Heavy metals in Squash

Quick read

Squash in the HMI library has 68 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Sr and Ti from 6 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Guerra 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 →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4U.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 →}^{5Altıkulaç 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 →}^{6Abbas M, Parveen Z, Iqbal M, Riazuddin, Iqbal S, Ahmed M, Bhutto R · 2010Monitoring of toxic metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury) in vegetables of Sindh, PakistanKathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 6 (II): 60-65Read source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid and total mercury and others, in 68 results from 6 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Guerra 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 →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4U.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 →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the squash was sampled; reporting limits decide how many results are non-detects.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Guerra 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 →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4U.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 →}
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 →}^{2Guerra 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 →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4U.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 →}

Squash overview

Squash in the HMI library has 68 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Sr and Ti from 6 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Guerra 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 →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4U.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 →}^{5Altıkulaç 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 →}^{6Abbas M, Parveen Z, Iqbal M, Riazuddin, Iqbal S, Ahmed M, Bhutto R · 2010Monitoring of toxic metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury) in vegetables of Sindh, PakistanKathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 6 (II): 60-65Read source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in squash, as sold from 214 results in 3 reporting regions, with a subgroup median of 3.13 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} For cadmium, GEMS/Food gave subgroup medians from 2 to 2 µg/kg from 98 results.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Guerra et al. 2012 reported lead at 500 µg/kg (mean) in squash, as sold from CEAGESP wholesale market.^{2Guerra 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 →} Across 2 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported cadmium means and medians on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis ranged from 3.1 µg/kg (Norton et al. 2015) to 50 µg/kg (Guerra et al. 2012).^{2Guerra 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 →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}

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

What counts as squash

This page covers squash in 2 forms kept separate in every comparison: squash, as sold (67 results) and squash, juice (1 result).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Guerra 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 →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4U.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 →}^{5Altıkulaç 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 →}^{6Abbas M, Parveen Z, Iqbal M, Riazuddin, Iqbal S, Ahmed M, Bhutto R · 2010Monitoring of toxic metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury) in vegetables of Sindh, PakistanKathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 6 (II): 60-65Read source →} Foods made from squash that have their own pages, such as butternut squash and winter squash, 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 squash

The table holds every extracted squash result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 68 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 →}^{2Guerra 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 →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4U.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 →}^{5Altıkulaç 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 →}^{6Abbas M, Parveen Z, Iqbal M, Riazuddin, Iqbal S, Ahmed M, Bhutto R · 2010Monitoring of toxic metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury) in vegetables of Sindh, PakistanKathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 6 (II): 60-65Read 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 →}

12 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 0 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded.

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of squash, 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.

About this table

Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence

Squash 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)

18 findings · 6 studies
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2006–2010	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2000–2005	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2015–2017	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2000–2017	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2014–2016	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004	median.
Squash, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Squash, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Squash, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreported	median.
Squash, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreported	mean.
Squash, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreported	min.
Squash, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreported	max.
Squash, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20182009–2024	sample value.
Squash, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20192009–2024	sample value.
Squash, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20192009–2024	not detected.
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Squash, as soldAbbas et al. 2010	cucurbit vegetables2007–2008Basis not stated	mean.
1 finding · 1 study
Squash, juiceWHO GEMS/Food	SEARO2013	median.

13 findings · 6 studies · 1 spread figure folded in
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2003–2010	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2003–2017	median.
Squash, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Squash, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Squash, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreported	median.
Squash, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreported	mean.Same samples: 5.5 µg/kg (maximum)
Squash, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreported	min.
Squash, as soldNorton et al. 2015	SW Britain (Devon and Cornwall) basket surveyCollection date unreported	max.
Squash, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20182009–2024	sample value.
Squash, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20192009–2024	sample value.
Squash, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20192009–2024	not detected.
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Squash, as soldAbbas et al. 2010	cucurbit vegetables2007–2008Basis not stated	mean.

9 findings · 4 studies
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2023	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2003–2017	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004	median.
Squash, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20182009–2024	not detected.
Squash, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20192009–2024	not detected.
Squash, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20192009–2024	not detected.
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.
Squash, as soldAbbas et al. 2010	cucurbit vegetables2007–2008Basis not stated	mean.

2 findings · 1 study
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2007–2011	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2017	median.

4 findings · 3 studies
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	WPRO2004	median.
Squash, as soldU.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	Vegetables, FY20192009–2024	not detected.
Squash, as soldAbbas et al. 2010	cucurbit vegetables2007–2008Basis not stated	mean.

3 findings · 2 studies
Squash, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Squash, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

4 findings · 3 studies
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Squash, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Squash, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

2 findings · 2 studies
Squash, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	EURO2000	median.
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

3 findings · 2 studies
Squash, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Squash, as soldGuerra et al. 2012	CEAGESP wholesale market2009	mean.
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Squash, as soldAltıkulaç et al. 2025	Group II2021–2022Dry weight	mean.

