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Fine muted-green matcha powder and a plain bowl of green tea illustrating camellia sinensis ingredient context.

Heavy metals in Camellia sinensis

Lead, cadmium, total arsenic and total mercury in camellia sinensis: monitoring results, studies, references by form and basis, limits, testing and controls.

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Camellia sinensis in the HMI library has 351 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, Se and As from 11 sources.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Behrooz Jannat, Naficeh Sadeghi, Mohammad Reza Oveisi, Masoomeh Behzad, Manan Hjimahmoodi, Morteza Ebrahimi · 2018Determination of trace elements and heavy metals content of green and black tea varieties consumed in IranAfrican Journal of BiotechnologyRead source →3Unknown authors · 2014Determination of Pb (Lead), Cd (Cadmium), CrPeer-reviewed articleRead source →4Li L, Fu QL, Achal V, Liu Y · 2015A comparison of the potential health risk of aluminum and heavy metals in tea leaves and tea infusion of commercially available green tea in Jiangxi, ChinaEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →5Li W, Cheng H, Mu Y, Xu A, Ma B, Wang F, Xu P · 2021Occurrence, accumulation, and risk assessment of trace metals in tea (Camellia sinensis): A national reconnaissanceScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →6Munilla García Z, Costa Ferrer MA, Escrivà Cerrudo S, Magistris Sancho A, Rey-Maquieira Palmer T, Vidal Coll C · 2023Family outbreak of lead poisoning associated with the consumption of kombucha manufactured and marketed in ceramic containersRevista Española de Salud PúblicaRead source →

Camellia sinensis overview

Camellia sinensis in the HMI library has 351 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, Se and As from 11 sources.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Behrooz Jannat, Naficeh Sadeghi, Mohammad Reza Oveisi, Masoomeh Behzad, Manan Hjimahmoodi, Morteza Ebrahimi · 2018Determination of trace elements and heavy metals content of green and black tea varieties consumed in IranAfrican Journal of BiotechnologyRead source →3Unknown authors · 2014Determination of Pb (Lead), Cd (Cadmium), CrPeer-reviewed articleRead source →4Li L, Fu QL, Achal V, Liu Y · 2015A comparison of the potential health risk of aluminum and heavy metals in tea leaves and tea infusion of commercially available green tea in Jiangxi, ChinaEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →5Li W, Cheng H, Mu Y, Xu A, Ma B, Wang F, Xu P · 2021Occurrence, accumulation, and risk assessment of trace metals in tea (Camellia sinensis): A national reconnaissanceScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →6Munilla García Z, Costa Ferrer MA, Escrivà Cerrudo S, Magistris Sancho A, Rey-Maquieira Palmer T, Vidal Coll C · 2023Family outbreak of lead poisoning associated with the consumption of kombucha manufactured and marketed in ceramic containersRevista Española de Salud PúblicaRead source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in camellia sinensis, as sold from 95 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 506 to 890 µg/kg.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → For cadmium, GEMS/Food gave subgroup medians from 41 to 140 µg/kg from 64 results.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

Across 5 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians on a dry-weight basis ranged from 190 µg/kg (Zhang et al. 2018) to 4,750 µg/kg (authors 2014).3Unknown authors · 2014Determination of Pb (Lead), Cd (Cadmium), CrPeer-reviewed articleRead source →7Zhang J, Yang R, Chen R, Peng Y, Wen X, Gao L · 2018Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Tea Leaves and Potential Health Risk Assessment: A Case Study from Puan County, Guizhou Province, ChinaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthRead source → For cadmium, 6 studies on a dry-weight basis reported means and medians from 10 µg/kg (Wu et al. 2025) to 100 µg/kg (Wu et al. 2025).8Wu H, Zhang D, Jie X, Liu S, Wang D · 2025Cadmium in the Soil–Tea–Infusion Continuum of Selenium-Enriched Gardens: Implications for Food SafetyFoodsRead source →

For a buyer the practical points are the form bought, the basis a result is reported on, where the camellia sinensis came from and the laboratory’s reporting limit. Testing finds contamination but does not remove it.

