Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Through the Consumption of Common Foodstuffs Collected from Two Divisional Cities of Bangladesh

This study was designed to evaluate heavy metal status in commonly consumed foodstuffs collected from two divisional cities, viz., Chottogram and Mymensingh of Bangladesh and to assess potential human health risks through the consumption of those foodstuffs. A total of 90 food samples were analyzed for Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Mn, and Fe contents by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The calculated per capita per day dietary intakes of Cu and Mn from rice and Mn's same value through spinach consumption in both cities were higher than the recommended daily allowances (RDA) for an adult human. Similarly, the computed daily metal intake (DMI) values of Pb for both males and females were also higher than the upper tolerable intake level (UTIL) through the consumption of rice collected from Mymensingh city. The average calculated hazard index (HI) values for males and females due to dietary intake of rice were 47.67 and 93.30 in Chottogram city and 97.98 and 192.04 in Mymensingh city, respectively. The present study identified rice as the most contaminated food item, followed by spinach, brinjal, and lentil. Still, dietary intakes of beef, broiler, and fish samples collected from both the cities were found as safe or less hazardous. Among the individual metals, Mn was the most dominant metal present in different foodstuffs collected from both the cities and contributed significant risk to the people. Finally, the study concluded that Bangladesh's food consumption patterns should be changed and advised to incorporate more proteins in regular diet charts by reducing carbohydrates.

Automated summary

The study found that the heavy metal content in some commonly consumed foods in the cities of Chottogram and Mymensingh in Bangladesh exceeded the recommended intake levels for adults and upper tolerable intake levels. Rice was identified as the most contaminated food item. Therefore, it is recommended that Bangladesh change its food consumption patterns by reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing protein intake.