Radionuclides and metal levels of sea, lake, and rock salts and health risk assessment: Türkiye

Abstract

Metals and radionuclides contaminate the food chain, entering the human body through nutrition. In this study, the levels of some radionuclides and metals in rock, lake, and sea salts, which are offered for sale in Türkiye and frequently consumed by individuals, were determined first. Then, the dietary exposure resulting from salt consumption was measured. Finally, target hazard quotient, hazard index, annual effective dose, total annual effective dose, and lifetime cancer risk values were calculated. Lake salts had the highest average levels of Al, Cr, Mn, Co, and As; rock salts had the highest average levels of Fe, Ni, and Zn; and sea salts had the highest average levels of Cu, Cd, and Pb. Table salts ranked as sea salt, lake salt, and rock salt based on the average levels of Ra, Th, and K. The hazard index values calculated for metal exposure from table salt consumption were consistently below 1, confirming that the investigated salt samples pose minimal health risks. The Ra, Th, and K concentrations determined in the table salt samples were detected to be lower than the limit values except for the 26 coded sea salt samples. According to the radionuclides and metal exposure levels, all table salts (except Sample 26) can be safely consumed by humans. This study provides evidence that table salts sold in Türkiye contain metals and radionuclides, which are both essential and non-essential for human metabolism, and that these contaminants are transferred to human metabolism through salt consumption.