RESUMO
This study assesses, by the Total diet study approach, the adequacy of micronutrient intake (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn) and the dietary exposure of a Lebanese adult urban population to two toxic elements (Cd, Pb). The foods that made up the average 'total diet' were derived from a previous individual consumption survey. A total of 1215 individual foods were collected, prepared and cooked prior to analysis. Analytical quantification was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Average daily intakes of Co (11.4 microg/day), Cu (1104.19 microg/day), Fe (13.00 mg/day), Mn (2.04 mg/day), Ni (126.27 microg/day) and Zn (10.97 mg/day) were below toxicological reference values and were found to satisfy nutritional recommendations, except for manganese in men and iron in women. Average dietary exposure to Pb and Cd represented 3.2% and 21.7% of the respective provisional tolerable weekly intakes. Estimates of dietary intakes of iron appeared to be inadequate for 63% of adult women. These findings should constitute a current measure of assessing the adequacy and safety of foods consumed in Lebanon and may be a basis for future monitoring studies.
