HEALTH RISK RELATED TO EXPOSURE TO TOXIC COMPOUNDS CONTAINED IN MINERAL AND SPRING WATERS.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: The study aimed to assess the content of selected toxic compounds in mineral and spring waters available on the Polish market regarding potential health risks to consumers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Selected mineral and spring waters available on the Polish market were the study's objects. The content of such chemical compounds as arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper, and mercury in selected mineral and spring waters was analyzed. The content of metals in the samples was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Additionally, a literature review was performed to determine nitrates contamination of bottled waters available on the Polish market. Based on the collected data, an assessment of exposure and health risk to consumers was performed. RESULTS: Results: Arsenic had the highest mean concentration in the analyzed water samples. Consumption of such contaminated waters may be a significant health risk factor for consumers. Literature data indicate a relatively low content of nitrates in bottled waters available on the Polish market. Consumption of such mineral waters is not a significant source of exposure and does not translate into a significant health risk for consumers. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: To ensure consumers' health safety, there is a need to monitor the content of potentially harmful compounds in mineral and spring waters available on the Polish market.

Concentration of cadmium and lead in vegetables and fruits.

Chemical contamination of foods pose a significant risk to consumers. A source of this risk is due to the consumption of products contaminated with heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The aim of the study was to research the levels of Cd and Pb contamination of selected species of vegetables and fruits in the form of fresh, frozen, dried and processed products. The goal was to verify which of these food groups was more contaminated with heavy metals. The study covered 370 samples of fruits and vegetables including apples, pears, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, as well as beetroots, celeries, carrots and tomatoes. The content of Cd and Pb was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Quantitative results were analyzed using statistical models: analysis of variance, outlier analysis, post-hoc multiple comparison Tukey test. The tests showed that the levels of Cd and Pb concentration in samples of fresh, processed, frozen and dried fruits and vegetables varied substantially. The highest concentrations were recorded in dried products. Several fruit and vegetable samples exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations of Cd and Pb. The contamination of these products could be a significant source of consumer exposure to heavy metals when these products are a part of the diet.

Health risks from consumption of medicinal plant dietary supplements.

The aim of this study was to determine the heavy metal contents of dietary supplements manufactured from medicinal plants and assess the potential daily burden on their consumers. The study consisted of 41 dietary supplements produced from terrestrial plants or microalgae. The analysis of cadmium, lead, and mercury content was performed using analytical methods. The content of Cd and Pb was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The mercury content was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry with the generation of cold mercury vapor (CVAAS). The presence of at least one of the three analyzed heavy metals was found in 79.2% samples of supplements produced from terrestrial plants and in 88.2% supplement samples produced from microalgae. Hazard quotient was used to calculate noncarcinogenic risk for humans by ingestion of dietary supplements containing heavy metals. From among all supplements, 68.3% of samples were contaminated with Cd and Pb (this does not always apply to the same samples) and 29.3% of samples were contaminated with Hg. The health risk assessment of consumers of dietary supplements showed, in an extreme case, that taking this supplement for only one week poses a health risk associated with exposure to Pb. The health risk associated with the intake of dietary supplements primarily depends on the duration of consumption.