Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : The issue of foodborne metal contamination has become increasingly concerning, particularly after a recent US Congressional Report exposed high levels of metals in certain food products, especially those targeted for infants. To further explore the connection between exposure to heavy metals in food and the associated health risks, including cancer, several studies are set to be presented at the 2023 Society for Risk Analysis Annual Conference. These studies aim to shed light on the need for measures to address and regulate metal contamination in the food supply chain, ensuring the well-being of consumers.
Food crops have the ability to absorb heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium from contaminated soil, air, and water sources. This phenomenon has raised alarm bells as traces of these dangerous metals have been detected in common foods, ranging from rice and cereals to nuts and spinach. In the first study, researchers conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the health risks associated with dietary exposure to lead, arsenic, and cadmium. They collected data on metal intake from various sources and analyzed the strength of the association between dietary exposure and adverse health effects. Both cancer and non-cancer health effects were considered, utilizing Bradford Hill Criteria scores.
Lead, a toxic metal found in various environmental sources, displayed moderate to high-risk scores for causing lung, kidney, bladder, stomach, and brain cancers. It also showed moderate to high scores for non-cancer risks, including hematopoietic, reproductive, neurological, renal, and respiratory effects. Arsenic, a naturally occurring toxic element, exhibited moderate to high scores for skin, bladder, lung, kidney, and liver cancers, as well as non-cancer risks such as skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, immunological, neurological, reproductive, developmental, and renal effects. Cadmium, present in various food sources like nuts and leafy green vegetables, revealed moderate to high-risk scores for prostate, renal, bladder, breast, pancreatic, and endometrial cancers, along with non-cancer risks including renal, developmental, reproductive, immunological, and neurological effects.
The second study focused on a quantitative cancer risk assessment for different food products containing inorganic arsenic in the United States. Preliminary estimates suggested that over 6,000 additional cases of bladder and lung cancers, as well as more than 7,000 cases of skin cancers, could be attributed to the consumption of inorganic arsenic in the US. Certain food products, including rice, wheat, and leafy green vegetables, were identified as having a higher cancer risk than others. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address and mitigate metal contamination in the food supply chain to protect consumers from the serious health implications, including various cancers and other non-cancer health effects.
The outcomes of these studies have significant implications for shaping food safety regulations, public health policies, and raising consumer awareness regarding the potential health risks associated with heavy metal exposure through dietary intake. It is crucial to implement measures that effectively address and regulate metal contamination in the food supply chain to ensure the well-being of consumers.