What counts as camellia sinensis

This page covers camellia sinensis in 3 forms kept separate in every comparison: camellia sinensis, as sold (328 results), camellia sinensis, powder or ground (21 results) and camellia sinensis, dried (2 results).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Behrooz Jannat, Naficeh Sadeghi, Mohammad Reza Oveisi, Masoomeh Behzad, Manan Hjimahmoodi, Morteza Ebrahimi · 2018Determination of trace elements and heavy metals content of green and black tea varieties consumed in IranAfrican Journal of BiotechnologyRead source →3Unknown authors · 2014Determination of Pb (Lead), Cd (Cadmium), CrPeer-reviewed articleRead source →4Li L, Fu QL, Achal V, Liu Y · 2015A comparison of the potential health risk of aluminum and heavy metals in tea leaves and tea infusion of commercially available green tea in Jiangxi, ChinaEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →5Li W, Cheng H, Mu Y, Xu A, Ma B, Wang F, Xu P · 2021Occurrence, accumulation, and risk assessment of trace metals in tea (Camellia sinensis): A national reconnaissanceScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →6Munilla García Z, Costa Ferrer MA, Escrivà Cerrudo S, Magistris Sancho A, Rey-Maquieira Palmer T, Vidal Coll C · 2023Family outbreak of lead poisoning associated with the consumption of kombucha manufactured and marketed in ceramic containersRevista Española de Salud PúblicaRead source →

Results stay on the basis each source reports: as sold or fresh weight, dry weight, or unstated. Dry-weight, as-sold and unstated results are never pooled, and no moisture conversion is applied.

Heavy metal contamination profile of camellia sinensis

The table holds every extracted camellia sinensis result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 351 rows in all, grouped by metal and form; percentiles, ranges and maxima for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Behrooz Jannat, Naficeh Sadeghi, Mohammad Reza Oveisi, Masoomeh Behzad, Manan Hjimahmoodi, Morteza Ebrahimi · 2018Determination of trace elements and heavy metals content of green and black tea varieties consumed in IranAfrican Journal of BiotechnologyRead source →3Unknown authors · 2014Determination of Pb (Lead), Cd (Cadmium), CrPeer-reviewed articleRead source →4Li L, Fu QL, Achal V, Liu Y · 2015A comparison of the potential health risk of aluminum and heavy metals in tea leaves and tea infusion of commercially available green tea in Jiangxi, ChinaEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →5Li W, Cheng H, Mu Y, Xu A, Ma B, Wang F, Xu P · 2021Occurrence, accumulation, and risk assessment of trace metals in tea (Camellia sinensis): A national reconnaissanceScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →6Munilla García Z, Costa Ferrer MA, Escrivà Cerrudo S, Magistris Sancho A, Rey-Maquieira Palmer T, Vidal Coll C · 2023Family outbreak of lead poisoning associated with the consumption of kombucha manufactured and marketed in ceramic containersRevista Española de Salud PúblicaRead source → Monitoring medians are HMI calculations from individual submissions; non-detects remain intervals between zero and the reporting limit and are never read as zero.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

59 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 24 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded. 8 values from 4 sources failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.2Behrooz Jannat, Naficeh Sadeghi, Mohammad Reza Oveisi, Masoomeh Behzad, Manan Hjimahmoodi, Morteza Ebrahimi · 2018Determination of trace elements and heavy metals content of green and black tea varieties consumed in IranAfrican Journal of BiotechnologyRead source →3Unknown authors · 2014Determination of Pb (Lead), Cd (Cadmium), CrPeer-reviewed articleRead source →4Li L, Fu QL, Achal V, Liu Y · 2015A comparison of the potential health risk of aluminum and heavy metals in tea leaves and tea infusion of commercially available green tea in Jiangxi, ChinaEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →8Wu H, Zhang D, Jie X, Liu S, Wang D · 2025Cadmium in the Soil–Tea–Infusion Continuum of Selenium-Enriched Gardens: Implications for Food SafetyFoodsRead source →

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of camellia sinensis, group and metal; percentiles, ranges and maxima reported for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row. Different forms and preparation states are kept apart, and dry-weight results never share a reference with as-sold or fresh-weight results. Ratings place a result against an HMI reference built from monitoring results and ordinary-setting medians for the same form and basis. Same-study contrasts compare a contaminated or treated site with its control, targeted with random sampling, a prepared form with the unprocessed one, or one group of a study with the median of its other groups. Held rows failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.

