Arsenic, lead and cadmium in rice in Latin America and human health risks

The current study aims to investigate the levels of the toxic metal in agricultural products (legumes, wheat, and potato) collected in Markazi province, Iran, and human health risk by using inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The levels of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in all samples were lower than the limit of detection (LOD), while the level of Cd in potato samples was lower than the maximum permisible level (MPL) of the European commission (EC). The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk assessment by direct ingestion of agricultural products was calculated using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method. The highest mean of toxic metals was observed for lead (Pb) in legume samples (562.17 μg kg− 1). Mercury (Hg) and Pb levels in all samples were higher than LOD, while Pb level in wheat samples were lower than of EC. The rank order of Hg and Pb levels in all samples based on target hazard quotient (THQ) value was wheat> potato>legume. The THQ index of Hg and Pb by the deterministic method in wheat was 1.37 and 0.454; in potato 0.139 and 0.104; in legume 0.092 and 0.41, respectively. The carcinogenic risk index was at an acceptable range. The high hazard index values were estimated and the THQ index for Hg in wheat suggests a non-negligible health risk.

BackgroundThe presence of acrylamide at different levels in many foods in our daily diet is a very alarming situation for public health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acrylamide exposure of adolescents resulting from the consumption of French fries in terms of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks and to reveal its relationship with heart health.MethodsThis study was conducted on adolescents aged 13–15 years living in Türkiye. Firstly, a scale with tested reliability was used to determine the heart health behaviours of adolescents. Then, the acrylamide exposure levels were determined according to the deterministic model by taking the french fries consumption data of the adolescents for a retrospective 24-hour period. Acrylamide exposure level was then evaluated in terms of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks. Statistical differences between the groups were analysed by independent t test, Mann Whitney U test, Welch Test and Kruskal Wallis Test. Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient was used to determine the degree of non-causal relationships.ResultsAll adolescents showed normal cardiovascular behaviour (63 ± 11). The acrylamide exposure level of all adolescents from French fries consumption ranged between 0–2.60 µg/kg/day. The mean THQ (Target Hazard Quotient) value for all adolescents was 0.11 ± 0.27 and the mean CR (Carcinogenic risk) value was 1.10E-05 ± 2.69E-04. Since the THQ value was lower than the reference value, the consumption of French fries was considered safe for adolescents. However, the CR value indicates the presence of potential carcinogenic health risks. There was no statistical difference between the acrylamide exposure level, THQ and CR values according to the cardiovascular behaviour scores of adolescents, whereas a statistical difference was found only between the BMI (body mass index) subcategories.ConclusionThe acrylamide exposure level calculated for adolescents is relatively high compared to other studies in the literature. Carcinogenic health risks associated with the consumption of French fries have been identified. It is thought that the results of the study will contribute to the studies and strategies to be developed to reduce dietary acrylamide exposure.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-24053-9.

Non-carcinogenic risk assessment of cadmium and lead in raw milk from dairy production farms in Iran, using Monte Carlo simulation approach

Heavy metals are toxic in nature, and their contamination in foodstuff is a matter of concern for human health. The present study was conducted to assess the concentrations of chromium, nickel, copper, arsenic, cadmium, and lead in rice and vegetables and their possible human health risks in Tangail district, Bangladesh. Metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion system. The average values of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb in rice and vegetables were 16.26, 16.11, 13.99, 2.28, 1.86, and 7.93 mg/kg, respectively. The average metal concentration in rice and vegetable species was in the decreasing order of okra > chili > bitter gourd > papaya > brinjal > bean > bottle gourd > rice > cucumber > sponge gourd > Indian spinach. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of all the metals except Cu were higher than the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The target hazard quotients (THQs) values of Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb exceeded the threshold value of 1 through consumption of rice and vegetables, indicating significant health risks to both adult and children. The target carcinogenic risk (TR) of As and Pb through consumption of rice and vegetables was higher than the USEPA threshold level (10−4). From the health point of view, this study clearly revealed that consumption of these contaminated rice and vegetables definitely poses carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks.

