Assessing Health Risks of Heavy Metals in Juices and Soft Drinks in Baghdad, Iraq, and their Impact on Human Health

Abstract

The current study assessed the levels of health risks resulting from exposure to concentrations of some heavy metals (Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu) found in juices and soft drinks that are consumed daily and available in local markets in Baghdad/Iraq. 45 samples of these products were collected and luminiu using by ICP-OES device. The results showed that most of the concentrations in these measured samples were within the permissible limits according to World Health Organization standards, while the concentrations of some elements recorded slightly high levels. Such as silver (Ag), which reached (0.54) parts per million, and the concentration of luminium (Al) in Fresh powder juice reached (0.46) parts per million in Rani juice, and the average concentration and standard deviation reached For silver (Ag) (0.2746 ± 0.15857), which is higher than the permissible limit set by the World Health Organization (0.1), and the P-Value (0.0916) was greater than 0.05, unlike the other elements, the values were less than the permissible limit previously. The World Health Organization (WHO) also calculated the daily intake dose (DID) and hazard index (HQ) for the subjects taken and studied. The results of the study showed that some of the permissible reference doses for some elements, such as silver and aluminium, were exceeded, which indicates the presence of potential health risks. The current study also recommended the importance of following up on these food products and strengthening control over them, especially for juices and soft drinks, in order to avoid potential health risks that could occur. To which consumers are exposed.