About this table
Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence
Camellia sinensis findings from monitoring programmes, total diet studies and every extracted field, market and contaminated-site study, in µg/kg with each source’s form, basis, statistic and censoring retained.
Food formCollection scopeFinding (µg/kg)ComparisonEvidence
28 findings · 10 studies · 17 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2012–2014As sold / freshmedian.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2013As sold / freshmedian.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodWPRO2008As sold / freshmedian.
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018black tea, all flavorsCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018green tea, all flavorsCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2015–2017median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014all 25 tea samplesCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014black teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014black teaCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014green teaCollection date unreportedmean.Same samples: 10,600 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014jasmine teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014oolong teaCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014white teaCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 2015selected tea sample used in the continuous infusion experiment2014sample value.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.Same samples: 630 µg/kg (minimum); 70 µg/kg (minimum); 12,200 µg/kg (maximum); 1,840 µg/kg (maximum); 1,600 µg/kg (percentile); 2,550 µg/kg (percentile); 5,100 µg/kg (percentile); 8,110 µg/kg (percentile); 270 µg/kg (percentile); 420 µg/kg (percentile); 870 µg/kg (percentile); 1,170 µg/kg (percentile)
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldMunilla et al. 2023factory, raw materialCollection date unreportedsample value.
Camellia sinensis, as soldMunilla et al. 2023factory, raw materialCollection date unreportedsample value.
Camellia sinensis, as soldMunilla et al. 2023home, raw materialCollection date unreportedsample value.
Camellia sinensis, as soldQinghua et al. 2021all 40 white tea samplesCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldQinghua et al. 2021Fuding county, FujianCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018mature tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 560 µg/kg (minimum); 1,270 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018young tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 107 µg/kg (minimum); 400 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024All samples of this type, imported to Polish market2021–2023Basis not statednot detected.
Camellia sinensis, as soldPourramezani et al. 2019black tea of India origin2017Basis not statedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldPourramezani et al. 2019black tea of Sri Lanka origin2017Basis not statedmean.
1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, powder or groundLi et al. 201526 commercial green tea samples, Jiangxi markets (all samples)2014mean.Same samples: 120 µg/kg (minimum); 2,240 µg/kg (maximum)
2 findings · 1 study
Camellia sinensis, driedWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2016–2018As sold / freshmedian.
Camellia sinensis, driedWHO GEMS/FoodPAHO2013–2014median.
51 findings · 10 studies · 16 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2003As sold / freshmedian.
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018black tea, all flavorsCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018green tea, all flavorsCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWHO GEMS/FoodEURO2015–2019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014all 25 tea samplesCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014black teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014green teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014green teaCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014oolong teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014oolong teaCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014Pu'er teaCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 2015selected tea sample used in the continuous infusion experiment2014sample value.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.Same samples: 20 µg/kg (minimum); 230 µg/kg (maximum); 310 µg/kg (maximum); 30 µg/kg (percentile); 50 µg/kg (percentile); 110 µg/kg (percentile); 150 µg/kg (percentile); 20 µg/kg (percentile); 70 µg/kg (percentile)
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldQinghua et al. 2021all 40 white tea samplesCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldQinghua et al. 2021Fuding county, FujianCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025all 12 gardens (mean row)Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025all 12 gardens (mean row)Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025range across 12 gardensCollection date unreportedrange.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025range across 12 gardensCollection date unreportedrange.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 1Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 1Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 2Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 2Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 3Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 3Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 4Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 4Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 5Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 5Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 6Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 6Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 7Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 7Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 8Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 8Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 9Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 9Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 10Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 10Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 11Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 11Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 12Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 12Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018mature tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 40 µg/kg (minimum); 87 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018young tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 12 µg/kg (minimum); 92 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024All samples of this type, imported to Polish market2021–2023Basis not statednot detected.
