Proceedings of International Conference on Applied Innovation in IT
2025/12/22, Volume 13, Issue 5, pp.687-692

Trace Element Risk Assessment in Medicinal Herbal Oils


Taif Muayad Jaleel and Muhanad Alrakabi


Abstract: This paper highlights the need for regular monitoring of heavy metal levels in herbal oils, as it assessed concentrations of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, U, Zn) in nine herbal oil samples including olive, sesame, castor, peppermint and sidr oils, along with blends for joints, hair, colon health, and antibacterial use. Samples were analyzed using ICP-OES to determine metal levels. Health risk assessments were conducted through the computation of the Cancer Risk (CR), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), based on recommended intake rates (Chinese Pharmacopoeia) and WHO body weight standards. Results showed uranium had the highest mean concentration (0.501 ppm), with other metals averaging below 0.03 ppm. All calculated EDI values were significantly below respective PTDI limits, suggesting low non-carcinogenic risk. HQ values for individual elements and cumulative HI remained well below the threshold of 1, indicating safe exposure levels. However, CR values for lead exceeded the widely accepted lifetime cancer risk benchmark of 1×10⁻⁶ set by the World Health Organization (WHO) in some samples, indicating a potential concern associated with long-term exposure. These findings highlight the need for routine monitoring and stricter regulation of heavy metal content, particularly uranium, in herbal oil preparations to ensure consumer safety and reduce potential long-term health risks.

Keywords: Herbal Oil, Heavy Metal, ICP-OES, Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Cancer Risk.

DOI: Under indexing

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