Probabilistic assessment of the exposure risk to dietary perchlorate in the Chinese population from general and key areas

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the exposure and health risks from perchlorates in food and tea among Chinese residents grouped by key and common areas.MethodsPerchlorate content data for food and tea in China were collected from the literature. Combined with data from the Chinese Total Diet Study in 2015 and using the hazard quotient， the estimated dietary exposure to perchlorate in different areas was assessed and compared using several health-based guidance values.ResultsThe highest mean perchlorate content was 175.54 μg/kg in tea. The results of the probability assessment showed that vegetables were critical exposure pathways in the Chinese population， accounting for 79.40% of total daily perchlorate intake. The 99% daily perchlorate intake of Chinese populations was lower than the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake （PMTDI， 10 μg/kg∙BW） set by the Joint FAO/WHO. However， the daily perchlorate intake of 4.96% and 26.57% of the residents in two areas far exceeded the temporary tolerable daily intake （tTDI， 0.7 μg/kg∙BW） set by China. In tea， 95% of daily perchlorate intake was lower than the PMTDI， but the daily perchlorate intakes of 57.47% and 77.94% of the tea drinkers in the two areas exceeded the tTDI.ConclusionThe risk of exposure to perchlorate via dietary intake in the Chinese population is generally low； however， there are key areas where the exposure is significantly higher than those in other areas owing to high local pollution.

Keywords

• food
• tea
• perchlorate
• exposure assessment