Occurrence of potentially toxic elements in commercial tea products from South Africa and associated carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks

Abstract

Abstract Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in food and beverages may pose adverse health effects following long-term dietary exposure. This study determined the concentrations of aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in 22 commercially available tea products (14 black and 8 green teas) purchased in South Africa using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Aluminium and manganese were predominant elements, with mean concentrations of 3.799 ± 0.561 mg/kg and 6.379 ± 0.318 mg/kg, respectively. Cadmium, chromium, and lead occurred at trace levels in the µg/kg range, while arsenic was not detected. Concentrations in green tea were generally higher than those in black tea. Most elements were below recommended guideline values, whereas aluminium and manganese exceeded the reported permissible limits. Human health risk assessment indicated that the estimated daily intake values for all investigated elements were below their respective reference doses. The target hazard quotient and hazard index values were less than one for both adults and children, indicating no significant non-carcinogenic risk. Incremental lifetime cancer risk values were within acceptable limits, suggesting negligible carcinogenic risk associated with tea consumption. Nevertheless, children exhibited higher exposure levels than adults due to their lower body weight. Principal component analysis revealed distinct elemental associations, suggesting multiple natural and anthropogenic sources. Overall, consumption of the investigated tea products is unlikely to pose significant carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic health risks. Continued monitoring of potentially toxic elements in tea is recommended to support food safety management and consumer protection.