Dietary exposures to eight metallic contaminants of the Hong Kong adult population from a total diet study

Abstract

Dietary exposures to eight metallic contaminants, aluminium (Al), antimony (Sb), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), methylmercury (MeHg), nickel (Ni), tin (Sn) and vanadium (V), of the Hong Kong adult population were estimated using the total diet study (TDS) approach. The estimated mean exposures of Al (0.60 mg kg–1 bw week–1), Sb (0.016–0.039 µg kg–1 bw day–1), Cd (8.3 µg kg–1 bw month–1), Pb (0.21 µg kg–1 bw day–1), MeHg (0.74 µg kg–1 bw week–1), Ni (3.1 µg kg–1 bw day–1), Sn (0.029–0.031 mg kg–1 bw week–1) and V (0.13 µg kg–1 bw day–1) were well below the relevant health-based guidance values (HBGVs) where available. However, dietary exposures to MeHg of women aged 20–49 years (child-bearing age) accounted for 150% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and to Al and Cd of some high consumers were found exceeding or approaching the HBGVs. The major food contributors of MeHg were fish and seafood (90%), of Al were non-alcoholic beverages including tea (33%), and of Cd were vegetables (36%). MeHg exposure during pregnancy was a public health concern in Hong Kong due to potential health risks to the foetus. Results suggest that there is a need to continue monitoring the exposures to metallic contaminants, especially Al, Cd and MeHg, of the Hong Kong population.