Research Article

Assessment of Health Risks for Heavy Metals in Imported Coffee Samples Available in Iraqi Markets

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to measure the heavy metal concentrations of Cr, Cd, and Pb in different foreign-brand instant coffee samples sold in Iraqi markets using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA-7000). Furthermore, the indicator risks of human health, such as Daily Intake Estimate (DIE), Target Hazard Ratio (THR), Hazard Indicator (HIn), and Risk of Cancer (RC), were evaluated for the whole analytical samples. The concentrations of Pb and Cr in the coffee samples, expressed in mg/kg, exhibited average values of 0.047 ± 0.008 and 0.030 ± 0.012, respectively. Cadmium (Cd) was not detected (N.D.) in any of the samples. The average value of HIn in coffee samples was 0.005 ± 0.001. The average values of the concentrations were 0.00004 ± 0.00001 for Pb, and for Cr was 0.10843 ± 0.043, but for Cd was N.D. Although certain concentration levels of Pb and Cr exceeded the limit regulations of the EU, the health risk indicators remained at internationally acceptable ranges. Accordingly, the main coffee samples examined do not pose any health risks to Iraqi consumers.