Screening for Heavy Metals in Tea Leaves from Bangladesh Using X-Ray Fluorescence

Trace metal contamination is a global health issue. This study evaluated boxed and loose-leaf tea from Bangladesh using Handheld X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer for lead other metals to rapidly screen as potential hot spot of heavy exposure. Of the 33 elements measured, several priority pollutants were below limit detection (LOD) in all samples, including (LOD 2.17 mg/kg) arsenic 1.68 mg/kg). Loose-leaf samples had higher copper (1.5-fold), zinc (1.3-fold), manganese (1.8-fold) concentrations compared tea. Estimated daily intake (EDI) was calculated three assumed extractability levels, 20%, 50%, 100%, assuming concentration at LOD. The EDI ranged 0.008 µg/kg/bw day 0.041 adult males 0.010 0.049 females. Based on these tested not likely primary source exposure two sampled areas, Sirajdikhan Pabna. Future research can evaluate processing steps why some tea, copper, zinc, manganese. Other sources could be preparation process, water dishware used prepare consume