Camellia sinensis, as soldPourramezani et al. 2019black tea of India origin2017Basis not statedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldPourramezani et al. 2019black tea of Sri Lanka origin2017Basis not statedmean.
1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, powder or groundLi et al. 201526 commercial green tea samples, Jiangxi markets (all samples)2014mean.Same samples: 25 µg/kg (minimum); 110 µg/kg (maximum)
4 findings · 2 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018mature tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 189 µg/kg (minimum); 453 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018young tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 73 µg/kg (minimum); 456 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldPourramezani et al. 2019black tea of India origin2017Basis not statedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldPourramezani et al. 2019black tea of Sri Lanka origin2017Basis not statedmean.
4 findings · 2 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018mature tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 43 µg/kg (minimum); 89 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018young tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 14 µg/kg (minimum); 85 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldPourramezani et al. 2019black tea of India origin2017Basis not statedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldPourramezani et al. 2019black tea of Sri Lanka origin2017Basis not statedmean.
14 findings · 5 studies · 16 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014all 25 tea samplesCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014black teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014black teaCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014oolong teaCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014white teaCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014yellow teaCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 2015selected tea sample used in the continuous infusion experiment2014sample value.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.Same samples: 1,990 µg/kg (minimum); 2,900 µg/kg (minimum); 13,700 µg/kg (maximum); 19,100 µg/kg (maximum); 3,000 µg/kg (percentile); 3,690 µg/kg (percentile); 7,570 µg/kg (percentile); 10,100 µg/kg (percentile); 4,840 µg/kg (percentile); 5,510 µg/kg (percentile); 10,300 µg/kg (percentile); 14,400 µg/kg (percentile)
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018mature tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 3,430 µg/kg (minimum); 14,200 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018young tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 6,330 µg/kg (minimum); 14,900 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024White teas2021–2023Basis not statedrange.
1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, powder or groundLi et al. 201526 commercial green tea samples, Jiangxi markets (all samples)2014mean.Same samples: 2,710 µg/kg (minimum); 13,600 µg/kg (maximum)
13 findings · 5 studies · 16 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014all 25 tea samplesCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014black teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014black teaCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014oolong teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 2015selected tea sample used in the continuous infusion experiment2014sample value.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.Same samples: 490 µg/kg (minimum); 260 µg/kg (minimum); 6,470 µg/kg (maximum); 5,060 µg/kg (maximum); 1,150 µg/kg (percentile); 1,630 µg/kg (percentile); 3,410 µg/kg (percentile); 4,350 µg/kg (percentile); 350 µg/kg (percentile); 440 µg/kg (percentile); 940 µg/kg (percentile); 1,770 µg/kg (percentile)
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldQinghua et al. 2021all 40 white tea samplesCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldQinghua et al. 2021Fuding county, FujianCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018mature tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 690 µg/kg (minimum); 2,910 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018young tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 330 µg/kg (minimum); 1,260 µg/kg (maximum)
2 findings · 1 study · 1 spread figure folded in
Camellia sinensis, powder or groundLi et al. 201526 commercial green tea samples, Jiangxi markets (all samples)2014mean.Same samples: 280 µg/kg (minimum)
Camellia sinensis, powder or groundLi et al. 201526 commercial green tea samples, Jiangxi markets (all samples)2014max.
4 findings · 3 studies · 4 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 2015selected tea sample used in the continuous infusion experiment2014sample value.
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018mature tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 4,300,000 µg/kg (minimum); 10,400,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018young tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 250,000 µg/kg (minimum); 660,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldGrzadka et al. 2024White teas2021–2023Basis not statedrange.
1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, powder or groundLi et al. 201526 commercial green tea samples, Jiangxi markets (all samples)2014mean.Same samples: 227,000 µg/kg (minimum); 912,000 µg/kg (maximum)
1 finding · 1 study
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 2015selected tea sample used in the continuous infusion experiment2014sample value.
1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, powder or groundLi et al. 201526 commercial green tea samples, Jiangxi markets (all samples)2014mean.Same samples: 110 µg/kg (minimum); 580 µg/kg (maximum)
