 findings · 13 studies · 6 spread figures folded in
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2010	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2019	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2017	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2006	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2005–2006	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2011–2017	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998	median.
Green beans, as soldDearing et al. 2025	genus Phaseolus2024	median.Same samples: 3 µg/kg (maximum)
Green beans, as soldDearing et al. 2025	genus Phaseolus2024	max.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Borlova (reference area)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Moldova Noua (mining area M)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Ruschita (mining area R)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Green beans, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019	Vegetable2019	sample value.
Green beans, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019	Vegetable2019	sample value.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	mean.Same samples: 2.9 µg/kg (minimum); 11.3 µg/kg (maximum)
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	min.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	max.
Green beans, as soldRomero-Crespo et al. 2023	Ponce Enriquez gold-mining area orchards2021	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20172009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20212009–2024	sample value.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20212009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20222009–2024	sample value.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20232009–2024	sample value.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20232009–2024	sample value.
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldAMMM et al. 2016	all samples (64 districts)Collection date unreportedDry weight	median.Same samples: 95 µg/kg (minimum); 5,090 µg/kg (maximum); 1,110 µg/kg (percentile)
Green beans, as soldAMMM et al. 2016	all samples (64 districts)Collection date unreportedDry weight	min.
Green beans, as soldAMMM et al. 2016	all samples (64 districts)Collection date unreportedDry weight	max.
Green beans, as soldAMMM et al. 2016	all samples (64 districts)Collection date unreportedDry weight	percentile.
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
Green beans, as soldCantoral et al. 2024	all samples (single foodstuff, duplicate mean)2022–2023Basis not stated	sample value.
2 findings · 2 studies
Green beans, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.
Green beans, cookedSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.

25 findings · 8 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2023	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2013	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000–2022	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2002–2003	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004–2005	median.
Green beans, as soldClair-Caliot et al. 2021	irrigation water 0 µg/L As(V)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldClair-Caliot et al. 2021	irrigation water 100 µg/L As(V)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldClair-Caliot et al. 2021	irrigation water 500 µg/L As(V)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldClair-Caliot et al. 2021	irrigation water 1000 µg/L As(V)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019	Vegetable2019	not detected.
Green beans, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019	Vegetable2019	not detected.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	mean.Same samples: 2.3 µg/kg (minimum); 8.8 µg/kg (maximum)
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	min.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	max.
Green beans, as soldRomero-Crespo et al. 2023	Ponce Enriquez gold-mining area orchards2021	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20172009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20212009–2024	sample value.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20212009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20222009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20232009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20232009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldClair-Caliot et al. 2021	irrigation water 0 µg/L As(V)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldClair-Caliot et al. 2021	irrigation water 100 µg/L As(V)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldClair-Caliot et al. 2021	irrigation water 500 µg/L As(V)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldClair-Caliot et al. 2021	irrigation water 1000 µg/L As(V)Collection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.

6 findings · 3 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2011–2020	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011	median.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	mean.Same samples: 0.6 µg/kg (minimum); 2.5 µg/kg (maximum)
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	min.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	max.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2011Dry weight	median.
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2016	median.

13 findings · 4 studies
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2004–2017	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2001	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2012–2017	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004–2005	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2001	median.
Green beans, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019	Vegetable2019	not detected.
Green beans, as soldHoulihan et al. 2019	Vegetable2019	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20172009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20212009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20232009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20232009–2024	not detected.
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2014	median.

10 findings · 8 studies · 1 spread figure folded in
Green beans, as soldDearing et al. 2025	genus Phaseolus2024	median.Same samples: 160 µg/kg (maximum)
Green beans, as soldDearing et al. 2025	genus Phaseolus2024	max.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Borlova (reference area)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Moldova Noua (mining area M)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Ruschita (mining area R)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Green beans, as soldRomero-Crespo et al. 2023	Ponce Enriquez gold-mining area orchards2021	sample value.
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldLuc et al. 2023	Loumbila market gardenCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.
1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.

