Essential and presumably contaminating trace elements in Indian Areca (Areca catechu L.) nut and their potential health effect

Betel quid (BQ) containing Areca catehu L. nut kernel, Piper betle L. leaves and slaked lime are chewed together for their stimulant and mild addictive effects. The mass fractions of Mg, Na, Si, K, Ca, and Cl, together with some Presumably Contaminating Elements (PCE) such as Al, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Sb in areca nuts (AN) kernel and husk, collected from 14 plantations located in Northeastern India and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar plantations, were determined by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA). The INAA demonstrated that elemental compositions of AN kernel and husk did not differ appreciably, but the mass fractions of few elements were significantly higher in the husk than in AN kernel, most probably due to the atmospheric dust retained by husks. The non-carcinogenic, carcinogenic risk factors as well as hazard index calculated based on the PCE present in AN kernel showed a low to moderate carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk associated to the consumption of a single BQ per day. On the other hand, the risk, quantified by the hazard index, increases proportionally with the BQ daily consumption.