Agnieszka Fischer

The use of herbal medicinal products and dietary supplements has increased significantly in recent years. Insufficient knowledge regarding the effects of herbal raw materials, as well as their potential adverse effects and interactions with medications and food, poses a considerable risk in therapies involving these products. Furthermore, contamination with heavy metals, including mercury, may constitute an additional health hazard. The aim of this study was to determine the mercury (Hg) content in wild-growing herbal raw materials collected independently and in commercial products, namely herbal teas derived from the same plant species under investigation. The measured Hg levels were compared with the limits established by the applicable standard set out in Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/73. For the study, five medicinal plant species commonly used in Poland were selected: wild rose (Rosa canina L.), common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna L.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), common nettle (Urtica dioica L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula). The determination of Hg concentrations was carried out using an AMA 254 (Altec, Prague, Czech Republic) atomic absorption spectrometer. The arithmetic mean Hg concentration across all analyzed samples was 18.68 µg/kg, with values ranging from 0.19 to 202.83 µg/kg. The highest median Hg concentrations were found in common nettle (23.80 µg/kg), followed by dandelion (13.00 µg/kg) and silver birch (12.68 µg/kg). Considerably lower concentrations were observed in common hawthorn (5.91 µg/kg) and wild rose (0.61 µg/kg). Statistically significant differences in Hg content were detected among the studied plant species (p < 0.001). With regard to individual morphological plant parts, the highest accumulation of Hg was observed in roots, followed by herbs, leaves, and buds. Among all analyzed samples, 32% exceeded the permissible Hg limit, with the majority of these being self-collected samples. Self-collection of medicinal plant materials, including common nettle (Urtica dioica), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and silver birch (Betula pendula), may pose a risk associated with Hg contamination. Given the continuously increasing demand for and market value of herbal medicines, ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicinal plants and herbal products is of great importance. Therefore, regular monitoring of toxic element levels in plant materials used in phytotherapy is justified and essential.

(1) Background: Clays are popular raw materials of natural origin used in cosmetology, beauty salons, and home care. They have moisturizing, soothing, cleansing, disinfecting, detoxifying, and regenerating properties, and can be used externally in the form of poultices or internally in solution form. Though they are characterized by a rich and diverse mineral composition and are considered safe for the body, their use can expose users to harmful elements including mercury. (2) Materials and methods: This study analyzed mercury (Hg) concentrations in samples of cosmetic clays available on the Polish market. Hg analysis was performed using the AAS method with an AMA 254 analyzer. The clays differed in type/color and were purchased from different manufacturers. (3) Results: The mean Hg content in all the tested samples was 28.91 µg/kg, with a range of changes of 1.87–200.81 µg/kg. The highest concentrations of Hg were found in green (AM = 53.26 µg/kg) and white (AM = 52.80 µg/kg) clays, while the lowest were detected in purple (AM = 2.56 µg/kg) and blue (AM = 3.69 µg/kg) clays. The differences in Hg content between individual types of clay were statistically significant. (4) Conclusions: Due to the presence of Hg found in all the samples of cosmetic clay tested, it is likely that these products need to be tested for their metal contents.

Background: Dietary supplements (DSs) are products classified as foodstuffs, but frequently wrongly identified as medicines. The aim of the study was to determine the mercury (Hg) content in DSs supporting weight loss. The analysis concerned DSs’ main active ingredient, form and manufacturer. The exposure to Hg resulting from the consumption of the supplements tested and the potential risk to health were also assessed. The results were compared to the permissible standards specified by the EU. Materials and Methods: The study used 47 preparations available on the Polish market. The studies were performed by means of an AMA 254 Hg analyzer using the atomic absorption spectrometry method with the amalgamation technique. Results: The Hg content in slimming DSs ranged from 0.12 to 46.27 µg/kg; the arithmetic mean was 5.80 µg/kg, whereas the median value was lower—2.44 µg/kg. The highest average Hg content (21.58 µg/kg) was found in supplements containing chlorella, followed by preparations containing white mulberry—10.98 µg/kg. The lowest Hg content was noted in preparations with L-carnitine (1.07 µg/kg). Conclusions: In none of the supplements tested did the amount of Hg exceed the permissible standard, indicating that their consumption in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations does not pose a risk to consumers’ health. To assess the risk of exposure, the THQ (Target Hazard Quotient) index was calculated and found to be higher than 1 for 11 DSs. Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a likely risk of side effects associated with the consumption of the DSs tested.

