Assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in fruits from Iranian market (Shiraz): A health risk assessment study

Abstract

The concentrations of PTEs in fruits (sold in Iranian markets) were evaluated in the present study. The highest mean concentrations (µg/kg) of aluminum (519), chromium(VI) (20.6), iron (803), nickel (60.4), lead (35.5), copper (208), cobalt (6.79), mercury (4.38), zinc (857), manganese (666), arsenic (7.50), and cadmium (4.40) were obtained in black plum, nectarine, black plum, peach, black plum, cherry, pear, cherry, banana, banana, cherry, and cherry, respectively. The highest (34.50) and the lowest (25.56) heavy metal pollution index were observed in mango and apple, respectively. PTEs were positively and negatively correlated with each other. Total chronic daily intake of PTEs was lower than tolerable daily intake for consumers. Target hazard quotient, total target hazard quotient, and hazard index were lower than one (safe limit) for children and adults. The cancer risk of individual toxic PTEs was within the safe limit for children and adults (except Ni), and the cumulative cancer risk of PTEs in some apples and peach was not safe for adults (> E-04). The results of the Monte Carlo Simulation showed that intake rate was the most efficient parameter in the target hazard quotient and cancer risk. PTEs were grouped in three clusters based on their sources.