Health risk assessment of heavy metals from grains and grain products in Gansu Province, China, 2012-2020.

In this study, heavy metals including lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) in 3520 samples (6 varieties) were measured using ICP-MS and assessed through multiple exposure pathways. We estimated the health risks from various grains and grain products, classified according to gender. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of each heavy metal in men was lower than the reference dose (RfD), and the wheat of Cr in women was above RfD at the P95 exposure level. The health risks of dietary exposure in adults were assessed using deterministic evaluation and Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). The deterministic evaluation showed that the total hazard index of each heavy metal was below 1, and the total incremental lifetime cancer risks of Cd, As, and Cr were above 1.0E-04. Dietary intake was the primary route of exposure. MCS indicated that only 10% of men and 15% of women for Cr ranged over hazard quotient (1), and the ILCRs of most adults were above 1.0E-04 through dietary exposure. Consequently, we conclude that adults are more likely to be exposed to carcinogenic risks in Gansu province.