Current trends are promoting youth, beauty, health, and fitness. Individuals often seek out remedies, such as medicines or dietary supplements (DS), to achieve these goals. However, highly processed foods, chronic stress, and environmental pollution contribute to the development of civilization diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mercury (Hg) content in medicines and DS that are available in Poland. A total of 139 preparations were tested (75 drugs, 64 DS). The medicines contained preparations belonging to antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal; analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory; heart and blood vessel disease preventatives; respiratory tract infections treatment; diuretics; aiding digestion; supplements; antidiarrhoeals; anti-allergics; anti-rheumatics; antibiotics; and others. The tested dietary supplements had an effect on the following: improve the condition of skin, hair, and nails; vitamins; minerals; probiotics; weight loss; special for women; and others. The Hg content of the samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The Hg content of all the preparations varied widely (0.1–57.4 µg/kg), with a median Hg concentration of 1.2 µg/kg. The median Hg concentration for medicines was 0.8 µg/kg, prescription medicines having higher Hg concentrations (0.9 µg/kg) than over-the-counter (OTC) drugs (0.5 µg/kg). For DS, the Hg content was found to be higher than for drugs, at 2.0 µg/kg. The herbal preparations showed the highest Hg content among the individual DS groups (3.4 µg/kg). The Hg concentrations in the tested drug and DS samples did not exceed acceptable standards. However, if multiple pharmaceutical preparations are taken simultaneously over a long period of time, and there is existing environmental exposure, there is a possibility of Hg concentration accumulation and adverse health effects.

Mercury (Hg) is a metal with toxic effects on the environment, including living organisms. Organic Hg derivatives readily penetrate biological membranes and pose a particular health risk. Food of aquatic origin is the main source of human exposure to methylmercury (MeHg). In Poland, the consumption of fishery and aquaculture products has been gradually increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the content of Hg in fish intended for human consumption and purchased in Poland. The total Hg content of the edible parts of different species of marine and freshwater fish was analysed. The range of Hg content in all fish was 0.004–0.827 mg/kg, with an arithmetic mean of 0.084 mg/kg. The concentration of Hg in marine fish (0.100 mg/kg) was higher than in freshwater fish (0.063 mg/kg). The highest concentration of Hg was found in tuna. The Estimated Hazard Quotient (EHQ) calculated for the tuna samples analysed was >1. This may represent a potential health risk for consumers. The consumption of the other fish analysed was considered safe on the basis of the EHQ. The Hg content of the analysed fish samples did not exceed the current limits for food.

The elemental composition of the body’s calcified tissues may reflect the environmental exposure of the population to heavy metals. The aim of the study was to assess whether the elemental composition of the maxillary bone from individuals belonging to a given population reflects the environmental exposure of this population to lead and cadmium. The research material consisted of cortical bone from the anterolateral walls of the maxilla collected from 126 patients during Caldwell–Luc maxillary sinus surgery on residents of two cities differing in terms of the lead and cadmium pollution of the natural environment. The content levels of lead, cadmium, iron, manganese, chromium, copper, and iron were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The content levels of lead and cadmium in the samples of the maxillary bones of residents of Bielsko-Biala were 3.26 ± 2.42 µg/g and 0.74 ± 0.38 µg/g, respectively, whereas in the samples from the residents of Katowice, they were 7.66 ± 2.79 µg/g and 1.12 ± 0.08 µg/g, respectively. It was found that the lead and cadmium levels in the maxillary bone corresponded to the environmental exposure to these heavy metals in the place of residence, which was proven here via the example of the residents of two cities with different concentrations of these heavy metals in the air over long time periods. Additionally, higher content levels of essential metals such as manganese, chromium, copper, and iron are characteristic of the maxillary bone samples of residents of the area that is more polluted with heavy metals.

