The preliminary survey on the concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in salt samples collected from Tehran, Iran: a probabilistic health risk assessment

The present study aimed to assess the potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in refined, rock, and sea salt samples collected (n=60) from Tehran's local market by the aid of an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Besides, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for children and adults were estimated with the aid of the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method. The rank order of PTEs in refined salt was Pb (13.378 mu g/g) > Cu (6.448 mu g/g) > Zn (0.363 mu g/g) > As (0.184 mu g/g) > Hg (0.049 mu g/g); in sea salt was Pb (22.972 mu g/g) > Cu (3.963 mu g/g) > Zn (0.986 mu g/g) > As (0.387 mu g/g) > Hg (0.224 mu g/g); and in rock salt was Cu (31.622 mu g/g) > Pb (22.527 mu g/g) > Zn (0.638 mu g/g) > As (0.235 mu g/g) > Hg (0.095 mu g/g). It was concluded that the average concentration of some of the investigated PTEs was higher than the national standard limits and Codex's guidelines. A significant non-carcinogenic risk (TTHQ > 1), except for adult consumers, was noted based on the health risk assessment who consume refined salt. All consumers were also at the threshold carcinogenic risk of As (between 10(-4) and 10(-6)). Given the considerable health risks due to consumption (refined, rock, and sea salt), approaching effective monitoring plans to control the PTEs concentrations in salt distributed in Tehran are recommended.