Cd Concentrations Research Articles

Alleviation of cadmium toxicity and minimizing its accumulation in rice plants by methyl jasmonate: Performance and mechanisms.

Heavy metal pollution is a worldwide problem that threaten agricultural production and human health. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) is a phytohormone that could enhance plant resistance against various stresses. However, the mechanism of MeJA in cadmium (Cd) uptake, distribution, and translocation in rice plants remains elusive. In this study, we found that the Cd induced-growth inhibition was ameliorated by MeJA. Upon MeJA application, Cd content in root and shoot was decreased by 10.15 % and 36.39 %, which paralleled with less Cd2 + influx of rice roots and depressed expression of the cation transporters (OsNramp1 and OsNramp5). The subcellular distribution revealed that MeJA enriched Cd distribution in cell wall, which was accompanied by increased cell wall thickness and altered cell wall polysaccharide (pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose) content, meanwhile, the Cd content in pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose was increased, the FTIR analysis implied that functional groups (especially -OH and COO-) on cell wall were involved in Cd fixation. The root to shoot translocation of Cd was hindered by exogenous MeJA, this was validated by the decreased expression of OsHMA2 in root and declined Cd level in xylem sap. Overall, our results revealed that MeJA could act as a foliar resistance control substance to reduce Cd accumulation in rice plants. The detailed molecular mechanisms of MeJA in Cd detoxification in plants still need further investigation.

Effects of cadmium on female Drosophila melanogaster and its transgenerational inheritance effects.

Cadmium (Cd) is a silvery-white and shiny heavy metal that is common in daily life and can adversely affect the development, lifespan, and reproduction of organisms. In this study, Drosophila melanogaster (F0) were cultured from eggs to adults in medium containing different Cd concentrations (0, 2.25, and 4.5mg/kg), and offspring (F1-F4 generations) were cultured in standard medium. The morphology of the ovaries of female flies under Cd stress changed, apoptosis occurred, fertility decreased, and the levels of 20-Hydroxyecdysone and vitellogenin decreased significantly. These changes were more significant under high-concentration treatment. In addition, the inhibitory effects of Cd on reproduction-related genes (spook, phantom, disembodies, shadow, shade, ECR, vg, and Kr-h1) in F0 female flies could transmit to two or three generations. Cd exposure also induced increased expression of miR-927 and mediated its transgenerational inheritance. These results indicate that damage to the ovaries and the changes in related-genes expressions of female flies induced by Cd stress can be transmitted to offspring and may be related to changes in miRNA expression in Drosophila. The transgenerational inheritance effects of heavy metals on organisms and their potential risks to future ecosystems deserve attention and reassess.

Chronic cadmium exposure to minimal-risk doses causes dysfunction of epididymal adipose tissue and metabolic disorders.

Cadmium (Cd) is among the top seven most hazardous environmental contaminants. Minimal risk levels for daily exposure have been established, such as no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) and lowest observable adverse effect level (LOAEL). Chronic exposure to Cd, at both NOAEL and LOAEL doses, causes toxicity in diverse tissues. However, Cd toxicity in adipose tissue, an endocrine and metabolic organ, remains relatively understudied. We aimed to investigate the potentially toxic effects of chronic Cd exposure (at NOAEL and LOAEL doses) on epidydimal adipose tissue of adult male Wistar rats. Ninety male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n=30): Control Cd-free, NOAEL, and LOAEL that received CdCl2 in drinking water for 15days to 5months. We evaluated over time zoometry, serum and adipose Cd concentration, redox balance, GLUT4 and Nrf2 expression, histology, leptin, adiponectin, adipose insulin resistance index, free fatty acids, and glucose tolerance. The higher dose group showed a more pronounced and sustained increase in serum and adipose tissue of Cd concentration. Zoometry was similarly affected in both Cd-exposed groups with adipocyte hypertrophy. The redox balance was maintained due to the augmenting of Nrf2 expression. Leptin concentration augmented, while adiponectin diminished. Adipose insulin resistance increased simultaneously to lipolysis and glucose intolerance despite high GLUT4 expression. In conclusion, this study provides strong evidence that chronic Cd exposure, even at minimal risk levels (LOAEL and NOAEL doses), has toxic effects, disrupting the function of epididymal adipose tissue and contributing to metabolic disorders.

