S Sobhanardakani - PhD, Department of Environment, School of Basic Sciences, Hamedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran

Aims Spices are sources of many bioactive compounds that can improve the taste of foodas well as affecting the digestion and metabolism. Along with that, they may also containsome substances as heavy metals, which have harmful effects on the body. The aim of presentstudy was to assess the potential health risk of Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn contents of cardamom, currypowder and turmeric in Hamedan City, Iran.Instrument & Methods 18 industrially packaged and weighted spice samples (cardamom,curry powder and turmeric) belonging to 6 famous brands were bought from differentsupermarkets of Hamedan City, Iran, in 2015. The human health risks posed by chronicexposure to the heavy metals were assessed by computing the average daily intake of metal.The health risk index (HRI) for the local population through the consumption of spice wasassessed using DIM/RfD formula. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, DMS post-hoc, TukeyHSD and Pearson’s correlation coefficient tests.Findings Cr was detected in spice samples in 0.08-1.67mg/kg, Cu 0.05-1.28mg/kg, Fe 1.04-6.89mg/kg and Zn 0.40-2.25mg/kg. The mean concentration of Cu, Fe and Zn were lowerthan MPL. The DIM values for the examined spice samples were below the recommended values.Conclusion The levels of Cr, Cu, Fe and Zn are less than the MPL in cardamom, curry powderand turmeric in Hamedan City, Iran.

Metals, Heavy; Spices; Food Safety; Health Status Indicators; Adverse Effects