Search

Forty-seven elements in leafy green vegetables were studied to estimate the daily intakes from this food category in different scenarios (average and high consumers) and age groups of the Canary Islands population. The contribution of the consumption of each type of vegetable to the reference intakes of essential, toxic and potentially toxic elements was assessed and the risk–benefit ratio was evaluated. The leafy vegetables that provide the highest levels of elements are spinach, arugula, watercress and chard. While spinach, chard, arugula, lettuce sprouts and watercress were the leafy vegetables with the highest concentrations of essential elements (38,743 ng/g of Fe in spinach, 3733 ng/g of Zn in watercress), the high levels of Mn in chard, spinach and watercress are noteworthy. Among the toxic elements, Cd is the element with the highest concentration, followed by As and Pb. The vegetable with the highest concentration of potentially toxic elements (Al, Ag, Be, Cr, Ni, Sr and V) is spinach. In average adult consumers, while the greatest contribution of essential elements comes from arugula, spinach and watercress, insignificant dietary intakes of potentially toxic metals are observed. Toxic metal intakes from the consumption of leafy vegetables in the Canary Islands do not show significant values, so the consumption of these foods does not pose a health risk. In conclusion, the consumption of leafy vegetables provides significant levels of some essential elements (Fe, Mn, Mo, Co and Se), but also of some potentially toxic elements (Al, Cr and Tl). A high consumer of leafy vegetables would see their daily nutritional needs regarding Fe, Mn, Mo, and Co covered, although they are also exposed to moderately worrying levels of Tl. To monitor the safety of dietary exposure to these metals, total diet studies on those elements with dietary exposures above the reference values derived from the consumption of this food category, mainly Tl, are recommended.

Scientific reports about elemental impurities in final pharmaceutical products are essential from a regulatory point of view; unfortunately, there is a lack of studies about this important toxicological topic. The aim of our short communication was determination of total Cr impurities in traditional herbal medicinal products (THMP) with Thymi herba (Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L.) available in Polish pharmacies (n = 6, because only six manufacturers produce this kind of pharmaceutical products in Poland). The total content of Cr impurities was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using electrothermal atomization (ETAAS). Applied comprehensive toxicological risk assessment was based on three main tiers: Tier 1, the comparison of raw results as total Cr impurities profile (metal per L of THMP) with ICH Q3D guideline standards; Tier 2, the estimation of total Cr exposure with a single dose; and Tier 3, the estimation of total Cr daily exposure. We confirmed that total Cr impurities were present in all analyzed THMP with thymi herba (the observed level was below 6.0 µg/L). Total Cr concentration in a single dose can be deceptively high in comparison to the raw results but is not a threat to patients (20.15–63.45 ng/single dose). Moreover, the estimation of total Cr daily exposure shows that all analyzed THMP are characterized by daily dose (40.30–181.41 ng/day) below PDE value (10,700 mg/day); hence, all products meet the standards of ICH Q3D elemental impurities guideline.

The objective of this study was to determine total mercury, lead and cadmium contents in commercial food for infants and small children marketed on the Sarajevo area of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and to estimate the toxicological risk associated with the consumption of food for infants and small children regarding mercury, lead and cadmium. A total of 30 samples were analysed. The content of lead and cadmium was analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Total mercury content was measured with a direct mercury analyser. The limits of cadmium, lead and inorganic mercury for infants and small children was calculated according to the dietary intake limits established by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and recommended body weights for European toddlers and infants. Overall, the contents of lead, mercury and cadmium in analyzed commercial food for infants and small children samples were considered quite low. Depending on the frequencies of daily usage the ready for use products for infants and small children there is the some circumstances in which exposure to lead and cadmium appeared to be of health concern.

