Temporal trend of the dietary exposure to metals/metalloids: A case study in Tarragona County, Spain

In 2018, samples of various food groups were randomly purchased in different establishments of Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain). The levels of As, Be, Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Tl and V were determined in the analyzed foodstuffs and their dietary intakes were estimated. Manganese was the element showing the highest concentration, while Be, Cr and Tl were not detected in any of the samples. Fish and shellfish was the only food group with detectable traces of all the remaining elements. The current levels were compared with the results of two previous surveys conducted in 1998 and 2013 in the same area. Although the levels of the analyzed elements in foodstuffs increased during the period 2013-2018, their intakes decreased by an average of 60%, due to consumption patterns changes by the population. Children and adolescents exceeded the maximum recommended intake of Ni set by the EFSA, while the dietary exposure to Pb for children was also above safety values. Compared with the concentrations found in 2013, Ni was the only element showing an increase, as well as an increase of human dietary intake. Meat, vegetables and milk were identified as the main contributors to Ni exposure. This trend was also correlated with changes in the biological burden of the same elements previously reported for the population of the area, for whom an increase of Ni in lungs was reported. Based on these results, Ni should be included as a target metal by food safety authorities, being suggested its inclusion in future Total Diet Studies.

Automated summary

A study conducted in Tarragona County, Catalonia, Spain in 2018 found that manganese had the highest concentration among analyzed food elements, while beryllium, chromium, and thallium were not detected. Children and adolescents exceeded recommended nickel intake levels, and dietary exposure to lead for children exceeded safety values. Meat, vegetables, and milk were identified as the main contributors to nickel exposure.