Concentrations Of Toxic Elements Research Articles

Investigation of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) Concentrations in Natural and Synthetic Product Cosmetics Used in Lagos, Nigeria

The use of cosmetics in their various forms has been historical and still trending. Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) have been found to be critical constituents of these cosmetics, though as either functional ingredients or as impurities. This has raised health concerns such as; in kidney failures, heart diseases and birth defects. This study investigate the presence and levels of certain indexed PTEs in both natural and synthetic cosmetics and their associated health implications on users in Lagos State, Nigeria. Three natural product cosmetics namely; palm kernel oil (PKO), shear butter and ‘tiro’ labelled as NC1, NC2 and NC3 respectively, and five brands of synthetic product cosmetics (SPCs) labelled as SC1, SC2, SC3, SC4 and SC5 were selected for analysis based on questionnaire response to cosmetic use among Badagry women. The metal analysis done using ICPOES showed that NC3 is PTEs laden; Mn (38.132 + 8.195) ppm, Ni (42.04 + 2.331) ppm, Pb (65.341 + 3.064) and Zn (92.89 + 6.62) ppm. Mn concentration is the highest amongst all the SPCs, ranging from 17.56 + 2.09 ppm to 29.04 + 0.012 ppm. Ni concentration ranged from 0.506 + 0.073 ppm to 9.88 + 1.43 ppm. The presence of these PTEs could be attributed to unintended contamination from raw material or product processing, or deliberately added as part of the required ingredients as in the case of some synthetic cosmetics. The level of PTEs in the synthetic cosmetics were below the permissible limits set by WHO. However, the risk of bioaccumulation exists due to continuous use over time.

Potentially toxic elements concentration and distribution in soils around artisan workshops in Ago-Iwoye, Southwestern Nigeria

Background/IntroductionAnthropogenic activities, including those carried out by artisans, have been confirmed to be one of the various means by which potentially toxic elements (PTE) are introduced into the soil. This study aims to determine the PTE concentration and distribution in soils around artisans workshops in Ago-Iwoye, southwestern Nigeria. MethodsTwenty (20) soil samples comprising ten (10) samples from soil around auto-mechanic workshops, six (6) from soils around vulcanizer workshops and four (4) from soils around welder workshops were collected and analyzed for elemental concentration using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). ResultsElemental analysis revealed the following trend for selected metals in auto-mechanic, vulcanizing and welding workshops, respectively: Ba (60–100, 100–200 and 130–590 mg.kg−1); Co (10–47, 8–19 and 15–37 mg.kg−1); Cr (29–161, 22–95 and 57–272 mg.kg−1); Cu (28–123, 16–100 and 88–486 mg.kg−1); Ni (11–33, 7–29 and 34–112 mg.kg−1); Pb (17–75, 12–77 and 36–677 mg.kg−1); Sc (2–16, 1–7 and 2–8 mg.kg−1); Sr (13–55, 17–72 and 33–91 mg.kg−1); V (35–212, 20–117 and 40–103 mg.kg−1) and Zn (82–684, 70–548 and 314–3240 mg.kg−1). Geochemical assessment using contamination factor, and geo-accumulation index showed that the artisanal workshops exhibited significant contamination levels for metals such as Ba, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn and the contamination level varied across the artisan workshops with soils around welders workshops showing highest contamination. ConclusionContamination indices revealed the artisan workshops have varying contribution to the metal load in the area and Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicated a decline in soil quality across all artisanal workshops with welding workshops revealing the highest anthropogenic contribution of PTE to the soil.

Assessment of the nutritional profiles and potentially toxic elements of wild and farmed freshwater fish in Cambodia

Climate change and pollution are threatening inland freshwater ecosystems which contribute to human well-being by providing food and incomes. To address this issue, aquaculture is expanding sometimes in intensive settings. We aimed to assess the nutritional and contaminant profiles of three fish species (Channa micropeltes, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, Clarias microcephalus) from the wild ecosystem and caged culture in the Tonle Sap Lake. The mineral profile was assessed by ICP-MS and the overall nutritional quality was characterized by SAIN-LIM scores. Using data on fish consumption by pregnant women, we estimated the daily intakes of several potentially toxic elements. Overall, fish species had similar nutritional profiles, regardless of production method. Only lipid content was higher in caged systems. The production method had no influence on mineral profile and potentially toxic element contents except for mercury higher among wild Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (2.1 µg/100 g). With a consumption of 108 g of fish per day per woman, the median estimated daily intakes of potentially toxic elements were below the tolerable daily limits. However, three women who ate large quantities of fish had mercury intakes (30–32 µg/day) that exceeded the tolerable daily intake. When the rice consumption was taken into account, a high number of women had inorganic arsenic intakes (20–80 µg/day) exceeding the tolerable daily limits. This work is a contribution to the assessment of the risks of arsenic and mercury exposure for pregnant women in Cambodia integrating real food consumption data.

