Objective To evaluate the dietary exposure levels of lead, cadmium, arsenic and chromium in Triticum aestivum L. in Anhui Province in 2023 and to evaluate dietary health risks combined with population consumption. Methods A total of 212 Triticum aestivum L. samples collected from Anhui Province in 2023 were analyzed for plumbum, cadmium, arsenic, and chromium content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The contamination status of the 4 kinds of elements was evaluated using the contamination index method. The margin of exposure (MOE) was used for plumbum exposure assessment, while the provisional tolerable monthly intake (PTMI) or benchmark dose level (BMDL) compared with dietary exposure, expressed as the margin of safety (MOS), was applied for cadmium and arsenic exposure assessment. For chromium, the dietary exposure (EXP) was calculated as a percentage of the tolerable daily intake (TDI). Results Among the 212 Triticum aestivum L. samples, As levels did not exceed the standard limits. The exceedance rates for cadmium, plumbum, and chromium were 1.89%, 1.42% and 7.55%, respectively. The single-factor contamination index for all elements was less than 1, indicating safety, while the comprehensive contamination index was 1.737, suggesting mild contamination. The average dietary exposure levels of plumbum, cadmium, and arsenic for residents of different age groups and cities in Anhui Province showed MOE and MOS values greater than 1, and the EXP/TDI percentage for chromium was less than 1. However, for high-exposure P97.5 populations, including children aged 13-36 months and 7-12 years, the EXP/TDI percentage for chromium exceeded 1. Similarly, in northern Anhui cities such as Fuyang, Huaibei, and Suzhou, the EXP/TDI percentage for Cr in high-exposure P97.5 populations also exceeded 1. Conclusion The exposure risk levels of plumbum, cadmium, arsenic, and chromium from Triticum aestivum L. consumption among Anhui residents are generally acceptable. However, special attention shall be given to children, adolescents, and high-exposure populations in Fuyang, Huaibei, and Suzhou.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |