Abstract
This study provides valuable information on the levels of various trace metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Zn, Cu, Cr) in meat products (baked ham, raw ham, mortadella, cured sausage, würstel, salami) from South Italy and calculates potential health risk toxicity associated with their consumption for the total population and for children. In the samples studied metal concentrations are within the permissible legal limits (Cd: 0.01–0.03 μg g−1 w.w., Hg: 0.01–0.02 μg g−1 w.w., Zn: 5.71–7.32 μg g−1 w.w., Cu: 1.08–1.21 μg g−1 w.w., Cr: 0.15–0.23 μg g−1 w.w.), except for Pb (Pb: 0.22–0.38 μg g−1 w.w.). The estimated intake values are within the provisional tolerable daily intake limits for toxic metals and recommended daily intake values for essential metals in both tested groups. The noncarcinogenic risk values of the individual metals indicate that there is no health risk, but their combined effects might constitute a potential risk for children. Furthermore, the cumulative cancer risk of all samples studied exceeds the recommended threshold risk limit (> 10−4) in both total population and children, indicating a risk of potential health problems for consumers especially for children, who are more vulnerable to toxic metal exposure.
Highlights
Over the past few decades, changes in life and food style of population have led an increase in the demand for processed foods [1]
As a consequence of what have been mentioned above, this study was intended to augment the currently available information, through the following objectives: (1) to analyze the content of trace elements in processed pork meat products sampled in Italy; (2) to check that the measured concentrations are below the maximum permitted levels by the current European legislation; and (3) to estimate the exposure and health risk either for total population or for children, segment of population extensively vulnerable to the toxicant exposure
There was no significant difference in the concentration of cadmium and mercury (P > 0.05), while a significant fluctuation between provisional tolerable weekly intake (Pb) levels and those of Cd and Hg (P < 0.0001) was encountered
Summary
Over the past few decades, changes in life and food style of population have led an increase in the demand for processed foods [1]. As a consequence of what have been mentioned above, this study was intended to augment the currently available information, through the following objectives: (1) to analyze the content of trace elements (mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium, copper, and zinc) in processed pork meat products sampled in Italy; (2) to check that the measured concentrations are below the maximum permitted levels by the current European legislation; and (3) to estimate the exposure and health risk either for total population or for children, segment of population extensively vulnerable to the toxicant exposure
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