Chloroplast-localized transporter OsNTP1 mediates cadmium transport from root to shoot and sugar metabolism in rice

Cadmium (Cd) is an element with high toxicity to living organisms, and its accumulation in rice grains poses a threat to human health. In this study, we report a novel nickel-transport family protein, OsNTP1, that is involved in Cd transport from root to shoot. Heterologous expression of OsNTP1 in yeast enhanced Ni and Cd tolerance. In rice, the transporter OsNTP1 is localized at the chloroplast and the expression of OsNTP1 was rapidly induced by Cd treatment. Under Cd²⁺ treatment, the Cd content in the shoots of OsNTP1-RNAi lines was significantly increased. Notably, knockdown of OsNTP1 significantly reduces Cd accumulation in the grains, highlighting its critical role in minimizing Cd contamination in edible parts of the plant. In addition, knockout or knockdown OsNTP1 also increased sensitivity to sucrose. Sucrose treatment led to more starch particles at the OsNTP1-RNAi shoot base, and exogenous sucrose can alleviate the inhibitory effects of Cd stress on sugar metabolism and starch synthesis in OsNTP1-RNAi lines. The present study provides a new genetic resource for breeding low-Cd grains and exploring the response mechanisms of sugar metabolism to Cd stress.

A plant growth-promoting bacterium supports cadmium detoxification of rice by inducing phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis

Cadmium (Cd) is easily absorbed by rice and enters the food chain, posing a health risk to humans. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) can help the plant respond to Cd stress, but the mechanism of PGPB for Cd reduction is unclear. Therefore, this study was conducted and found inoculation with a newly isolated Pseudomonas koreensis promoted the growth of rice and reduced its Cd content. Fluorescent staining using PI and H2O2 probe indicated that PGPB attenuated oxidative damage in rice. Metabolomics revealed that 59 metabolites were upregulated after inoculation, with phenylpropanoids and flavonoids being significantly activated. Spectrophotometry analysis comfirmed the content of flavonoid, lignin, phenol, glutathione, proline and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were higher in the inoculated rice than in the control. Quantitative PCR showed the expression of genes related to phenylpropanoids (OsPAL, OsC4H, Os4CL) and flavonoids (OsCHS, OsCHI) was significantly increased by PGPB, while the genes of heavy metal transporters (OsNRAMP5, OsHMA2, OsIRT1) were significantly decreased. Overall, this study provides an insight into the PGPB-mediated detoxification mechanism in rice under Cd stress and emphasizes the role of phenylpropanoids and flavonoids in the production of low-Cd rice to ensure human health. Environmental ImplicationRice production and human health are affected by cadmium (Cd) in soil. This is the first study to integrate multiple technical approaches (i.e. metabolomics, morphology, physiology and molecular biology) to reveal the detoxification mechanism mediated by plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in rice in response to Cd. This study novelly revealed that inoculation with PGPB resulted in higher grain yield and lower Cd content by inducing the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid and flavonoid in rice. This provided a theoretical basis for future practical regulation of Cd accumulation in crops using PGPB and ensured food safety and human health.

Tracing sources-oriented ecological risks of metal(loid)s in sediments of anthropogenically-affected coastal ecosystem from northeast bay of Bengal

The current study focused on thirty-nine locations in the four islands (i.e., St. Martin, Moheskhali, Kutubdia, and Sonadia) and beach (Innani Beach) along the northeast Bay of Bengal to quantify sources-orientated ecological risks of metal(loid)s. The mean concentrations of As, Mn, Cr, Cd, and Pb are 4.8, 8.7, 1.6, 1.1, and 2 times higher than average shale volume (ASV) values. Key findings revealed that Mn, Cr, Cd, Pb, and As exceed safe levels, particularly on St. Martin and Moheshkhali islands, where tourism and coal mining intensify contamination. Ecological indexes showed moderate to considerable contamination levels, suggesting diverse impacts on aquatic life. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) model-based Nemerow integrated risk index (NIRI) indicated that mixed and coal mining sources posed a moderate risk for 10.26 % and 5.13 % of sediment samples, respectively. This paper serves as a model-based plan for mitigating pollution risks of metal(oid)s in coastal sediments on the northeast coast.

