<![CDATA[Water spinach is among the vegetables most consumed by residents of Jambi City and is also a hyperaccumulator plant that readily absorbs heavy metals, particularly lead. Lead is chronically toxic, and exposure to it may damage the nervous system, cause anaemia, and impair kidney function. This study aimed to identify and compare lead levels in water spinach sold at traditional markets and supermarkets in Jambi City against the limit of BPOM Regulation Number 9 of 2022, namely 0.2 mg/kg. The study was quantitative descriptive with a laboratory approach. A total of 96 samples, consisting of 81 samples from 13 traditional markets and 15 samples from 10 supermarkets across 10 districts, were collected using accidental sampling. Lead levels were measured by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry at a wavelength of 283.3 nm following wet digestion. The results showed that 54 of 96 samples (56.3%) exceeded the safe limit. In traditional markets, 47 of 81 samples (58.0%) did not meet the requirement, with a mean of 0.3162 mg/kg, whereas in supermarkets 7 of 15 samples (46.7%) did not meet the requirement, with a mean of 0.2705 mg/kg. The highest level, 0.8471 mg/kg, was found in a supermarket. It is concluded that most water spinach at traditional markets and supermarkets in Jambi City contains lead exceeding the safe limit.]]>
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