Abstract
Taiwanese use over 30 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks every year. The heavy metal contamination of disposable chopsticks is a public health issue. Total heavy metal content of disposable chopsticks is 50.42 and 73.90 μg/g for a single pair and a coupled set, respectively. Manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), in the order of abundance, are the three most common heavy metals found in chopsticks of both types. The hazard index of using a single pair and a coupled set are 1.322 and 1.681, respectively, suggesting that disposable chopsticks are likely to cause adverse human health effects and hazards. The policy of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), made effective in 2007, curbs the use of disposable chopsticks in schools and government agencies and encourages the use of nondisposable stainless tableware. Monitoring the effectiveness of this policy and inspecting disposable chopsticks on the market should continue so as to ensure the health and safety of the public.