- Title
Pollution of four heavy metal elements in dried chili peppers in Guizhou Province and its health risk assessment.
- Authors
Zhou, Li-qiang; Liu, Wen-zheng
- Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) levels in dried chili peppers from nine districts in Guizhou Province. These heavy metals, widely dispersed and capable of transferring to crops, pose potential health risks to humans. The assessment included modeling daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard index (TTHQ), and target carcinogenic risk (TCR) to assess health risks across different population groups. Results showed chromium (0.9540 ± 0.301 mg/kg) and lead (0.8949 ± 0.266 mg/kg) had the highest concentrations, followed by arsenic (0.3287 ± 0.093 mg/kg) and cadmium (0.0627 ± 0.017 mg/kg). Children exhibited higher EDI values than adults, indicating greater health risks from dried chili pepper consumption at equivalent levels. THQ and TTHQ values were below 1 across all regions, indicating no significant health risks associated with dried chili pepper consumption. Similarly, TCR values were below 10–4 for all nine regions, indicating an acceptable level of carcinogenic risk. Overall, consuming dried chili peppers in Guizhou Province poses an acceptable health risk, but caution is advised, especially for children, to limit heavy metal exposure.
- Subjects
HOT peppers; PEPPERS; HEAVY elements; LEAD; HEAVY metal toxicology; ARSENIC
- Publication
Scientific Reports, 2024, Vol 14, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2045-2322
- Publication type
Academic Journal
- DOI
10.1038/s41598-024-68564-8