The content of lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury and tin in fruit and their products based on monitoring studies – exposure assessment

Background. Fruit and fruit products are important part of our daily diet. In addition to the ingredients necessary for the proper functioning of the body, these products can also be a source of intake elements harmful to human health. Objective. Analysis of the results of monitoring studies conducted in Poland in 2015 concerning contamination of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and tin (Sn) in fruit and fruit products and exposure assessment. Material and methods. Approximately 600 samples of fresh, frozen, dried fruits, fruit preserves and canned fruits were tested. The laboratories of State Sanitary Inspection were involved in testing. Accredited and validated analytical methods were used. The test samples were prepared in accordance with the standard PN-EN 13804:2013. The contents of lead, cadmium and tin were determined by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) or flameless with electrothermal atomization spectrometry (GFAAS); arsenic by using hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry method (HGAAS) and mercury the "cold vapor" atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) method. Results. Contamination of investigated samples with elements harmful to human health (Pb, Ca, As, Hg and Sn does not rise concern to human health and was in most cases comparable with contamination reported in other European Union countries. The estimated average exposure of adults and children to lead intake with fruit and fruit products ranged from 0.5% to 14.6% of the respective Benchmark Dose Lower Confidence Limit (BMDL) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The mean intake of cadmium with these groups of foodstuffs was in the range 0.3 - 8.5% of the TWI value (Tolerable Weekly Intake) established by EFSA for adults and children (0.1 - 3.6% of the PTMI (Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake) established by JECFA. In case of arsenic mean intake was in the range 0.5 - 1.6% BMDL whilst for mercury (inorganic form) intake represented 0.5 - 1.4% of TWI value established by JECFA and then confirmed by EFSA. Conclusions. Based on the obtained results, it was found that content of Pb, Cd, As, Hg and Sn in the tested samples of fruit and their products does not pose a risk to consumer health. Estimated exposure of consumers does not exceed tolerable doses established by EFSA and JECFA for these elements.

Cadmium and Lead Content in Selected Fungi from Poland and Their Edible Safety Assessment

Mushrooms are able to accumulate toxic trace elements. This study investigates the content of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in selected species of fungi (Boletus badius, Boletus edulis, and Cantharellus cibarius) from the northeastern part of Poland and estimates their edible safety. The amount of Cd and Pb was determined by flameless atomic spectrometry using the iCE 3000 Series-Thermo. The mean content of Cd in analyzed mushrooms ranged from 0.370 to 2.151 mg/kg d.w., while Pb was found at the level of 0.243–0.424 mg/kg d.w. Boletus edulis was characterized by the highest content of Cd, whereas Cantharellus cibarius contained the biggest amount of Pb. Estimated exposure to the Cd intake expressed as percentage share in TWI (Tolerable Weekly Intake) was at the highest level in Boletus edulis (30.87%), which could be associated with the risk of excessive Cd accumulation in the body.

Dietary Exposure of the Taiwan Population to Mercury Content in Various Seafood Assessed by a Total Diet Study

This paper examines the health risks of exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) through the consumption of mercury-contaminated seafood in Taiwan, based on the total diet study (TDS) method. Samples of seafood (n = 140) were purchased at fishing harbors or supermarkets and classified into seven categories (pelagic fish, inshore fish, farmed fish, shellfish, cephalopods, crustaceans, and algae). For each sample, we analyzed raw and cooked versions and compared the concentration difference. Total mercury (THg) was detected at the highest rate and in the highest concentrations in pelagic fish, followed by inshore fish and other farmed fish. The average concentration of THg was higher after cooking. In a 75th percentile scenario, the hazard indices for children aged 1 to 3 years and children aged 4 to 6 years were higher than 100% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake. Taking into consideration the risk assessment results, MeHg concentrations, and the nutritional composition of fish, we have provided weekly consumption advisories for children aged 1 to 3 years, children aged 4 to 6 years, and childbearing women aged 19 to 49 years. The weekly consumption advisories for childbearing women are 35 g/week of pelagic fish and 245 g/week of inshore fish based on the risk results from MeHg and the potential benefits from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake.

