Cent Eur J Public Health 1998, 6(2):136-139
Metals food intake in population living in a non-ferrous metallurgical area from Transylvania
- Institute of Public Health, Cluj, Romania
This paper reports the levels of lead, cadmium and copper in common foods ingested by the population in Zlatna, Alba district, a non-ferrous metallurgical area of Transylvania. Metal levels were analysed in food samples obtained from individual members of households, by atomic absorption spectroscopy with flame atomisation. Dietary metal intake was assessed by evaluating the composition of the food intake using the mean values from each flood analysed. Evaluation was carried out in six zones with different soil pollution previously established. The mean lead levels exceeded the maximum admissible level of the Romanian health protection law in the following groups of foods: vegetables with 5 % carbohydrates, bacon and sausages, meat and milk and dairy products. Copper values were within the normal range. Cadmium levels exceeded maximum admissible levels in meat and milk and dairy products. The daily lead intake in children 6-9 years old was in the different zones, between 0.302 and 0.725 mg/day with mean value of 0.507 mg/day, exceeding by 100 % the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) which is 0.250 mg/day. In adults the intake was between 0.571 and 1.267 mg/day with a mean value 0.793 mg/day exceeding PTDI by 60 %. Daily copper intake in both children and adults was consistent with recommended daily requirements. Daily cadmium intake in children was between 0.041 and 0.098 mg/day with a mean value of 0.057 mg/day, and in adults it was between 0.072 and 0.163 with a mean of 0.099, exceeding the PDTI (0.035 mg/day in children and 0.070 in adults). The daily lead and cadmium intake were higher in populations living in a non-ferrous metallurgical area, as mast common foods were home produced.
Published: June 1, 1998 Show citation