This work examines the recommended chemical analytical method for the identification and detecting mercury from the environmental media. The aim of this study was to establish a correlation between mercury content in different biological indicators like: human hair, mushrooms, lichen, moss and needle samples, and the changes in the structure of the investigated material. We have explored the possibilities of using the SEM method in environmental studies to investigate a variety of biological samples coming from areas at different pollution state. We have combined the information from the quantity measurements with the qualitative analysis. The total content of Hg was determined using the Automatic Mercury Analyzer SP-3D. The accuracy of the applied method was verified by an analysis of proper certificate materials: Mixed Polish Herbs INCT-MPH-2, Lichen CRM 482, Pine needles 1575a and Human Hair NCS ZC 81002. The obtained results proved a direct influence of the content of mercury and environmental pollution on the damage of the structure of the studied samples.
Determination of trace elements in combusted materials has always been an interesting field of environmental studies. Particulate matter, in particular, is a serious problem which, can lead to air pollution especially by heavy metals emissions in urban and industrial areas. There is a considerable concern about the elevated level of mercury released during combustion and the proportion of anthropogenic mercury in the environment. Nowadays, small-scale installations have been identified as a significant source-pathway for mercury pollution, particularly those that use coal. A total amount of mercury was determined using Mercury Analyzer. The investigated material consists of bottom ash, fly ash, slag, soot or dust. The obtained results varied according to the type of the material and plant. The developed methodology was checked by carrying out the analysis of certificate material of Soil NCS ZC 73001 and the reference material of Soil-7.
We compared action of Cd2+, Hg2+, and Cu2+ on isolated rat liver mitochondria in the absence of added Ca2+ and Pi. The heavy-metal ions produced dose-dependently: (1) enhanced membrane permeabilizaton manifested in mitochondrial swelling and activation of basal respiration, (2) inhibition of uncoupler-stimulated respiration, and (3) membrane potential dissipation. Among the metals, Cu2+ exhibited maximal stimulatory effect on basal respiration and minimal inhibitory action on DNP-uncoupled respiration whilst Cd2+ promoted the strongest depression of uncoupled respiration and the largest swelling in NH4NO3 medium. Dithiothreitol induced a basal respiration release if added after high [Cd2+] and [Hg2+], and the stimulation was CsA-insensitive.
The partition behaviour of Hg (II) was studied in an aqueous polyethylene glycol (PEG) - (NH4)2SO4 two-phase system as a function of halide, halide concentration, and pH. For a system prepared by mixing equal volumes of 40 % (w/w) PEG (1550) with 40 % (w/w) (NH4)2SO4, Hg(II) remains almost exclusively in the salt-rich phase. The addition of NaX (X = Cl−, Br−, I−) enhances Hg (II) partition into the PEG-rich phase due to the formation of halide complexes. The efficiency of halide extractants increases in the order: Cl− < Br− < I−. Mercury extraction is improved at lower halide ion concentration by higher stock salt solution acidity. From the distribution coefficients determined as a function of halide ion concentration, the extracted species were identified. The Hg (II) extractability is determined by the type and stability of the Hg (II) halide species, and depends on the stock salt solution acidity. The observed behaviour is discussed and a possible extraction mechanism is proposed.
INTRODUCTION:Dietary supplements are increasingly more frequently used to increase the daily intake of essential vitamins and minerals. These preparations are classified as a special category of foods and are subject to food law, not pharmaceutical regulations. As a result, the requirements for dietary supplements are much less restrictive than to medi-cations. The aim of study was to determine the level of mercury in multivitamin and multimineral preparations and to analyze the results. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study included 22 dietary supplements containing vitamins and minerals available on the Polish market. Mercury was analyzed with an AAS using AMA 254. RESULTS: The concentrations of Hg were 0.22–5.85 μg/kg (the average content was 2.40 μg/kg). The highest average mercury content was 4.51 μg/kg, whereas the lowest one was 0.31 μg/kg. The results were also analyzed in individual groups depending on the main component and indication for use as well as pharmaceutical formulation. Furthermore, according to the manufacturer’s recommendation, the dose of mercury taken with a single medicine was estimated for time of a day, a week, a month, 3 months and also a year. The findings were compared to the limits defined in the regula-tions of the European Union and PTWI set by the JECFA to assess the health risk. The results presented in this study proved that the amount of mercury in the tested dietary supplements is much lower than the value of valid regulations. CONCLUSIONS:As long as they are used with the recommendation of manufacturer, the analyzed supplements do not pose a threat to human health.
