Analysis and exposure assessment of some heavy metals in foodstuffs from Ismailia city, Egypt

Food is the major source of metal exposure for the nonsmoking general population. Food samples of plant and animal origin from Ismailia, Egypt, were analyzed for the content of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) using AAS. The Cr, Zn, and Cu concentrations were in the range of 1.7–249 µg kg−1 wet weight (ww), 2–66 mg kg−1 ww, and 0.5–3.46 mg kg−1 ww, respectively. The mean daily intake of Cr, Zn, and Cu was 28.9 µg day−1, 8.55 mg day−1, and 1.7 mg day−1, respectively. The intake estimates are within the range of the recommended intake established internationally. Concentrations of Cd and Pb were in the range of 10–321 µg kg−1 ww and 31–1200 µg kg−1 ww, respectively. The weekly dietary intake for Cd and Pb (4.02 and 20.4 µg kg−1 b.w, respectively) is lower than the FAO/WHO PTWI. Bread is the foodstuff that provided the highest rate of Pb and Cd (62 and 46% of the daily intake) to adults in Ismailia city.