Occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in youtiao and exposure assessment from Shandong Province, China

Abstract This study analyzed 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 170 youtiao (Chinese dough sticks) samples collected from Shandong Province of China, which were determined using high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). The results indicated that the incidence rate of PAHs compounds was 89.4% and the mean concentration of 15 PAHs was 65.8 μg/kg. Naphthalene (Nap) was detected with the highest concentration and the largest incidence rate. One sample exceeded the maximum level of 1 μg/kg for the carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in cereals and cereal-based products set by European Union (EU), while 47 samples exceeded the maximum level of 1 μg/kg for PAH4 set by EU. The dietary exposure of PAHs and the potential human health risk assessment were assessed using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR). EDI values were below the intake range reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for each class of contaminant. The THQ values were below the safe standard of 1, thus the risk to develop chronic systemic effects due to individual PAH was low. The ILCR results for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors were all lower than the priority level (1 × 10−4), implying no significant cancer risk related to youtiao consumption for local population. Further data are still needed for proper management of the risks associated with PAHs in youtiao samples.