Concentration and Human Health Risk Assessment of Alkylphenols, Bisphenols and Some Heavy Metals in Selected Canned Foods in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

The concentrations and human health risk associated with alkylphenols, bisphenols, Pb, Fe, Cd, and Cr were evaluated in samples of eight different canned foods sold in Lagos, Nigeria using standard techniques. The concentrations of Pb ranged from 0.002 to 2.84 mg/kg, Fe values ranged from 1.05 to 140.34 mg/kg, Cd levels ranged from 0.03 to 0.65 mg/kg, Cr levels ranged from 0.35 to 0.77 mg/kg, and bisphenol-A (BPA) values ranged from 33.90 to 70.14 ng/g across the canned foods. The estimated daily intake (EDI) through the consumption of the different canned foods sampled ranged from 3.67x10^-6 to 2.33x10^-2 mg/kg/day for Pb, 1.02x10^-3 to 1.43 mg/kg/day for Fe, 1.50x10^-5 to 6.61x10^-3 mg/kg/day for Cd, 7.80x10^-5 to 7.83x10^-3 mg/kg/day for Cr, and 1.70x10^-5 to 5.81x10^-4 mg/kg/day for BPA. Most canned food groups had EDI values that were lower than the recommended provisional tolerable daily intake for the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives However, canned peas and canned beans had EDI values that were higher than the recommended limits for Pb, Fe, and Cr. The results from the hazard index (HI) suggest that there is a risk of a non-carcinogenic toxic effect for canned tomatoes, canned fish, canned corn, canned beans, and canned peas as their values were greater than 1. Results from this study can be used to inform regulatory decisions, guide industry standards for the production of these products and used by consumers to make informed decisions about which canned foods to purchase and consume.