Arsenic, cadmium, mercury, sodium, and potassium concentrations in common foods and estimated daily intake of the population in Valdivia (Chile) using a total diet study

Estimating carcinogenic risk (CR > 4 × 10−4) due to exposure to i-As indicated that consumers remain at low risk for cancer. The cumulative health risk was evaluated by summing the target hazard quotient of cadmium (0.26) mercury (0.27) and inorganic arsenic (0.96); this calculation allows us to express the total target hazard quotient as 1.50 where a value > 1 indicates that there is a potential health risk for the population. Total intake of Cd and Hg were therefore within the limits estimated as being safe whereas Na+ and K+ intake for the Valdivia population did not follow the recommended values established by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Na+ intake exceeded the daily recommended intake while K+ intake was lower than the daily recommended intake. This indicates a health risk for the Valdivia population.