Lead in Brazilian food: Exposure assessment and risk characterization

ABSTRACT

A risk assessment was performed to estimate the lead (Pb) dietary intake in the Brazilian population. Data on Pb concentration in food were obtained through a systematic review with meta-analyses and from the GEMS/Food database, both involving data through 2018. Food consumption data were obtained from a Brazilian official dietary survey. Pb dietary intakes were estimated by a deterministic approach. Risk characterisation was conducted using the margin of exposure approach (MOE). The total Pb intake in the Brazilian population ranged from 1.53 to 2.01 μg/kg bw/day. Major contributors to Pb dietary exposure were the vegetable and vegetable products and beverage categories. From the results obtained, a risk of increased systolic pressure, nephrotoxicity and decrease of 0.5 point intelligence quotient can be expected, MOE<1, with greater magnitudes of risk observed for men in rural areas and in the Midwest, Southeast and South Brazilian regions. The dietary risk assessment indicates a health concern for the Brazilian population associated with Pb dietary intake.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Risk assessment
• sanitary surveillance
• food safety
• inorganic contaminant
• meta-analysis
• intake
• Brazil

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Research Support of the State of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), the Ezequiel Dias Foundation (FUNED), the Postgraduate Program in Food Science and Department of Food Science of the Faculty of Pharmacy (FAFAR) at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.