Determination of Toxic Heavy Metals and Essential Minerals in Commercial Soft Drinks in Bangladesh: Implications for Human Health

Soft drinks are widely consumed nonalcoholic beverages worldwide, and their increasing intake across all age groups in Bangladesh raises significant public health concerns about potential chemical contamination. This study measured toxic heavy metals (Cr, As, Pb) and essential minerals (Fe, Cu, Mg) in 40 soft drink samples from 20 brands, packaged in plastic bottles and canned in Bangladesh. Metal quantification was conducted using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), and health risk assessments were performed based on Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ), and Target Carcinogenic Risk (TCR). Results showed that the mean concentrations ranged from 0.025-0.31 mg/L for Cr, 0.008-0.12 mg/L for As, 0.18-0.95 mg/L for Cu, 0.95-4.62 mg/L for Fe, 0.015-0.18 mg/L for Pb, and 2.85-11.24 mg/L for Mg. Several samples exceeded WHO/FAO permissible limits, particularly for Cr, As, Fe, and Pb. EDI values for most metals were within recommended thresholds; Pb (0.004-0.048 mg/kg/day) and Fe (0.025-0.12 mg/kg/day) exceeded safe intake limits in some samples. THQ values were <1 for individual metals, while cumulative TTHQ values reached up to 1.86 in some samples, indicating potential long-term noncarcinogenic health risks. TCR values for Cr (1.18 × 10^-4 plastic; 5.68 × 10^-5 canned) and As (1.26 × 10^-4 plastic; 6.26 × 10^-5 canned) exceeded the acceptable risk limit (1 × 10^-4), suggesting carcinogenic potential. These findings emphasize the need for routine monitoring, stronger regulatory frameworks, and proactive policies to ensure the safety of soft drinks and protect public health in the future.