A field trial for remediation of multi-metal contaminated soils using the combination of fly ash stabilization and Zanthoxylumbungeanum- Lolium perenne intercropping system

Insitu stabilization and phytoextraction are considered as two convenient and effective technologies for the remediation of toxic elements (TEs) in soils. However, the effectiveness of these two remediation technologies together on the bioavailability and phytoextraction of TEs in field trials has not been explored yet. Specifically, the remediation potential of fly ash (FA; as stabilizing agent) and ryegrass (as a TE accumulator) intercropped with a target crop for soil polluted with multiple TEs has not been investigated yet, particularly in long-term field trials. Therefore, in this study, a six-month combined remediation field experiment of FA stabilization and/or ryegrass intercropping (IR) was carried out on the farmland soils contaminated with As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn where Zanthoxylumbungeanum (ZB) trees as native crops were grown for years. The treatments include soil cultivated alone with ZB untreated- (control) and treated-with FA (FA), produced by burning lignite in Shaanxi Datong power plant, China, soil cultivated with ZB and ryegrass untreated- (IR) and treated-with FA (FA + IR). This was underpinned by a large-scale survey in Daiziying (China), which showed that the topsoils were polluted by Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb, and that Hg and Pb contents in the Zanthoxylumbungeanum fruits exceeded their allowable limits. The TEs contents in the studied FA were lower than their total element contents in the soil. The DTPA-extractable TEs contents of the remediation modes were as follows: FA < FA + IR < IR < control. Notably, TEs contents in the ZB fruits were lowest under the FA + IR treatment, which were decreased by 27.6% for As, 42.3% for Cd, 16.7% for Cr, 30.5% for Cu, 23.1% for Hg, 15.5% for Ni, 33.2% for Pb and 38.1% for Zn compared with the control treatment. Whereas the FA + IR treatment enhanced TEs contents in ryegrass shoots and roots, and the TEs contents in ryegrass shoots were below their regulatory limits for fodder crops. The findings confirmed that the combined remediation strategy, i.e., FA (with low content of TEs) stabilization effect and intercropping of ZB (target crop) and ryegrass (accumulating plant) could provide a prospective approach to produce target plants within safe TEs thresholds with greater economic benefits, while remediating soils polluted with multiple TEs and mitigating the potential ecological and human health risk. Those results are of great applicable concern.

Safety and quality of different domestic manufacturers and determination of its falsification

At the current stage, the dairy industry in Ukraine is at a fairly high level, although in comparison with world standards, it does not meet the world level in a number of indicators. One of the main tasks for Ukraine as a member of the WTO and in connection with the prospect of its accession to the EU is the harmonization of national regulatory and legal requirements with international ones in the field of food safety and quality. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and quality of sour cream obtained from various domestic manufacturers, as well as to determine its adulteration according to generally accepted methods and developed patented express methods. Analytical, organoleptic, physico-chemical, microbiological, toxicological and statistical methods of research were used to implement the research goal. Sour cream produced by Ukrainian dairy enterprises according to organoleptic indicators (appearance, color, consistency, smell, taste) and physicochemical indicators (mass fraction of fat, titrated acidity, phosphatase, temperature during storage) met the requirements of the current national standard of Ukraine - DSTU 4418:2005. With the exception of sour cream of samples No. 1 and No. 5) - the fat content is reduced, and respectively 8.72±0.07% and 9.10±0.95% (according to the standards of 15−40%) and increased titrated acidity (sample No. 1) − 109.0±1.43 °T (according to standards of 60–100 °T). According to the microbiological tests of sour cream, the content of viable lactic acid bacteria was significantly lower - from (1.16±0.21)x102 to (1.42±0.21)x103 CFU/g compared to the normative indicators (1.0x107 CFU/g), which indicated a significant reduction in the contamination of the product by microorganisms as a result of compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements for sour cream production. The content of coliform bacteria, Salmonella bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, yeast, mold fungi in sour cream met the regulatory requirements of the current national standard of Ukraine - DSTU 4418:2005. During the determination of product falsification, the presence of impurities of starch, sodium hydrogen carbonate, alkaline detergents, hydrogen peroxide, gelatin, and vegetable fats in the sour cream of the producers (samples No. 1 and No. 5) was found; no impurities were detected in the sour cream of other producers. The content of toxic elements (heavy metals), mycotoxins, antibiotics and hormonal drugs in sour cream did not exceed the maximum permissible level (MRL). Express and optimized methods for determining adulteration of sour cream have been developed. Key words: dairy industry, food product, sour cream, organoleptic, physicochemical, microbiological, toxicological indicators, safety, quality, consumer.