25 findings · 6 studies · 16 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018black tea brands (17 brands), mean of brand meansCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018black tea, all flavorsCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018green tea, all flavorsCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014all 25 tea samplesCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014all 25 tea samplesCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014black teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014black teaCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014green teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014green teaCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014jasmine teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014jasmine teaCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014oolong teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014oolong teaCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014Pu'er teaCollection date unreportedmin.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014Pu'er teaCollection date unreportedmax.
Camellia sinensis, as soldauthors 2014white teaCollection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 2015selected tea sample used in the continuous infusion experiment2014sample value.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.Same samples: 4,080 µg/kg (minimum); 5,960 µg/kg (minimum); 10,900 µg/kg (maximum); 15,100 µg/kg (maximum); 5,160 µg/kg (percentile); 5,740 µg/kg (percentile); 8,030 µg/kg (percentile); 8,840 µg/kg (percentile); 9,610 µg/kg (percentile); 10,300 µg/kg (percentile); 12,300 µg/kg (percentile); 13,200 µg/kg (percentile)
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018mature tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 6,170 µg/kg (minimum); 16,300 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018young tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 14,900 µg/kg (minimum); 26,100 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldPourramezani et al. 2019black tea of India origin2017Basis not statedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldPourramezani et al. 2019black tea of Sri Lanka origin2017Basis not statedmean.
1 finding · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, powder or groundLi et al. 201526 commercial green tea samples, Jiangxi markets (all samples)2014mean.Same samples: 8,420 µg/kg (minimum); 31,500 µg/kg (maximum)
6 findings · 2 studies · 16 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.Same samples: 516,000 µg/kg (minimum); 178,000 µg/kg (minimum); 6,980,000 µg/kg (maximum); 2,130,000 µg/kg (maximum); 1,150,000 µg/kg (percentile); 1,660,000 µg/kg (percentile); 3,640,000 µg/kg (percentile); 5,480,000 µg/kg (percentile); 324,000 µg/kg (percentile); 412,000 µg/kg (percentile); 1,020,000 µg/kg (percentile); 1,450,000 µg/kg (percentile)
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018mature tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 536,000 µg/kg (minimum); 4,610,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018young tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 194,000 µg/kg (minimum); 1,130,000 µg/kg (maximum)
13 findings · 3 studies · 14 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018black tea brands (17 brands), mean of brand meansCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018black tea, all flavorsCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018black tea, all flavorsCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018green tea brands (18 brands), mean of brand meansCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldJannat et al. 2018green tea, all flavorsCollection date unreportedAs sold / freshmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.Same samples: 14,100 µg/kg (minimum); 38,200 µg/kg (maximum); 93,000 µg/kg (maximum); 3,270 µg/kg (percentile); 23,600 µg/kg (percentile); 28,200 µg/kg (percentile); 24,100 µg/kg (percentile); 32,300 µg/kg (percentile); 52,600 µg/kg (percentile); 62,800 µg/kg (percentile)
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019min.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019percentile.
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018mature tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 9,100 µg/kg (minimum); 20,000 µg/kg (maximum)
Camellia sinensis, as soldZhang et al. 2018young tea leaves, Puan County, Guizhou (13 sampling sites)2016mean.Same samples: 35,800 µg/kg (minimum); 50,300 µg/kg (maximum)
26 findings · 1 study
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025all 12 gardens (mean row)Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025all 12 gardens (mean row)Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 1Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 1Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 2Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 2Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 3Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 3Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 4Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 4Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 5Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 5Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 6Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 6Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 7Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 7Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 8Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 8Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 9Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 9Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 10Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 10Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 11Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 11Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 12Collection date unreportedmean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldWu et al. 2025Tea garden no. 12Collection date unreportedmean.
6 findings · 1 study · 10 spread figures folded in
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019median.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.Same samples: 120 µg/kg (minimum); 1,040 µg/kg (maximum); 300 µg/kg (maximum); 170 µg/kg (percentile); 220 µg/kg (percentile); 630 µg/kg (percentile); 870 µg/kg (percentile); 10 µg/kg (percentile); 150 µg/kg (percentile); 190 µg/kg (percentile)
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019mean.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019min.
Camellia sinensis, as soldLi et al. 202145 tea gardens in 15 provinces of China, sampled May 20192019percentile.
Shared dataset methods and interpretation

