Analysis of trace elements in processed products of grapes and potential health risk assessment

Raisins and grape pekmez are consumed commonly by human all over the globe. Consumption of contaminated foods may be the likely pathway of heavy metal exposure. Therefore, the objectives of the present research were to quantify trace elements concentration in raisins and grape pekmez produced from locally grown grapes in Gonabad and to assess non-carcinogenic (HQ and HI) and carcinogenic (total cancer risk, CRt) health risks caused by trace elements exposure via oral intake of these products for children, teenagers, and adults. For this purpose, a totally 30 (15 raisins and 15 grape pekmez) samples were purchased from the vineyard gardeners and examined for ten trace elements including As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn. The HI values signaled that the studied population consuming these products is at risk. The HQ, HI, and CRt values of the elements were in order of children > teenagers > adults. The highest cancer risk contribution was attributed to As and Ni for all the studied age groups in both raisins and grape pekmez samples. However, it is recommended that the concentration of trace elements in the soil and crops of the study area and its related health risks be regularly monitored to avoid significant health risks in the future.

Sources, distribution, associated health risks and remedial technologies for inorganic contamination in groundwater: A review in specific context of the state of Haryana, India

Haryana is one of the leading states in India in the agricultural and industrial production. With the expansion of these sectors, a continuous increase in water demand is leading to water crises arising from overexploitation and quality deterioration of the available water. Contamination of aquifer resources is a significant concern, because majority of population depends on the groundwater for various agricultural, industrial, and domestic needs. This review article provides an overview of groundwater contamination, associated health risks with different contaminants with regions severely affected by poor water quality, and delves in identifying the sources, by observing and recognising the types of industries dominant in the state with types of effluents discharge. It further suggests the possible mitigation measures such as advanced remedial technologies and proper management practices from the consequent contamination sources. It has been observed during the perusal of various studies and data that the degree of contamination was considerably higher in districts with heavy agro-industrial activities. The groundwater resources in three highly industrialized districts were found to be gravely contaminated with toxic heavy metals. Alongwith heavy metals, the salinity, hardness, nitrate, and fluoride are also posing significant problems in the aquifer resources of Haryana state. The article also discusses various technologies for remediation of different pollutants from groundwater so it can be made potable after treatment.

Cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic in fresh fruits and fruit products intended for human consumption in the Republic of Serbia, 2015-2017

The European Commission has established legislation for toxic metals in certain foodstuffs in order to protect public health already in 1993. After several amendments, new maximum levels for cadmium and lead in certain foods were set as per 30 and 31 August 2021 for lead and cadmium, respectively. The new Serbian Regulation on "maximum levels of certain contaminants in food" is fully harmonised with this European legislation. The concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) were determined in 832 samples of 39 species of fruits and processed fruits, collected during the period January 2015 to December 2017. Fruits and fruit products originated from 45 countries, including Serbia. Samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Concentrations of cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic in fruits and fruit products were compared to these maximum levels (MLs). Overall, measurable Cd, Pb, Hg, and As were found in 377 samples (45.3%). According to the former regulations, the maximum levels of Cd and Pb for analysed fruits and fruit products were exceeded in only 10 samples (1.20%; n = 832): Cd in 6 and Pb in 4 samples, but according to the latest regulations, the maximum levels of Cd and Pb for fruits were exceeded in 196 of the samples (23.9%; n = 820): Cd in 191 and Pb in 5 samples. The increase of ML exceedances shows that attention needs to be paid for compliance of food to the recent MLs for these metals.