Dietary Metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn) Exposure and Associated Health Risks in Baia Mare Area, Northwestern Romania

This study estimated the non-carcinogenic health risk of Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn via dietary intake in the urban and rural areas of Baia Mare city, northwestern Romania, a former mining area. A total of 230 food items grouped in ten food categories (meat and animal organs, meat-derived products, animal fat, eggs, dairy, bread, corn flour, potato, vegetables, fruits) and 32 water samples were collected and analyzed for Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn using atomic absorption spectrometric method. The human health risk assessment through dietary exposure was evaluated by calculating the estimated daily intake of metals, the Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) and the Total Target Hazard Quotients (TTHQ) for normal daily consumption in adults. The average daily intakes of Pb, Cd and Zn were higher than the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) reference value for urban and rural residents, which showed that there was a potentially high risk of ingestion of food and water. The average daily intake of Cu with food and drinking water was lower than the corresponding TDI value, which indicated that Cu intake was not a potential hazard to the health of residents in the study areas. The individual target hazard quotients, calculated for food consumption in urban area decreased in the following order: Cd>Cu>Pb>Zn, and in rural area: Pb>Cd>Cu>Zn, having values higher than 1 for Pb and Cd in the rural area and approximately equal to 1 for Cd (urban) and Cu (rural), indicating non-carcinogenic adverse health effects. The TTHQs for the two areas (urban and rural) were 2.934 and 5.164, respectively, established cumulative adverse effects of metals. The results showed that vegetables, potato and bread were the main sources of metal intake from foodstuff for adults, but fruit, water and meat were secondary contributors.

Dietary nutrients and health risks from exposure to some heavy metals through the consumption of the farmed common carp (CYPRINUS CARPIO)

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is one of the most important cultured fish species in Poland. The aims of our study were to determine the concentration of essential minerals in the muscle tissue of carp obtained from a pond culture and to compare the content of these minerals with the physiological norms of nutrition for the Polish population, Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), and Estimated Average Requirements (EAR). The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk by assessment of the Estimated target hazard quotients (THQ), total target hazard quotients (ΣTHQ), and carcinogenic risk were also studied. The muscle tissue of the carp was rich in macroelements. The pattern significance gradation of element concentrations was as follows: Na > K > Ca > P > Mg > Al > Zn > Fe > Cu > Mn > Cr > Se > Co. The concentration of toxic heavy metals in the samples was lower than the maximum allowable level of metals in food products. The risk of consumption of toxicants by an adult at a daily intake of 100 g of fish was 1.45% for Pb, 0.1% for Hg, 0.02% for Cd, and 0.02% for As, compared to the allowable daily intake for each toxicant. The value of the target hazard quotients of each metal was less than 1, indicating that the intake of a single metal through the consumption of carp meat does not pose a considerable health hazard. The total value of the target hazard quotients was also less than 1, indicating the safety of the combined effects of the chemicals. The major risk contributor was Pb with 82.9%, followed by Hg (9.38%), As (6.43%), and Cd (1.29%).

Health Risk Assessment of Dietary Heavy Metals Intake from Fruits and Vegetables Grown in Selected Old Mining Areas—A Case Study: The Banat Area of Southern Carpathians

In this study, we conducted a noncarcinogenic risk assessment of consuming vegetables and fruits grown in two old mining areas from the Banat area of Southern Carpathians (Romania), Moldova Veche (M) and Rusca Montana (R) and in a nonpolluted reference area located near the village of Borlova (Ref). Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd and Pb in soils and commonly eaten vegetables and fruits were measured and used for calculating the weighted estimated daily intake of metals (WEDIM), the target hazard quotients (THQ) and the total target hazard quotients (TTHQ) for normal daily consumption in adults. Levels of certain metals in soils and plants from the R area (Pb) and the M area (Cu) were higher than those measured in the Ref area—and often exceeded normal or even alert-threshold levels. TTHQs for the R area (1.60; 6.03) and the M area (1.11; 2.54) were above one for leafy vegetables and root vegetables, respectively, suggesting a major risk of adverse health effects for diets, including these vegetal foodstuffs. Moreover, THQ and TTHQ indicated a higher population health risk for the R area than for the M area, with the Ref area being a safe zone.