Dry deposition fluxes and inhalation risks of toxic elements in total suspended particles in the Bohai Rim region: Long-term trends and potential sources

Long-term changes in dry deposition fluxes (DDF) and health risks for toxic elements (TE) in total suspended particles (TSP) in the Bohai Rim region are important for assessing control effects of pollution sources. Thus, we investigated the trends in DDF and concentrations for TSP and TE and health risks of TE in eight cities in the region from 2011–2020. TSP concentration and DDF showed general downward trends. Compared to the before Clear Air Action Plan (BCAAP, 2011–2012) period, concentration and DDF of TE over the Clear Air Action Plan (CAAP, 2013–2017) period substantially decreased, with the highest decrease rates in Zn, Cd, and Cr. During the study period, non-carcinogenic (HI) and total carcinogenic (TCR) risks for children and adults were 0.09 and 0.04, and 1.54 × 10−5 and 2.65 × 10−5, respectively, with Cr6+ and As being dominant contributors. Compared to the BCAAP period, HI and TCR over the CAAP period decreased by 36.8 % and 32.4 %, respectively. However, their risks increased over the Blue Sky Protection Campaign (BSPC, 2018–2020) period. Potential source contribution function suggested substantial changes in potential risk areas over different control periods, with the BSPC primarily being on land and the Yellow Sea.

Microbial Biomass and Rhizosphere Soil Properties in Response to Heavy Metal-Contaminated Flooding

Mining and metallurgy are the main sources of soil contamination with harmful metals, posing a significant threat to human health and ecosystems. River floodplains in the vicinity of metal mines or industrial plants are often subject to flooding with sediments containing heavy metals, which can be harmful to the soil ecosystem. This study aimed to investigate the microbial properties of the soil at a metal-contaminated site and to determine the significant relationships between the biological and chemical properties of the soil. The study site was located near the village of Gyöngyösoroszi, in the Mátra mountain region of Northwest Hungary. A phytoremediation experiment was conducted in a metal-polluted floodplain using willow and corn plantations. The soil basal respiration, substrate-induced respiration, soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), acid phosphatase activities, and soil chemical properties were measured. The soil of the contaminated sites had significantly higher levels of As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ca, whereas the unpolluted sites had significantly higher levels of phosphorus and potassium. The substrate-induced respiration showed a positive correlation with MBC and negative correlations with the metabolic quotient (qCO2). The soil plasticity index and phosphorus showed a positive correlation with MBC, whereas salinity and the presence of Cd, Pb, Zn, As, and Cu showed a negative correlation. Acid phosphomonoesterase activity negatively correlated with the plant-available phosphorus content and MBC, but was positively correlated with the contents of toxic elements, including cadmium, lead, zinc, arsenic, and copper. This study found a significant correlation between the qCO2 and the toxic element content. This suggests that an enhanced metabolic quotient (qCO2), together with a decreased MBC/SOC ratio, could be used to indicate the harmful effect of soil contamination by heavy metals in floodplain soils.

Review of soil environment quality in India near coal mining regions: current and future predictions.

Production and utilization of coal are one of the primary routes of accumulation of Toxic Elements (TEs) in the soil. The exploration of trends in the accumulation of TEs is essential to establishing a soil pollution strategy, implementing cost-effective remediation, and early warnings of ecological risks. This study provides a comprehensive review of soil concentrations and future accumulation trends of various TEs (Cr, Ni, Pb, Co, Cu, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, and As) in Indian coal mines. The findings revealed that average concentrations of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Co surpass India's natural background soil levels by factors of 2, 4.05, 5.32, 1.77, 9.6, and 6.15, respectively. Geo-accumulation index values revealed that 27.3%, 14.3%, and 7.7% of coal mines are heavily polluted by Ni, Co, and Cu, respectively. Also, the Potential Ecological Risk Index indicates that Cd and Ni are primary contaminants in coal mines. Besides, the health risk assessment reveals oral ingestion as the main exposure route for soil TMs. Children exhibit a higher hazard index than adults, with Pb and Cr being major contributors to their non-carcinogenic risk. In addition, carcinogenic risks exist for females and children, with Cr and Cu as primary contributors. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that TEs (except Cd) accumulated in the soil from anthropogenic sources. The assessment of future accumulation trends in soil TE concentrations reveals dynamic increases that significantly impact both the ecology and humans at elevated levels. This study signifies a substantial improvement in soil quality and risk management in mining regions.

CERVUS ELAPHUS: CULTIVATION IN THE KALININGRAD REGION, PROCESSING AND EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF VENISON PRODUCTS

Recently, there has appeared a tendency to use non-traditional animal raw materials to expand the range of sausages. The purpose of the research is to determine the organoleptic and physico-chemical properties, as well as quality indicators of new sausages with a mass fraction of deer muscle tissue in the recipe (&gt; 60%). An organoleptic evaluation was carried out, then the study of physicochemical parameters, the mass fraction of protein, fat, salt, sodium nitrite, total phosphorus, and residual activity of acid phosphatase was performed. Next there were studied such microbiological indicators as QMAFAnM, BGKP (coliforms), sulfite-reducing clostridia, Staphylococcus aureus, and pathogenic microorganisms: Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes. Safety indicators have been established: the content of toxic elements (mercury, arsenic, cadmium, lead) and quality indicators: the content of nitrosamines, pesticides. The quality control of packaging and labeling was carried out visually in accordance with the requirements of the standard. The temperature is measured inside the product with a glass liquid thermometer. The net weight of consumer packaging was determined gravimetrically by static weighing. It has been proved that all three types of the studied sausages «Zavtrak okhotnika», «Drezdenskiye» and «Oldenburgskiye» corresponded to the normative documentation in terms of organoleptic, physico-chemical properties, quality and safety indicators, nutritional value.

Carbonate dissolution enhances particulate iron sulfide mobilization during water-shale interaction

The interaction between shale and water in the environment can lead to the mobilization of micrometer-sized iron sulfide (pyrite) grains. Because these grains often contain high concentrations of toxic elements, including arsenic, this process can pose a significant hazard. While previous studies have suggested that calcite dissolution plays a major role in iron sulfide mobilization, the relationship between rock composition and the release of particulate matter is unclear. Here, we performed laboratory experiments that simulated water–rock interaction in the subsurface on 5 different shale formations: Eagle Ford, Marcellus, Mancos, and Barnett from the USA, and Ein Zeitim from Israel. We used high resolution imaging to evaluate the impact of a reactive fluid on the shale surface, and used image analysis software to determine the rate of iron sulfide grain mobilization. Comparison of the shale surfaces before and after the experiments showed that the dissolution of calcite cement had a major impact on sulfide mobilization: grains that were primarily surrounded by calcite cement were up to 85 times more likely to be mobilized than grains embedded in the shale matrix, which compromises a complex mixture of submicrometer-scale phases, including phyllosilicates, organics, and carbonates. By contrast, iron sulfide embedded in organic matter typically remained cemented in place. This suggests that while calcite dissolution is a crucial phase in facilitating iron sulfide detachment in shales, organic matter might act as an adhesive that suppresses particulate mobilization. However, the adhesive effect of organic matter is only likely to be of secondary importance. Overall, our results indicate that during hydraulic fracturing operations, which involve the injection of fluid into shales in the subsurface, formations with high levels of carbonate cement are more likely to release particulate iron sulfide, thereby reducing the quality of flowback water and potentially increasing treatment costs.

Health Risk Assessment Of Potentially Toxic Element Concentrations In Fish And Vegetables Obtained From Six Selected Dams In Osun State, Nigeria

This study aimed to assess the levels of certain heavy metals in tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus), as well as vegetables, and to evaluate the potential health risks associated with the presence of toxic elements from Dec. 2019 to June 2023. A total of 60 tilapia fish, 12 okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and 12 bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) from six major dams in Osun State were prepared for analysis using wet digestion with aqua-regia. The concentrations of heavy metals were measured using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu AA-630). The health risk associated with fish consumption was estimated using various parameters. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. The concentrations of micro elements followed the order of Fe &gt; Zn &gt; Cu &gt; Mn in decreasing concentrations. These concentrations exceeded the permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for Ni, Cd, Pb, and Cr, which are 0.6, 0.3, 0.3, and 0.7 mg L-1, respectively. The results obtained for okra and bitter leaf were within the limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Therefore, the presence of these metals indicates the need for close environmental monitoring of the six selected dams.