For elemental impurities that have been studied for transcutaneous absorption, the available data are rarely suitable for proper toxicological risk assessment — there are multiple factors that can influence this dermal absorption. Hence, in our studies, we applied generic and conservative approach — cutaneous permitted daily exposure (CPDE) described in International Conference on Harmonisation’s Q3D Guideline on Elemental Impurities (ICH Q3D). The aim of this article is toxicological risk assessment (TRA) of dermal exposure of patients exposed to nickel and chromium due to application of ointments with Marjoram herb extract (Majoranae herbae extractum) available in Polish pharmacies (n = 5, because only five manufacturers produce this kind of pharmaceutical products in Poland). To make the appropriate TRA approach, we considered (1) raw results (metal per kg of ointment), (2) one-time administration of applied ointments, and (3) daily exposure versus CPDE. Due to the fact the concentrations of Ni generally present in cutaneous products as impurities are not considered sufficient to induce sensitization, the cutaneous and transcutaneous concentration limits (CTCLs) approach was applied for this element assessment. The toxicological analysis was carried out using microwave-assisted wet digestion with concentrated nitric acid and electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry. Our results show that the ointments with Marjoram herb extract from pharmacies in Poland represent a potential health hazard to patients; however, there may be a requirement for the monitoring of impurities of nickel in future. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first study about nickel and chromium content in ointments with Marjoram herb extract (Majoranae herbae extractum).

Shisha tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine-containing shisha mixtures are an alternative way of consuming nicotine with a potential reduction in toxicological risk apart from smoking cigarettes. The Federal Law of July 31, 2020 N 303-FZ «On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation on the Protection of Citizens’ Health from the Consequences of Consuming Nicotine-Containing Products» [1] equated the consumption of nicotine-containing products with the traditional use of tobacco. The absence of state regulation predetermines the relevance of conducting large-scale studies of both shisha tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine-containing shisha mixtures. The specificity of the product consumption in this segment is the production of a highly dispersed aerosol that occurs without the combustion / smoldering process. The variety of the ingredient composition of nicotine-containing shisha mixtures determines the consumer properties and the toxic load of the aerosol produced. Assessment of the toxic effects of an aerosol should take into account the concentration of the ingredients in the mixture, the nicotine content and their transfer to the aerosol. The methods for determining the composition of nicotine-containing products have been updated in the laboratory of technology for the production of tobacco products of the FSBSI RSRITTP [2] over the past years. The article presents the results of studies to determine the content of glycerin and propyl- ene glycol, which determine the consumer properties of the product and nicotine as the main factor that determines the potential level of toxic risk of the product in shisha tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine-containing shisha mixture. The result of the research: the dependence of the tasting assessment on the content of VG glycerin in the ingredient composition of the mixture has been revealed. Insufficient glycerin content is the reason for the weak ability to form a saturated dense aerosol. The content of nicotine in the studied samples of shisha mixture has been determined and transition of nicotine into aerosol has been established.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from unlined dumpsites have contributed significantly to the pollution of the environment. This study investigates the pollution level of unlined dumpsite by...

Children are highly vulnerable to chemical exposure. Thus, metal and metalloid in infant formulas are a concern, although studies in this regard are still relatively scarce. Thus, the presence of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, tin, mercury, lead, and uranium was investigated in infant formulas marketed in Brazil by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and the Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) and Target Cancer Risk (TCR) were calculated in to assess the potential risk of toxicity for children who consume these products continuously. Aluminum ranging from 0.432 ± 0.049 to 1.241 ± 0.113 mg·kg−1, arsenic from 0.012 ± 0.009 to 0.034 ± 0.006 mg·kg−1, and tin from 0.007 ± 0.003 to 0.095 ± 0.024 mg·kg−1 were the major elements, while cadmium and uranium were present at the lowest concentrations. According to the THQ, arsenic contents in infant formulas showed a THQ > 1, indicating potential health risk concerns for newborns or children. Minimal carcinogenic risks were observed for the elements considered carcinogenic. Metabolic and nutritional interactions are also discussed. This study indicates the need to improve infant formula surveillance concerning contamination by potentially toxic and carcinogenic elements.