8 findings · 8 studies · 3 spread figures folded in
Green beans, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	mean.Same samples: 7.2 µg/kg (minimum); 59.8 µg/kg (maximum)
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	min.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	max.
Green beans, as soldRomero-Crespo et al. 2023	Ponce Enriquez gold-mining area orchards2021	not detected.
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldAMMM et al. 2016	all samples (64 districts)Collection date unreportedDry weight	median.Same samples: 6,280 µg/kg (percentile)
Green beans, as soldAMMM et al. 2016	all samples (64 districts)Collection date unreportedDry weight	percentile.
Green beans, as soldLuc et al. 2023	Loumbila market gardenCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.

3 findings · 3 studies
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009	median.
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.

6 findings · 3 studies
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2009	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2005	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2010–2011	median.
Green beans, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO1998–2001	median.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	not detected.
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.
2 findings · 1 study
Green beans, cannedTrandafir et al. 2012	single product; solid (fruit/vegetable/fish)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, cannedTrandafir et al. 2012	single product; syrup/liquidCollection date unreported	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, cookedFDA Total Diet Study	6 collection regions2017–2020	median.

3 findings · 3 studies
Green beans, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

8 findings · 6 studies · 2 spread figures folded in
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Borlova (reference area)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Moldova Noua (mining area M)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Ruschita (mining area R)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	mean.Same samples: 365 µg/kg (minimum); 1,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	min.
Green beans, as soldMarín et al. 2018	Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-20112010–2011	max.
Green beans, as soldRomero-Crespo et al. 2023	Ponce Enriquez gold-mining area orchards2021	sample value.
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldLuc et al. 2023	Loumbila market gardenCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

5 findings · 3 studies
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Borlova (reference area)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Moldova Noua (mining area M)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Ruschita (mining area R)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

5 findings · 3 studies
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Borlova (reference area)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Moldova Noua (mining area M)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Ruschita (mining area R)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

7 findings · 5 studies
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Borlova (reference area)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Moldova Noua (mining area M)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldGergen et al. 2012	Ruschita (mining area R)Collection date unreported	mean.
Green beans, as soldRomero-Crespo et al. 2023	Ponce Enriquez gold-mining area orchards2021	sample value.
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldLuc et al. 2023	Loumbila market gardenCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	sample value.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, as soldSaleem et al. 2025	all samplesCollection date unreportedDry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group IV2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Green beans, as soldBaxter et al. 2015	food category composite 11_672014–2015Basis not stated	not detected.

Shared dataset methods and interpretation

Source summaries retain their original statistic, material, basis and censoring. Each source drawer identifies methods and overlapping samples. No matched reference or pooled distribution is inferred.

HMI green beans Pb reference · Green beans, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI green beans Pb reference · Green beans, as sold. Green beans, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	0.7–0.8 (bounded)	0.8–1.35 (bounded)	1.7–7 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	0.7–0.8 (bounded)	0.8–2.1 (bounded)	2.5–7 (bounded)

65 reference units; 3 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	59	33%
Houlihan et al. 2019	2	33%
U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	4	33%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

3 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-0aa50d924845:592f9b355558

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans Pb reference · Green beans, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI green beans Pb reference · Green beans, cooked. Green beans, cooked; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤4	≤4	≤4
Alternative weighting	≤4	≤4	≤4

27 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	27	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, cooked on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, cooked on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-030e8686084e:5fc183013ae5

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans Cd reference · Green beans, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI green beans Cd reference · Green beans, as sold. Green beans, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	0.3–0.675 (bounded)	0.75–0.825 (bounded)	0.9–2.8 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	0.3–0.675 (bounded)	0.75–0.825 (bounded)	1.17–2.8 (bounded)

47 reference units; 4 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	40	25%
Dearing et al. 2025	1	25%
Houlihan et al. 2019	2	25%
U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	4	25%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

4 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-b357266f8b2d:609538e767af

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans Cd reference · Green beans, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI green beans Cd reference · Green beans, as sold, dry weight. Green beans, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	654	654	654
Alternative weighting	654	654	654

1 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
AMMM et al. 2016	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

AMMM et al. 2016 is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, as sold on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

AMMM et al. 2016

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-987d629a05cf:e239766aeffb

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans Cd reference · Green beans, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI green beans Cd reference · Green beans, cooked. Green beans, cooked; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤1	≤1	1.3
Alternative weighting	≤1	≤1	1.3