PL
WSTĘP: Suplementy diety to produkty coraz częściej wybierane jako łatwy sposób na uzupełnienie niedoborów witamin i minerałów w codziennej diecie. Są to środki spożywcze podlegające prawu żywnościowemu a nie farmaceutycz-nemu, co przekłada się na znacznie mniejsze wymagania niż w przypadku leków. Również prosta i niekosztowna procedura ich rejestracji sprawia, że każdego roku zwiększa się liczba dostępnych preparatów. Celem pracy było oznaczenie zawartości rtęci w witaminowo-mineralnych suplementach diety oraz analiza uzyskanych wyników. MATERIAŁ I METODY: Do badania wybrano 22 suplementy diety dostępne na polskim rynku, zawierające w swoim składzie witaminy i minerały. W zebranych próbkach oznaczono zawartość rtęci przy użyciu spektrometru absorpcji atomowej AMA 254. WYNIKI: Zawartość rtęci mieściła się w zakresie 0,22–5,85μg/kg. Najwięcej rtęci – 4,51μg/kg – występowało w preparacie uzupełniającym poziom cynku i miedzi. Najmniejsza zawartość wynosiła 0,31μg/kg w preparacie witaminowo-mineralnym. Uzyskane wyniki analizowano w poszczególnych grupach suplementów diety w zależności od składnika głównego i wskazań do stosowania oraz od postaci farmaceutycznej. Obliczono także dzienne pobranie rtęci przy maksymalnych zalecanych dawkach w ciągu dnia, miesiąca, 3 miesięcy oraz roku. Uzyskane oznaczenia porównano z obowiązującym w krajach Unii Europejskiej maksymalnym dopuszczalnym poziomem zawartości rtęci w suplementach diety oraz tymczasowym tygodniowym pobraniem PTWI, ustalonym przez JECFA. WNIOSKI:Przeprowadzona analiza wykazała, że poziom zawartości rtęci w badanych suplementach diety witaminowo-mineralnych nie został przekroczony. Stosowanie tych preparatów w ilości zalecanej przez producenta nie stwarza ryzyka dla zdrowia.
INTRODUCTION:Dietary supplements are increasingly more frequently used to increase the daily intake of essential vitamins and minerals. These preparations are classified as a special category of foods and are subject to food law, not pharmaceutical regulations. As a result, the requirements for dietary supplements are much less restrictive than to medi-cations. The aim of study was to determine the level of mercury in multivitamin and multimineral preparations and to analyze the results. MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study included 22 dietary supplements containing vitamins and minerals available on the Polish market. Mercury was analyzed with an AAS using AMA 254. RESULTS: The concentrations of Hg were 0.22–5.85 μg/kg (the average content was 2.40 μg/kg). The highest average mercury content was 4.51 μg/kg, whereas the lowest one was 0.31 μg/kg. The results were also analyzed in individual groups depending on the main component and indication for use as well as pharmaceutical formulation. Furthermore, according to the manufacturer’s recommendation, the dose of mercury taken with a single medicine was estimated for time of a day, a week, a month, 3 months and also a year. The findings were compared to the limits defined in the regula-tions of the European Union and PTWI set by the JECFA to assess the health risk. The results presented in this study proved that the amount of mercury in the tested dietary supplements is much lower than the value of valid regulations. CONCLUSIONS:As long as they are used with the recommendation of manufacturer, the analyzed supplements do not pose a threat to human health.
PL
WSTĘP: Suplementy diety to produkty coraz częściej wybierane jako łatwy sposób na uzupełnienie niedoborów witamin i minerałów w codziennej diecie. Są to środki spożywcze podlegające prawu żywnościowemu a nie farmaceutycznemu, co przekłada się na znacznie mniejsze wymagania niż w przypadku leków. Również prosta i niekosztowna procedura ich rejestracji sprawia, że każdego roku zwiększa się liczba dostępnych preparatów. Celem pracy było oznaczenie zawartości rtęci w witaminowo-mineralnych suplementach diety oraz analiza uzyskanych wyników. MATERIAŁ I METODY: Do badania wybrano 22 suplementy diety dostępne na polskim rynku, zawierające w swoim składzie witaminy i minerały. W zebranych próbkach oznaczono zawartość rtęci przy użyciu spektrometru absorpcji atomowej AMA 254. WYNIKI: Zawartość rtęci mieściła się w zakresie 0,22–5,85μg/kg. Najwięcej rtęci – 4,51μg/kg – występowało w preparacie uzupełniającym poziom cynku i miedzi. Najmniejsza zawartość wynosiła 0,31μg/kg w preparacie witaminowo-mineralnym. Uzyskane wyniki analizowano w poszczególnych grupach suplementów diety w zależności od składnika głównego i wskazań do stosowania oraz od postaci farmaceutycznej. Obliczono także dzienne pobranie rtęci przy maksymalnych zalecanych dawkach w ciągu dnia, miesiąca, 3 miesięcy oraz roku. Uzyskane oznaczenia porównano z obowiązującym w krajach Unii Europejskiej maksymalnym dopuszczalnym poziomem zawartości rtęci w suplementach diety oraz tymczasowym tygodniowym pobraniem PTWI, ustalonym przez JECFA. WNIOSKI:Przeprowadzona analiza wykazała, że poziom zawartości rtęci w badanych suplementach diety witaminowo-mineralnych nie został przekroczony. Stosowanie tych preparatów w ilości zalecanej przez producenta nie stwarza ryzyka dla zdrowia.
