Estimating the risks from phthalate esters and metal(loid)s in cultivated edible fungi from Jingmen, Central China

Abstract

Cultivated mushrooms inevitably absorb phthalate esters (PAEs) and potentially toxic metal(loid)s from plastic grow bags and substrate. The associated harm to consumers should be further clarified. This study measured six priority PAEs and nine metal(loid)s in eight mushroom varieties from greenhouses near Jingmen, Hubei, central China. The averaged total target PAE was between 8.60 ± 1.55 and 27.20 ± 5.90 mg kg−1 dry weight. Levels of di-n-butyl phthalate in all samples and those of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in four mushroom species exceeded the maximum residual amount of China. Compared with the maximum levels of contaminants for foods in China, Cd in one and Pb in four mushroom species exceeded the limits. The estimated weekly intake of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Pb for different age groups was higher than the provisional tolerable weekly intake; however, there was no significant carcinogenic risks based on assessment of single or combined PAEs and metal(loid)s.