27 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	27	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, cooked on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, cooked on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-2715ecf6e215:cec6cc03a7fd

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans tAs reference · Green beans, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI green beans tAs reference · Green beans, as sold. Green beans, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤0.9	≤2.1	0.9–5 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤0.9	≤2.1	0.9–5 (bounded)

40 reference units; 3 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	37	33%
Houlihan et al. 2019	2	33%
U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	1	33%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

3 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-71458f228534:ca89765be383

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans tAs reference · Green beans, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI green beans tAs reference · Green beans, cooked. Green beans, cooked; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤3	≤3	≤3
Alternative weighting	≤3	≤3	≤3

27 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	27	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, cooked on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, cooked on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-cafe9970c9ec:454e5793bc89

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans iAs reference · Green beans, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI green beans iAs reference · Green beans, as sold. Green beans, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤3	≤10	43
Alternative weighting	≤3	≤10	43

6 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	6	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, as sold on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-b40963d851b0:e94f7d4518b2

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans iAs reference · Green beans, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI green beans iAs reference · Green beans, as sold, dry weight. Green beans, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	43	43	43
Alternative weighting	43	43	43

1 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, as sold on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-7c853fcb89b7:d2d9e8747803

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans DMA reference · Green beans, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI green beans DMA reference · Green beans, as sold. Green beans, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤20	≤20	≤20
Alternative weighting	≤20	≤20	≤20

1 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, as sold on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-5e07bcf20877:5727338ccf85

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans tHg reference · Green beans, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI green beans tHg reference · Green beans, as sold. Green beans, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤0.138	≤0.142	≤4.03
Alternative weighting	≤0.138	≤0.142	≤3.75

22 reference units; 2 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	20	50%
Houlihan et al. 2019	2	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

2 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-66f7298caa5b:23a2435c7adb

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans tHg reference · Green beans, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI green beans tHg reference · Green beans, cooked. Green beans, cooked; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤1	≤1	≤1
Alternative weighting	≤1	≤1	≤1

27 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	27	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, cooked on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, cooked on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-11936c7e5caf:96f8b6f6f52d

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans MeHg reference · Green beans, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI green beans MeHg reference · Green beans, as sold. Green beans, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	6	6	6
Alternative weighting	6	6	6

1 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, as sold on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-880ecd3ef9b2:2bbb64a3f4bb

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans Ni reference · Green beans, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI green beans Ni reference · Green beans, as sold. Green beans, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	120	120	120
Alternative weighting	120	120	120

1 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
Dearing et al. 2025	1	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Dearing et al. 2025 is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, as sold on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Dearing et al. 2025

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-6e719cc05ff2:a7dac2223290

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans Ni reference · Green beans, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI green beans Ni reference · Green beans, cooked. Green beans, cooked; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	70	100	180
Alternative weighting	74	100	170

27 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	27	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, cooked on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, cooked on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-1f12db70cd36:46639ca81d68

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans Cr reference · Green beans, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI green beans Cr reference · Green beans, cooked. Green beans, cooked; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤50	≤50	≤50
Alternative weighting	≤50	≤50	≤50

27 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	27	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, cooked on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, cooked on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-288adbf5d0bc:753c045e2a6a

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans Al reference · Green beans, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI green beans Al reference · Green beans, as sold. Green beans, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	1910	2190	2380
Alternative weighting	1910	2190	2380

3 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	3	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, as sold on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-40262120baa5:071a2b32a000

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans Sn reference · Green beans, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI green beans Sn reference · Green beans, as sold. Green beans, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤10	104–119 (bounded)	132
Alternative weighting	≤10	104–119 (bounded)	132

6 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	6	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, as sold on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

WHO GEMS/Food

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-ea8e680eec44:f14bf80f6d39

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI green beans U reference · Green beans, cooked

Reference and scope

HMI green beans U reference · Green beans, cooked. Green beans, cooked; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)	Q1	Median	Q3
Primary HMI reference	≤1	≤1	≤1
Alternative weighting	≤1	≤1	≤1

27 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	27	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for green beans, cooked on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for green beans, cooked on this basis in the completed green beans ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:green-beans-68ff5d87aa86:3eb8bfe729e7

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

How metals reach green beans

The evidence on how metals reach green beans comes from studies that compared exposed and ordinary settings. Green beans, as sold from Ruschita (mining area R) (mining-affected area) had lead higher at 350 µg/kg, against 70 µg/kg for Borlova (reference area) in the same study.^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →}

These are observational comparisons from single studies; the size of the difference depends on the site, metal and distance.

