Aims: This study aimed to compare the concentrations of heavy metals in reindeer and cow meat and offal originating from the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Northwestern Russia, and to assess the risk to the health of the indigenous population associated with heavy metal intake due to the consumption of reindeer and cow.
Methods: Lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic concentrations were measured in 39 muscle, 15 liver, and 14 kidney samples from reindeer and 33, 18, and 12 corresponding samples from cow in 2014-2016 using atomic absorption spectrometry. Estimated daily intake of investigated heavy metals, hazard quotient, hazard index and cancer risk were calculated.
Results: Mean cadmium and mercury concentrations in reindeer liver and kidney exceeded the maximum permissible levels for bovine animals. However, the estimated daily intakes of heavy metals through consumption of reindeer and cow meat and offal were lower than tolerable daily intakes. Hazard quotient and hazard index values for heavy metals in reindeer and cow samples were <1. Hazard index values were in descending order: reindeer kidney (0.389)>reindeer muscle (0.382)>cow muscle (0.088)>reindeer liver (0.051)>cow kidney (0.012)>cow liver (0.004). The cancer risk related to the consumption of reindeer and cow meat and offal did not exceed acceptable levels.
Conclusions: There is no human health risk associated with heavy metal intake due to the consumption of reindeer and cow meat and offal originating from the Nenets Autonomous Okrug.
Keywords: Heavy metals; cow meat; kidney; liver; reindeer meat; risk assessment.