Vegetable and fish oils constitute a significant part of all dietary supplements. Due to increasing environmental pollution, the raw materials used for their production may be contaminated with toxic substances, including metals. The aim of the present study was to determine the mercury (Hg) content in vegetable oils, shark liver oils, and cod liver oils. The tests conducted were to help determine the level of mercury contamination of the tested preparations and the related potential threat to human health. The amount of Hg in the tested dietary supplements was compared, and the amount of the metal consumed at various times of use was determined. A total of 36 preparations of dietary supplements available on the Polish market were used for the study. The method of atomic absorption spectrometry using the amalgamation technique was used for the determinations (AMA 254, Altec, Czech Republic). Among the sample of all of the tested preparations, the Hg concentration ranged from 0.023 to 0.427 µg/kg, with an average of 0.165 µg/kg. Differences in Hg content in the various tested preparations (shark liver oil, cod liver oil, and vegetable oils) were statistically significant. The average concentration of Hg in the vegetable oils (0.218 µg/kg) was more than twice that of the cod liver oils (0.106 µg/kg) and shark liver oils (0.065 µg/kg). In none of the tested preparations did the amount of Hg exceed the acceptable standard for dietary supplements (0.10 mg/kg). The analysis showed that the Hg content in vegetable oils, shark liver oils, and fish oils from the Polish market is at a low level, guaranteeing the safety of their use, and as such, they do not pose a threat to health.

Spice plants are popularly used as ingredients in food products. Promoting healthy eating, paying attention to the quality of products, means that organic and self-produced ingredients, whose origin and growing conditions are known, are gaining popularity. The study determined the concentration of mercury (Hg) in popular leafy spice plants: peppermint (Mentha piperita), common basil (Ocimum basilicum), lovage (Levisticum officinale) and parsley (Petroselinum crispum). Self-grown spices and ready-made commercial products were selected for the study. The Hg content in the test samples was determined by the AAS method (AMA 254, Altec, Praha, Czech Republic). The range of Hg content in the tested spice samples ranged from 1.20 to 17.35 µg/kg, on average 6.95 µgHg/kg. The highest concentration of Hg was recorded in the peppermint, 9.39 µg/kg. In plants grown independently, the concentration of Hg was statistically significantly higher than in commercial products purchased in a store. There were no differences in the concentration of Hg in organic and non-organic spices. Commercial spices defined by producers as organic products did not differ statistically significantly in the level of Hg content from non-organic products.

Due to the content of active ingredients, teas can be used prophylactically, but most of all they are consumed for taste reasons. As with food or water, these products can be contaminated with heavy metals, including mercury. Mercury (Hg) is a toxic element, it causes many side effects in the human body depending on the form of Hg, which can include respiratory failure, kidney damage, neurological disorders. At the cellular level, Hg and its compounds lead to a disturbance of metabolism and cell death. The aim of the study was to evaluate the mercury concentration of tea (Camellia sinensis) and Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis). Eighty-six samples were collected and analyzed, including the following kinds: black, green, white, Pu-erh, and Yerba Mate. The samples came from Poland. The Hg concentration was determined with an AMA 254 atomic absorption spectrometer. The study showed that the Hg content in each tea sample averaged 2.47 μg/kg. The Hg concentration in the tested types of tea differed significantly statistically (p = 0.000). It was the largest in Yerba Mate, followed by green, Pu-erh, and white tea, and was the smallest in black tea. Statistically significant differences in the Hg content (p = 0.004) were also dependent on the form of the product; in leaf tea samples, the concentration of Hg (2.54 µg/kg) was higher than in tea bags (1.16 µg/kg). The Hg concentration determined in the tested samples does not exceed the permitted EU standard. Consuming these teas poses no health risk in terms of the amount of Hg.

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.