Assessment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) concentrations in Maize as an animal feed in Tehran, Iran

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a popular livestock feed as well as a good accumulator of toxic elements. Considering the potential for toxic elements to transfer from animal feed to human body through the food chain, along with the carcinogenic characteristics of these elements, the current study aims to evaluate the concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) in 141 samples of Maize collected from Tehran, Iran.The concentrations of potentially toxic elements were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The mean levels of toxic elements including Cd, Pb, As, and Hg in maize samples were 0.009±0.007 ppm, 0.090±0.034 ppm, 0.013±0.006 ppm, and 0.009±0.002 ppm, respectively.Our findings indicate that the mean concentrations of toxic elements in all samples were significantly (P ≤ 0.001) lower than the recommended levels set by Iranian standard organization (ISO). Therefore, maize consumed, as an animal staple feedstuff, is safe in terms of toxic element concentrations. Considering the novelty of this study, as the number of the studies in this field is limited in Iran and the significance of this research, is highlighted by the wide distribution of toxic elements in the surrounding environment and their inevitable entrance to feedstuffs as well as their accumulative behavior, continuous monitoring is highly recommended to ensure consumer safety.

Content of Toxic Elements (Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Lead) in Eggs from an Ethically Managed Laying Hen Farm.

Domestic chicken farming has been promoted and spread in several Italian municipalities and worldwide as an aid to the self-consumption of domestically produced food. This study investigated the levels of four toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in eggs from an ethical laying hen farm, comparing the element concentrations with those possibly present in supermarket eggs. A total of 201 eggs, 141 from the farm and produced by different hen genotypes, and 60 from the supermarket, were collected. The levels of the toxic elements were evaluated in the yolk, albumen, and eggshells of all eggs. The results show that the supermarket eggs' yolk and albumen were more contaminated with lead, compared to the rural eggs. Contrarily, the mean content of arsenic was higher in the albumen and eggshells of the rural eggs, compared to the supermarket eggs. The cadmium content was below the LOQ (0.005 mg/kg) in all samples. The mercury content was below or around the LOQ in all rural eggs. Overall, the supermarket egg albumens were significantly more contaminated than the rural ones. No significant differences were found in quality parameters for both types of eggs. The toxic element values that were detected were in line with other studies in the literature. However, despite the concentrations found not representing a risk to the consumers' health, the results of this study raise a potential food safety issue, and it would be desirable to set specific MRLs for eggs for consumers' protection.

Distribution and bioaccumulation of trace elements in two Cyprinidae fish species in the Indus river, Pakistan, including the impact of hydraulic structure on macroinvertebrates' biodiversity

The concentration of trace elements (chromium, lead, zinc, copper, manganese, and iron) was determined in water, sediment and tissues of two Cyprinidae fish species - Labeo rohita and Tor putitora – collected from the eight sampling stations of Indus River in 2022 for four successive seasons (autumn, winter, spring, summer), and also study the present condition of macroinvertebrates after the construction of hydraulic structure. The obtained results of trace element concentrations in the Indus River were higher than the acceptable drinking water standards by WHO. The nitrate concentration ranges from 5.2 to 59.6 mg l−1, turbidity ranges from 3.00 to 63.9 NTU, total suspended solids and ammonium ions are below the detection limit (<0.05). In the liver, highest dry wt trace elements (μg/g) such as Cr (4.32), Pb (7.07), Zn (58.26), Cu (8.38), Mn (50.27), and Fe (83.9) for the Labeo rohita; and Tor Putitora has significantly greater accumulated concentration (Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe) in muscle and liver than did Labeo rohita species. Additionally, lower number of macroinvertebrates were recorded during the monsoonal season than pre-monsoon and post-monsoon. Local communities surrounded by polluted environments are more probably to consume more fish and expose them to higher concentrations of toxic trace elements (lead and copper). The findings also provide a basis for broader ecological management of the Indus River, which significantly influenced human beings and socioeconomic disasters, particularly in the local community.

