To assess the contamination levels and health risks of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury(Hg), and copper (Cu) in Astragalus, Eucommia ulmoides leaves, and Cornus officinalis from Shaanxi Province, providing a scientific basis for safety evaluation and standard establishment.

Samples of Astragalus, Eucommia ulmoides leaves,and Cornus officinalis were collected from major producing areas in Shaanxi. The concentrations of the five heavy metals were determined using microwave digestion-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The contamination levels were evaluated using the single-factor pollution index and the Nemerow composite pollution index, while health risks were assessed by comparing health guidance values or benchmark doses with estimated human exposure levels.

Both the single-factor pollution index and the Nemerow composite pollution index values for Astragalus and Cornus officinalis were below 0.7, indicating low heavy metal contamination and a safe consumption level. In contrast, Eucommia ulmoides leaves exhibited a Nemerow composite pollution index of 0.79, reaching the alert threshold, with Pb and Hg identified as the primary contaminants, necessitating stricter control during cultivation and processing. For all three food and medicinal substances, the exposure levels via dietary intake were higher than those via medicinal use. For Astragalus, Eucommia ulmoides leaves, and Cornus officinalis, the Pb exposure levels via dietary intake were 0.107 μg/kgBW, 0.698 μg/kgBW, and 0.266 μg/kgBW,respectively. The As exposure levels were 0.108 μg/kgBW, 0.138 μg/kgBW, and 0.039 μg/kgBW, respectively. The Cd exposure levels were 0.007 μg/kgBW, 0.060 μg/kgBW, and 0.011 μg/kgBW, respectively. The Hg exposure levels were 0.002 μg/kgBW, 0.031 μg/kgBW, and 0.007 μg/kgBW, respectively. The Cu exposure levels were 2.611 μg/kgBW, 1.979 μg/kgBW,and 0.987 μg/kgBW, respectively.

Astragalus and Cornus officinalis from Shaanxi pose minimal heavy metal contamination risks, whereas Eucommia ulmoides leaves require targeted monitoring for Pb and Hg. When dietary exposure was considered, the heavy metal exposure risks for all three food and medicinal substances were within acceptable limits.