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 μg/g) > Cu (6.448 μg/g) > Zn (0.363 μg/g) > As (0.184 μg/g) > Hg (0.049 μg/g); in sea salt was Pb (22.972 μg/g) > Cu (3.963 μg/g) > Zn (0.986 μg/g) > As (0.387 μg/g) > Hg (0.224 μg/g); and in rock salt was Cu (31.622 μg/g) > Pb (22.527 μg/g) > Zn (0.638 μg/g) > As (0.235 μg/g) > Hg (0.095 μg/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.