Heavy metal accumulation and health risk assessment of crayfish collected from cultivated and uncultivated ponds in the Middle Reach of Yangtze River

The assessment of the current distribution and concentrations of As, Pb, Hg, Cd, and Cr in farmed catfish and tilapia, fish feed, and pond sediment in Tanzania is important in order to establish the potential dietary exposure to heavy metals from aquaculture sources. Thirteen fish ponds were selected from each of the 10 sites (villages) studied in Arusha and Morogoro regions. Representative samples collected were analysed using polarised energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (PED-XRF) spectrometer. Human health risk from fish consumption was established by calculating the estimated daily intakes (EDI), target hazard quotients (THQ), total hazard indices (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) of the heavy metals. Arusha had the highest concentrations (dry weight) of As (2.49–4.75 mg/kg) in the fish feed. Morogoro had the highest concentrations of Hg (1.65–2.69 mg/kg), Pb (4.59–5.64 mg/kg), and Cd (1.99–3.97 mg/kg) for sediment, fish feed, and fish muscles, respectively. Cr was the most accumulated heavy metal in the fish muscles sampled in Arusha (4.61–9.50 mg/kg) and Morogoro (2.53–5.57 mg/kg). Concentrations and EDI calculated based on mean fish consumption of 22.1 g per person per day by a 60 kg Tanzanian adult found heavy metal intakes were below the recommended daily dietary allowance (RDA) while THQ values were lower than 1, indicating no health risk related to consumption of the fish. The estimated HI was greater than 1, suggesting a potential significant non-carcinogenic health risk. The CR values were below 10−4, indicating no carcinogenic health risk in humans from fish consumption. This study recommends continued surveillance given potential bioaccumulation of these heavy metals in fish.

Comprehensive risk assessment of lead concentrations in chicken, quail, and duck egg albumen and yolk using Monte Carlo simulations

Health risks of heavy metals to the general public in Tianjin, China via consumption of vegetables and fish

The study assesses associations between microelement levels, fatty acid composition, and oxidative stress markers in grass carp muscle in the summer and autumn seasons. Additionally, various factors were considered, including the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total THQ (TTHQ), and metal pollution index (MPI), to evaluate potential health risks for consumers. The microelements (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, and Zn) were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and total mercury was determined using cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS). Fatty acid profiling was realized using gas chromatography (GC) detection with a flame ionization detector (FID). The overall tendency of microelement levels was as follows: Fe > Zn > Al > Sr > Ba > Ni > Se > Cr> Cu > Mn > Pb > As > Li > Hg; <LOQ (below limit of quantification): Cd, and Co. The correlation analysis between concentrations of trace elements (Al, Ba, Cr, Cu, Mn, Li, Sr, Zn, and Hg) and the fatty acids (C16:0, C16:1, C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, C20:4n6c, EPA, and DHA), as well as between Al, Ba, Fe, or Hg and oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase—SOD, glutathione peroxidase—GPx, or total antioxidant status—TAS), revealed statistically significant interactions in different seasons. THQ values were lower than 1; TTHQ values ranged from 0.27 to 0.76. The main toxic elements forming TTHQ were Hg and Ni (49%). The calculated health risk assessment indices indicate a low concentration of observed elements and low risks associated with the consumption of grass carp muscle from the tested location, although concentrations and THQ of mercury and nickel may be of slight concern.