Source summaries retain their original statistic, material, basis and censoring. Each source drawer identifies methods and overlapping samples. No matched reference or pooled distribution is inferred.

HMI camellia sinensis Pb reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Pb reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold. Camellia sinensis, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference590725990
Alternative weighting590725990

5 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food5100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for camellia sinensis, as sold on this basis in the completed camellia sinensis ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-76c218d40819:ff39e2a03f78

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Pb reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Pb reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight. Camellia sinensis, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference57015802240
Alternative weighting57015802240

6 reference units; 3 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food333%
Li et al. 2015133%
Li et al. 2021233%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

3 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-5b5f11ff2088:3c7945046a7a

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Pb reference · Camellia sinensis, dried

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Pb reference · Camellia sinensis, dried. Camellia sinensis, dried; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤30227–242 (bounded)453
Alternative weighting≤30227–242 (bounded)453

2 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food2100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, dried on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for camellia sinensis, dried on this basis in the completed camellia sinensis ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-56ce8a70f3a9:85bf2f58c4f6

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Pb reference · Camellia sinensis, dried, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Pb reference · Camellia sinensis, dried, dry weight. Camellia sinensis, dried; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference105011701290
Alternative weighting105011701290

2 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food2100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, dried on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for camellia sinensis, dried on this basis in the completed camellia sinensis ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-9fbabd8874a0:24b5814dbe97

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Cd reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Cd reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold. Camellia sinensis, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference140140140
Alternative weighting140140140

1 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food1100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

WHO GEMS/Food is the only compatible sampling family for camellia sinensis, as sold on this basis in the completed camellia sinensis ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-26f28bc6f065:25a7cf6e5b16

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Cd reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Cd reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight. Camellia sinensis, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference5071.576
Alternative weighting5071.576

8 reference units; 3 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
WHO GEMS/Food533%
Li et al. 2015133%
Li et al. 2021233%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

3 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-008e3dfdb5a8:b733bb9789e8

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Ni reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Ni reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight. Camellia sinensis, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference271041606610
Alternative weighting271041606610

3 reference units; 2 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Li et al. 2015150%
Li et al. 2021250%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

2 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-26ce243c4429:61f362677325

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Cr reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Cr reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight. Camellia sinensis, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference87011101670
Alternative weighting87011101670

3 reference units; 2 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Li et al. 2015150%
Li et al. 2021250%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

2 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-ba72d1741b3c:ac765e68ca21

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Al reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Al reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight. Camellia sinensis, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference862000862000862000
Alternative weighting862000862000862000

1 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Li et al. 20151100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Li et al. 2015 is the only compatible sampling family for camellia sinensis, as sold on this basis in the completed camellia sinensis ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-cfcf9850a5c0:6213f255126c

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Co reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Co reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight. Camellia sinensis, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference360360360
Alternative weighting360360360

1 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Li et al. 20151100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Li et al. 2015 is the only compatible sampling family for camellia sinensis, as sold on this basis in the completed camellia sinensis ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-a23fdf11da81:b40327dda237

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Cu reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Cu reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight. Camellia sinensis, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference88101910027000
Alternative weighting88101910027000

3 reference units; 2 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Li et al. 2015150%
Li et al. 2021250%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

2 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-6137bb023d7f:a3e18fa01835

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Mn reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Mn reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight. Camellia sinensis, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference54300013500002150000
Alternative weighting54300013500002150000

2 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Li et al. 20212100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Li et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for camellia sinensis, as sold on this basis in the completed camellia sinensis ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-04f96f1d9623:6f2995b81ffb

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis Zn reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis Zn reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight. Camellia sinensis, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference110002570040400
Alternative weighting110002570040400

2 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Li et al. 20212100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Li et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for camellia sinensis, as sold on this basis in the completed camellia sinensis ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-af21d7124180:f994c6d643a7

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI camellia sinensis As reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight

Reference and scope

HMI camellia sinensis As reference · Camellia sinensis, as sold, dry weight. Camellia sinensis, as sold; Dry weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference60205350
Alternative weighting60205350

2 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Li et al. 20212100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for camellia sinensis, as sold on a dry weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Li et al. 2021 is the only compatible sampling family for camellia sinensis, as sold on this basis in the completed camellia sinensis ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:camellia-sinensis-67645f2b4d2f:397ffc9b7525

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

1 dataset

How metals reach camellia sinensis

No study in the library compared camellia sinensis from contaminated and ordinary settings, so the routes by which metals reach it are not measured here.

Which forms and regions measured lower

The HMI reference for lead in camellia sinensis, as sold pools 6 subgroup units from 3 sampling families, with a median of 1,580 µg/kg and a middle half spanning 570 (lower quartile) and 2,240 µg/kg (upper quartile).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →4Li L, Fu QL, Achal V, Liu Y · 2015A comparison of the potential health risk of aluminum and heavy metals in tea leaves and tea infusion of commercially available green tea in Jiangxi, ChinaEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →5Li W, Cheng H, Mu Y, Xu A, Ma B, Wang F, Xu P · 2021Occurrence, accumulation, and risk assessment of trace metals in tea (Camellia sinensis): A national reconnaissanceScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source → For lead in camellia sinensis, as sold, the reference median was 725 µg/kg, with a middle half from 590 to 990 µg/kg across 5 units.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → For cadmium in camellia sinensis, as sold, the reference median was 71.5 µg/kg, with a middle half from 50 to 76 µg/kg across 8 units.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →4Li L, Fu QL, Achal V, Liu Y · 2015A comparison of the potential health risk of aluminum and heavy metals in tea leaves and tea infusion of commercially available green tea in Jiangxi, ChinaEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source →5Li W, Cheng H, Mu Y, Xu A, Ma B, Wang F, Xu P · 2021Occurrence, accumulation, and risk assessment of trace metals in tea (Camellia sinensis): A national reconnaissanceScience of the Total EnvironmentRead source →

