Human health risk assessment of trace metals and metalloids concentrations in saffron grown in Gonabad, Iran

Trace metals and metalloids are environmental contaminants that in elevated levels they may pose serious threats to human health. The aim of this research was to investigate trace metals and metalloids contamination in saffron grown in Gonabad. Potential health risks associated with the consumption of this product were also estimated. Totally, 48 samples were collected from 16 saffron farms. Then, the samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-OES) technique. For As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, the levels ranged between 0.01-0.36, 0.01-1.31, 0.01-0.28, 0.86-2.31, 4.98-42.04, 92.530-740.66, 14.80-26.28, 0.66-1.78, 0.07-0.84 and 24.32-56.71 mg/kg, respectively. However, levels of cadmium, iron and zinc were above the FAO/WHO limits in few samples. The results showed that all the samples had hazard quotient (HQ) values less than 1 for children, teenagers and adults, respectively, indicating that exposure to the elements via saffron consumption might not pose non-carcinogenic health risk. The estimated cancer risk among the studied groups were low and negligible, indicating that low probability of cancer development from long-term consumption of saffron.