Heavy metals health risk assessment through consumption of some foodstuffs marketed in city of Hamedan, Iran

Abstract

Since global studies on the health risk assessment of heavy metals in foodstuffs, including biscuits, potato chips, chocolates, and traditional pastries are limited, hence, this study was conducted to determine the contents and the human health risk assessment of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) via the consumption of different brands of these foodstuffs.In this descriptive study, a total of 84 samples of 28 brands/kinds of food under consideration were collected from a market basket in city of Hamedan, Iran in 2016. After preparation and processing the samples in the laboratory, the metal concentrations were measured using the inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). In addition, all statistical analyses including One-Way ANOVA and one-sample t test were performed using the SPSS statistical package (Version 19). The results showed that the mean concentrations (mg kg-1) of Pb in all the foodstuff samples (2.25 ± 0.76 for biscuits, 1.60 ± 0.35 for potato chips, 2.61 ± 0.68 for chocolates, and 3.66 ± 0.64 for traditional pastries) were higher than the Maximum Permissible Limit (MPL).Furthermore, the computed health risk index showed no potential risk for adults and children via consumption of the studied foodstuffs under the current consumption rate.Based on the results, as the mean contents of Pb observed in all the foodstuff samples exceeded the MPL, serious attention toward the discharge of pollutants into the environment and chemical residue monitoring, especially of heavy metals in foodstuffs, is recommended.

Keywords

• carcinogens
• environmental monitoring
• food safety
• heavy metals
• health risk