Associations between co-exposure to multiple heavy metals and age-related macular degeneration: a cross-sectional study

Background & aimsAccumulating evidence suggests that exposure to single heavy metal can facilitate the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). However, the effects of exposure to mixtures of heavy metals on AMD remain largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate both the joint and individual impacts of arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) on AMD within a co-exposure framework. MethodsData from subjects participating the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005-2008) were analyzed. Concentrations of As, Hg, Cd, and Pb were determined in urine by inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS) for As and Hg, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Cd and Pb. The weighted quantile sum (WQS) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were employed to assess the effects of heavy metal mixtures on AMD risk. ResultsBoth WQS and BKMR analyses consistently revealed a significant overall association between heavy metal mixtures and the risk of all types of AMD. The combined effect was more evident among patients with early AMD compared to those with late AMD. Cd and Hg were the main contributors driving these combined effects within the context of metal mixtures. Elevated urinary levels of Cd were positively correlated with an increased risk for all types as well as early AMD. Higher exposure to Hg corresponded with an elevated risk for early AMD. Furthermore, BKMR analysis indicated that the influence of Cd on early AMD exhibited a non-linear pattern. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that co-exposure to As, Hg, Cd, and Pb is associated with an elevated risk for developing AMD, particularly in its early stages. Furthermore, excessive exposure to Cd and Hg has been identified as key contributing factors in this process.

Overall effects of topsoil elements on cancer mortality in rural Greece: A modeling approach.

This ecological study examines cancer mortality rates in 61 rural Greek municipalities, covering in total 7,305,554 person-years from 2000 to 2015, based on the Hellenic Statistical Authority data. Topsoil concentrations of Mn, Ni, Pb, Be, As and Cd in Greek grazing land samples were obtained from the GEMAS (Geochemical Mapping of Agricultural and Grazing land Soil) project. Municipalities of rural regions with population of up to 20,000 people were selected as the study area and were divided into four quartiles, according to their age-specific cancer mortality rates, to identify the most divergent areas of low/high mortality. Fusion of demographic data with topsoil measurements aimed to reveal their potential association. Towards a univariate analysis, comparing each element individually across the low/high mortality regions revealed significant overlaps in distributions of concentrations for all elements. Machine learning multi-element models were built to predict whether an area would have a low or high cancer mortality rate, based simultaneously and solely on the concentrations of the six elements of the region, for each group. The out-of-sample median accuracy of the model was very high (83.3%) for the 0-29 age group, high (66.7%) for the 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 age groups, while the accuracy decreased significantly above age of 60. The interaction of Mn, As, Ni, and partially Be, contributes most to the model's prediction for the 0-29 age group, As becomes the main contributor in the 30-39 age group, while all six elements contribute almost equally for the 40-49 group, and the interaction of Ni, Mn and Be becomes important in the 50-59 age group. The findings of this study strongly suggest that topsoil elements may jointly influence the frequency and geographical distribution of cancer.

Ecological and health risk assessments of heavy metal contamination in soils surrounding a coal power plant

Coal combustion at power plants is a significant source of environmental pollution, with the deposition of heavy metals in soils leading to extensive ecosystem contamination and exacerbating the harmful impacts of human activities. This study presents a field investigation of heavy metal concentrations in soils around a coal-fired power plant, with monitoring sites located 1.7 to 15.2km from the plant. Data collection occurred in 2015, 2020, and 2024 across 11 monitoring sites. X-ray fluorescence analysis was used to assess heavy metal concentrations in soil. A life cycle assessment (LCA) with ReCiPe method was conducted to evaluate the impacts on both ecological and human health. The results revealed that the concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cd, and Cr exceeded threshold levels set by both the World Soil Average and the Regional Geochemical Background. The correlation analysis shows that organic matter and clay content play vital roles in reducing the mobility of heavy metals in soil through adsorption. Notably, strong correlations between Pb and Cd suggest a common origin from coal seam minerals. The LCA shows that freshwater ecotoxicity, marine ecotoxicity, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and human toxicity increased by over 30% compared to the World Soil Average pollutant levels. Nickel was identified as the primary contributor to marine and freshwater ecotoxicity, while manganese had the most significant impact on human toxicity. This study provides a better understanding of the long-term consequences of heavy metal accumulation in soils near coal-fired power plant. The data on anthropogenic impacts are crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate environmental risks associated with pollution.

Myocardial deposition of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, and lead accelerates heart failure and alters UPRmt in humans.

