Potential Exposure and Risk Associated with Metal Contamination in Foods

Abstract

Humans require several trace elements as components of the diet. Some of these elements are required in extremely small quantities only micrograms per day . On the other hand, in higher concentrations, some elements may also have deleterious, even lethal, effects. Metals such as arsenic, chromium Cr , lead Pb , and mercury Hg are naturally occurring chemical compounds. The contamination of food with these metals occurs mainly through human activities, such as farming and industry, or from contamination during food processing and storage. People can be exposed to these metals by ingesting contaminated food or water, and their accumulation in the body can lead to harmful effects over time. The main objective of this chapter is to provide a literature review on the various types of foodborne poisoning caused by the contamination of food with arsenic, Cr, Pb, and Hg and on food safety issues associated with the presence of these metals in food. Research findings from various studies carried out to examine the relationship between metal exposure and the adverse health effects of metals are addressed.

Dietary Content and Potential Health Risks of Metals in Commercial Black Tea in Kampala (Uganda)

“…Toxicity of food materials is of concern because food and beverage consumption is a major route of human exposure to toxic chemicals (Coelho et al, 2016). Tea takes up toxic metals from the soil which bioaccumulate in the leaves (Zazouli, Bandpei, Maleki, Saberian, & Izanloo, 2010).…”