Snacks or junk foods are a form of relatively small, packaged, ready-to-eat fast foods, usually taken not as a regular, but as a stopgap. However, contamination of snacks with trace elemental impurities may pose serious health risk to consumers. The main objective of the present study is to assess the toxicological risk of trace elements TEs (Co, Cu, Fe, and Zn) in commonly consumed snack/junk foods from Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Southwest, Nigeria. A total of sixty snack food samples were purchased and assayed in replicates for Co, Cu, Fe, and Zn using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Trace elements data were manipulated for simple descriptive and inferential statistics. The toxicological risk of metals was estimated for average daily dose (ADD), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR). Results showed Fe as the most abundant TE in the snacks showing insignificant mean concentrations (p > 0.05) varying from 38.10 ± 1.98 mg kg−1 (potato chip) to 71.25 ± 14.68 mg kg−1 (cashew nut). Cashew nut had the highest amounts of the TEs. The HQs of Co in all the snacks except corn flakes consumed by children were greater than the threshold limit of 1.0, indicating non-carcinogenic adverse effects. The CRs of Co in all the food samples exceeded the acceptable limit of 1.0 × 10−4, suggesting possible development of cancer by the consumers. Co is a trace metal of health issues in the snack/junk foods. This study therefore recommends periodic monitoring and toxicological assessment of metals in snacks, especially the raw materials and processing feedstocks.

Textiles, especially apparel, play an essential role in our daily life. Given that nearly everybody is in contact with clothes and other textiles 24 h a day, they have to be safe. Today’s manufacturing processes depend on the use of many different chemicals, including dyes. An ideal dye would stay within the fabric during use. However, most textile dyes are prone to leaching and wear-off. Ideally, the industry is trying to keep the respective release of dyestuffs as low as possible. Concomitantly, toxicological risk assessment has to evaluate whether the released amounts are safe based on the substance-inherent characteristics and expected levels of exposure. So far, assessments of the latter are mostly based on what little data is available. Although the use of worst-case scenarios makes systematic overestimation likely and thus warrants a sufficiently high level of consumer protection, existing data gaps should be filled in order to end this unsatisfactory situation. Hence, in a first step this paper compiles and analyzes available data on the migration of dyes from textile materials, dermal dye uptake, and possible reductive cleavage of azo dyes by the skin microbiome as well as the dermal uptake of the resulting cleavage products.

Plantago lanceolata L., folium (ribwort plantain) is an active pharmaceutical ingredient in traditional herbal medicinal products (THMP) available in pharmacies as a demulcent for the symptomatic treatment of oral or pharyngeal irritations and associated dry cough. This kind of THMP is widely applied among the European population; however, recently, voices have been heard in the public about alleged cadmium impurities. The idea of our study was a comprehensive risk assessment of the Cd impurity exposure and its effect on human health. Our assessment strategy was based on regulatory aspects (raw results versus limits set by FAO/WHO for herbal medicines) and toxicological risk assessment approach based on ICH Q3D guideline for elemental impurities in final pharmaceutical products. The cadmium was determined by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry based on our previously described methodology. Obtained results show that all analysed THMP with P. lanceolata L., folium available in the Polish pharmacies contain cadmium impurities, but at a very low level (ranged 0.73 – 20.6 μg/L). The content of Cd in a single dose (ng/single dose) is also very low and is not a threat to patients. The estimated maximum daily exposure (ng/day) of Cd based on the ‘worst-case scenario’ (maximum concentrations by oral administration) meets the standards of ICH Q3D guideline (all results were below oral permitted daily exposure; PDE for Cd, i.e. P. lanceolata L., folium should not represent any health hazard to the patients due to cadmium levels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study about Cd impurity level in THMP with P. lanceolata L., folium (ribwort plantain leaves) available in European pharmacies.

In silico approaches have been studied intensively to assess the toxicological risk of various chemical compounds as alternatives to traditional in vivo animal tests. Among these approaches, quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) analysis has the advantages that it is able to construct models to predict the biological properties of chemicals based on structural information. Previously, we reported a deep learning (DL) algorithm-based QSAR approach called DeepSnap-DL for high-performance prediction modeling of the agonist and antagonist activity of key molecules in molecular initiating events in toxicological pathways using optimized hyperparameters. In the present study, to achieve high throughput in the DeepSnap-DL system–which consists of the preparation of three-dimensional molecular structures of chemical compounds, the generation of snapshot images from the three-dimensional chemical structures, DL, and statistical calculations—we propose an improved DeepSnap-DL approach. Using this improved system, we constructed 59 prediction models for the agonist and antagonist activity of key molecules in the Tox21 10K library. The results indicate that modeling of the agonist and antagonist activity with high prediction performance and high throughput can be achieved by optimizing suitable parameters in the improved DeepSnap-DL system.

