A total diet study of nickel intake in a Spanish population (Canary Islands)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse nickel content in foods and beverages most commonly consumed by the Canary Island people to determine the dietary intake of this metal throughout the Canary Islands as a whole and in each of the seven islands. A total of 440 samples were analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Nickel concentrations ranged between 2.348 ± 1.716 mg/kg in nuts and 0.002 ± 0.002 mg/l in water. Estimated total intake of nickel was 0.093 mg/day for the Canary population, which is far below the tolerable upper intake level (UL) established for adults. Gran Canaria turned out to be the island with the highest nickel intake. Differential analysis of nickel intake by age and sex of the Canary Island community showed that values were below the UL in children as well as in adults. These outcomes were compared with data from other populations at the national and international levels.

Keywords::

• nickel
• atomic absorption spectrometry
• dietary intake
• Spanish population
• Canary Islands

Declaration of interest: Dailos González-Weller declares that he has neither received any financial support nor have personal relationships with other people or organizations that could influence this work.

Notes

1. Food from the Canary Islands consisting of roasted grain flour.