Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) infusions and probabilistic risk assessment of exposure

Graphical abstract
Highlights • B[a]A, Chry, B[b]F and B[a]P were quantified in infusions of 12 yerba mate brands with large inter-brand variability. • Infusions prepared as habitually consumed in Uruguay contained about 40 % of combined PAH in mate. • Probability of Margin of Exposure (B[a]P + Chry) > (B[a]A + Chry + B[b]F + B[a]P). • The probability of B[a]P Margin of Exposure
The aim of this study was to assess the risk of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from yerba mate infusions in Uruguay using the margin of exposure approach (MOE) and a probabilistic method (Monte Carlo simulation). Servings/day, portion size, weekly frequency of mate consumption and body weight were the factors considered. The amount in infusions of benz[a]pyrene (B[a]P), PAH2 (sum of chrysene and B[a]P), and PAH4 (sum of benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benz[b]fluoranthene and B[a]P) were used as markers of PAH exposure. Total content of PAH in infusions had large inter-brand variability (48–54 %) with significant differences among brands. PAH content in infusions prepared as habitually consumed was about 40 % of total content. The probability of occurrence of MOE