This paper aims to present the importance of the benchmark dose (BMD) as a point of departure (the lowest dose or concentration in the experiment that deviates from the response that differs from the normal response) in toxicological risk assessment, as well as to present commonly used software for its calculation (BMDS and PROAST). Benchmark dose is defined as a statistical lower confidence limit of a dose that results in a small change in effect (5-10%) in comparison with the control value. The BMD approach is considered a substitution for the NOAEL approach, which uses the highest observed no-effect level (NOAEL) to obtain the reference dose. The BMD approach is a methodically more forward-thinking technique than the NOAEL approach because it has statistical power and provides a wide range of dose-response relationships and allows the determination of their uncertainty and variability. Moreover, the BMD approach contributes to the reduction of experimental animals in toxicity studies. Therefore, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends the use of BMDL10values for quantal and BMDL05for continuous data. Cilj ovog rada je da predstavi značaj granične benchmark doze (engl. benchmark dose, BMD) kao polaznog doznog nivoa (najniže doze ili koncentracije u eksperimentu koja odstupa od normalnog odgovora) u toksikološkoj proceni rizika, kao i da prikaže najčešće korišćene softvere za njeno izračunavanje (BMDS i PROAST). Benchmark doza predstavlja statističku donju granicu pouzdanosti doze koja dovodi do malog povećanja efekta (5-10%) u odnosu na kontrolnu vrednost. Benchmark pristup predstavlja alternativu NOAEL (engl. no observed adverse effects level, NOAEL) pristupu, u kome se u svrhu dobijanja referentnih vrednosti koristi najviša doza koja ne izaziva štetan efekat. Benchmark pristup naučno je napredniji metod od tradicionalnog NOAEL pristupa, jer je statistički utemeljen, daje širok opseg podataka o odnosu doza-odgovor i omogućava kvantifikaciju njihove nesigurnosti i varijabilnosti. Takođe, BMD pristup doprinosi smanjenju broja eksperimentalnih životinja u toksikološkim studijama. Samim tim, Evropska agencija za bezbednost hrane (EFSA) preporučuje primenu doza BMDL10 za kvantalne i BMDL05 za kontinuirane podatke.

Los plaguicidas están entre las principales causas de intoxicación por sustancias químicas en Colombia. Entre ellos se cuentan herbicidas como el paraquat, el glifosato y el ácido 2,4-diclorofenoxiacético (2,4-D). Este último es uno de los herbicidas más usados en el mundo y la intoxicación por causa de este tiene una presentación similar a la intoxicación por inhibidores de la colinesterasa. El abordaje clínico de la intoxicación por 2,4-D es un reto para el primer respondiente, pues el cuadro sintomático es amplio dados los diferentes efectos de la sustancia, entre los que están el gastrointestinal, el metabólico, el renal, el neurológico, y, por supuesto, el toxicológico. Si bien la alcalinización urinaria es una piedra angular del manejo, cada vez hay más información sobre la efectividad y seguridad del uso de la hemodiálisis en casos graves. En este reporte se presentan los casos de dos pacientes con ingesta de 2,4-D, los únicos reportados en Colombia.

Hospitals' effluents contain a considerable amount of chemicals. Considering the significant volume of wastewater discharged by hospitals, the presence of these chemicals represents a real threat to the environment and human health. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo and in vitro genotoxicities of three wastewater effluents collected from Tunisian hospitals. The liver of Swiss albino male mice, previously treated with different doses of the hospital wastewaters, was used as a model to detect DNA fragmentation. Our results showed all the hospital effluents caused significant qualitative and quantitative hazards in hepatic DNA. The wastewater collected from Sfax hospital exhibited the highest genotoxic effect, which may be explained by the presence in this effluent of some toxic micropolluants. There was a significant increase in genotoxicity, proportionally to the concentration of effluent. However, the vitotox assay did not show any significant genotoxicity on Salmonella typhimurium TA104 in the presence or absence of microsomal fraction S9. The ratio gentox/cytox was lower than the threshold 1.5. This study assessed the toxicological risk issued from Tunisian hospital wastewaters, which is potentially very harmful, and it has been pointed out that wastewater treatment requires special attention.

