Risk Profiling of Exposures to Potentially Toxic Metals PTM(S) Through Noodles Consumption. A Case Study of Human Health Risk Assessment

This study aimed to quantify levels of the toxic heavy metals metalloid arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in commercially available noodles. Analysis was performed via the acid microwave digestion method followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Furthermore, the potential health risks resulting from the consumption of noodles by polish consumers were evaluated using the estimated average daily intake of heavy metals (ADIHMs; µg·kg⁻¹ bw·day⁻¹). Additionally, to assess the potential health consequences due to noodle consumption, the total hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk (CR) were calculated. The average contents of Pb, As, Cd, and Hg in instant noodle samples were determined as 9.241, 8.483, 29.39, and 1.661 µg·kg⁻¹, respectively. THQ values for heavy metal toxicity were found to be below 1, indicating that the consumer is not exposed to carcinogenic health risks associated with the analyzed metals. Additionally, the rank order of max THQ was Pb < Cd < As < Hg, and the mean THQ was Pb < Hg < As < Cd, while both the max and mean CR rank orders were Pb < Cd < As.