Gills and muscles of Tilapia fish from Naik lake of Nagpur city were estimated for heavy metals (Zinc, Lead, Nickel, Copper and Cadmium) using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Results showed higher concentrations of heavy metals in gills than in muscles of tilapia fish. Trends of heavy metal concentrations in gills and muscles of tilapia fish were found Zn > Pb> Ni> Cu >Cd. Highest lead and cadmium levels in muscles of the fish were 83±0.07 µg/g dw and 13±0.21 µg/g dw respectively. These levels were above the maximum permissible limits of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/World Health Organisation (WHO). The results confirmed that tilapia fish from Naik lake are not safe for human consumption. Further, the health risks related to Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu and Cd were assessed based on target hazard quotients (THQ). The health risks from lead and cadmium were found to be the highest among all heavy metals in the study. THQ values of lead and cadmium were 4.0108, and 2.450, 0.818 and 2.57, 1.53 and 0.513 for person who eat tilapia fish from Naik lake five times, three times and once a week respectively. Maximum allowable daily consumption rate (CRlim) for lead and cadmium in tilapia fish from Naik Lake was 0.0015 kg/day and 0.0024 kg/day respectively. Highest allowable weekly (CRwm) and monthly (CRmm) consumption rates for lead and cadmium in tilapia fish from Naik Lake were 0.0105 kg/week , 0.0168 kg/week and 0.198 kg/month, 0.318 kg/month respectively. Above these values of highest allowable daily, weekly and monthly consumption rates for lead and cadmium are unsafe for inhabitant who eats tilapia fish from Naik lake. Health risk assessment of lead and cadmium in tilapia fish from Naik lake suggests that consumption of fish from Naik lake might be unsafe for humans. Regular assessment of heavy metals in fish in Naik lake must be conducted to assure food safety. Key words: Health risk estimation, heavy metals, tilapia fish, allowable daily consumption, target hazard quotients.

High levels of metal(oid)s in soil or food pose a severe health risk to humans. The potential toxicants find their way into the living systems via the food chain, following bioaccumulation in edible plants, including leafy vegetables grown in or irrigated with contaminated soil or water, respectively. The current study determines the levels of vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in leafy vegetables (rocca, coriander, and parsley) grown in different open irrigated farms in Qatar and investigates their potential human health risks (carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic). The mean concentrations of V, Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb in rocca are 17.09, 6.41, 1.70, 13.04, 14.72, 0.90, and 6.36 mg/kg, respectively; in coriander are 15.91, 6.03, 1.38, 15.30, 16.86, 0.43, and 5.00 mg/kg, respectively; and in parsley are 16.25, 6.26, 2.19, 17.97, 16.60, 0.51, and 5.46 mg/kg, respectively. The mean levels of V, Cr, As, Cd, and Pb were observed to be higher than the recommended World Health Organization (WHO)/Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) values. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values of Cu and As were found to be greater than 1 for the adult population. For the two elements (i.e., Cu and As), the THQ varied from 1.03 to 1.42 and 1.17 to 1.44 in men. In women, the values ranged from 1.20 to 1.65 and 1.35 to 1.55, for Cu and As, respectively. The hazard index (HI) of rocca, coriander, and parsley was 3.99, 4.10, and 4.43, respectively, in men, 4.64, 4.76, and 5.14, respectively, among women. The carcinogenic risk (CR) of Cr, Ni, and As ranged from 7.16 × 10−4 to 7.61 × 10−4, 5.57 × 10−4 to 8.85 × 10−4, and 5.24 × 10−3 to 6.01 × 10−3, respectively, in men. In women, it ranged from 8.31 × 10−4 to 8.83 × 10−4, 6.47 × 10−4 to 1.03 × 10−3, and 6.09 × 10−3 to 6.97 × 10−3, respectively, in all vegetables. In crux, the consumption of rocca, coriander, and parsley grown in selected farms in Qatar poses a major health risk (both noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic) to the consumer. As a result, we recommend that vegetables grown in the studied areas be closely monitored to protect consumer health.

The most trace metals (essential and toxic metals) in very low concentrations are needed for living organisms, especially humans, but if they exceed the recommended limit, they can lead to toxicity in humans. The aim of this study was to determinate of concentration of 12 trace metals including; aluminium(Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn), in 90 samples of sesame seeds from three varieties of black, yellow and white purchased from markets different cities of Iran (2019) using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) technique. Also, Probabilistic risk assessment (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks) was estimated by models include target hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk (CR) in the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) model. The recoveries estimated from 94% to 106%. The maximum mean value was obtained for Zn element (1707 ± 22 µg kg−1), while concentrations of Al and Hg were non-detected (ND). The concentration of five toxic metals Al, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb as average in sesame seed samples were reported as ND, 11.464 ± 1.71, 1.15 ± 0.04, ND and 16.14 ± 1.60 μg kg−1, respectively. Analyzes showed that no significant difference in the amount of trace metals between sesame varieties (black, brown and white). In most of the sesame seed samples, trace metals have been measured at lower levels than the standard limits. The results of MCS showed that the rank order of toxic metals based on 95% THQ index for both adults and children was As > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd. The uncertain analysis of human health risk (non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks) indicated that there is no serious risk (THQ >1 and CR >1E-4) for adults and children by ingestion of sesame seeds.

