Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) samples collected from Tehran, Iran: a health risk assessment study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are a major concerns from food safety, environmental, and ecological points of view. In this study, the concentration of Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr) and Zinc (Zn) in corn and soybean samples collected from Tehran’s market was investigated by the aid of an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Besides, the percentile 95% target hazard quotient (THQ) and carcinogenic risk (CR) for adults’ and children’s consumers were estimated using the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) technique. The range concentration of As, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu and Zn detected in corn samples was <0.001 to 0.025, <0.001 to 0.003, 0.001 to 0.108, 0.060 to 0.193, 0.212 to 0.363, 0.061 to 0.114, and 1.178 to 1.701 mg/kg, respectively, while the corresponded values for soybean samples were <0.001 to 0.036, 0.001 to 0.005, 0.002 to 0.125, 0.138 to 1.025, 0.055 to 1.054, 0.333 to 0.799, 1.518 to 3.893, mg/kg, respectively. The mean concentration of PTEs in all samples was less than the maximum permitted level recommended by EU standards. The result of the health risk assessment shows that consumers are not at substantial non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk due to ingestion of PTEs via consumption of corn and soybean. Consequently, although there is no necessity for urgent action, efforts to sustain these conditions are crucial to warrant public health.