Analysis of the substances migration within the trophic chain “soil — plant — raw meat materials”

The trophic chain, which manifests the correlation at nutritional level between various macro- and microorganisms, is an important factor of the ecosystem; it can show the migration of various substances within the chain “soil — water — plant — animals”. The trophic chain in Borgoy depression area was studied due to the profound correlation between the compositional characteristics of the soil and pronounced organoleptic features of meat of the sheep that feed on grass in this area. For the experiments, control and experimental samples of soil, water, plants and mutton meat were examined. The samples taken near the saline lake within the Borgoy depression on the west of Beloozersk village served as an experimental sample. The samples taken 30 km from the salt lake near Petropavlovsk village in the Republic of Buryatia served as control sample. Experiments have shown that the soil of the Borgoy depression is a saline soil, with a depth of the salt horizon of 0–30 cm, and the salt belongs to chloride-sulfate-soda type of salinity. It is noted that the saline soil is characterized by a much higher content of carbonates, chlorides and cations of sodium, potassium and magnesium. Correlation was found between the isotopic composition in soil, vegetation and the raw meat materials. More profound certain organoleptic features of Borgoy mutton were noted. It’s highly probable that this fact is associated with the peculiarities of the mineral, chemical, and amino acid compositions of meat of the livestock that lives in the pastures of the Borgoy depression, characterized by saline soils. Despite the increased content of heavy metals such as lead and copper in the soil, data on sheep muscle tissue showed that all values of toxic elements content are within the permissible concentration range. The transfer of heavy metals from the soil to the aboveground part of plants is hindered by the underground root part, which serves as barrier.

Quantitative profiling and baseline intervals of trace elements in healthy lung tissues

BackgroundHuman lung tissue, as an interface with the environment, is susceptible to various environmental pollutants, including trace metals. However, quantitative data on trace metals in human lung tissues remain poorly described. MethodsThis study aimed to characterize the elemental composition of histologically healthy, unaffected parts of human lung tissues, associated with non-infective, non-infiltrative, and non-malignant diseases (n = 60) for essential (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, and Se) and toxic trace elements (Sr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb). Additionally, we investigated the influence of personal factors (sex, age, and smoking habits) on the examined trace element profiles, as well as between the trace elements correlations in the healthy human lungs. ResultsAmong the analyzed trace elements, Fe was the most prevalent, while As was the least prevalent in healthy lung tissues. Stratifying by age revealed significantly higher Cr and Co (less Sr, Ni, and Pb) and lower Se levels in older individuals (above 65 years) compared to their younger counterparts. Sex-based differences were also notable, with Cu and Co 1.2- and 2.3-fold higher levels in females than in males. Exploring the impact of smoking habits revealed a striking 10-fold increase in Cd levels in the lung tissues of smokers compared to non-smokers. Correlation analyses showed significant positive associations between concentrations of certain toxic and essential trace elements in healthy lung tissues. ConclusionsThis study could contribute to the establishment of baseline intervals for essential and toxic trace elements, valuable for toxicological and clinical assessment, in healthy, unaffected human lungs, and indicates the influence of sex, age, and smoking. However, further larger-scale studies are needed to make more stable conclusions.

On the content of toxic elements in meadow grasses of rural areas of Khangalassky district

The importance of studying the microelement composition of soils and vegetation in the Northern territories is due to the role of microelements in soil formation under cryolithozone conditions, and secondly, the influence of the microelement background of plants on the physiological functions of animals and humans. At the same time, heavy metals deserve special attention as they pose a threat to all living organisms due to their ability to accumulate. The article presents data on the content of heavy metals in the aboveground parts of meadow grasses growing under cryolithozone conditions - in the Khangalassky district, located in the Central Yakut biogeochemical province. Atomic absorption spectral analysis showed that the content of heavy metals - cadmium and lead - in the aboveground parts of the studied plants varied significantly depending on the place of collection, but did not exceed the maximum permissible concentrations. The concentration of zinc in some of the herbal collection points exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations. The need to study the content of heavy metals in plants is due to the fact that they are the primary link in the movement of toxic elements along the trophic chain into the human body. Lead and cadmium accumulate in parenchymal organs, are carcinogenic and affect the morbidity and mortality of the northern population.

