ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Heavy metals concentrations in PanaxNotoginseng (Sanchi) in Yun Nan was investigated for assessing potential health risk to consumers. A usage survey of Sanchi preparations was taken to calculate the daily intake of Sanchi. The Harzard Quotient (HQ) of Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Zinc (Zn) and Lead (Pb) was far below 1 while the combination of HQ (Hazard Index (HI)) was nearly to 1, and the carcinogenic riskof Arsenic (As) was 1.16 × 10−5. The probability of exposure to Cr, Cu, Ni, Cd, Zn, Pb and As exceeding the limit were 0.00%, 0.10%, 012%, 0.00%, 2.75%, 6.62% and 3.12% respectively. Pb, As and Cd were the major risk contributors. Risk assessment of heavy metals implies that Sanchi is a good health-improving product but not suitable for everyday intake.