Which forms and regions measured lower

The HMI reference for lead in green beans, as sold pools 65 subgroup units from 3 sampling families, with a median of between 0.8 and 1.35 µg/kg and a middle half spanning between 0.7 and 0.8 (lower quartile) and between 1.7 and 7 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{5Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →}^{10U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2024Analytical Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children - TEP (FY2009-FY2024)FDA analytical results tableRead source →} For lead in green beans, cooked, the reference median was below 4 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 4 to below 4 µg/kg across 27 units.^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →} For cadmium in green beans, as sold, the reference median was between 0.75 and 0.825 µg/kg, with a middle half from between 0.3 and 0.675 to between 0.9 and 2.8 µg/kg across 47 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{5Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →}^{8Dearing C, Ye Z, Robertshaw G · 2025Assessment of Heavy Metals in Organic and Non-Organic Vegetables Post Severe Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle: A cross-sectional comparative analysisF1000ResearchRead source →}^{10U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2024Analytical Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children - TEP (FY2009-FY2024)FDA analytical results tableRead source →}

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, green beans, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in WPRO (10 µg/kg) and the highest in SEARO (40 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For inorganic arsenic, the lowest regional median was in EURO (41.5 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (43 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

No processing study for metals in this food is in the library yet.

Mitigation for green beans

Lot testing against the applicable limit is the check that can be verified.

No measured way to lower metals in this food is in the library yet.

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Avoiding exposed growing areas lowered the metal measured in the studies available, but no study measured the cost or supply effect of doing so.^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →} Metals do not move together, so a lot that passes a lead limit says little about cadmium, arsenic or nickel unless those are tested as well.

Testing green beans for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 0.83 µg/kg (Altıkulaç et al. 2025) to 3,000 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{11Altıkulaç A, Turhan Ş, Altuner EM, Şekeroğlu B, Kurnaz A · 2025Evaluation of Health Risks Associated with Potential Toxic Elements in Selected Vegetables Consumed in the Western Black Sea Region of TurkeyACS Omega 2025, 10, 8843-8858Read source →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 0.067 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 1,000 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 2.1 µg/kg (Houlihan et al. 2019) to 500 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{5Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody · 2019What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadHealthy Babies Bright FuturesRead source →}

A useful lot result names the form, the basis and a quantification limit well below the limit that applies.

Buying and verifying green beans

No maximum level for metals in green beans was verified from primary text for this page; buyers should confirm the limit that applies in the destination market.

Exposure from green beans

No source in the library converted green beans concentrations into a verified estimate of intake for a defined population. Concentrations describe the food, not individual risk.

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Every source record that names green beans was decided on its content: 19 occurrence extracted, 19 records in all. The occurrence table renders every extracted result; held values remain visible with their reason.

References identify the sources used in these answers. The Sources index preserves additional discovery links; inclusion there does not mean a source has been reviewed for this assessment. Corrections, completed searches, new direct evidence and changes in requirements should reopen the relevant answer.

Green beans FAQs

What heavy metals are found in green beans?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, methylmercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, tin, antimony, uranium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Se, As, Ba, Hg, Sr, Ti and Tl in green beans, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →}^{4Guerra F, Trevizam AR, Muraoka T, Marcante NC, Canniatti-Brazaca SG · 2012Heavy metals in vegetables and potential risk for human healthScientia Agricola 69(1):54-60Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in green beans, as sold from 846 results in 4 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 5.4 to 40 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

How do heavy metals get into green beans?