In the myocardium of control subjects and patients undergoing heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation (LVAD), we analyzed concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Pb, and Ni using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Myocardial generation of oxidative-stress-induced lipid peroxidation was analyzed by quantifying concentration of 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) with ELISA and pro-apoptotic DAPK2 gene expression was determined with quantitative RT-PCR. Compared to six control hearts, myocardial samples of 128 individuals undergoing heart transplantation or LVAD implantation exhibited a moderate increase in deposition of five tested non-essential elements, which was significantly increased only for Cd and cumulative deposition of Al, As, Cd, and Pb. Patients with higher cumulative deposition of Al, As, Cd, and Pb, underwent heart transplantation or LVAD implantation at a younger age than those with lower cumulative deposition, which was not observed in individual elements. Also, Al, As, and Ni exhibited a positive correlation with DAPK2 expression. Moreover, Al, As, Cd, and Ni showed positive correlations and Pb negative correlations with several mitochondrial quality control (MQC) genes. None of the elements showed correlation with 4-HNE generation in the myocardium. There was no difference in tested non-essential element deposition between dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy. In conclusion, patients with higher cumulative deposition of Al, As, Cd, and Pb in the myocardium underwent heart transplantation or LVAD implantation at a younger age, indicating that they may accelerate heart failure, which is associated with induction of DAPK2 expression. Deposition of Al, As, Cd, Ni, and Pb also altered the expression of several MQC genes.

Supporting dataset on the content of Cu, Ni Cd, Pb, Zn, Ag, Mg, Fe, Co and Ca in the carcass, gastrointestinal tract tissues and the whole body of nestlings of a small passerine bird, the Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus from an intensively fertilized fishpond habitat.

The dataset presented in this data paper supports "The prenatal assimilation of minerals and metals in the nestlings of a small passerine bird" (Orłowski et al. 2024) [1]. The article includes raw data on dead nestlings of a small passerine bird, the Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus breeding in an extensive reedbed (with dominating plant species, the Common Reed Phragmites australis) located in an intensively fertilized fishpond habitat, the Stawy Milickie [Milicz Ponds] Nature Reserve (SW Poland). The data include the description of concentrations of Cu, Ni Cd, Pb, Zn, Ag, Mg, Fe, Co and Ca measured in the isolated, emptied gastrointestinal tract, the whole body, and carcass of the each of 26 individual nestlings of a different age (1-9 days old) and hence a different stage of post-natal development. The dataset includes also some additional information on the breeding biology of the focal species.

Computer-aided design and construction of a novel electro-responsive ion-imprinted sensor for the individual/simultaneous detection of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in water environments.

A novel method for detecting Cd(II) and Pb(II) in water using composite ion-imprinted membranes (Cd@Pb-IIM/Ag@MOF@CHI) was developed. Pre-polymerization ratios were optimized via computer simulations and applied on Ag@MOF@CHI-modified electrodes using infrared light initiation. Characterization of the membranes through SEM and electrochemical methods revealed detailed morphology and composition. The sensor showed a dynamic linear response for Cd(II) and Pb(II) concentrations ranging from 1.1×10-9 to 1.2×10-6molL-1, with a detection limit of 1.0×10-10molL-1. In samples with various non-target ions, the sensor exhibited high selectivity, attributed to the optimal coordination ratio (Cd(II): Pb(II): PAR=1:1:3). Successful tests were conducted in tap, lake, and river water, highlighting its potential for environmental monitoring.

Assessment of heavy metals concentration and health risk in four species of Persian Gulf sharks in Hormozgan Province.

Marine pollution is a growing concern that threatens ecosystems and endangers human health. This study investigated the bioaccumulation of six heavy metals, including zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) in the muscle tissue of Codium arabicum, Coilia dussumieri, Rhizoprionodon oligolinx, and R. acutus from in Hormozgan province, Iran, between November 2023 and March 2024. The primary focus was to provide insights into these elements' distribution and accumulation patterns in Persian Gulf sharks. Moreover, it aimed to assess the potential risks of chemical contamination in the Persian Gulf. Samples were collected, prepared through acid digestion, and analyzed using Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) to qualitatively and quantitatively determine Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, and Hg concentrations. The mean heavy metal concentrations in the examined sharks follow the order Zn > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd > Hg. The highest mean concentrations of all the tested heavy metals were observed in C. arabica. Furthermore, the THQ value for Hg (1.07) in C. arabica raised concerns, particularly for individuals with high fish consumption, such as fishermen. With the THQ value exceeding 1, there is a clear need for heightened concern regarding the carcinogenic risk associated with dietary mercury exposure. Consequently, our findings showed the initial account of metal concentrations in Persian Gulf sharks, indicating elevated concentrations in individuals that may lead to sub-lethal effects. In conclusion, these results emphasized the potential toxicity of C. arabica meat and held significant implications for human consumers.

