Assessment of Heavy Metals in Biscuit Samples Available in Iraqi Markets

Baby foods contain these toxic heavy metals which occur naturally or from pollution in the environment. The purpose of this research is to investigate the concentration of heavy metals in the biscuit samples that are commonly used in Iraq as food babies. The concentrations of three metals viz zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) are measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy (Buck Scientific/USA, 210 VGA). Health risk parameters such as Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotients (THQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Carcinogenic Risk (CR), are determined. The average values of the concentrations of Zn, Pb, and Cd in these samples of biscuits are 0.584 ± 0.099 mg/kg, 0.066 ± 0.008 mg/kg, and 0.205 ± 0.011 mg/kg, respectively, while the average values of HI and CR × 10^-6 for all samples are 0.768 ± 0.040 and 1.94 ± 0.25, respectively. On the basis of comparing these elements, the study finds that the average value of Zn is dominating with the highest concentration, followed by Cd, and Pb. This is relied on the statistical examination that revealed a weak correlation and no significance (p > 0.05) in the amounts of these heavy metals in all samples. The concentrations of Cd, in seven samples, are relatively higher than their permissible limits according to FAO/WHO (0.2 mg/kg). Conversely, the concentrations of Zn and Pb are lower than their permissible limits which was 9.4 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively. The values of health risk parameters for Zn, Pb, and Cd for all samples do not surpass their permissible intake limits according to FAO/WHO, Therefore, it is concluded that the overall estimated healthy risk, due to the heavy metals, is safe since it is within the permissible limits; thus, there are no concerns for a baby who consume biscuit consistently daily.