Lead, Cadmium, and Arsenic in Edible Tissues of Guinea Pigs Raised in the Central Andes of Peru: Potential Human Health Risk?

TL;DR

This study found that guinea pig meat from the Peruvian Andes contains low levels of toxic metals and poses no health risk to humans.

Contribution

First analysis of toxic metal accumulation in guinea pig tissues in the context of mining and wastewater exposure in the Central Andes.

Findings

Lead accumulated most in the heart, cadmium in the liver, and arsenic in the kidneys, but all were below harmful levels in meat.

Risk assessments showed no health threat from consuming guinea pig meat for Peruvians aged 2 to 85.

Cancer risk values were within acceptable limits, supporting safe food production in the region.

Abstract

This pioneering study analyzed, for the first time, the presence of toxic metals and metalloid content in guinea pig meat and its relationship with its chemical composition in the context of exposure to mining contamination and wastewater irrigation in the Central Andes of Peru. The findings indicate that although lead (Pb) accumulated in greater quantities in the heart, cadmium (Cd) was higher in the liver, and arsenic (As) was higher in the kidneys, with accumulation observed in specific organs, the levels in the meat remained within permissible limits and did not pose a risk to the health of the Peruvian population between 2 and 85 years of age. These results are critical for the regulation of toxic metals and metalloid contamination in food production in the Central Andes of Peru, contributing to food security and public health in the region.

Toxic metals and metalloids food contamination is a source of health risks; this study evaluated lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (AS) contamination in the meat, liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs of guinea pigs raised on a farm near a mini mineral concentrator and with pastures irrigated with wastewater in the Central Andes of Peru. The risk of consuming these elements was estimated in the Peruvian population aged 2 to 85 years, whose consumption is 660 g/per capita/year. The quantification of Pb, Cd, and As was carried out via Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry. The heart had 3.3, 4.3, 7.3, and 81 times more Pb than the liver, lung, kidneys, and meat. The liver had 1.02, 2.22, 9.15, and 722.5 times more Cd than the kidneys, heart, lungs, and meat, respectively. The kidneys had 1.16 and 1.72 times more As than the liver and heart, respectively. The Target Hazard Quotient (TQH) and Hazard Index (HI) for Pb, Cd, and As, were <1 in the entire population, and there was no risk from their consumption. The cancer risk values found in the study are within the tolerated ranges. The findings expand the scientific basis for the safe and innocuous production of guinea pigs in the Central Andes of Peru and provide evidence to establish limits on water, soil, pastures, and agri-food products.

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