Risk assessment of dietary exposure to perchlorate for the Austrian population

Vejdovszky, K; Grossgut, R; Unterluggauer, H; Inreiter, N; Steinwider, J

HERO ID

8336048

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2018

Language

English

PMID

29324080

HERO ID 8336048
In Press No
Year 2018
Title Risk assessment of dietary exposure to perchlorate for the Austrian population
Authors Vejdovszky, K; Grossgut, R; Unterluggauer, H; Inreiter, N; Steinwider, J
Journal Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, Chemistry, Analysis, Control, Exposure & Risk Assessment
Volume 35
Issue 4
Page Numbers 623-631
Abstract Perchlorate is frequently found as contaminant in a variety of food. Based on analytical data of perchlorate occurrence in food products from the Austrian market, this study calculated dietary perchlorate exposure of the Austrian population for the three age classes of adults, children and infants. Furthermore, a detailed risk assessment was conducted based on the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.3 µg/kg body weight/day, established by the European Food Safety Authority in 2014. Calculations of a scenario of average food consumption did not indicate elevated health risks by dietary perchlorate uptake. Exposure estimates reached only 12%, 26% and 24% of the TDI for adults, children and infants, respectively. However, in a scenario of high consumption, the TDI was exceeded by all age classes with 132%, 161% and 156%. The major cause for this exceedance is the comparatively high perchlorate contamination of spinach, but also other leaf vegetables, legumes and pineapples, leading to elevated exposure of high consumers. Our calculations reveal that the current provisional intra-Union trade reference level for perchlorate in spinach of 0.2 mg/kg, advocated by the European Commission, is not sufficient to protect high consumers against possible health risks. In order to reduce health risks to a tolerable level for all consumers, lowering of the regulatory maximum perchlorate concentrations is indicated. Moreover, a generally diversified diet can also counteract excessive exposure to perchlorate as well as to other harmful food contaminants.
Doi 10.1080/19440049.2018.1426889
Pmid 29324080
Wosid WOS:000428152800004
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English