Nutritional Quality and Metallic Health Risk Assessment of Industrially Processed Tomato Ketchups Available in the Markets of Bangladesh

An experiment was conducted to study the nutritional qualities of industrially processed tomato ketchups compared to homemade one and to assess metallic heath risk due to consumption of those ketchups. Eight different types of industrially processed tomato ketchups available in the markets of Bangladesh from dissimilar producers and one homemade sauce were analysed in this study. Dry matter content in industrially processed tomato ketchups ranged between 32.52-38.41% while it was only 7.90% in case of homemade sauce. The average lycopene content of industrially processed tomato ketchups was 20.02 mg 100g-1 sample while it was 29.10 mg 100g-1 sample for homemade tomato sauce. Among the mineral nutrients- Ca, Mg, P and K contents in homemade tomato sauce were higher compared to industrially processed one. But Na content was higher in different industrially processed ketchups. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd and Mn in industrially processed tomato ketchups ranged between 5.29-6.82, 2.14-34.08, 6.48-9.05, 7.56-11.51, 0.12-0.95, 0.36-0.46 and trace µg g-1 (fresh wt. basis), respectively while in case of homemade tomato sauce the mean concentrations were 2.12, 3.33, 1.66, 2.08, 0.13, 0.09 and 1.73 µg g-1 (fresh wt. basis), respectively. Thus, present study results inferred that higher amount of different heavy metals might be contributed by the addition of spices and other ingredients to industrially processed tomato ketchups. Target hazard quotients (THQ) values for Pb and Cr for industrially processed tomato ketchups approached or surpassed 1 for female. The cumulative target hazard quotients (CTHQ) values for the same tomato ketchups were also greater than one (>1) for both male and female, which indicate that the exposed populations are in a level of concern interval. On the other hand, individual THQ and CTHQ values for homemade sauce were less than 1 for both male and female, which indicate that dietary intake of this sauce is assumed to be safe.

Accumulation of As, Cd, and Pb in Sixteen Wheat Cultivars Grown in Contaminated Soils and Associated Health Risk Assessment

This study investigated the accumulation of As, Cd, and Pb in 16 wheat cultivars and the associated health risks for the inhabitants of Jiyuan, China. The results indicated that the concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb decreased in the order of root > leaf > stem > grain. The concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb in wheat grains varied from 0.13 for Pingan8 to 0.34 mg kg−1 for Zhengmai7698, 0.10 for Luomai26 to 0.25 mg kg−1 for Zhengmai7698, and 0.12 for Zhoumai207 to 0.42 mg kg−1 for Zhengmai379, respectively. There were significant differences in the bioaccumulation factors of As, Cd, and Pb among the 16 wheat cultivars. Cd was more readily accumulated to higher levels than As and Pb in wheat. The Target Hazard Quotients (THQs) of Cd and Pb in the grains from 16 wheat cultivars were below 1, while As THQ exceeded 1. The lowest detrimental human health effects via wheat consumption were found in cultivar AY58 among the 16 wheat cultivars, with total THQs (TTHQs) of 1.82 for children and 1.60 for adults, suggesting that children absorb more heavy metals than adults and they are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of these metals.

RetractedHuman Health Risk of Chromium Intake From Consumption of Poultry Meat and Eggs in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background. Heavy metals contamination of food is a serious threat. Long term exposure may lead to human health risks. Poultry and eggs are a major source of protein, but if contaminated by heavy metals, have the potential to lead to detrimental effects on human health. Objectives. The objective of this study is to determine chromium concentrations in poultry meat (flesh and liver) and eggs collected from poultry farms in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to calculate the daily intake of chromium from the consumption of poultry meat and eggs for adults, and to evaluate their potential health risk by calculating the target hazard quotients (THQ). Methods. All samples of poultry feed, meat (flesh and liver) and eggs were analyzed by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) (GFA- EX- 7i Shimadju, Japan). Results. Chromium concentrations were recorded in the range of not detected (ND) to 1.3926±0.0010 mg kg−1 and 0.0678±0.0001 mg kg−1 to 1.3764±0.0009 mg kg−1 in the liver of broiler and layer chickens, respectively. Chromium concentrations were determined in the range of 0.069±1.0004 mgkg−1 to 2.0746±0.0021 mg kg−1 and 0.0362±0.0002 mg kg−1 to 1.2752±0.0014 mg kg−1 in the flesh of broiler and layer chicken, respectively. The mean concentration of chromium in eggs was 0.2174−1.08 mg kg.−1 The highest concentration of chromium 2.4196±0.0019 mg kg−1 was found in egg yolk. Target hazard quotients values in all poultry flesh, liver and eggs samples were less than one, indicating no potential health risks to consumers. Conclusions. The estimated daily intake values of chromium were below the threshold limit. Thus, our results indicate that no adverse health effects are expected as a resultof ingestion of chicken fed with tannery waste. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests. Ethics Approval: This study was approved by the Biosafety, Biosecurity & Ethical Committee of Jahangirnagar University.