Title of article :
Evaluating the Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Copper levels in certain imported tea samples consumed in iran
Author/Authors :
Nasri, Fariborz Department of Chemistry - College of Science - Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kurdistan, Iran , Amini, Nader Kurdistan Environmental Health Research Center - Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran , Mohammadi, Parham Department of Chemistry - College of Science - Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kurdistan, Iran
Abstract :
Seven majorly consumed brands of several teas (A1, A2, M1, M2, S, D, and C teas) were selected for the present study. In this study, the heavy metal contents including copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb) were assessed in the black tea samples consumed in Iran. The content of the heavy metals in the samples was analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Notably, the minimal amount of As (0.043 ± 0.006 ppm), Pb (0.040 ± 0.005 ppm), Cd (0.016 ± 0.001 ppm), and Cu (5.36 ± 0.49 ppm) concentrations were found in the M1, S, M2, and M2 teas, respectively;
whereas, the maximal amount of As (0.287 ± 0.007 ppm), Pb (0.228 ± 0.002 ppm), Cd (0.101 ± 0.040
ppm), and Cu (37.4 ± 0.53 ppm) concentrations were found in the D, A1, M1, and D teas, respectively. Considering the present safety standards, the tea versions selected in this study were determined to be fit and safe for human consumption.
