A Study on the Heavy Metals, Nutritional Values, and Health Risks of Black and Leaf Tea Available in Kalar City: A Preliminary Assessment of Tea Quality and Daily Intake

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to analyze the level of heavy metal contamination that was found in tea samples taken from Kalar City, Iraq. The heavy metal concentrations in fresh tea and fusion tea were found to be in declining order, with Al > Mn > Cu > Zn > Se > Fe > Hg > Pb > Cd in fresh tea and Al > Mn > Fe > Cu > Zn > Se > Hg in fusion tea. In fresh tea, the heavy metal concentrations were higher than those in fusion tea. In fresh samples, the ranges of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium, mercury, manganese (Mn), and aluminum were extremely low, whereas the ranges in fusion teas were significantly greater. Both teas had a high essential nutritional value, and the majority of minerals (including Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn) were found to be within safe ranges based on the amount of daily consumption that was consumed. According to the findings of the study, the quality of tea produced in Kalar City is satisfactory in terms of the presence of heavy metals and the availability of nutrients.