Hazard Potential Assessment of the Residual Heavy Metals (As, Pb, Cd) in Infused Black Tea Samples in Military Centers

Infused black tea is one of the conventional drinks in Iran. Soil contamination with heavy metals can lead to accumulation in tea and causes adverse health effects. This study investigated the hazard potential of the residual heavy metals (As, Pb, Cd) in infused black tea samples in military centers.

This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study conducted in 2019. Six brands of high-consumption tea samples in military centers, including three Iranian and three foreign brands selected and randomized triplicated 5 g samples collected from each brand. After twenty minutes of infusion in boiled distilled water, the concentrations of heavy metals measured using ICP-OES. The results analyzed using Excel and SPSS software (Ver. 13) and the hazard potential indices calculated by THQ, TR, and HI.

Heavy metals concentration in Iranian brands was higher than the foreign with no significant differences (P >0.05). The maximum and minimum concentrations of arsenic in foreign brands (Ahmad and Golestan) were 0.019, 0.011 mg/l and in Iranian Brands (Damaneh and Fumenate) were 0.021, 0.006 mg/l respectively. The maximum and minimum concentrations of cadmium in Golestan and Ahmad were 0.002 mg/l and non-detectable and in all of the Iranian brands were 0.002, 0.001 mg/l respectively. The maximum and minimum concentrations of lead in Golestan and Ahmad were 0.068, 0.006 mg/l and in Refah and Fumenate were 0.021, 0.006 mg/l respectively. Hazard potential including THQ, TR, and HI indices for all brands, was lower than the recommended guideline values (>1).

Concentrations of arsenic and lead in all of the samples were higher than the national standards and WHO Guidelines. However, the hazard potential of the residual metals based on the calculation of indicators was lower than the recommended values from points of health consequences.