Long‐term dietary exposure to chromium in young children living in different European countries

Abstract

Long-term dietary exposure to chromium in young children living in 12 different European countries was estimated using both the deterministic observed individual means (OIM) and the stochastic beta-binomial normal (BBN) approach. For this, food consumption data of children aged 1 up to 14 years were combined with chromium concentration data in food as supplied by EFSA. Food consumption data were all categorised according to a harmonised system to allow for linkages with chromium concentration data in a standardised way. The results showed differences in exposure between countries and that the exposure decreased with age. Exposure levels were higher using the deterministic model compared to the stochastic model, although the latter model could not be applied to data from some countries because of a lack of required normality. Food groups "milk/dairy drinks" and "cereals" contributed most to the exposure in almost all countries. The study also showed that, food consumption data collected in different European countries can be categorised in a standard way to allow for harmonised exposure modelling. Due to the lack of a Tolerable Upper Intake Level for chromium, it is unclear if the exposure levels calculated for the different countries pose a possible health risk.