Calcium Supplements: an Additional Source of Lead Contamination |
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Authors: | Sohaila Rehman Mohammad Adnan Nasir Khalid Lubna Shaheen |
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Institution: | (1) Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan;(2) Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan |
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Abstract: | The risk posed by the quantity of heavy metal lead present in Ca supplements is of grave concern. Some lead levels have been
measured up to the extent of regulatory limit set by the United States. Calcium supplements inevitably get contaminated with
lead as both are naturally occurring elements having the same charge density. Therefore, it is imperative to indicate the
level of this toxic metal in these supplements in order to create awareness among consumers. The calcium in the supplements
is derived from natural as well as synthetic/refined sources (chelated or non-chelated). In this study, a sophisticated analytical
technique, atomic absorption spectrometer (both with FAAS and GFAAS modes of atomization), was used for the purpose of analyzing
Pb contents in 27 commonly used Ca supplements manufactured by different national and multinational companies. The daily intake
of lead through these supplements was calculated. Only 10% of the calcium supplements analyzed met the criteria of acceptable
Pb levels (1.5 μg/daily dose) in supplements/consumer products set by the United States. It was also found that Pb intake
was highest in chelated calcium supplements whereas lowest through calcium supplements with vitamin D formulation. The Pb
concentration in calcium supplements was significantly increased (p < 0.001) according to their composition. In order to validate our results from the study conducted, IAEA-certified reference
material (animal bone, H-5) was analyzed for Pb levels. The limit of detection of the method used was 0.05 μg/g and a 95%
lead recovery of IAEA-certified reference material (animal bone, H-5). |
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