A human health risk assessment of heavy metal ingestion from ayurvedic medicines among New Zealand consumers

This study analysed heavy metals in 75 ayurvedic products purchased from New Zealand markets using ICP-MS. Over 77% of the samples were found to contain at least one of heavy metals tested at concentrations above the LOD. Two samples exceeded the permissible cadmium limits recommended by WHO and US Pharmacopeia and 10 exceeded the USP limit for mercury. Exposure assessment showed that long term consumption of products with high levels of heavy metals can present human health risks of concern. Heavy metals present in low levels can also be of concern when the daily recommended dose of ayurvedic medicine is very high. There is also no safe level for lead and arsenic exposure, therefore exposure to lead and arsenic should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. The MOE and RQ indicate that most of the products did not raise any health concerns if they are taken according to the label instructions and within the recommended dose. However, high levels of heavy metals in some products suggest that efforts to decrease heavy metal concentrations in these products should be supported.