Evaluation of the heavy metal risk potential in salts extracted from the Shorbarik River

Abstract

Because heavy metals can build up within the bodies of living things, and because of chemical reactions, they can become poisonous and carcinogenic. Among other things, heavy metal-containing salts are one way these elements enter the body. In Khuzestan Province, Iran, the Shorbarik River is one of the most significant rivers from which salt is mined. In order to assess the health and quality of the salt taken from the Shorbarik River in accordance with national regulations, this study looked into the concentration of heavy metals (lead and cadmium) in these salts. The Shorbarik River was the study region, and the surface salts of the dried bed were sampled in four stages. After drying in an oven, they were injected with acid into an atomic absorption device. Due to the high concentration of cadmium in the region's salts, the risk of cancer from exposure to heavy metals through salt consumption is serious. Ecologically, the Shorbarik River's salt is generally low in lead contamination and considerably high in cadmium contamination, with high levels in the spring and summer. Therefore, it is recommended to consume refined salt.

Keywords

• non-carcinogenic risk
• carcinogenic risk
• ecological risk
• lead
• cadmium