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, camellia sinensis, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in WPRO (506 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (890 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → For cadmium, the lowest regional median was in EURO (41 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (140 µg/kg).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

In one study, cadmium across 24 groups of camellia sinensis ranged from 10 µg/kg (Tea garden no. 4) to 100 µg/kg (Tea garden no. 7); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.8Wu H, Zhang D, Jie X, Liu S, Wang D · 2025Cadmium in the Soil–Tea–Infusion Continuum of Selenium-Enriched Gardens: Implications for Food SafetyFoodsRead source →

Processing, cooking and preparation

No processing study for metals in this food is in the library yet.

Mitigation for camellia sinensis

Lot testing against the applicable limit is the check that can be verified.

No measured way to lower metals in this food is in the library yet.

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Metals do not move together, so a lot that passes a lead limit says little about cadmium, arsenic or nickel unless those are tested as well.

Testing camellia sinensis for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 1 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 240 µg/kg (Grzadka et al. 2024), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →9Elzbieta Grzadka, Anna Bastrzyk, Jolanta Orzel, Agata Oszczak-Nowinska, Bartlomiej Fliszkiewicz, Mateusz Siemieniuk, Krzysztof Sobczynski, Olgierd Splawski, Katarzyna Golebiowska, Oskar Ronda, Bartlomiej Michal Cieslik · 2024Do You Know What You Drink? Comparative Research on the Contents of Radioisotopes and Heavy Metals in Different Types of Tea from Various Parts of the WorldFoodsRead source → Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 1 µg/kg (Qinghua et al. 2021) to 51 µg/kg (Grzadka et al. 2024), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.9Elzbieta Grzadka, Anna Bastrzyk, Jolanta Orzel, Agata Oszczak-Nowinska, Bartlomiej Fliszkiewicz, Mateusz Siemieniuk, Krzysztof Sobczynski, Olgierd Splawski, Katarzyna Golebiowska, Oskar Ronda, Bartlomiej Michal Cieslik · 2024Do You Know What You Drink? Comparative Research on the Contents of Radioisotopes and Heavy Metals in Different Types of Tea from Various Parts of the WorldFoodsRead source →10Yao Qinghua, Lin Qiu, Yan Sun-an, Huang Minmin, Chen Lihua · 2021Dietary risk assessment of fluoride, lead, chromium, and cadmium through consumption of Tieguanyin tea and white teaFood Science and Technology (Campinas)Read source → Reporting limits for total arsenic were 5 µg/kg where sources stated them.7Zhang J, Yang R, Chen R, Peng Y, Wen X, Gao L · 2018Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Tea Leaves and Potential Health Risk Assessment: A Case Study from Puan County, Guizhou Province, ChinaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthRead source →

A useful lot result names the form, the basis and a quantification limit well below the limit that applies.

Buying and verifying camellia sinensis

No maximum level for metals in camellia sinensis was verified from primary text for this page; buyers should confirm the limit that applies in the destination market.

Exposure from camellia sinensis

No source in the library converted camellia sinensis concentrations into a verified estimate of intake for a defined population. Concentrations describe the food, not individual risk.

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Every source record that names camellia sinensis was decided on its content: 11 occurrence extracted, 11 records in all. The occurrence table renders every extracted result; held values remain visible with their reason.

References identify the sources used in these answers. The Sources index preserves additional discovery links; inclusion there does not mean a source has been reviewed for this assessment. Corrections, completed searches, new direct evidence and changes in requirements should reopen the relevant answer.

