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The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between seminal plasma cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) levels and semen parameters in male partners of infertile couples. Two hundred fifty one (251) men recruited with no history of occupational exposure to toxic metals. After semen analysis, seminal Cd and Pb levels were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. Cadmium levels in men with hypospermia was significantly higher than men with normal semen volume ( p  = .049). In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference in median seminal Pb levels between men with hypospermia and men with normal semen volume ( p  = .13). There was no statistically significant association between seminal plasma Cd and Pb levels sperm concentration, motility, morphology and total progressively motile sperm count. These findings suggest that environmental Cd exposure may contribute to low semen volume in male partners of infertile couples.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Toxic metals may adversely affect both male and female reproductive system. What the results of this study add? Seminal plasma cadmium levels in men with hypospermia were statistically significantly higher than men with normal semen volume. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Patients should be informed about possible adverse effects of toxic metals.

Studies related to the toxicological analyses of metallic impurities in pharmaceuticals (drugs) is an important issue but there is a lack of refereed literature around the safety of teething remedies from herbal origin related to toxic metals impurities. In this article, the levels of Pb and Cd were measured in samples of local anaesthetics for teething (gels) based on herbs. This article was motivated by the fact that Pb and Cd are relevant toxic metals that may cause an adverse effect in babies even at low levels. Additional justifications were (1) the insufficient control of metal impurities in teething gels, (2) the lack of sufficient validation steps and (3) the inadequate sensitivity of applied analytical techniques. The aim of this article was a qualitative and quantitative analysis of Pb and Cd in the most popular and available local anaesthetic for teething (teething gels) based on herbs (n = 5) available in Poland. Metals were determined by ET AAS (electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry), after digestion in a microwave unit using concentrated nitric acid. It was observed that all samples contained Pb and Cd. The levels of Pb and Cd as impurities (independently of the producer and declared composition) are similar. The concentrations of Pb and Cd, at ng/day levels, to which the user is exposed at daily doses meet the standards of the directive ICH Q3D., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Preconcentration of Cd(II) and Pb(II) was carried out by using column solid phase extraction method. Amberlyst 15 was used as solid phase for these analytes. The optimum extraction conditions such as pH (4), type and volume of eluent (5 mL of 2 mol L -1 HNO 3 ) sample flow rate (1 mL min -1 ) and sample volume (100 mL for Cd(II) and 750 mL for Pb(II)) were determined. The recoveries were found for Cd(II) and Pb(II) as 104% ± 1% and 102 % ± 2%, respectively. The limit of detections were found as 0.23 µg L -1 for Cd(II) and 0.13 µg L -1 for Pb(II). The effects of foreign ions were also studied. The method was validated by analyzing standard reference material and spiked water samples. Percent relative error and relative standard deviation were below 3% and 4%, respectively.

There is currently a lack of risk assessments around Pb and Cd in prescription food for special medical purposes (FSMPs) and modified milk products available in from pharmacies in Poland. This article describes and evaluates a toxicological analysis of lead and cadmium in prescription FSMPs (n = 6) and modified milk products (n = 6) available in Polish pharmacies. The metals were determined using electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectrometry. To make the appropriate risk assessment, we considered (1) the levels of lead and cadmium in a powdered product, (2) the amount of the metals consumed in one portion (single exposure), (3) the daily dose depending on age (months) and body weight and (4) the weekly intake of Pb and Cd in samples in comparison to provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The results demonstrated that the samples analysed do not represent a health hazard to newborns and infants. This study is important because of the concerns around the complex risk assessment of prescription FSMP's and modified milk products available in Polish pharmacies related to lead and cadmium., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

A novel and greener ultrasonically assisted/modified cloud point extraction procedure for the simultaneous preconcentration of lead and cadmium in serum samples of different types of gallstone patients was developed. The chelates of the under study metals, formerly formed with 8-hydroxyquinoline, were extracted in the micelles of a nonionic surfactant prior to analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). After the arrival of the cloud point, the critical micellar mass produced was homogenously dispersed in the aqueous phase with the help of ultrasound energy. The reliability of the developed procedure was tested by relative standard deviation (% RSD), which was found to be <5%. The performance of the proposed procedure was checked by applying to certified reference material and spiking standard in real samples. All the experimental parameters were optimized. The developed procedure of Um-CPE was applied successfully for the analysis of the target heavy metals in serum samples of different types of gallstone patients and referents. The higher levels of the understudy metals were observed in the patients as compared to the referents but the levels of the both metal