The extensive use of pesticides in agricultural practices along with metal contaminations has led to a global health concern. In this study, levels of 22 pesticides and 6 metals in 138 packaged and unpackaged spice samples (turmeric, black pepper, red pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and garlic powder spice) were determined and the risk of oral exposure to this mixture was assessed for Iranian consumers. Pesticides and metals mean levels differed between packaged and unpackaged samples. In both packaged and unpackaged samples, fenitrothion was the most frequently found pesticide. The greatest total mean concentration of metals was observed in unpackaged red and black peppers and in packaged turmeric ones. Mean percentages of recoveries for pesticides were 92.5–99.5 % (associated relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤7.1 % and limits of detection and quantification (LOD and LOQ, respectively) respectively 0.0001–0.0032 and 0.0003–0.01 mg/kg). Mean percentages of recoveries for metals ranged were 91.5–98.5 % (associated RSD ≤7.4 % and LODs and LOQs respectively 0.001–0.003 and 0.003–0.021 mg/kg). Total hazard index (HI) for pesticides in both packaged and unpackaged spices at the 50th, 80th, and 95th centiles was 0.0017, 0.0026, and 0.0032, respectively, reflecting di minimis risk. For the non-carcinogenic metals, the HI values in unpackaged spices at these centiles were 0.0058, 0.0074, and 0.0118, respectively, while for packaged spices were 0.0018, 0.0023. and 0.0038, respectively. For carcinogenic metals, incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) were <10−6 at these centiles, representing no health risk under both scenarios. In conclusion, no risk of carcinogenicity or non- carcinogenicity was found.
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