Heavy Metals in Mariam and Dabash Date Fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Collected from Dhaka City, Bangladesh and Associated Assessment of Public Health Risk

Heavy metals have become a prominent concern as they continue to emerge in our environment and food chain. This study was conducted to assess the contamination levels of specific heavy metals in two commonly consumed date fruit varieties, Mariam and Dabash, in Bangladesh during the month of Ramadan. The investigation raises significant concerns regarding the elevated metal concentrations of Cd and Ni in Mariam date fruits, which surpass the maximum permissible limit. However, it is worth noting that the average daily intake of these metals does not indicate any immediate serious health issues. While the ADI value for Pb approaches the marginal value for Provisional Maximum Tolerable Daily Intake (PMTDI), there is no evidence of immediate health risks. On the other hand, the hazard index data clearly indicates that Mariam date fruits from New Market pose health risks, as they exceed the hazard index value of 1. This suggests that continuous consumption of these fruits may have adverse effects on health. Regarding Dabash date fruits, the study reveals that they contain heavy metal concentrations of Ni and Cd, which exceed the maximum permissible limits in most samples, raising potential health risks. Nevertheless, the ADI, HQ, and HI data do not indicate any significant health issues, except for the nearly 1 HI value for Badamtali, which calls for attention from the appropriate authorities. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the contamination of heavy metals, particularly in Mariam date fruits from New Market and Dabash date fruits, may present health risks to consumers. While immediate health issues may not be evident, continuous consumption of these contaminated fruits could pose long-term health concerns. Therefore, it is crucial for the relevant authorities to address this matter promptly and take necessary measures to ensure food safety and protect public health.