Levels of heavy metals in candy packages and candies likely to be consumed by small children

Ninety two samples of child-consumed candies and candy packages were analyzed for seven heavy metals. Lead (Pb) was detected at concentrations of 110.3–6394.1 mg kg 1 in ten of 92 candy packages. The directive factor of Pb contamination had originated in the leadbased ink of the outer cover. Particularly, Pb was detected at high concentrations in case of greenor yellow-colored packages. Chromium (Cr) was detected at high concentrations in cases where Pb was also detected at high concentrations, and the Cr levels ranged from 136.9 mg kg 1 to 1429.3 mg kg 1 in seven of the 92 candy packages. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] was detected at 87–105.0% of the total Cr in polypropylene-coated wrappers with printed outer covers. The migration of Cr(VI) increased with elution time up to 0.20 lg (cm) 1 for 30 days in basic (pH 10.0) solution; however, there were no migrations in acidic (pH 4.0) and neutral (pH 7.0) solutions. The migration of Pb increased with elution time up to 0.65 lg (cm) 1 and 0.28 lg (cm) 1 in basic (pH 10.0) and acidic (pH 4.0) solutions, respectively. However, any migration was hardly observed in neutral (pH 7.0) solution. 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.