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The contamination of cadmium (Cd) in agro-products causes major concern because of its potential dietary risks. In this study, a total of 647 pepper samples from 21 provinces in China were randomly collected according to the distribution of pepper production. Cd pollution levels in Chinses pepper and its health risks were evaluated based on bioaccessibility, which was measured by the physiologically based extraction test (PBET). The results showed that Cd concentration in all pepper ranged from 0.002 to 1.470 mg/kg, with an average of 0.222 mg/kg and a median of 0.132 mg/kg. The highest daily intake of Cd was observed in the female child group (4.037 × 10−5 mg/kg bw/day), which accounted for 4% of the maximum daily permissible dose – 0.001 mg/kg bw/day. The target hazard quotients of Cd were all lower than 1, indicating low potential non-carcinogenic health risks to residents via the consumption of pepper. Notably, carcinogenic risk values suggested potential adverse health effects to adults, while after considering the bioaccessibility of Cd in pepper (mean of 43.07%), those values had fallen under the acceptable level (1 × 10−4). This may indicate that dietary risk assessment of heavy metals in crops could not be conducted just based on their content; the bioaccessibility of metals is also an important factor for consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the karst areas of southwest China, soil fluoride levels are higher than in China (478 mg kg−1) and world (200 mg kg−1). High levels of F in the environment might pose a health risk to humans. The comprehensive exposure risk must be studied in this area. Herein, samples of crops and soil were collected from Bijie City, a typical karst area in southwest China, to investigate the pollution level and evaluate the comprehensive F exposure risk. The single-factor index (P Fw) and the geological accumulation index (I geo) were used. The hazard index (HI) was applied to assess exposure risk from multiple exposure routes. The results revealed that there is considerable F contamination in soil and crops in the study area. Average soil total fluorine (Ft) was 1139.13 mg kg−1, and soil water soluble F (Fw) was 3.792 mg kg−1. In corn, rice, wheat, and potatoes, F contents were 1.167–9.585, 1.222–6.698, 1.587–9.976, and 1.797–9.143 mg kg−1, respectively. The mean values of HI were 4.45 and 2.42 for children and adults, respectively, > 1, showing potential health risk exists. Youngsters are at a greater exposure risk than adults. From the results of contribution ratios of different exposure routes for health risk, the major exposure risk was determined to be from soil exposure. Based on this, we suggest that risk managers mainly strive to control the soil fluoride level and implement the risk education and communication. [Display omitted] • Serious soil F contamination exists in the Bijie area. • Comprehensive health risk assessment of F conducted for local residents. • Children are more prone to F exposure than adults. • Major F exposure risk is from soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]