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Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment of Iodine Exposure in Bangladesh

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Abstract

In this study, the concentrations of iodine in household salt samples (n = 690) were determined by following the iodometric titration method, and the health risks of Bangladeshi people were assessed based on the semi-probabilistic approach and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) deterministic model. After adjusting 20% of cooking losses, the iodine concentration (mean, range) in salt samples of Phultala, Dighalia, Terokhada, Rupsha, Batiaghata, Dumuria, Paikgacha, Koyra, Dacope, and KCC was (29.68 ± 8.67, 14.39–48.26), (31.05 ± 6.68, 15.24–43.18), (26.94 ± 5.57, 16.09–45.72), (24.33 ± 5.61, 12.70–37.26), (26.69 ± 6.73, 10.16–44.87), (27.20 ± 8.44, 9.31–53.34), (27.71 ± 8.09, 8.46–47.42), (28.39 ± 7.80, 11.01–46.57), (28.20 ± 7.97, 3.38–49.10), and (29.21 ± 6.62, 18.62–40.64) mg/kg, respectively. The iodine contents in 97.25% of samples were within the standard fortification level of Bangladesh (15–50 mg/kg), while 2.61% of samples were below this limit. The semi-probabilistic risk assessment studies showed that 80.14% of samples at a low ingestion rate could provide optimal nutrition (150–299 μg/day) to the whole population. Contrarily, at medium, moderate–high, and high consumption rates 34.93%, 65.22%, and 85.94% of samples, respectively, belonged to above the requirements to excessive exposure categories (300–1100 μg/day), which might cause iodine-induced diseases. The target hazard quotient (THQ) values for the adults in most of the samples were within the threshold risk limit (THQ < 1.0), whereas THQ values in 6.82% to 85.97% of samples for the children at low to high ingestion rates, respectively exceeded this limit, which revealed that the adults were almost safe, but the children might face non-carcinogenic health effects. Therefore, regular monitoring of iodine concentration in iodized salts should be done to prevent iodine deficiency or iodine-induced disorders.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Chemistry Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, for providing necessary laboratory facilities.

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  1. Chemistry Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

    Palash Kumar Dhar, Shishir Kumar Dey, Asifur Rahman, Md Abu Sayed & Mosummath Hosna Ara

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Contributions

Palash Kumar Dhar helped in conceptualization; study design; data analysis; result interpretation; manuscript preparation; writing, reviewing, and editing; supervision. Shishir Kumar Dey was involved in conceptualization; fieldwork; sample collection; data analysis; supervision. Asifur Rahman and Md Abu Sayed contributed to sample collection; fieldwork; sample preparation and analysis. Mosummath Hosna Ara helped in conceptualization; visualization; reviewing and editing. All authors read the final manuscript and approved submission.

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Dhar, P.K., Dey, S.K., Rahman, A. et al. Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment of Iodine Exposure in Bangladesh. Biol Trace Elem Res 201, 65–81 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03141-6

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