In the studies available, green beans from contaminated or exposed settings carried more metal than green beans from the same study’s control.^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →} Green beans, as sold from Moldova Noua (mining area M) (mining-affected area) had lead higher at 190 µg/kg, against 70 µg/kg for Borlova (reference area) in the same study.^{3Iosif Gergen, Monica Harmanescu · 2012Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasChemistry Central Journal6:156Read source →}

Which regions report the lowest levels in green beans?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, green beans, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in WPRO (10 µg/kg) and the highest in SEARO (40 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For inorganic arsenic, the lowest regional median was in EURO (41.5 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (43 µg/kg).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

How much of the arsenic in green beans is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 8 results from 3 sources, far fewer than total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{6Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}^{12Baxter M, Brereton N · 2015Total Diet Study of metals and other elements in foodFood and Environment Research Agency report for the UK Food Standards Agency, Fera report 15/06, project FS102081Read source →} Marín et al. 2018 reported inorganic arsenic at 1.4 µg/kg (mean) in green beans, as sold from Vegetables and fruits group, Region of Valencia TDS 2010-2011.^{6Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, Font G, Yusà V · 2018Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670Read source →}

References

Works cited on this page, in citation-number order. See Sources for this page’s source inventory. Each title links to a source record with bibliographic details, reported findings, and document provenance.

GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsU.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA Total Diet Study · 2022 · www.fda.govDataset
Application of principal component analysis in the pollution assessment with heavy metals of vegetable food chain in the old mining areasIosif Gergen and Monica Harmanescu · Chemistry Central Journal6:156 · 2012 · doi.org/10.1186/1752-153x-6-156Peer-reviewed
Heavy metals in vegetables and potential risk for human healthGuerra F, Trevizam AR, Muraoka T, Marcante NC, and Canniatti-Brazaca SG · Scientia Agricola 69(1):54-60 · 2012 · doi.org/10.1590/s0103-90162012000100008Peer-reviewed
What’s in My Baby’s Food? A National Investigation Finds 95 Percent of Baby Foods Tested Contain Toxic Chemicals That Lower Babies’ IQ, Including Arsenic and LeadJane Houlihan and Charlotte Brody · Healthy Babies Bright Futures · 2019 · www.hbbf.orgNGO
Assessment of metal levels in foodstuffs from the Region of Valencia (Spain)Marín S, Pardo O, Sánchez A, Sanchis Y, Vélez D, Devesa V, et al. · Toxicology Reports 5 (2018) 654-670 · 2018 · doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.05.005Peer-reviewed
Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Spungen JH and et al. · Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A · 2024 · doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2024.2396910Peer-reviewed
Assessment of Heavy Metals in Organic and Non-Organic Vegetables Post Severe Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle: A cross-sectional comparative analysisDearing C, Ye Z, and Robertshaw G · F1000Research · 2025 · doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.175538.1Peer-reviewed
Environmental surveillance of commonly-grown vegetables for investigating potential lead and chromium contamination intensification in BangladeshHossain AMMM, Islam MS, Mamun MM, Al-Jonaed HM, Imran M, Rahman MH, et al. · SpringerPlus · 2016 · doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-3458-9Peer-reviewed
Analytical Results for Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, and Mercury in Food Intended for Babies and Young Children - TEP (FY2009-FY2024)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA analytical results table · 2024 · www.fda.govDataset
Evaluation of Health Risks Associated with Potential Toxic Elements in Selected Vegetables Consumed in the Western Black Sea Region of TurkeyAltıkulaç A, Turhan Ş, Altuner EM, Şekeroğlu B, and Kurnaz A · ACS Omega 2025, 10, 8843-8858 · 2025 · doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c08152Peer-reviewed
Total Diet Study of metals and other elements in foodBaxter M and Brereton N · Food and Environment Research Agency report for the UK Food Standards Agency, Fera report 15/06, project FS102081 · 2015 · www.food.gov.ukGovernment

Sources

Browse Green beans Sources for sources cited on this page and additional discovery candidates. The searchable index distinguishes verified citation use from discovery relationships whose relevance has not been established.

Update history

22 October 2026: Rebuilt from every green beans record in the library: 19 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

Referenced by

Graph View

1

2

Food and Drug Administration

3

4

5

6

7

Food Additives

8

9

10

11

12

Heavy metals in Green beans

Green beans overview

What counts as green beans

Heavy metal contamination profile of green beans

How metals reach green beans

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for green beans

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing green beans for metals

Buying and verifying green beans

Exposure from green beans

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Green beans FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Related ingredients

Referenced by

Graph View