Evaluation of Alimentary Related Risks Associated With Peculiarities of Nutrition of Urban Men in Mongolia

Abstract

Introduction. In order to assess the alimentary risks, the accumulation of toxic and conditionally toxic chemical elements in the body, the nutrition of the inhabitants of Erdenet (Mongolia), working at the same ore mining and processing enterprise, was studied. Material and methods. The study involved 160 men aged 30-60 years, the average age was 41.2 ± 1.1 years. Evaluation of nutrition was executed using the questionnaire method on the basis of food diaries for 3 days. The content of chemical elements in water-food rations was calculated from the multi-element analysis of samples of local food products and drinking water, carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Calculation of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk was carried out in accordance with the guidance of P 2.1.10.1920-04. Results. The nutrition structure of the examinees is not well balanced, there is practically no fish and seafood, fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet. The daily diet provides an excessive supply of molybdenum, chromium, copper, sodium, manganese. The total index of non-carcinogenic danger associated with the entry into the body of 26 chemical elements in the composition of the water-food ration exceeds the safe level by 6.98 times, mainly due to phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc. The level of non-carcinogenic toxic and conditionally essential elements does not exceed 1 (0.59 and 0.12, respectively). The main contribution is made by the entry of toxicants with food (96.6%). Drinking water as a source of danger is important only for lead, aluminum, boron, nickel, and vanadium. Individual carcinogenic risk due to the intake of carcinogens with food (2.4 × 10-4), as well as the total carcinogenic risk associated with oral route of admission (2.6 × 10-4) is estimated as unacceptable for the general population. At the same time, chromium (95.8%) makes the main contribution to the level of total oral risk. Conclusion. Possible sources of excess intake of these elements in the diet were discussed. There have been proposed measures to rationalize nutrition, which will ensure the prevention of major non-communicable diseases.