Concentrations and dietary exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from grilled and smoked foods

We investigated the concentrations and profiles of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in various grilled and smoked foods and estimated the dietary exposure of Kuwaiti children, adolescent and adult populations. Results indicated that non-carcinogenic PAHs were present at high proportions (60-100%) with phenanthrene showing the highest mean concentration (54.9 μg kg−1, 37.1% of the total PAH concentrations). Among the genotoxic PAHs (PAH8), chrysene (4.88 μg kg−1, 3.29%) and benz[a]anthracene (2.27 μg kg−1, 1.53%) showed the highest mean values. Meat tikka contained the highest mean concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) (2.48 μg kg−1), total genotoxic PAHs (42.9 μg kg−1), total PAHs (ΣPAHs) (648 μg kg−1) and total benzo[a]pyrene equivalents (ΣBaPeq) (6.02 μg kg−1). High levels of genotoxic PAHs were detected in grilled vegetables (21.1 μg kg−1), shish tauk (20.5 μg kg−1) and whole grilled chicken (20.3 μg kg−1) samples. However, meat and chicken shawerma samples had low levels of PAH8. Meat tikka (437 ng/day, 641 ng/day), whole grilled chicken (160 ng/day, 241 ng/day), grilled vegetables (120 ng/day, 166 ng/day), meat burger (114 ng/day, 92.7 ng/day) were the major contributors to the daily intake of PAH8 in children/adolescent and adult populations, respectively. The total mean dietary intakes for children/adolescents and adults for BaP (8.09 ng/day, 9.20 ng/day), PAH8 (84.2 ng/day, 95.7 ng/day), ∑PAHs (974 ng/day, 1108 ng/day) and ∑BaPeq (14.8 ng/day, 16.8 ng/day) were comparable. Cancer risks for Kuwaiti children/adolescents and adults from dietary intake of ΣBaPeq from the animal-origin foods were determined to be 2.63/107 and 9.3/107, respectively.

► Type of heat source, grilling duration, geometry of the grill and marination and fat content influenced PAHs formation. ► High levels of genotoxic PAHs were detected in meat tikka, grilled vegetables, shish tauk and whole grilled chicken. ► Total mean dietary intakes of BaP, PAH8, ΣPAHs and ΣBaPeq for children/adolescents and adults were comparable. ► Increase in the risk for the development of cancer in adult population is lower than the acceptable risk level.