The aim of this paper was to determine the concentration of heavy metals in three commercial mushroom species: Agaricus bisporus Imbach, Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) P.Kumm. and Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler in Croatia and calculate the estimation of toxic metals inputs and contribution to toxicological values. Twenty samples of each mushroom species were selected randomly. Heavy metal analysis were carried out on an optical emission spectrophotometer with inductively coupled plasma - ICP-OES. Mercury concentration was determined on the mercury analyzer AMA-254 by direct combustion of samples in a rich oxygen atmosphere. Statistical analysis of results was carried out using software package SAS V9. The highest average concentration of iron (60.04 mg*kg-1), zinc (53.64 mg*kg-1), copper (7.06 mg*kg-1) and mercury (2.27 μg*kg-1) was determined in Agaricus bisporus. Significantly (P

Am Beispiel von Resorcinol, einem weitverbreiteten Haarfarbstoff, stellt dieser Ubersichtbeitrag dar, wie die Daten zur Hautsensibilisierung und Hautexposition aus der SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety) opinion (Wissenschaftliches Berater-Gremium bei der Europaischen Union [EU]) und aus anderen Quellen verwendet werden, um eine quantitative Risikobewertung (QRA) durchzufuhren. Hierbei wird bewertet, welche Konzentration in Haarfarbprodukten maximal eingesetzt werden kann, ohne dass die Neuentstehung einer Hautsensibilisierung zu erwarten ist. Hierbei liegt der Fokus darauf, die Entstehung (Induktion) einer Kontaktallergie zu vermeiden. Epidemiologische Daten zur Kontaktallergie gegen Resorcinol – wie sie z. B. in Deutschland vom IVDK (Informationsverbund Dermatologischer Kliniken) erarbeitet werden, sind dabei eine wichtige Informationsquelle, die hilft, die Qualitat und Effektivitat des QRA zu beurteilen.

The paper proposes that risk assessment and regulatory positions applied in the United States for radiological sources and chemical toxicological agents are similar, primarily as a result of what the exposed populations expect. They expect a world where it is unlikely that they will experience harmful deterministic effects from exposure. They also expect lifetime exposures to be controlled so risks from stochastic effects like cancer are at levels as low as reasonably achievable. If people choose exposure as with employment or require exposure to diagnose or treat disease, they will tolerate higher exposures. Members of the public exposed involuntarily will generally not accept exposures above the thresholds for detrimental effects and expect risks of cancer and other stochastic effects to be as rare as before introduction of the source. As with the occupationally exposed, anxieties of the general public about exposure may be mitigated by genuinely recognising their concerns and providing clear answers to their questions.

Mutations induced in somatic cells and germ cells are responsible for a variety of human diseases, and mutation per se has been considered an adverse health concern since the early part of the 20th Century. Although in vitro and in vivo somatic cell mutation data are most commonly used by regulatory agencies for hazard identification, that is, determining whether or not a substance is a potential mutagen and carcinogen, quantitative mutagenicity dose-response data are being used increasingly for risk assessments. Efforts are currently underway to both improve the measurement of mutations and to refine the computational methods used for evaluating mutation data. We recommend continuing the development of these approaches with the objective of establishing consensus regarding the value of including the quantitative analysis of mutation per se as a required endpoint for comprehensive assessments of toxicological risk. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 61:34-41, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The current study was aimed to investigate the effect of acetylsalicylic acid on pigeon birds. For this purpose healthy pigeons of different weights were randomly selected from Bio-Park University of Malakand and then placed it in different groups on the basis of their weighs. To observe the effect, different doses of acetylsalicylic acid were administered orally to each group of pigeons except one group which was kept as un-medicated (control group). Blood samples were collected from individual pigeon of each group periodically i.e. before medication, during medication and after medication and were analyzed for glucose, cholesterol, alanine amino tranferase (ALT) and uric acid. Blood hematology was also performed for each individual pigeon from all the groups. A significant decrease was observed in glucose and ALT level, while the cholesterol and uric acid level was increased. Likewise to glucose, reasonable increase was observed in total red blood cells count (TRBCs), Hematocrit value (HCT), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), Mean corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and platelets count, while the Hemoglobin (Hb%) and total leukocyte count (TLC) level was decreased. Overall huge toxic effect of acetylsalicylic acid was recorded in pigeons; therefore it should be used carefully in veterinary medicines especially for the treatment of temperature and pain in game birds.

