Concentrations of heavy metals in muscle and edible offal of pork in Nanjing city of China and related health risks

Abstract

The concentrations of heavy metals, such as chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb), in different muscles and edible offal of consumed pork from the city of Nanjing and related health risks were evaluated. The results showed that the detected Hg concentrations from 6 of 80 samples exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (GB 2762(GB -2017. Moreover, most of the edible offal, especially the kidneys, contained more heavy metals than the other parts, although the concentrations among the samples were significantly different (P < 0.05). In addition, the health risk evaluation revealed that the estimated daily intake of all the samples was far below the recommended limit, and all the target hazard quotients and total target hazard quotients were less than 1, which is considered safe for human health. Nevertheless, the Hg concentrations over the acceptable limit should receive sufficient attention, considering the long-term consumption of pork.Keywords: estimated daily intake, heavy metals, pork, risk assessment, target hazard quotient Practical Application: Currently, no reports have been available on the heavy metal assessment of pork, though pork is widely consumed in many non-Muslim communities. In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals in different muscles and edible offal of consumed pork were determined and their related health risks were evaluated. This study will provide a significant reference to understand the quality and safety of pork in China or other similar developing countries.

The Concentration of Selected Heavy Metals in Muscles, Liver and Kidneys of Pigs Fed Standard Diets and Diets Containing 60% of New Rye Varieties

“…All concentrations of heavy metals found in the muscles, liver and kidneys of pigs fed control and experimental feed mixtures were in the range of allowable levels according to European community rules. The levels of cadmium and lead corroborate with data found by Phillips et al [ 34 ], Leontopoulos et al [ 35 ], and Pei et al [ 36 ]. The levels of essential metals (Fe, Zn, Cu) were in the range of physiological values and indicate that feed mixtures containing a 60% inclusion of new rye varieties fulfil the nutritional demands of pigs during the fattening period [ 26 ].…”

Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Dietary Exposure to Cadmium in Residents of Guangzhou, China—Young Children Potentially at a Health Risk

“…It therefore appears that regardless of the relatively high levels of Cd in certain foods (such as rice, rice products and sea foods), they may not contribute greatly to Cd EDI for those in North China, presumably due to their habitual low consumption of rice and seafood (except for the population residing along the east China seashore, such as in Dalian). There might be no detrimental effects of those foods on Cd-related health effects for residents in North China, but rather in the south (especially the Pearl River Delta) because, often, it may not necessarily represent the food with the highest Cd levels, but foods that are consumed in larger quantities which contain even moderate levels of Cd have the greatest impact on Cd dietary exposure [ 43 ].…”

Prediction and Health Risk Assessment of Copper, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, and Nickel in Tieguanyin Tea: A Case Study from Fujian, China

“…Admittedly, uncertainties in the contamination data could be reduced by collecting more samples. Consequently, it was an extremely expensive approach [ 53 ]. In addition, various forms of these metals and their respective toxicities have not been considered here.…”

“…On the other hand, the uncertainties in the consumption data might have led also to an over- or under-estimation, as discussed in our previous study [ 19 ]. Besides, we should emphasize that tea consumption was not the only exposure pathway of heavy metals in human daily diets; many studies have reported that other foods, such as vegetables [ 43 ], shellfish [ 52 ], meat [ 53 ], rice [ 42 ], milk [ 51 ], and even water, were also significant exposure sources [ 54 ]. These uncertainties should be considered when making further management or performing future research.…”