Assessment of dietary of chemical contaminants

This document is a technical report jointly produced by UNEP, FAO, and WHO as part of the GEMS/Food Programme, evaluating global data on human dietary intake of chemical contaminants in the 1980s. It presents comprehensive assessments of lead, cadmium, mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, and various pesticides, detailing their occurrence in food and comparing intake levels against international safety standards such as the Acceptable Daily Intake and Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake. The document distinguishes between adult and infant exposure, highlighting vulnerable groups and emphasizing sources of contamination, including environmental pollution, industrial activity, and agricultural practices. It reviews national dietary intake studies from over 40 countries, noting wide variability in data quality, study design, and comparability. The report underscores persistent public health concerns, calls for improved monitoring and analytical quality assurance, and recommends more targeted surveys.