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This study aimed to assess the human health risk of some toxic metals/metalloids [lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), and arsenic (As)] on infants via consumption of the breast milk of women living in urban areas of Kermanshah city, west of Iran. After collecting milk samples, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment as well as uncertainty analysis of toxic metal levels were carried out. The order of concentration of heavy metals/metalloids in the breast milk samples was Cr (41.07 ± 23.19) > Ni (19.25 ± 11.81) > Pb (11.5 ± 4.48) > As (1.96 ± 2.04) > Cd (.72 ± 0.42) > Hg (0.31 ± 0.26). The results revealed that the levels of Cr and Pb in the breast milk samples were exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) tolerable daily intake. In the breast milk samples a high levels of one of the trace elements As, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ni were observed (over 73%) and in 40% of them the levels of Cr, Pb, Cd, As, and Ni were all above WHO tolerable daily intake. Moreover, the As-related point assessment of target risk factor (THQ) was higher than the allowable limit only for 1-month-old male neonates and 2-month-old female neonates (THQ > 1). In addition, Cr-related THQ scores were higher at all age and gender groups (THQ > 1). In conclusion, our findings suggest a potential risk of some metals for infants via the consumption of mothers' breast milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute exposure to trace metals (TMs) in water is hazardous to human health. The average concentrations (C avg.) and carcinogenic (CAR) and non-carcinogenic (non-CAR) risks of eight TMs to World Health Organization's (WHO) guidelines and national standard limits (NSLs)were determined. The C avg. and (the range) of As, Hg, Cd, Pb, Co, Cr, Ni, and Zn were measured as 4.29 ± 0.57 μg L−1 (1.12–10.27 μg L−1), 0.22 ± 0.10 μg L−1 (ND-1.05 μg L−1), 0.31 ± 0.18 μg L−1 (ND-1.80 μg L−1), 4.66 ± 0.32 μg L−1 (0.10–14.22 μg L−1), 24.61 ± 4.65 μg L−1 (3.11–67.25 μg L−1), 16.86 ± 5.54 μg L−1 (5.12–34.61 μg L−1), 14.07 ± 4.37 μg L−1 (3.79–31.39 μg L−1), and 268.42 ± 75.82 (87.29–561.22 μg L−1), respectively. The C avg. of Co and Hg exceeded the WHO and NSLs. The non-CAR risk assessment was used to order the TMs according to the total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) As > Pb > Cr > Co > Zn > Hg > Ni > Cd. None of the investigated age groups are at risk As there is a low C avg of all trace metals (i.e., the THQ is > 1). The age groups were ranked based on THQ and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) As < 1 year, >1–10 years, > 11–19 years, and > + 20 years. The ILCR of As for all the age groups was >10−4, whereas for Pb it was <10−6. Cumulative carcinogenic risk (CCR) for As and Pb was at a safe threshold risk (>10−4) for all the age groups. • Exposure to trace metals can endanger the health of populations. • Concentrations of trace metals in Kermanshah city, Iran tap water were determined. • The concentration of different trace metals exceeded the standard limits. • The ILCR was ranked as based on age as < 1 yr> 1–10 yrs > + 20 yrs > 11–19 yrs. • Trace metals threshold risk can correlate concentration limit in drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In this study, some heavy metals were analyzed in high-consumption cereals. • The TTHQ of heavy metals for almost cereals is less than acceptable level. • The TCR of heavy metals for almost cereals is higher than acceptable level. • Monitoring cereals for heavy metals is essential before entering the market. In this study, seven types of high-consumption cereals including lentil, peas, corn, split peas, bean, rice, and wheat (totally 48 brands) were surveyed from the market of Kermanshah city (Iran). A total of 144 samples (3 from each brand) were analyzed for cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg). Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) was utilized to analyze As and Hg elements, while analysis of other metal ions was performed with an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The overall concentration of Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Hg and As was equal to 6.85 ± 12.0, 27.3 ± 15.5, 86.7 ± 136, 459 ± 146, 21.2 ± 34.8, 147 ± 86.3, 2.03 ± 2.26 and 0.62 ± 1.80 μg/kg dry weight, respectively. The total non-carcinogenic (TTHQ) of heavy metals for almost cereals is less than acceptable level (= 1), while the corresponding total carcinogenic risks (TCR) for almost cereals is higher than allowable limit (= 10-4). Therefore, various practical measures can be taken to reduce the amount of heavy metals in cereals. These measures including avoid excessive consumption of fertilizers and pesticides for cereals production, cultivation of cereals in high-quality soils, and continuous monitoring of cereals in market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]