Do You Know What You Drink? Comparative Research on the Contents of Radioisotopes and Heavy Metals in Different Types of Tea from Various Parts of the World
Elżbieta Grządka,
Anna Bastrzyk,
Jolanta Orzeł,
Agata Oszczak-Nowińska,
Bartłomiej Fliszkiewicz,
Mateusz Siemieniuk,
Krzysztof Sobczyński,
Olgierd Spławski,
Katarzyna Gołębiowska,
Oskar Ronda,
Bartłomiej Michał Cieślik
Affiliations
Elżbieta Grządka
Institute of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, M. Curie-Skłodowska Sq. 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
Anna Bastrzyk
Department of Process Engineering and Technology of Polymer and Carbon Materials, Faculty of Chemistry, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, C. K. Norwida 4/6 Sq., 50-373 Wroclaw, Poland
Jolanta Orzeł
Institute of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, M. Curie-Skłodowska Sq. 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
Agata Oszczak-Nowińska
Institute of Chemistry, Military University of Technology, Kaliskiego 2 Str., 00-908 Warszawa, Poland
Bartłomiej Fliszkiewicz
Institute of Chemistry, Military University of Technology, Kaliskiego 2 Str., 00-908 Warszawa, Poland
Mateusz Siemieniuk
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12 Str., 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
Krzysztof Sobczyński
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12 Str., 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
Olgierd Spławski
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12 Str., 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
Katarzyna Gołębiowska
Institute of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, M. Curie-Skłodowska Sq. 3, 20-031 Lublin, Poland
Oskar Ronda
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12 Str., 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
Bartłomiej Michał Cieślik
Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, Gabriela Narutowicza 11/12 Str., 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
The aim of this study was to assess the potential health risks of radioactive elements and heavy metals ingested through the consumption of various types of tea imported to the Polish market (black, green, red, oolong and white). The concentrations [Bq/kg] of radionuclides (40K, 137Cs, 226Ra, 210Pb and 228Th) in tea leaves before and after brewing were measured using γ-ray spectrometry with high-purity germanium (HPGe). The concentrations [mg/kg] of the studied elements (Fe, Cr, Cu, Mo, Al, Mn, Ni, P, V, Cd and Pb) were determined using a microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometer (MIP-OES). The results presented here will help to expand the database of heavy metals and radioactivity in teas. With regard to the potential health risk, the percentage of leaching of individual elements in different types of tea infusions was determined, and the assessment of the consumption risk was estimated. Since the calculated exposure factors, namely the HQ (Hazard Quotient) and THQ (Target Hazard Quotient), do not exceed critical levels, teas can still be considered health-beneficial products (most of the radionuclides as well as elements remain in the leaves (65–80%) after brewing).
