Heavy Metals (Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn) in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines Bought from Selected Shops from Peninsular Malaysia

A total of 20 Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (TCHM) was bought randomly from shops in three states of Peninsular Malaysia. All of these samples were analyzed for Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn concentrations. Based on samples collected from selected shops in Peninsular Malaysia, the levels of Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn in the TCHM samples were comparable to reported studies of TCHM products in the literature. The levels of essential Fe and Zn were found to be higher than the levels of the essential Ni and Cu. The present levels of the 20 TCHM products from Malaysia can serve as important baseline information for future reference in the establishment of MRLs of the four less common heavy metals in Malaysia as well as in this region. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude whether the TCHM products are safe from contamination of Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn since the MRLs for Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn have not been recommended by WHO. Future regular monitoring, quality control and adequate regulatory measures of TCHM products for heavy metals are necessary.