Camellia sinensis FAQs

What heavy metals are found in camellia sinensis?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, Se and As in camellia sinensis, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2Behrooz Jannat, Naficeh Sadeghi, Mohammad Reza Oveisi, Masoomeh Behzad, Manan Hjimahmoodi, Morteza Ebrahimi · 2018Determination of trace elements and heavy metals content of green and black tea varieties consumed in IranAfrican Journal of BiotechnologyRead source →3Unknown authors · 2014Determination of Pb (Lead), Cd (Cadmium), CrPeer-reviewed articleRead source →4Li L, Fu QL, Achal V, Liu Y · 2015A comparison of the potential health risk of aluminum and heavy metals in tea leaves and tea infusion of commercially available green tea in Jiangxi, ChinaEnvironmental Monitoring and AssessmentRead source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in camellia sinensis, as sold from 95 results in 3 reporting regions, with subgroup medians from 506 to 890 µg/kg.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

Which regions report the lowest levels in camellia sinensis?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, camellia sinensis, as sold had the lowest lead subgroup median in WPRO (506 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (890 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → For cadmium, the lowest regional median was in EURO (41 µg/kg) and the highest in EURO (140 µg/kg).1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →

References

Works cited on this page, in citation-number order. See Sources for this page’s source inventory. Each title links to a source record with bibliographic details, reported findings, and document provenance.

  1. GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
  2. Determination of trace elements and heavy metals content of green and black tea varieties consumed in IranBehrooz Jannat, Naficeh Sadeghi, Mohammad Reza Oveisi, Masoomeh Behzad, Manan Hjimahmoodi, and Morteza Ebrahimi · African Journal of Biotechnology · 2018 · doi.org/10.5897/AJB2017.16177Peer-reviewed
  3. Determination of Pb (Lead), Cd (Cadmium), CrUnknown authors · Peer-reviewed article · 2014 · doi.org/10.1016/j.jfda.2015.04.010Peer-reviewed
  4. A comparison of the potential health risk of aluminum and heavy metals in tea leaves and tea infusion of commercially available green tea in Jiangxi, ChinaLi L, Fu QL, Achal V, and Liu Y · Environmental Monitoring and Assessment · 2015 · doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4445-2Peer-reviewed
  5. Occurrence, accumulation, and risk assessment of trace metals in tea (Camellia sinensis): A national reconnaissanceLi W, Cheng H, Mu Y, Xu A, Ma B, Wang F, et al. · Science of the Total Environment · 2021 · doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148354Peer-reviewed
  6. Family outbreak of lead poisoning associated with the consumption of kombucha manufactured and marketed in ceramic containersMunilla García Z, Costa Ferrer MA, Escrivà Cerrudo S, Magistris Sancho A, Rey-Maquieira Palmer T, and Vidal Coll C · Revista Española de Salud Pública · 2023 · www.sanidad.gob.esPeer-reviewed
  7. Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Tea Leaves and Potential Health Risk Assessment: A Case Study from Puan County, Guizhou Province, ChinaZhang J, Yang R, Chen R, Peng Y, Wen X, and Gao L · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 2018 · doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15010133Peer-reviewed
  8. Cadmium in the Soil–Tea–Infusion Continuum of Selenium-Enriched Gardens: Implications for Food SafetyWu H, Zhang D, Jie X, Liu S, and Wang D · Foods · 2025 · doi.org/10.3390/foods14183156Peer-reviewed
  9. Do You Know What You Drink? Comparative Research on the Contents of Radioisotopes and Heavy Metals in Different Types of Tea from Various Parts of the WorldElzbieta Grzadka, Anna Bastrzyk, Jolanta Orzel, Agata Oszczak-Nowinska, Bartlomiej Fliszkiewicz, Mateusz Siemieniuk, et al. · Foods · 2024 · doi.org/10.3390/foods13050742Peer-reviewed
  10. Dietary risk assessment of fluoride, lead, chromium, and cadmium through consumption of Tieguanyin tea and white teaYao Qinghua, Lin Qiu, Yan Sun-an, Huang Minmin, and Chen Lihua · Food Science and Technology (Campinas) · 2021 · doi.org/10.1590/fst.69220Peer-reviewed

Sources

Browse Camellia sinensis Sources for sources cited on this page and additional discovery candidates. The searchable index distinguishes verified citation use from discovery relationships whose relevance has not been established.

Update history

22 October 2026: Rebuilt from every camellia sinensis record in the library: 11 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.

Referenced by

Graph View