Summary
This study measured lead, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic concentrations in 54 food and beverage samples collected from randomly selected local markets in Qena Governorate, Egypt, covering five categories: beverages, processed cereals, milk and dairy products, canned fish and meat products, and table salt. Lead was the highest detected metal; canned fish and meat products had the highest mean concentrations across all metal categories. Dietary exposures were quantified using estimated daily intake (EDI) and compared against EFSA and USEPA health-based guidance values. All hazard quotient (HQ) values were below 1, indicating no significant noncarcinogenic health concern at reported intake levels. Carcinogenic risk (CR) values ranged from 2.16 × 10^-6 to 4.37 × 10^-5, within the USEPA acceptable range.
Key numbers
| Measure | Value | Units | Matrix | Source location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean lead (Pb), canned fish and meat | 221.5 ± 39.9 | µg/kg | Canned fish/meat | Table 1, p. 3 |
| Mean cadmium (Cd), canned fish and meat | 45.8 ± 52.8 | µg/kg | Canned fish/meat | Table 1, p. 3 |
| Mean chromium (Cr), canned fish and meat | 36.2 ± 41.3 | µg/kg | Canned fish/meat | Table 1, p. 3 |
| Mean arsenic (As), canned fish and meat | 8.5 ± 1.8 | µg/kg | Canned fish/meat | Table 1, p. 3 |
| Overall mean lead (Pb) (all categories) | 174.0 ± 38.3 | µg/kg | 5118 total value | Table 1 |
| Luncheon (processed meat) mean lead (Pb) | 264.5 ± 33.5 | µg/kg | Luncheon meat | Table 1 |
| Wheat flour mean lead (Pb) | 20.4 ± 10.3 | µg/kg | Processed cereals | Table 1 |
| Milk mean cadmium (Cd) | 20.8 ± 6.6 | µg/kg | Milk and dairy | Table 1 |
| EDI lead (Pb) | up to 0.688 | µg/kg body weight per day | Adult diet | Abstract, p. 5 |
| EDI cadmium (Cd) | up to 0.112 | µg/kg body weight per day | Adult diet | Abstract, p. 5 |
| EDI chromium (Cr) | up to 0.035 | µg/kg body weight per day | Adult diet | Abstract, p. 5 |
| EDI arsenic (As) | up to 0.004 | µg/kg body weight per day | Adult diet | Abstract, p. 5 |
| HQ, all metals | below 1 | dimensionless | Adult diet | Results |
| CR range | 2.16 × 10^-6 to 4.37 × 10^-5 | dimensionless | Adult diet | Abstract |
| EFSA lead (Pb) benchmark dose (BW10) | 0.5 µg/kg body weight per day | Reference | p. 5 |
Luncheon meat and canned fish and meat products were the primary contributors to lead (Pb) dietary exposure (21% from luncheon meat, 17% from canned fish, 11% from canned meat), followed by processed cereals (67.1% of arsenic (As), 54% of Cd). Pb exceedance of EFSA limits was noted in 79% of carbonated and energy drink samples (greater than 20 µg/kg limit), 50% of milk and dairy products (greater than 10 µg/kg), and 100% of canned beef and luncheon (greater than 20 µg/kg) based on EFSA MLs (p. 5).
Methods (brief)
54 samples (20 beverages, 18 processed cereals, 6 milk and dairy, 6 canned fish and meat, 4 table salt) collected January to December 2022 from Qena Governorate. Analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAnalyst 400, PerkinElmer) at the National Research Centre, Cairo. Liquid and dairy samples digested with 10% H2SO4; solid samples with 0.5 g mixed with 95% sulfuric acid. LOD: Pb 0.1 to 0.5 µg/kg, cadmium (Cd) 0.05 to 0.1 µg/kg, chromium (Cr) 0.2 to 0.5 µg/kg, As 0.3 to 1.5 µg/kg. Recovery 85 to 96%. Body weight used: 70 kg (adult).
Evidence fitness
Demonstrates that canned fish and meat products and processed cereals drive the majority of heavy metal dietary exposure in this Egyptian population context. The HQ below 1 for all metals provides reassurance that current intake levels do not individually exceed noncarcinogenic thresholds. However, the EDI for lead approached the EFSA guidance value (up to 0.688 µg/kg body weight per day vs. 0.5 µg/kg body weight per day benchmark dose). The study is relevant to benchmarking Egyptian canned food metal levels and comparing with regional baselines, but the small sample size per category limits statistical confidence.
Limitations
Small n per food category (2 to 20 samples). Single-governorate sampling. Adult-only EDI; vulnerable populations (children, pregnant women) not assessed. No EFSA Pb margin of exposure calculation reported despite Pb being the dominant metal.
Related evidence
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