CHEMICAL ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF DATURA STRAMONIUM L. GROWING IN UZBEKISTAN

Inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to study the elemental composition of the underground and aboveground parts of the Datura stramonium growing on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The obtained data show that 41 elements were found in the composition of the vegetative organs of the D. stramonium, including 6 macroelements (Ca, P, K, Na, S, Mg), 8 essential microelements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, Zn, Mo), and 6 conditionally essential. Moreover, 6 trace elements (B, Si, Ni, V, As, Li), 16 toxic (Pb, Cd, Ge, Sr, Zr, Tl, Bi, Sn, Sb, W, Ag, Ba, Al, Ga, Ti, Be) and 5 little studied elements (Nb, Cs, Ta, Rb, Re) were identified. It was revealed that among the detected elements in D. stramonium, 3 macroelements (Ca, K and Fe) are contained in a concentration of more than 1000 mg/kg, 4 elements (P, S, Mg, Si) are from 100 to 1000 mg/kg, 3 elements (Na, Mn, B), ranging from 10 to 100 mg/kg and the rest were in the range of less than 10 mg/kg. The macroelements were located between each other in the following order: in the roots of the plant Ca (40%)&gt;K (39%)&gt;P (9%)&gt;Mg (6%)&gt;S (4%)&gt;Na (2%), and in the aerial part of the plant Ca (50%)&gt;K (30%)&gt;Mg (9%)&gt;P (7%)&gt;S (3%)&gt;Na (1%). The highest content of essential trace elements in the composition of the roots and aboveground parts of the D. stramonium falls on the share of Fe (n/h 2015.4521 mg/kg, n/h 1516.3041 mg/kg), and among the conditionally essential microelements Si (n/h 397.8607, n/ch 234.4246). It has been established that the higher content of toxic elements in the composition in the underground part of D. stramonium falls on the proportion of A1 (36.92%) and Ti (35.54%), and in the aboveground part of Ga (48.57%) and Al (17.37%), relative to the total content toxic elements. According to the content of salts of heavy metals of the D. stramonium growing in Uzbekistan meets the requirements established by the Global Fund XIV and WHO. Salts of toxic elements Hg were not found. Comparative data showed that in both organs of D. stramonium growing in Uzbekistan, the content of the considered elements is lower than amount of the element of D. stramonium growing in Kazakhstan and South Africa.

Characterization of mineral composition of leaves and flowers of wild-growing Sambucus nigra.

The objective of this study was to determine the mineral content in the leaves and flowers of wild-grown Sambucus nigra collected from eleven different locations in Kosovo. The samples were digested in a microwave system using the wet digestion method. The minerals were determined by the application of inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A total of 31 elements were determined, 15 elements by the ICP-AES method (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Sr, V, and Zn) and 16 elements by the ICP-MS method (Ag, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cs, Ga, Hg, In, Li, Ni, Pb, Rb, Tl, and U). The leaves of S. nigra show a higher content of minerals compared to the flowers, except for the flower of the sample SN-FL10, which is characterized by a high concentration of Fe, Al, Pb, Be, and Tl. The concentration of heavy metals and toxic elements (Pb, Cd, and Hg) was within the permissible concentrations according to Eur. Ph.

Determination of the Nutrient and Toxic Element Content of Wild-Collected and Cultivated Seaweeds from Hawai'i.

For centuries, Hawaiians have gathered seaweed for food, medicine, and ceremonial purposes. Seaweed contains nutrients, but some varieties can accumulate toxic elements. We measured target macrominerals (Na, Mg, P, K, Ca), microminerals (B, V, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Mo), and nonessential/toxic elements (As, Sr, Cd, Sn, Hg, Pb, and U) in a sample of wild-collected and cultivated seaweeds from Hawai'i. The samples consisted of brown (Sargassum aquifolium, Sargassum echinocarpum), red (Gracilaria parvispora, Halymenia formosa, Halymenia hawaiiana), and green (Ulva ohnoi) seaweed. Elemental composition was determined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-atomic emission spectroscopy and ICP-mass spectrometry (MS). Speciation of As was conducted by using liquid chromatography-ICP-MS. S. echinocarpum per 80 g serving was high in Ca (~37% daily value [DV]), U. ohnoi was high in Mg (~40%DV), H. formosa was high in Fe (~40%DV), and G. parvispora was high in Mn (~128%DV). In this study, the highest amounts of toxic elements were observed in S. aquifolium and S. echinocarpum (27.6 mg inorganic As/kg fdw), G. parvispora (43.3 mg Pb/kg fdw) and H. formosa (46.6 mg Pb/kg fdw). These results indicate that although seaweeds from Hawai'i contain a variety of nutrients, some species can accumulate high amounts of toxic elements.