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. 2024 Feb 28;13(5):742.
doi: 10.3390/foods13050742.

Do You Know What You Drink? Comparative Research on the Contents of Radioisotopes and Heavy Metals in Different Types of Tea from Various Parts of the World

Elżbieta Grządka  1 , Anna Bastrzyk  2 , Jolanta Orzeł  1 , Agata Oszczak-Nowińska  3 , Bartłomiej Fliszkiewicz  3 , Mateusz Siemieniuk  4 , Krzysztof Sobczyński  4 , Olgierd Spławski  4 , Katarzyna Gołębiowska  1 , Oskar Ronda  4 , Bartłomiej Michał Cieślik  4
Affiliations

Do You Know What You Drink? Comparative Research on the Contents of Radioisotopes and Heavy Metals in Different Types of Tea from Various Parts of the World

Elżbieta Grządka et al. Foods. .

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the potential health risks of radioactive elements and heavy metals ingested through the consumption of various types of tea imported to the Polish market (black, green, red, oolong and white). The concentrations [Bq/kg] of radionuclides (40K, 137Cs, 226Ra, 210Pb and 228Th) in tea leaves before and after brewing were measured using γ-ray spectrometry with high-purity germanium (HPGe). The concentrations [mg/kg] of the studied elements (Fe, Cr, Cu, Mo, Al, Mn, Ni, P, V, Cd and Pb) were determined using a microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometer (MIP-OES). The results presented here will help to expand the database of heavy metals and radioactivity in teas. With regard to the potential health risk, the percentage of leaching of individual elements in different types of tea infusions was determined, and the assessment of the consumption risk was estimated. Since the calculated exposure factors, namely the HQ (Hazard Quotient) and THQ (Target Hazard Quotient), do not exceed critical levels, teas can still be considered health-beneficial products (most of the radionuclides as well as elements remain in the leaves (65-80%) after brewing).

Keywords: health risk assessment; heavy metals; radioisotopes; tea.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Activities of radioactive elements in black teas from Sri Lanka before and after the brewing process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Activities of radioactive elements in green teas from different parts of the world before and after the brewing process.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Element contents in black teas from Sri Lanka.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Element contents in green teas from different parts of the world.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Changes in the element contents after brewing different types of tea.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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