Background: With respect to the natural, industrial, and environmental origin of lead and cadmium, and also with respect to the known side effects of these two elements, during the present study we have attempted to determine the level of lead and cadmium in peanut.

Materials and methods : 27 samples of peanut were randomly selected from different shops in Ahwaz. Level of lead and cadmium was determined by atomic absorption technique.

Results : The mean level of cadmium was 83μg/kg, ranged 15-160, where 92.6% had levels of >40μg/kg. The mean level of lead was 384μg/kg, ranged 12-1043, where 81.5% had levels of >200μg/kg.

Conclusion : The level of lead and cadmium was quite high in our studied samples. Determining the etiologic factors in this regard will be helpful.