Objective: To assess the risks of heavy metals in ready-to-use traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prepackaged products in Chengdu market. Method: The 78 batches of ready-to-use TCM prepackaged products were purchased from urban pharmacies

including 25 batches of Notoginseng Radix powder

21 batches of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder

16 batches of Ganoderma powder and another 16 batches of Ganoderma Spore powder. The contents of heavy metals Pb

Cd

Hg

As and Cu were determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results were compared with the relevant limited values in Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2015 edition); the internationally accepted target hazard quotients (THQs) and hazard index (HI) were adopted to evaluate the non-carcinogenic health risk of heavy metals. Result: The over-standard rate was Pb(4.0%)

Cd(76.0%) and As(20.0%) for Notoginseng Radix powder; Cd (23.8%) for Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder; Cd (62.5%) for Ganoderma powder; and Cd (18.8%) for Ganoderma Spore powder according to the limit standard of the Chinese Pharmacopeia 2015 (ChP2015). The results showed that the contents of Cd exceeded the standard in all 4 samples

while Hg and Cu did not exceed the standard limits. According to the recommended upper or lower limits for the daily intake

As intake risk was found in 4%-20% of the Notoginseng Radix powder (THQAs>1); and element comprehensive intake risk was found in 12%-32% of Notoginseng Radix powder (HI>1). The THQ values and HI values for Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder

Ganoderma powder and Ganoderma Spore powder were all less than 1

showing no intake risks. Conclusion: The current heavy metal standards in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015 are not suitable for ready-to-use TCM

so more reasonable standards shall be further discussed.