scholarly journals Analysis of Heavy Metals in Foodstuffs and an Assessment of the Health Risks to the General Public via Consumption in Beijing, China

Author(s):  
Gang Liang ◽  
Wenwen Gong ◽  
Bingru Li ◽  
Jimin Zuo ◽  
Ligang Pan ◽  
...  

Consumption of foodstuffs is the most likely route for human exposure to heavy metals. This study was designed to investigate the toxic metals (cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg)) concentrations in different foodstuffs (cereals, vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat) and then estimate the potential health risks of toxic metals via consumption to the local residents in Beijing, China. Most of the selected toxic metal levels in the foodstuffs were lower than the maximum allowable concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cd, As, and Hg for Chinese foodstuffs recommended in the China National Food Safety Standard. The health risks associated with the toxic metals Pb, Cr, Cd, As, and Hg were assessed based on the target hazard quotients (THQs) proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The THQ values of the foodstuffs varied and were 0.03–0.29 for Cr, 0.02–0.23 for Pb, 0.01–0.33 for Cd, 0.01–0.06 for As, and 0.00–0.04 for Hg, not exceeding the maximum level of 1. The total THQ (TTHQ) values were 0.88 for vegetables, 0.57 for cereals, 0.46 for meat, 0.32 for fish, and 0.07 for fruits. This indicates that the risk contribution from vegetable intake (38.8%) was significant in comparison to that from other foodstuffs. The TTHQ values were 0.96 for Cr, 0.54 for Pb, 0.50 for Cd, 0.19 for As, and 0.09 for Hg, suggesting that Cr was a major risk contributor (41.7%) for the local residents of Beijing, which should attract great attention. However, the THQ/TTHQ values were all below 1, suggesting no health risks to the local population through consumption. Furthermore, dietary weekly intakes (WIs) were also calculated and the values were all lower than the proposed limit of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWI) established by the the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This suggests no additional health risks as well as consistency with the THQ results.

2021 ◽  
pp. 68-81
Author(s):  
A. Feseha ◽  
◽  
A.K. Chaubey ◽  
A. Abraha ◽  
◽  
...  

This study assesses heavy metal levels in the water, soil, and vegetables (swiss chard, lettuce, cabbage, collard green, tomato, green pepper, and carrot) irrigated with wastewater in Gamo, Ethiopia. The samples of soils, waters, and vegetables were randomly collected, processed, and analyzed for heavy metals using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results obtained show that the mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Ni had the highest concentration, and Pb, Zn, and Cu had the lowest concentration in irrigation waters. The levels of Cd in the Kulfo river area and Chamo Lake area and Cu in most of the farm soils were also found to be higher than the guideline values. The study also revealed that the mean levels of Cd in most vegetables and Cr and Pb in some vegetables were higher than the maximum recommended limits set by the World Health Organization / Food and Agriculture Organization 2001. Among the vegetables, cabbage had the highest heavy metal content followed by Swiss-chard, carrot, tomato, collard green, green pepper, and lettuce. The Hazard quotient of Cu, and Ni of all samples of vegetables and Cd in some samples vegetables obtained exceeded unity. It signifies that there are potential health risks to the consumers. This study recommends regular monitoring of heavy metals in soils, waters, and foodstuffs to prevent excessive accrual in the food chain.


2021 ◽  
pp. 68-81
Author(s):  
A. Feseha ◽  
◽  
A.K. Chaubey ◽  
A. Abraha ◽  
◽  
...  

This study assesses heavy metal levels in the water, soil, and vegetables (swiss chard, lettuce, cabbage, collard green, tomato, green pepper, and carrot) irrigated with wastewater in Gamo, Ethiopia. The samples of soils, waters, and vegetables were randomly collected, processed, and analyzed for heavy metals using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results obtained show that the mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Ni had the highest concentration, and Pb, Zn, and Cu had the lowest concentration in irrigation waters. The levels of Cd in the Kulfo river area and Chamo Lake area and Cu in most of the farm soils were also found to be higher than the guideline values. The study also revealed that the mean levels of Cd in most vegetables and Cr and Pb in some vegetables were higher than the maximum recommended limits set by the World Health Organization / Food and Agriculture Organization 2001. Among the vegetables, cabbage had the highest heavy metal content followed by Swiss-chard, carrot, tomato, collard green, green pepper, and lettuce. The Hazard quotient of Cu, and Ni of all samples of vegetables and Cd in some samples vegetables obtained exceeded unity. It signifies that there are potential health risks to the consumers. This study recommends regular monitoring of heavy metals in soils, waters, and foodstuffs to prevent excessive accrual in the food chain.