The levels of 13 different metals (Mg, P, K, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Al, Cr, As, Cd and Pb) in mantle and arm tissues of Octopus vulgaris species, which were caught from Mersin Bay in winter, spring and summer seasons, were determined. The results were compared between the tissues and seasons. Potential health risks of consumption of common octopus, which is an economically important species, were evaluated with the possibility that adult and child consumers will consume common octopus 1, 3 or 5 days a week. In this context, Estimated Weekly Intake Level (EWI), non-carcinogenic Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Lifetime Carcinogenic Risk (CR) were determined. Pb level was found to be above the limit level determined by FAO, EU and Turkish Food Codex. EWI values were found to be below the PTWI values determined by EFSA and FAO / WHO. THQ and ∑THQ values, which are indicative of non-cancer health risks for consumers, were determined as &lt;1. In terms of carcinogenic risk, it was determined that these values (&gt; 10-5) for As, Cr and Cd elements pose a carcinogenic risk to the consumer, but Pb values do not pose a risk.

Laguna de Bay, the largest and nationally significant freshwater lake ecosystem in the Philippines, has been increasingly subjected to anthropogenic pressures over the years. Domestic, agricultural, and industrial activities in the surrounding areas have contributed directly and indirectly to the deterioration of the lake's overall ecological health and integrity. This study assessed the chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) contamination in Asiatic clam, Corbicula fluminea, using quadrupole inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Estimated daily consumption of Asiatic clam was determined through a social survey. The data from analytical analysis and social surveys were utilized to calculate the target hazard quotient (THQ) to determine the potential health risks of consuming heavy metal-enriched clams to fishing households. Results from the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) survey indicated that the majority of the respondents have an acceptable level of knowledge on the hazards posed by the intake of contaminated clams but disapproved the banning of its collection and consumption. Sampled households with high consumption rates in all municipalities except Victoria were also found to be exposed to imminent health risk due to the high toxicity level of As based on their THQ values. Overall, one-third of the fishing households exposed to elevated health risk based on their total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) values already warrant a concern. The potential human health risks validate the worsening condition of Laguna de Bay. Integrative and holistic management of the lake through collaborative efforts of various stakeholders and institutions is necessary, to restore the health of the ecosystem and safeguard the health of the public.

The current study assessed the ecological–health risks of potentially toxic arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) in the vegetable Centella asiatica, topsoils, and mangrove sediments sampled from Peninsular Malaysia. The As concentrations ranged from 0.21 to 4.33, 0.18 to 1.83, and 1.32 to 20.8 mg/kg dry weight, for the leaves, stems, and roots of the vegetable, respectively. The ranges of Sb concentrations were 0.31–0.62, 0.12–0.35, and 0.64–1.61 mg/kg dry weight, for leaves, stems, and roots of the vegetable, respectively. The children’s target hazard quotient (THQ) values indicated no non-carcinogenic risks of As and Sb in both leaves and stems, although children’s THQ values were higher than those in adults. The calculated values of estimated weekly intake were lower than established provisional tolerable weekly intake of As and Sb for both children and adult consumers. The carcinogenic risk (CR) values of As for children’s intake of leaves and stems of vegetables showed more public concern than those of adults. The levels of Sb and As in the topsoils were generally higher (although not significantly) than those in the mangrove sediments, resulting in a higher geoaccumulation index, contamination factor and ecological risk, hazard index, THQ, and CR values. This indicated that the anthropogenic sources of Sb and As originated from the land-based activities before reaching the mangrove near the coast. The CR of As signifies a dire need for comprehensive ecological–health risks exposure studies, as dietary intake involves more than just vegetable consumption. Therefore, risk management for As and Sb in Malaysia is highly recommended. The present findings of the ecological–health risks of As and Sb based on 2010–2012 samples can be used as an important baseline for future reference and comparison.