Population health risk via dietary exposure to trace elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As) in Qiqihar, Northeastern China

Abstract

The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of six trace elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As) in vegetables (leafy vegetable, i.e., bok choy, fruit vegetables, i.e., cucumber and tomato, and other categories, i.e., mushroom, kidney bean, and potato), cereals (rice and wheat flour), and meats (pork, mutton, and beef) most commonly consumed by adult inhabitants of Qiqihar, Northeastern China, were determined to assess the health status of local people. The average EDIs of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Hg, and As were with 20.77 μg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ of Cu, 288 μg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ of Zn, 2.01 μg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ of Pb, 0.41 μg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ of Cd, 0.01 μg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ of Hg, and 0.52 μg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ of As, respectively, which are below the daily allowance recommended by FAO/WHO. However, the maximum EDIs of Pb and Cd were 4.56 μg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ and 1.68 μg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹, respectively, which are above the recommended levels [i.e., 3.58 μg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ for Pb and 1.0 μg (kg bw)⁻¹ day⁻¹ for Cd] by FAO/WHO. This finding indicates that the potential health risk induced by daily ingestion of Pb and Cd for the local residents should receive a significant concern. Similarly, we detected elevated Pb and Cd concentrations, i.e., with average of 13.58 and 0.60 mg kg⁻¹ dw, respectively, in the adult scalp hairs. Consumption of rice, potato, bok choy, and wheat flour contributed to 75 and 82% of Pb and Cd daily intake from foodstuffs. Nevertheless, human scalp hair is inappropriate biological material for determination of the nutritional status of trace elements in this region.