2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (03n04) ◽  
pp. 287-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEBUNNAHAR KHANDAKAR ◽  
MD. SHAFIQUL ISLAM ◽  
TSUYOSHI NAKAMURA ◽  
KOICHIRO SERA ◽  
TOSHIHIRO TAKATSUJI ◽  
...  

Intake of heavy metals from contaminated agricultural products represents a significant pathway for human exposure. Banglish village in the Comilla district is one of the most devastated arsenic (As) contaminated areas in Bangladesh. This study focus whether As is solely responsible for causing arsenicosis or whether some other heavy metals have a synergistic effect on the toxicity of As . The study sampled various leafy and non-leafy vegetables and groundwaters were analyzed by using the Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) method. The results revealed that both the vegetables and the groundwater were highly contaminated with As and lead (Pb) , although the contents in the vegetables and the groundwater varied depending on species and tube wells. As and Pb concentrations in the edible part of all tested vegetables and in groundwater exceeded the permissible intake levels of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The findings inferred that the inhabitants of the study area are experiencing health risks resulting from the intake of As and Pb , and that Pb might have a synergistic role with As by aggravating the arsenicosis. The potential health risks due to Pb is being reported for the first time in Bangladesh.


Toxin Reviews ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Masumeh Taheri ◽  
Mohamad Hosein Mahmudy Gharaie ◽  
Jalil Mehrzad ◽  
Michael Stone ◽  
Reza Afshari

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Nahla S El-Shenawy ◽  
Heba N Gad EL-Hak ◽  
Mahi A Ghobashy ◽  
Maha FM Soliman ◽  
Farida A Mansour ◽  
...  

Accumulation of heavy metals in fish is considered a critical problem for human health. Therefore, the study aimed to quantify the concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) in Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus from two areas in Al Sharqia governorate, Egypt, from September 2017 to August 2018. A human health risk assessment was conducted to evaluate the potential hazards associated with fish consumption. Metals concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) in muscles of catfish ranged 1.88-221.26 for Fe; 1.78-19.77 for Zn; BDL-238.51 for Mn; BDL-22.75 for Pb. In muscles of tilapia fish metals concentrations ranged 7.96-149.10 for Fe; 1.20-19.77 for Zn; BDL-230.82 for Mn; BDL-25.93 for Pb. Pb had Hazard quotients (HQs) which indicated potential health risks to tilapia consumers at both study areas and catfish consumers at the Faqous area. Fishermen were at higher risk compared to the other consumers.


Author(s):  
Özgür Canpolat ◽  
Metin Çalta

Keban Dam Lake is the second largest dam lake in Turkey. In addition, it has the feature of being one of the most important dam lakes in our country in terms of both aquaculture potential and electricity generation. In this study, fish samples belong to Capoeta trutta caught from Örencik region of Keban Dam Lake were used. The concentrations of some heavy metals (copper, iron, zinc, chromium, nickel, cadmium, arsenic and mercury) in muscle of Capoeta trutta and the potential health risk from consumption of this fish species were examined. In addidion, the relationship between the heavy metal levels and some biological aspects of fish (weight, length and sex) were determined. As a result of the study, it was determined that the most and the least accumulated heavy metals in the muscle tissue of Capoeta trutta were zinc and cadmium respectively. The concentration of heavy metals showed differences according to weight, length and sex of fish. The results were found indicated that heavy metal levels in the muscle tissue of Capoeta trutta are below the tolerable values recommended by EPA, WHO and FAO. Therefore, there is not any risk for human consumption of this fish species.


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