Deriving “potential target values” of PCDD/F in animal feed: the role of livestock at the interface between feed and food chain

Linking derivation of potential target values of PCDD/Fs in animal feed with risk assessment for consumer protection is a challenge when tolerable weekly intake (TWI) and transfer factors from feed to food are considered. Generally, maximum values for feed and food are set separately without considering the feed and the food producing animal as an important factor along the food chain from farm to fork. Levels of contaminants in feed can accumulate in animals and their products effect consumers at the end of the food chain. Hence, the process of setting legal maximum levels of contaminants should account for transfer from feed consumed by food producing animals into animal products for human consumption. Here, we calculated potential target values of PCDD/F in feed to ensure that animal products such as milk from dairy cows, eggs from laying hens and pork and pork products from fattening pigs are safe for human consumption. In our approach, we calculated potential target values of PCDD/Fs in animal feed using transfer factors for PCDD/F-TEQs from feed to milk fat, eggs fat, and fat in pork and pork products, taking into account the tolerable weekly intake derived by European Food Safety Authority. We assumed equal proportions of WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ and WHO-PCB-TEQ in feed. Potential target values of PCDD/F in feed are expressed as the quantity of toxicologically evaluated PCDD/Fs, expressed in WHO toxic equivalents (WHO2005-PCDD/F-TEQ) per kg feed with 12% moisture. In the current approach, derived values would be 10–54 times lower than the current legal maximum level of 0.75 ng WHO2005-PCDD/F-TEQ per kg feed (12% moisture), according to Directive 2002/32/EC as amended.

Mercury in Macrolepiota procera (Scop.) Singer and Its Underlying Substrate—Environmental and Health Risks Assessment

Wild-growing edible mushrooms are valuable food with a high content of proteins, fibers, antioxidants, and they are characterized by their specific taste and flavor. However, from an ecotoxicological point of view, they are a risk commodity because of their extremely high bioaccumulative capacity to accumulate the risk elements and contaminants from the environment. In the present study, we examined mercury (Hg) contamination in 230 fruiting bodies of Macrolepiota procera (Scop.) Singer and 230 soil/substrate samples, which were collected in foraging seasons 2015–2019 from 22 different locations in Slovakia. Total mercury content was determined by cold-vapor AAS analyzer AMA 254. The level of contamination and environmental risks were assessed by contamination factor (Cf), index of geoaccumulation (Igeo), and potential environmental risk index (PER). Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated for individual anatomical parts of M. procera. Mercury content in the soil/substrate samples varied between 0.02 and 0.89 mg kg−1 DW, and in mushroom samples between 0.03 and 2.83 mg kg−1 DW (stems), and between 0.04 and 6.29 mg kg−1 DW (caps). The obtained results were compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake for Hg defined by WHO to determine a health risk resulting from regular and long-term consumption of M. procera.

1243Quantitative risk-benefit assessment of fish and seafood consumption scenarios to support recommendations

Background Fish/seafood consumption has health benefits, namely due to its omega-3 fatty acids levels and risks due to methylmercury contamination. This study aims to quantify the health impact of hypothetical scenarios of fish/seafood consumption through a risk-benefit assessment and provide support for recommendations, using Portuguese food consumption data. Methods We used data from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015-2016 (n = 5811) to estimate the mean exposure to methylmercury and EPA+DHA in the current and alternative scenarios. Alternative scenarios were modelled using probabilistic approaches to reflect substitutions from the current consumption in the type of fish/seafood (predatory vs low-mercury species) or its frequency (1-7x/week). The overall scenarios’ impact was quantified using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Results About 14% of the Portuguese population exceeds the methylmercury tolerable weekly intake, and this prevalence is higher among small children (36.6%). Nevertheless, if the fish/seafood consumption increased to once a day, ≈11450 DALYs could be prevented each year. However, such a scenario would result in higher risk for pregnant women (1398 extra DALYs). Moreover, excluding predatory species consumption resulted in small but significant health gains (-1078 DALYs). Conclusions For the general population, the maximum health gains are obtained by consuming fish/seafood up to 7x/week, but among children and pregnant women, the frequency should be limited to 3-5x/week. All population should preferably choose non-predatory species. Key messages Daily fish consumption results in the highest overall populational health gain, but children and pregnant women need to limit it to 3-5x/week, due to methylmercury exposure.

