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Human Exposure to Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead from Foods in Catalonia, Spain: Temporal Trend

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Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to establish the temporal trend in the daily dietary intake of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) by the population of Catalonia, Spain. Concentrations of these elements were determined in samples of a number of food items widely consumed in that country. The dietary intake of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb was then estimated for various age–gender groups of population: children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. In the present study, the dietary intakes of As, inorganic As, Cd, Hg, methylmercury, and Pb were 328.37, 16.22, 19.47, 11.39, 10.25, and 101.47 μg/day, respectively, while in a previous (2006) survey, the dietary intakes of As, inorganic As, Cd, Hg, methylmercury, and Pb were 261.01, 33.17, 9.80, 12.61, 11.35, and 45.13 μg/day, respectively. The estimated intakes of Cd, Hg, and Pb are still notably lower than the respective PTWIs, while that of inorganic As is also lower than its BMDL01. In summary, the results of this study indicate that, currently, the dietary intakes of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb should not mean additional health risks for the consumers.

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Acknowledgment

Financial support for this study was provided by the Catalan Food Safety Agency, Department of Health, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat “Rovira i Virgili”, Sant Llorens 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain

    Isabel Martorell, Gemma Perelló, Roser Martí-Cid & José L. Domingo

  2. GRET-CERETOX, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Avgda. Joan XXIII s/n, 08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

    Juan M. Llobet

  3. Catalan Food Safety Agency, Department of Health, Generalitat de Catalunya, Roc Boronat 81-95, 08005, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

    Victoria Castell

Authors
  1. Isabel Martorell
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  2. Gemma Perelló
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  3. Roser Martí-Cid
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  4. Juan M. Llobet
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  5. Victoria Castell
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  6. José L. Domingo
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Correspondence to José L. Domingo.

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Martorell, I., Perelló, G., Martí-Cid, R. et al. Human Exposure to Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead from Foods in Catalonia, Spain: Temporal Trend. Biol Trace Elem Res 142, 309–322 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8787-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-010-8787-x

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