Wednesday, 25 May 2016
Evaluation of the exposure of the Irish population to metals of toxicology via diet and drinking water
In recent years, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has adopted several opinions on the risks to health associated with dietary exposure to certain metals of toxicological importance, including aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.
This report provides an overview of the geochemical and food occurrence of aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury in Ireland. It describes the health hazards, effect levels and health-based guidance values (HBGV) as established by EFSA and other international bodies.
The findings of this study indicate that, in general, risks from dietary exposure to the metals under consideration are of low concern for the adult and child populations in Ireland.
The FSAI has provided advice on fish consumption for children, pregnant women and women of reproductive age with regard to mercury exposure and consumption advice relating to arsenic in Hijiki seaweed and rice milk.
