Heavy Metal Content and Health Risk Assessment of Some Commercial Foods in Jiaozuo City

Abstract

In order to understand the pollution and health risks of heavy metals (HMs) such as Pb, Cd, Cr, As and Hg in the food of Jiaozuo city, samples of cereals, beans and vegetables were collected from local markets. Based on the determination of HMs contents, single factor pollution index and Nemerow comprehensive pollution index were used to evaluate the pollution levels, and then the THQ model was used to assess the health risks induced by HMs to local residents through ingestion of these foods. The results showed that rice and corn samples were heavily and slightly polluted, respectively, with Hg contributing the most to the pollution index. The soybean and peanut samples were at a slight pollution level and alert level respectively. Edible fungus samples were at a slight pollution level, while the contents of HMs in all the other vegetable samples were at a safe level. Health risk assessment indicated that rice and edible fungi posed relatively high risks after long-term consumption. As and Hg contributed the most to the risk induced by rice, while Cd, Cr and As contributed the most to the risk of edible fungi. Beans showed no health risk. The health risk of HMs in all foods was higher to children than to adults.