were found to be considerably higher in patients with pigmented gallstones., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A dispersive micro solid phase extraction (DMSPE) method for the selective preconcentration of trace lead ions on oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (ox-MWCNTs) with complexing reagent 1,10-phenanthroline is presented. Flame and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (F-AAS, ET-AAS) were used for detection. The influence of several parameters such as pH, amount of sorbent and 1,10-phenanthroline, stirring time, concentration and volume of eluent, sample flow rate and sample volume was examined using batch procedures. Moreover, effects of inorganic matrix on recovery of the determined elements were studied. The experiment shows that foreign ions did not influence on recovery of the determined element. The method characterized by high selectivity toward Pb(II) ions. Lead ions can be quantitatively retained at pH 7 from sample volume up to 400mL and then eluent completely with 2mL of 0.5molL(-1)HNO3. The detection limits of Pb was 0.26μgL(-1) for F-AAS and 6.4ngL(-1) for ET-AAS. The recovery of the method for the determined lead was better than 97% with relative standard deviation lower than 3.0%. The preconcentration factor was 200 for F-AAS and 100 for ET-AAS. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was found to be about 350mgg(-1). The method was applied for determination of Pb in fish samples with good results. Accuracy of the method was verified using certified reference material DOLT-3 and ERM-BB186., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Oxidized carbon nanotubes were covered with layers of bovine serum albumin to result in so-called restricted-access carbon nanotubes (RACNTs). This material can extract Pb(2+) ions directly from untreated human blood serum while excluding all the serum proteins. The RACNTs have a protein exclusion capacity of almost 100% and a maximum Pb(2+) adsorption capacity of 34.5mg g(-1). High resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy were used to confirm the BSA layer and Pb(2+) adsorption sites. A mini-column filled with RACNTs was used in an on-line solid phase extraction system coupled to a thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. At optimized experimental conditions, the method has a detection limit as low as 2.1µg L(-1), an enrichment factor of 5.5, and inter- and intra-day precisions (expressed as relative standard deviation) of <8.1%. Recoveries of the Pb(2+) spiked samples ranged from 89.4% to 107.3% for the extraction from untreated human blood serum., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This paper reports the concentrations of uranium and heavy metals in drinking water samples from Garhwal Himalaya, India determined using LED Fluorimeter and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), respectively. The radiological (carcinogenic) and chemical (non-carcinogenic) risks associated with the consumption of uranium in water were estimated for the public. The concentrations of natural uranium in the analyzed drinking water samples vary from 0 to 21.57 ppb with a mean value of 1.54 ppb. The average concentrations of heavy metals in the analyzed drinking water samples were found to be in the order of iron (3.99 ppm) > zinc (0.32 ppm) > copper (0.04 ppm) > nickel (0.01 ppm) > chromium and lead (Below Detection Level). The estimated risk quantities were found to be lower than World Health Organization (WHO) and United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guideline values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heavy metal burden on natural freshwater ecosystems is uninterruptedly increasing, which could affect their biodiversity, particularly regarding avian species. Three river barrages were selected for the sampling of water birds from autumn 2021 to spring 2022. Seven heavy metals—nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and manganese (Mn)—were estimated in the hearts and livers of Fulica atra (Common Coot), Anas strepera (Gad-wall), and Anas crecca (Eurasian Teal) (Linnaeus, 1758) by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean concentrations of metals were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) different among the sam-pling sites, species, and tissues. In the livers of F. atra and A. strepera, respectively, the highest mean concentration among the metals belonged to Zn (521 µg/g), and the lowest belonged to Cd (0.17 µg/g). The concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Co were highest in A. strepera heart samples. However, the concentrations of Zn, Pb, Cd, and Mn were found to be highest in the livers of F. atra. A comparison between both tissues indicated that the concentration of Ni is significantly (p < 0.05) higher (except for F. atra from Trimmu barrage) in the livers of water birds and that the concentration of Cd is significantly higher in the hearts of water birds. The mean metal concentrations were higher than the background limits reported in various studies, suggesting that the wintering water birds of Pakistan are under a significant load of heavy metal pollution. Histopathological analysis suggested that the observed heavy metals altered the normal histologies of hearts and livers of Fulica atra (Common Coot), Anas strepera (Gadwall), and Anas crecca (Eurasian Teal) sampled from three wetlands of Punjab Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead and cadmium were determined in non-mineralized raw milk samples employing dispersive solid-phase extraction with magnetic restricted access carbon nanotubes (M-RACNTs), followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry analysis. M-RACNTs were obtained by modifying carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with magnetite nanoparticles and then covering with a chemically crosslinked bovine serum albumin (BSA) external layer. The M-RACNT particles were very efficient to capture the metals and exclude proteins from the milk, being easily separated