Theoretical study of the intake of trace elements (nutrients and contaminants) via total diet in some geographical areas of Spain

The aim of this study was to monitor exposure to heavy metal contaminants from habitual diets and to estimate the health risk for the consumer by comparing the analyzed content with the acceptable daily intake (ADI). This study is based on the household consumption as assessed by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) and our department. The number of food groups (237) consumed by the population (national and the 17 Autonomy Communities) is considered. A list of the metal content of foods is included. The data were collected from reports issued by the Ministry of Health, other official organizations, and from specialized literature. The results show that the intakes of arsenic (0.019 mg/person/d), mercury (0.004 mg/person/d), and lead (0.082 mg/person/d) do not reach the ADI, but that of cadmium exceeds the ADI in some geographical areas. The intake of zinc and chromium does not exceed the dietetic recommendations.