Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements in Tea Beverages Prepared by Vendors Within Bayero University kano Old Campus: Implications for Public Health
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide, making contamination by potentially toxic metals a public health concern. This study determined the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (CD), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) in five commercially available tea brands sold around Bayero University Kano (BUK) Old Campus, Nigeria, and assessed their transfer into tea infusions and associated health risks. Maximum concentrations in dry tea were 0.72 mg/kg (As), 0.21 mg/kg (Cd), 3.88 mg/kg (Cr), 3.84 mg/kg (Ni), and 3.85 mg/kg (Pb), while maximum concentrations in tea infusions were 0.024, 0.00080, 0.044, 0.05180, and 0.01060 mg/L, respectively. Transfer rates ranged from 14.0–27.8% (As), 14.0–19.0% (Cd), 35.2–64.2% (Cr), 28.1–67.5% (Ni), and 11.9–13.8% (Pb). Significant differences in mean metal concentrations were observed (p < 0.05), and Pearson correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations among Cr, Ni, and Cd, indicating possible common sources or similar accumulation behavior. Estimated daily intakes were below their respective oral reference doses, while hazard quotients and hazard indices (4.56 × 10⁻²–2.68 × 10⁻¹) remained below 1, indicating negligible non-carcinogenic risk. However, total cancer risks (3.39 × 10⁻⁵–7.45 × 10⁻⁴) exceeded acceptable lifetime limits for some tea brands, suggesting a potential carcinogenic risk from long-term consumption.
Source: International Journal of Health
DOI: 10.14419/4ddtg274
Institutions: Bayero University Kano, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa
Language: English
Topic: Heavy Metals in Plants
Subfield: Analytical Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7225082495