Search

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]

Background and purpose: There is an increasing interest towards consumption of aquatic products, therefore, the health of aqua ecosystems is highly important. Heavy metal pollution in fish is a global concern due to its bioaccumulation potential, toxicity and persistence in food chain. This study investigated the concentration of heavy metals (cadmium, lead, chromium, copper, and zinc) in the gill, liver, and muscle tissue of Cyprinus carpio, Capoeta trutta, and Ctenopharyngodon idella in Gharasou River, Kermanshah province, Iran. Materials and methods: Sampling was done in Gharasou River and the gill, liver, and muscle tissues were prepared. The concentrations of heavy metals were measured using an ICP. Results: The average concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn in the muscle tissue of Cyprinus carpio and Capoeta trutta were 0.001 and 0.001, 0.016 and 0.008, 0.14 and 0.14, 0.53 and 0.33, and 0.51 and 0.51 µg/g wet weight, respectively. The metals with highest and lowest concentrations were zinc and cadmium that were found in different tissues of the fishes, respectively. The accumulation of metals in the tissues of liver and gills was found to be higher than that in the muscles. Moreover, the Hazard Quotients (HQ) index of all heavy metals was than 1. Conclusion: The concentrations of heavy metals were lower than the levels permitted by World Health Organization, hence, the fish species studied are considered healthy to use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levels of some essential and toxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, zinc and copper in cereals and agricultural products obtained from the markets in Kermanshah city, west Iran, were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The average concentrations for lead and cadmium in some cereals were higher than the maximum levels set by the Codex Alimentarius. A potential human health risk assessment was conducted by calculating estimated weekly intake (EWI) of the metals from eating cereals and comparison of these values with provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) values. In combination with recent cereal consumption data, the EWIs of heavy metals were calculated for the Kermanshah population. EWI data for the studied metals through cereal consumption were lower than the PTWI values. Cr, Ni, Zn and Cu levels in all samples analysed were within the ranges reported for similar cereals from various parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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]