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 squash Pb reference · Squash, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI squash Pb reference · Squash, as sold. Squash, 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	≤1.38	1–2 (bounded)	2–7 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	≤1.38	1–2 (bounded)	2–7 (bounded)

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	32	50%
U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	2	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for squash, 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:squash-6f9122a6c830:54970d9545ba

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 squash Pb reference · Squash, juice

Reference and scope

HMI squash Pb reference · Squash, juice. Squash, juice; 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

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 squash, juice 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 squash, juice on this basis in the completed squash 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:squash-f19beff110df:8d53ac238c79

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 squash Cd reference · Squash, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI squash Cd reference · Squash, as sold. Squash, 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	1–2 (bounded)	2	3.1
Alternative weighting	1–2 (bounded)	2	3.1

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	23	33%
Norton et al. 2015	1	33%
U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024	2	33%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for squash, 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:squash-e4bf1c2f7d04:ba905ef38397

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 squash tAs reference · Squash, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI squash tAs reference · Squash, as sold. Squash, 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	≤5	≤9	≤11.6
Alternative weighting	≤4.04	≤8.75	≤11.8

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	21	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for squash, 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 squash, as sold on this basis in the completed squash 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:squash-c9ae15799fa1:c891c6f02845

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 squash iAs reference · Squash, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI squash iAs reference · Squash, as sold. Squash, 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	0.225–5.22 (bounded)	24.2–29 (bounded)	71
Alternative weighting	0.225–5.22 (bounded)	24.2–29 (bounded)	71

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

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	4	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for squash, 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 squash, as sold on this basis in the completed squash 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:squash-429527199f48:9895786eb601

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 squash DMA reference · Squash, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI squash DMA reference · Squash, as sold. Squash, 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 squash, 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 squash, as sold on this basis in the completed squash 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:squash-680a77ef6d3c:02d971fffa9f

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 squash tHg reference · Squash, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI squash tHg reference · Squash, as sold. Squash, 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	2	2	2
Alternative weighting	2	2	2

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 squash, 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 squash, as sold on this basis in the completed squash 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:squash-c1c54fd6feb6:9b014aa88a29

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 squash

No study in the library compared squash from contaminated and ordinary settings, so the routes by which metals reach it are not measured here.

Which forms and regions measured lower

The HMI reference for lead in squash, as sold pools 34 subgroup units from 2 sampling families, with a median of between 1 and 2 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 1.38 (lower quartile) and between 2 and 7 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{4U.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 cadmium in squash, as sold, the reference median was 2 µg/kg, with a middle half from between 1 and 2 to 3.1 µg/kg across 26 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4U.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 total arsenic in squash, as sold, the reference median was below 9 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 5 to below 11.6 µg/kg across 21 units.^{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 squash

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

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 squash for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 0.667 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) 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 →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 0.64 µg/kg (Altıkulaç et al. 2025) 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 →}^{5Altıkulaç 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 total arsenic ranged from 0.667 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 3,300 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 →}

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

Buying and verifying squash

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

Exposure from squash

No source in the library converted squash 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 squash was decided on its content: 6 occurrence extracted, 6 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.

Squash FAQs

What heavy metals are found in squash?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, V, Sr and Ti in squash, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2Guerra 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 →}^{3Norton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, Meharg AA · 2015Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKThe Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscriptRead source →}^{4U.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 →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in squash, as sold from 214 results in 3 reporting regions, with a subgroup median of 3.13 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 squash is inorganic?

Inorganic arsenic, the more toxic form, was measured in 2 results from 1 source, far fewer than total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported inorganic arsenic in squash, as sold from 19 results in 1 reporting region, with a subgroup median of 75.4 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead 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
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
Cadmium and lead in vegetable and fruit produce selected from specific regional areas of the UKNorton GJ, Deacon CM, Mestrot A, Feldmann J, Jenkins P, Baskaran C, et al. · The Science of the Total Environment 533, 520-527 (2015); accepted author manuscript · 2015 · doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.06.130Peer-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
Monitoring of toxic metals (cadmium, lead, arsenic and mercury) in vegetables of Sindh, PakistanAbbas M, Parveen Z, Iqbal M, Riazuddin, Iqbal S, Ahmed M, et al. · Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology 6 (II): 60-65 · 2010 · doi.org/10.3126/kuset.v6i2.4013Peer-reviewed

Sources

Browse Squash 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 squash record in the library: 6 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

Referenced by

Graph View

1

2

3

4

Food and Drug Administration

5

6

Heavy metals in Squash

Squash overview

What counts as squash

Heavy metal contamination profile of squash

How metals reach squash

Which forms and regions measured lower

Processing, cooking and preparation

Mitigation for squash

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Testing squash for metals

Buying and verifying squash

Exposure from squash

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Squash FAQs

References

Sources

Update history

Related ingredients

Referenced by

Graph View