Food survey: Levels and potential health risks of chromium, lead, zinc and copper content in fruits and vegetables consumed in Algeria

- Concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr in 15 foodstuffs were investigated.
- A survey was conducted to estimate the food ingestion rate of the selected items.
- The concentration of lead was abnormally high in many studied foodstuffs.
- The EDI and THQ of lead were higher than the threshold values of FAO/WHO.
- There are some obvious risks via consumption of fruits and vegetables in Algeria.

A food survey was carried out with the aim to investigate the levels of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) in various fruits and vegetables sold in Algeria. Concentrations (mg/kg dry wt.) in selected foodstuffs were detected within the following ranges: 4-29.49, 11.17-49, 12.33-39.33 and 3-16.33 for Cu, Zn, Pb and Cr respectively. The food ingestion rate of the selected items was investigated by self-administered questionnaires which were filled by a total of 843 people randomly recruited at the exit of markets. The potential health risk for consumers was investigated by estimating the daily intake (EDI) and the target hazard quotient (THQ) for each heavy metal. For all foodstuffs, the EDI and the THQ were below the threshold values for Cu, Zn and Cr while they exceeded the thresholds for Pb (EDI: 15.66 μg Pb/kg body weight/day; THQ: 4.37), indicating an obvious health risk over a life time of exposure.