Volume 18, Issue 2 (9-2025)
ijhe 2025, 18(2): 209-228 |
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Niknejad H, Manavipour E, Cheshmi M, Hasanzadeh V, Abedi Sarvestani R, Ahmadi F et al . Assessment of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of heavy metals in edible vegetable oils from Sabzevar, Iran. ijhe 2025; 18 (2) :209-228
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-7031-en.html
URL: http://ijhe.tums.ac.ir/article-1-7031-en.html
Hadi Niknejad1 
, Ehsan Manavipour2 , Musa Cheshmi2 , Vajihe Hasanzadeh2 , Roghayeh Abedi Sarvestani2 , Fatemeh Ahmadi2 , Mehrnoosh Abtahi *3
, Ehsan Manavipour2 , Musa Cheshmi2 , Vajihe Hasanzadeh2 , Roghayeh Abedi Sarvestani2 , Fatemeh Ahmadi2 , Mehrnoosh Abtahi *3
1- Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,mehrabtahi@yahoo.com
2- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract: (990 Views)
Background and Objective: Heavy metal contamination in vegetable oils is a major food safety concern due to its potential adverse effects on public health. This study aimed to measure the concentrations of heavy metals (As, Pb, Cu, and Fe) in various types of vegetable oils and to assess the associated health risks from human consumption.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 72 samples of vegetable oils—including sesame, sunflower, and rapeseed—were systematically collected from markets in Sabzevar. The oil samples were accurately weighed and digested using a mixture of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and hydrogen peroxide. The resulting digested solutions were filtered and analyzed for Pb, As, Cu, and Fe concentrations using microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES). All procedures were performed in triplicate, following national Iranian standards. To accurately evaluate health risks, the hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogenic effects and the lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) were calculated using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). A daily intake of 0.227 kg of vegetable oils was assumed, based on national dietary data, to estimate chronic exposure.
Results: The results showed that the highest levels of heavy metals in vegetable oils were as follows: Pb (0.058 mg/kg) in sesame oil, As (0.090 mg/kg) in sunflower oil, and Cu and Fe (0.143 mg/kg and 0.847 mg/kg, respectively) in rapeseed oil. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for Pb (THQ = 0.146), Cu (THQ = 0.022), and Fe (THQ = 0.01) were within the safe range. However, the THQ for As (THQ = 1.905) was found to be significantly elevated. The cancer risk assessment indicated that the consumption of these oils is generally within the acceptable risk range, but the risk associated with As was estimated to be approximately 100 times higher than that of Pb.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that, although the carcinogenic risk associated with vegetable oil consumption is low, continuous monitoring of these products—particularly for heavy metal contaminants—is essential to ensure consumer safety.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 72 samples of vegetable oils—including sesame, sunflower, and rapeseed—were systematically collected from markets in Sabzevar. The oil samples were accurately weighed and digested using a mixture of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and hydrogen peroxide. The resulting digested solutions were filtered and analyzed for Pb, As, Cu, and Fe concentrations using microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES). All procedures were performed in triplicate, following national Iranian standards. To accurately evaluate health risks, the hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogenic effects and the lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) were calculated using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). A daily intake of 0.227 kg of vegetable oils was assumed, based on national dietary data, to estimate chronic exposure.
Results: The results showed that the highest levels of heavy metals in vegetable oils were as follows: Pb (0.058 mg/kg) in sesame oil, As (0.090 mg/kg) in sunflower oil, and Cu and Fe (0.143 mg/kg and 0.847 mg/kg, respectively) in rapeseed oil. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) values for Pb (THQ = 0.146), Cu (THQ = 0.022), and Fe (THQ = 0.01) were within the safe range. However, the THQ for As (THQ = 1.905) was found to be significantly elevated. The cancer risk assessment indicated that the consumption of these oils is generally within the acceptable risk range, but the risk associated with As was estimated to be approximately 100 times higher than that of Pb.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that, although the carcinogenic risk associated with vegetable oil consumption is low, continuous monitoring of these products—particularly for heavy metal contaminants—is essential to ensure consumer safety.
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