Hazard index: probabilistic risk exposure of nitrate and nitrite in Egyptian fruits and vegetables

ABSTRACT

Nitrate and nitrite themselves do not cause cancer in humans. International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the ingested nitrates or nitrites that result in endogenous nitrosation as probably carcinogenic to humans. However, nitrites might react with amines to form carcinogenic nitrosamines in the stomach. Nitrosamine that is derived from nitrates seems to be one of the factors that may cause gastrointestinal cancer in adults and methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). The levels of the two salts were determined in 143 samples of Egyptian vegetables and fruits. The highest levels of nitrate were found in three leafy vegetables – cauliflower, dill and spinach – and in two fruits– banana and strawberry. The results were compared with the Egyptian standard limit and further risk assessment statistical treatments were reported. The daily intake estimates were based on tolerable daily intake with this survey results so the situation is risky for vegetables in contrast to fruits so our recommended Good Agriculture Practice standard should be adopted by the growers to access higher value markets domestically and internationally.

KEYWORDS:

• Nitrate
• HPLC
• tolerable daily intake (TDI)
• Good Agriculture Practice (GAP)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.