title: Determination of heavy metals in the common smokeless tobacco afzal in oman.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Afzal is an illegally sold smokeless tobacco product (STP) commonly used by youths and teenagers in Oman. The aim of this study was to analyse the composition of Afzal, also commonly known as sweekah, as it is believed to contain many carcinogens and toxic components. In particular, Afzal's heavy metal content includes cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted between March and June 2013. Three samples of Afzal were first dried and then ground to form a homogenous powder. The powder was digested prior to the heavy metal analysis by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Afzal was shown to have high levels of all heavy metals except for Ni and Pb, which were detected in quantities below acceptable international limits. The concentrations of the tested metals were 15.75 μg/g, 1.85 μg/g, 1.62 μg/g and 1.57 μg/g for Cr, Cd, Pb and Ni, respectively. The estimated daily intake of heavy metals from Afzal was below the maximum permissible limit accepted by the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization, except for Cr and Ni which were found to be dangerously elevated when compared with international standards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study showed that Afzal contains a number of heavy metals that may cause health problems. Therefore, urgent regulation of the illegal sale of Afzal is needed at the national level in Oman along with a campaign to address public health education and awareness of Afzal and its health risks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Nawal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Mukhaini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Taher
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ba-Omar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Elsadig
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eltayeb
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Aisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Shehi
keywords: Heavy Metals; Oman; Smokeless Tobaccos; Spectrum Analysis
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