The levels of toxic metals (Al, Cd, Pb) and trace metals (B, Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr, Zn) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in the muscle (sirloin and chuck) and liver from a total of 180 samples of steers (less than 2 years old) (Bos taurus) of foreign and local origin slaughtered on the island of La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain). As regards toxic metals, Al was the metal with the highest contents in both tissues of the foreign steers (3.75 mg/kg in the muscle and 55.3 mg/kg in the liver) and the local steers (5.60 mg/kg in the muscle and 8.65 mg/kg in the liver). In conclusion, the present study confirmed that beef is a source of trace elements, mainly Fe and Zn. In addition, the consumption of this type of beef did not show significant intakes of toxic metals (Al, Cd, and Pb) and, therefore, the consumption of the steer muscle and liver does not pose a toxicological risk for Spanish consumers.

Penicillium nalgiovense is not used intentionally by the dairy industry although it is a well-known species for meat products. The aim of this study was to select P. nalgiovense strains characterized in their genetic diversity, based on their ability to grow on the surface of a stuffed cheese and produce the lowest amounts of penicillin in that product. The most suitable strain was used to develop an innovative cheese, which was characterized (physicochemical properties and penicillin content) and subjected to sensory evaluation. ISSR cluster analysis showed low genetic diversity and all strains were able to express penicillin on synthetic media at 25 °C. Three out 20 P. nalgiovense strains were selected to inoculate stuffed cheeses elaborated with commercial melted cheese. The products were ripened at 12 °C and 90% r.h. for 14 days and then preserved at 5 °C. The three strains gave a homogeneous covering surface. Strain C5 showed the lowest penicillin production; thus, it was selected to inoculate stuffed cheese elaborated with semi-hard cheese mass. This novel stuffed cheese is feasible and the amount of penicillin produced does not represent a toxicological risk. This product presented high acceptance scores for the attributes flavor, texture, and overall acceptability.

Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soybean) has been mentioned as a potential accumulator of hazardous metals, such as Pb. The main route of human exposure to heavy metals is consumption. This study evaluates Pb accumulation in soybean at different growth stages. The aim was to determine the period of the crop development when absorption and distribution mostly occur. Soybean plants were grown in control and Pb-polluted soils in a greenhouse experiment. Morpho-physiological parameters and Pb content in organs were analyzed. Results showed that Pb affected the biomass of roots and plant height, with the highest Pb accumulation occurring in the roots and with low translocation to aerial organs. Moreover, Pb accumulation and distribution occurred before grain filling, the crop critical period. Soybean seeds accumulated Pb above permissible values, but with no associated toxicological risk. Furthermore, pods showed higher Pb values ​​than seeds, suggesting a protective effect.

The monitoring of food contamination by trace elemental impurities (TEIs) are major health challenges in developing countries. The present study evaluated the content and toxicological risk assessment of TEIs in commonly consumed snack/junk foods from Ogun State, Nigeria. TEIs (Pb and Cr) were determined in sixty snack food samples purchased from Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria. The TEIs were analysed in quadruplicates using atomic absorption spectrometry with flame atomization. TEI data were subjected to simple descriptive and inferential statistics. The toxicological risk assessment of TEIs was evaluated for hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR) using the United States Environmental Protection Agency-Integrated Risk Information System (USEPA-IRIS) model. Data showed the varying Pb levels of 8.22 ± 1.57 mg/kg in sausage to 12.25 ± 4.27 mg/kg in cocoyam chips higher than the permissible limit of the Codex Alimentarius of the Joint World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization. The toxicological risk assessment revealed the HQs greater than 1.0 for Pb and Cr in most snack foods consumed by adults and children, indicating adverse health problems. The CRs of Pb (children) and Cr (adults and children) also breached the acceptable limit of 1.0 × 10−4, signifying possible lifetime development of cancer. It is therefore necessary to periodically monitor the TEIs in snacks to protect the public health.