Mapping trace metal footprints: Distribution, sources, and risk assessment in coastal sediments near a heavy industrial zone in Bangladesh.

This study investigated nine trace metals (Cr, Co, Cu, Cd, Ni, Mn, Fe, Zn, and Pb) concentrations of coastal sediments adjacent to a heavily industrialized area of Bangladesh using AAS. The most prevalent metals were zinc, with lesser amounts of Cd and Co. Pb, and Cd levels were higher than world standards, with a considerable enrichment of Pb at station 9. Ecological risk assessments showed moderate to high contamination, particularly by Pb and Cd. The Nemerow integrated pollution index demonstrated that overall pollution was low, but the levels about Cd were still concerning. All stations had hazard indices below 1 but chronic exposure to Ni, presents grounds for concern. Industry, urbanization, traffic, and agricultural runoff along with lithogenic sources have been identified to be the main sources of pollution using receptor modeling. The outcomes underscore the urgency that management measures must be taken to safeguard ecosystem and public health.

Influence of coal slime on migration behavior and ecological risk of heavy metals during hydrothermal carbonation of sewage sludge

The heavy metals (HMs) presented in sewage sludge (SS) limit the application of SS hydrochar. Compare to SS, coal slime (CS) contains higher carbon, silicates and aluminates. Addition of CS during the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of SS can improve the quality of hydrochar, and facilitates better solidification of HMs. In this paper, the influence of CS on migration behavior and ecological risk of HMs during HTC of SS was investigated, and the environmental risks associated with HMs in co-hydrochar was assessed. The results showed that adding CS during SS HTC could lower the content of HMs in co-hydrochar, and compared to the total content of Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn in SS-240-1, the total contents of these HMs in S5C5-240-1 decreased by approximately 43.8, 51.6, 36.5, 42.8%, respectively. The addition of CS also could facilitate the transformation of HMs from bioavailable fractions to relatively stable fractions. The leaching concentration and bioavailability of HMs in hydrochar decreased substantially with the increase of reaction temperature and residence time, and the leaching concentration of Ni in S5C5-280-1 decreased by 83.7%, and the bioavailability concentration decreased by 89.5%. Interestingly, the results also showed that co-HTC of CS and SS could effectively reduce the ecological risk and the potential contamination level associated with HMs in hydrochar, and then reduced the potential environmental risk. The results of this study may provide theoretical basis for the solidification of HMs in hydrochar, as well as for clean and efficient utilization of SS and CS.

Physiological and transcriptomic analysis of purple flowering stalks (Brassica campestris var. purpurea) under cadmium stress and exogenous glutathione application.

Glutathione (GSH) has a beneficial effect on the response of plants to cadmium (Cd) stress. The physiological and molecular processes by which glutathione influences Cd tolerance in purple flowering stalks (a Brassica vegetable) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of exogenous GSH in alleviating Cd toxicity in purple flowering stalks. On day 10 of the Cd stress treatment, spraying of GSH resulted in an increase in the net photosynthetic rate by 18.48%; enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities and the endogenous GSH and ascorbic acid contents; reduced the malondialdehyde and proline content 32.45% and 24.65%, respectively; and reduced the Cd content in the roots by 2.93%. On day 5, the transcriptome analysis showed that the application of GSH up-regulated the expression of 27 genes in the photosynthetic pathway. In contrast, GSH application led to the down-regulation of most genes involved in GSH metabolism, sulfur metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism. These findings will aid future studies of the response of purple flowering stalks to Cd stress.

Effect of Feeding Mice Soluble Metals and Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil on Feces Metal Concentrations.

The effect of heavy metal availability and interaction in feed on feces heavy metal excretion in mice has rarely been investigated. In this work, feed containing a polluted soil (total Cd = 6.34, total Pb = 387mgkg-1) amended with phosphate, bentonite and lime, or feed spiked with soluble Pb and Cd were fed to mice for 10days. Feces were collected on Day 2 and Day 10 and analyzed for Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations. Results indicated that Day 10 samples had 10% greater heavy metal concentrations in some treatments than Day 2. For the Pb and Cd spiked treatments, significant positive correlations were found between Pb and Cd rates and feces Pb and Cd concentrations on both dates. Significantly greater feces Pb and Cd concentrations were found in Day 10 samples than in Day 2 samples. Significant correlations were also found between feed Pb and Cd spiking rates and feces Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn concentrations, indicating mouse metal absorption dynamics and metal interactions. Although the phosphate and lime amended soils had lower DTPA-Pb and Cd than the unamended soil (6.2-17.9%, p < 0.05), no significant difference was found for feces Pb and Cd concentrations between treatments. A marginally negative correlation (p = 0.073) between soil DTPA-Zn and feces Zn concentration for Day 2 samples implied the soil amendment only affected mice absorption of Zn. Overall results imply that mice feces heavy metal concentrations can be used to indicate heavy metal absorption from feed and metal interactions in mice.

