Analyzing pesticides and metal(loid)s in imported tobacco to Saudi Arabia and risk assessment of inhalation exposure to certain metals

Abstract

Exposure to toxic chemicals through smoked tobacco is a significant global public health issue due to their genotoxic and carcinogenic properties. The study aims to (1) measure Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg), Nickle (Ni), lead (Pb), and 407 pesticides in tobacco commercialized in Saudi Arabia; and (2) evaluate human health risks associated with smoking tobacco. Thus, we analyzed 60 tobacco samples per brand from eight of the most popular tobacco brands in the Saudi market. The analyzed tobacco contained significant concentrations of toxic metal (loid)s and banned pesticides. Twenty-three out of 407 pesticide residues were found, with an average concentration of 0.004–1.155 µg/g. Average concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Ni, and Pb for all brands were 0.16, 0.57, 0.75, 1.36, 1.94, 0.01, and 0.37 µg/g, respectively. The risk assessment indicated that high cancer risks are associated with exposure to As, Cd, Cr, and Ni, while lower risks are associated with Pb. Additionally, the potential cancer risk estimated for Cr was higher than other toxic elements. The cumulative cancer risks (95%) under three different cases for all brands were greater than the permissible limits (=10⁻⁴). The chances of getting cancer through inhalation of particulate As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb was 4 in 10 000 cases in the best case scenario (1 cigarette per day). Therefore, metal content in cigarette tobacco should be reduced to improve public health.

HIGHLIGHTS

• All tested brands contained banned pesticide residues except for brand C.

• Tobacco samples contained significant concentrations of toxic metal(loid)s.

• A high risk of developing cancer is associated with exposure to As, Cd, Cr, and Ni, while a lower risk is associated with exposure to Pb.

Keywords:

• Heavy metals
• pesticides
• tobacco
• risk assessment
• Inhalation exposure

Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA). The authors are grateful to the Research and Laboratories Sector in SFDA for their keen interest in the study and instrumental support.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper.

Disclaimer

Conclusions reached in this article are based on the personal scientific interpretations of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of SFDA.