Currently, much attention is paid to the search for the etiology of many eye diseases. It has been shown that environmental pollution with heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury) is of significant importance. One of these diseases is cataract, i.e. clouding of the lens of the eye. It turns out that heavy metals are deposited in the tissues of the eyes, damaging them and accelerating the disease. This work is aimed at presenting the problem of the influence of heavy metals on cataracts. The study compares the concentration of heavy metals between the control group (81 healthy volunteers) and the group of cataract patients (72 sick). Plasma was used in the research and the ICP-MS method was used.
To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the protective action of stigmatellin (an inhibitor of complex III of mitochondrial electron transport chain, mtETC) against the heavy metal-induced cytotoxicity, we tested its effectiveness against mitochondrial membrane permeabilization produced by heavy metal ions Cd2+, Hg2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+, as well as by Ca2+ (in the presence of Pi) or Se (in form of Na2SeO3) using isolated rat liver mitochondria. It was shown that stigmatellin modulated mitochondrial swelling produced by these metals/metalloids in the isotonic sucrose medium in the presence of ascorbate plus tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (complex IV substrates added for energization of the mitochondria). It was found that stigmatellin and other mtETC inhibitors enhanced the mitochondrial swelling induced by selenite. However, in the same medium, all the mtETC inhibitors tested as well as cyclosporin A and bongkrekic acid did not significantly affect Cu2+-induced swelling. In contrast, the high-amplitude swelling produced by Cd2+, Hg2+, Zn2+, or Ca2+ plus Pi was significantly depressed by these inhibitors. Significant differences in the action of these metals/metalloids on the redox status of pyridine nucleotides, transmembrane potential and mitochondrial respiration were also observed. In the light of these results as well as the data from the recent literature, our hypothesis on a possible involvement of the respiratory supercomplex, formed by complex I (P-site) and complex III (S-site) in the mitochondrial permeabilization mediated by the mitochondrial transition pore, is updated.
Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, which, along with a number of beneficial health ingredients, such as trace elements, also contains undesired substances - as impurities. Among the impurities occur heavy metals, and their presence in tea leaves can pose serious problems to human health because they are not biodegradable, remain in the environment and can become part of the food chain. The total metal content of the tea leaves and infusions depends on the type of tea (green, black) and on the influence of other factors, including the properties of the soil. Despite the limited extent of metal migration from the dried tea to infusions, tea pollution with metals such as lead, cadmium or mercury is not indifferent to human health.
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Herbata jest jednym z najbardziej popularnych napojów na świecie, który obok wielu korzystnych dla zdrowia składników, jak mikroelementy, zawiera również te niepożądane - stanowiące zanieczyszczenie. Wśród nich znajdują się metale ciężkie, których obecność w liściach herbaty może stwarzać poważne problemy dla zdrowia ludzkiego, ponieważ nie ulegają one biodegradacji, a pozostając w środowisku mogą stać się częścią łańcucha pokarmowego. Całkowita zawartość metali w liściach herbat oraz w naparach zależy od rodzaju herbaty (zielona, czarna) oraz od wpływu wielu innych czynników, w tym właściwości gleby. Pomimo ograniczonej migracji metali z suszu do naparów zanieczyszczenie herbat metalami tj. ołów, kadm czy rtęć nie jest obojętne dla zdrowia człowieka. REFERENCES
Large scale studies of environmental influences on children’s health and development are being planned or conducted in many places, including Japan, France, Shanghai (China), the United States, and Germany. The objective of these “next generation” studies is to better understand a broad range of environmental and social factors that influence the health and well-being of children. Some of these studies are designed to enroll tens of thousands of children and follow them for many years to investigate the influence of the environment on child growth, development and health. Environment is broadly defined in these studies and includes investigation of chemical, biological, physical and socioeconomic factors. An international group composed of study teams from Japan, France, Shanghai (China), the United States, and Germany has been meeting since 2011 to exchange information and work towards harmonization of processes that would provide the opportunity to compare methods and develop procedures to conduct combined analyses of results and data pooling procedures. Harmonization of infant health outcomes, biomarkers, environmental measurements, socioeconomic and migration status has been initiated. This manuscript provides an overview of the Environment and Child Health International Birth Cohort Group and its history, describes the progress of work, and discusses the advantages of this international collaborative effort.
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