Assessment of heavy metals accumulation in food crops irrigated with water of Boumerzoug river (Constantine, North East of Algeria)

&lt;p style="margin-bottom:11px;text-align:justify;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family:&amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;,serif;font-size:12.0pt;line-height:200%;" lang="EN-US"&gt;An economy's progress is critically dependent on industrialization. However, it also negatively impacts the ecosystem by releasing dangerous elements like heavy metals into surface aquifers. The purpose of this study was to assess the contamination by heavy metals of edible plants (pepper, watermelon, and lettuce) grown on agricultural land around the Boumerzoug River in Constantine Province, Algeria, and irrigated with river water. Plants were subjected to total quantification of metals (Cu, Cd, Zn, Cr, Pb, and Fe) in four organs (root, stem, leaf, and fruit). Metal concentrations were within acceptable limits, but the Pb and Cd contents were higher than usual levels, indicating a greater potential for health concerns if consumed regularly. The plant organ type affect metal accumulation. The root was the organ that accumulated the most metals, and lettuce was the plant that accumulated the most. The Transfer Factor (TF) was higher for Cd and Cu (&amp;gt; 1). This study recommends continual surveillance of irrigation water and crops to prevent the accumulation of heavy metals beyond permissible levels in the food chain. Thus, to protect both human and animal health in the research area, preventive actions must be taken to limit heavy metal deposition through wastewater irrigation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Infants' Exposure to Toxic Trace Elements in Teethers.

Infants are particularly vulnerable to exposure to toxic trace elements due to their developmental stage and behaviors such as mouthing and chewing on toys. Chemical exposure to heavy metals in infants' toys is a significant concern as it poses a threat to their health and well-being. Therefore, quality control measures are essential to prevent infants' exposure to potentially harmful metals. This study aimed to assess the presence of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in infants' teethers and evaluate potential health risks associated with their use. Eighteen teethers were analyzed for heavy metal content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Results showed varying concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg in the teethers, with none exceeding the safety limits for these heavy metals set by regulatory bodies such as ASTM F-963 and EN 71. Furthermore, calculated exposure levels, including Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) and Lifetime Average Daily Dose (LADD), as well as risk assessments covering Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI), Margin of Exposure (MOE), and Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR), indicated that the overall health risks associated with teethers' use were non-existent. These findings highlight the importance of stringent regulations and ongoing monitoring of heavy metal levels in infants' products to ensure their safety.

The content and associated health risk assessment of toxic elements, micro-, and macrominerals in common carp, Wels catfish, and silver carp from the Danube River in Serbia.

Three fish species (common carp, Wels catfish, and silver carp) were collected from three locations along the Danube River in Serbia, and fish meat was analyzed for the content of toxic elements, micro- and macrominerals. Silver carp had the highest lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) content, while Wels catfish had the highest level of mercury (Hg). Moreover, metal pollution index (MPI) ranged from 0.1096 to 0.275 and among the fish, the silver carp had the highest MPI (from 0.21 to 0.28), indicating that it could be reliable bioindicator of river pollution. Maximum determined levels of As (0.1968mg/kg of w.w.), Hg (0.175mg/kg of w.w.), and Pb (0.0315mg/kg of w.w.) did not exceed values prescribed by the European Commission Regulation, Codex Alimentarius Commission, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and national regulations, but Cd in silver carp was at levels higher than prescribed (0.0808mg/kg of w.w.). Furthermore, our study's results showed that the target hazard quotient (THQ) of each analyzed element and hazard index (HI) were < 1, indicating that consumers would not be exposed to adverse health effects after consuming these fish species from the Danube River. Regarding target cancer risk (TR), for Pb this was below 10-6, which was regarded as negligible, while TRs for As and Cr were between 10-4 and 10-6, which was regarded as acceptable. Moreover, since the studied fish had low values of health risk indexes, it could be concluded that fish meat did not pose a significant risk to human health.