According to a review published in the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Journal, vegetables grown in communities impacted by illegal mining contain toxic metals exceeding international safety standards. The study, which analyzed 45 peer-reviewed papers, found that produce such as tomatoes, peppers, garden eggs, and onions in these areas contained lead, arsenic, and mercury. According to GhanaWeb, contamination was most significant in the Ashanti and Western Regions. In some instances, arsenic and mercury levels in these vegetables were found to be hundreds of times higher than the limits set by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization. Researchers noted that these metals are absorbed into the plants, meaning they cannot be removed by washing. The study attributes the contamination to farming practices near mining sites and the use of irrigation water potentially affected by mining waste. Researchers have recommended increased testing of soil and water in these regions.