Analysis of Mercury Concentration in Honey from the Point of View of Human Body Exposure

Honey is a highly valued product due to its nutritional value, pro-health and healing properties. Pollutants from the environment penetrate into nectar, honeydew, pollen and next into bee products and can cause human exposure after ingestion. Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal to living organisms. This is why it was important to determine the level of Hg in consumed honey.The aim of this manuscript is to analyse mercury concentration in honeys collected on the territory of Poland. A total of 108 samples of honey purchased in regional apiaries and hypermarkets were tested. The concentration of Hg was analysed in various types of honey (multifloral, honeydew, linden, goldenrod, acacia, buckwheat, rapeseed, sunflower, heather, dandelion, phacelia). The values of the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Estimated Weekly Intake (EWI) and % Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (% PTWI) were calculated. This allowed estimating the amount of Hg taken during consumption of the tested honeys.The concentration of Hg ranged from 0.01 to 1.71 µg/kg and was 0.43 µg/kg on average. A higher concentration of Hg, which was statistically significant, was recorded in honeydew honey, then in compound honeys. Honeys produced from one raw material had the lowest concentration of Hg. There were no significant differences in the concentration of Hg depending on the origin of honey. The calculations have shown that consumption of a portion (19 g) of the tested honey per week is safe for both adults and children according to the applicable standards.

Monitoring of Environmental Hg Occurrence in Tunisian Coastal Areas

Total mercury (Hg) was determined in 450 environmental samples (seawater, sediment plant and fish) from five Mahdia coastal areas (Tunisia). Tolerable Weekly Intake% (TWI) values, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), were calculated based on the average metal concentration in fish and the average weekly fish consumption rate. Hg was accumulated mainly in fish and in Posidonia oceanica leaves. Hg in sediment ranged from 1.88 μg/kg dry weight (d.w.) to 7.48 μg/kg d.w., while it was between 0.32 μg/kg and 0.19 μg/kg in seawaters. Our study showed high concentration in Posidonia oceanica in S3 (plant = 16.76 ± 4.48 μg/kg d.w.) as compared to those in S4 sites (plant = 5.33 ± 0.05 μg/kg d.w.). Concentrations for S. aurata and S. salpa in the Rejiche area exceeded the EC 1881/2006 legislation with values of 1.9 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively, and consumers may be exposed to high concentrations of Hg that exceeds the EFSA. The results showed that the fish species should be constantly monitored due to their TWI% of 154.5% for S. aurata and 209.8% S. salpa respectively.

Free-range eggs from a very polluted site in central Italy: levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins/Furans and Polychlorinated Biphenyls and estimated human dietary exposure

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contamination levels of some classes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in free-range hen eggs and to estimate the related human dietary exposure in a Site of National Interest (SNI), characterized by a serious state of environmental pollution (Bussi sul Tirino area, central Italy). For these purposes, 17 samples of free-range hen eggs collected in home-producing farms located in the SNI territory were analyzed for 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) and 6 non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs). Dietary exposure was assessed assuming a standard consumption of eggs per week. The concentration of ∑PCDD/Fs + dl-PCBs ranged from 0.463 to 8.028 pg TEQ (Toxic Equivalent) g−1 fat, while the mean contamination level of the ∑ndl-PCBs ranged from 0.234 to 7.741 ng TEQ g−1 fat. PCDD/Fs and PCBs contamination levels were lower than maximum values established by the Commission Regulation (EU) 1259/2011, except for one sample. The estimated weekly intake (EWI), calculated in order to evaluate the contribution in terms of the monitored pollutants of the locally produced eggs to the diet, was lower than the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

As a Useful Biomonitor of Toxic Trace Element Contamination in the Highly Urbanised Istanbul, Turkey; Mytilus Galloprovincialis

In this study, concentrations of toxic trace elements were determined by an ICP-MS device in the edible tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis from the Marmara Sea, İstanbul-Turkey. Concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, Hg, Ni, and Zn were investigated in digestive gland, gills, and muscles tissues of the mussel.According to the results obtained in the study, As, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Zn in the digestive gland of M. galloprovincialis were above the permissible concentrations (mgkg-1), which were 0.672 for Cd, 6.870 for As, 0.788 for Pb, 1.990 for Ni and 42.6 for Zn. The results show that Cd and As mean concentrations in muscle of M. galloprovincialis were above the permissible legal limits. Furthermore, Cd and Ni mean concentrations in gills of M. galloprovincialis were above the permissible levels. Furthermore, it was observed that the highest value belonged to As in the digestive gland of mussels with 65.42% of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake. At the same time, the lowest percentage belonged to Zn with 0.22% of PTWI in muscles and 0.313% of PTWI in gills of the mussels. Thus, it is recommended that As, Pb, Cd, Hg, Ni, and Zn concentrations in seafood samples, particularly in mussels, should be monitored periodically.