Examination and hygienic assessment of health risk depending on heavy metals content in foods

Abstract

Aim. To determine total daily intake and absorbed doses of some heavy metals with subsequent hygienic assessment of health risks associated with exposure to them. Methods. To determine the levels of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, copper and zinc) in food products included in the daily diet, actual nutritional status of 57 individuals was studied using questionnaire survey method in accordance with the existing guidelines. Samples of 18 food items were chemically analysed. Bio-materials (blood and hair) taken from randomly selected study subjects were analysed to determine the levels of heavy metals. The heavy metal levels in food products and biological media were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer («Shimadzu», Japan). Actual intake and absorbed daily doses of heavy metals were calculated using the quantitative data on the daily diet and metal levels in individual products according to the existing guidelines. Health risk values were estimated based on the gained results. Results. Various levels of heavy metals in food products were revealed. Their ranking order by levels present in basic food products (in bakery and meat products) is as follows: Zn >Cr >Ni >Cu >Pb >Cd. High levels of heavy metals intake with daily diet (compared with the reference values) were revealed. Furthermore, high absorbed doses of heavy metals, particularly chromium and nickel, were accompanied by increased concentrations in blood and hair. The dose risk ratios for chromium and nickel were assessed as 1.31 and 3.77 respectively (for other metals - 0.15-0.58). Conclusion. The daily dietary intake and absorbed doses of chromium and nickel represent respectively low and increased risk to human health among the studied heavy metals.

Keywords

metals / daily diet / absorbed doses / risk level

References

[1] Гигиенические требования безопасности и пищевой ценности пищевых продуктов. Санитарные правила и нормы 2.3.2.1078-01. - М.: ИнтерСЭН, 2002. - 168 с.

[2] Комплексное определение антропотехногенной нагрузки на водные объекты, почву, атмосферный воздух в районах селитебного освоения. Методические рекомендации. Утв. Госкомсанэпиднадзором РФ 26.02.1996. №01-19/17-17. - М., 2008. - 25 с.

[3] Косарев В.В., Бабанов С.А. Экологически зависимая патология, связанная с антропогенным загрязнением территорий // Новости мед. и фармации. - 2011. - №6. - С. 12-13.

[4] Мартинчик А.Н., Шеповальников В.Н., Песко-ва Е.В. и др. Содержание тяжёлых металлов в продуктах питания и плазме крови населения Приуральского района // Пробл. Арктики и Антарктики. - 2009. - №1 (81). - С. 146-152.

[5] Оценка дозовых рисков и допустимых лимитирующих концентраций ксенобиотиков в окружающей среде. Методические рекомендации. - М.: ГКСЭН РФ, 1995. - 28 с.

[6] Попова Е.В., Эдокова Г.И. Химические элементы в окружающей среде. Биоразнообразие и проблемы экологии Горного Алтая: настоящее, прошлое, будущее. - Горно-Алтайск: РИО ГАГУ, 2005. - С. 164-167.

[7] Скальный А.В. Референтные значения концентрации химических элементов в волосах, полученные методом ИСП-АЭС (АНО Центр биотической медицины) // Микроэлем. в мед. - 2003. - Т. 4, №1. - С. 55-56.

[8] Хаитбаев А.Х., Ласкин П.В., Жиров В.К. Баланс элементов минерального питания растений в системе мониторинга агроэкосистем Мурманской области // Вестн. МГТУ. - 2006. - Т. 9, №5. - С. 735-739.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Kazimov M.A., Alieva N.V.