from the sample using a neodymium magnet. The extraction parameters were appraised by multivariate optimization (factorial design and Doehlert matrix). The method was validated and proved to be robust for small variations, simple, fast, sensitive, and selective. The determination coefficient was 0.998 for both Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions. The limit of quantification was 10 µg L−1, for both ions. The developed method was able to determine the metals in concentrations below the maximum residue limits (20 and 50 µg L−1 for Pb2+ and Cd+, respectively, in Brazil), demonstrating that M-RACNTs are promising materials for metal extraction in protein-rich samples, without the need for mineralization procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of different human activities in different industrial and agricultural fields, heavy metal toxicity increases day by day. Some of these metals pose a severe threat to the human body, even if these are present in low quantities. These metals are therefore, referred as human carcinogens according to the United States of Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) because they damage the organs in the human body as a result of their non-degradable nature, ability to accumulate, and having prolonged biological half-lives. There are many routes through which toxic heavy metals can enter the human body, including polluted water and soil and dietary intake. New food products have been widely spread out such as instant soup noodle products which are manufactured from different types of vegetables and spices and subjected to industrial processes. As a result, contaminations by some heavy metals is possible. The objective of this study was to assess the content of Manganese (Mn), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in different branded chicken stock powder from Jordanian market. The analytical method was based on the digestion of different types of chicken stock samples prior to their Atomic Absorption Spectrometry analysis. The selected heavy metal concentrations ranged from 0.0407 to 1.08, 0.0211 to 0.592, 0.0134 to 0.0923 and 0.227 to 0.645 mg/kg for Mn, Cr, Cd and Pb, respectively. The maximum levels of Pb and Cd were detected in different brands of powdered soup products. The results found were within the accepted levels compared to food samples from reported research. In order to assess the health effects of the selected heavy metals, a scientific survey was performed on a group of people to assess the daily intake of the studied soup products. As a result, Health Risk Assessment (HRA) was evaluated from the estimated daily intake (EDI) of metals from the selected food samples. The obtained results showed that the selected food samples are quite safe and healthy according to the maximum recommended metal levels taken by humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Macro- and microelements (MMEs), simply called as "minerals", are essential biogenic elements for animals and humans. These two MME groups are very important and differ only in that the first group) macroelements (Ca, P, K, Na, S, Cl, Mg) are containing in concentrations more than 0.01% and required by the body in doses from a few grams to several milligrams per day, whereas the second group) microelements (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mo, Mn, I, etc.) – from ten to hundred times less. MMEs are distributing in all the tissues and organs, playing the key roles in their functions. The numerous enzymes (as protein biocatalysts) are using MMEs as essential elements ("cofactors" or "coenzymes") for metabolic reactions in all cells. Some researchers, including us, are mentioning toxic heavy metals (Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, etc.) in the MME general concept, but as the third special group, because these metals are quite dangerous and have the ability to cause various diseases (cardiovascular, metabolic, nervous, oncological diseases, etc.). It is important to monitor the MME-status of the animals regularly by using non-invasive biological materials (such as hair, fur, etc.). Many of the micro- and macro-elements (MMEs) required by the body are found in environmental objects in concentrations different from their original concentration that can lead to dangerous animal diseases ("microelementoses"). The aim was to study the features of MME (accumulating in wild and exotic animals) in connection with particular diseases. The work using 67 mammal species from four Russian zoological institutions was completed in 2022. Studies of 820 cleaned and defatted samples (hair, fur, etc.) after "wet-acid-ashing" on an electric stove and in a muffle furnace were performed using a Kvant-2A atomic absorption spectrometer. The content of zinc, copper, iron, cadmium, lead, and arsenic was assessed. The level of MME accumulation in the animal body contributes not only to the MME status and the development of various concomitant diseases, but the condition itself can occur by intake of a number of micronutrients and/or drugs. Particular correlations between the accumulation of Zn and skin, oncological diseases, Cu—musculoskeletal, cardiovascular diseases, Fe—oncological diseases, Pb—metabolic, nervous, oncological diseases, and Cd—cardiovascular diseases were established. Therefore, monitoring of the MME status of the organism must be carried out regularly (optimally once every 6 months). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A magnetic dispersive solid phase extraction method has been developed using Fe3O4@XAD-8 adsorbent to separate and preconcentrate Pb (II) ions as dithizone chelates from environmental samples. Fe3O4@XAD-8 was characterised by SEM, FT-IR and BET methods. Analytical parameters such as pH, adsorbent amount, ligand volume, eluent type and volume, model solution volume and matrix effects which are effective on method recovery are optimised. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values were 0.048 µg mL−1 and 0.159 µg mL−1, respectively. The accuracy of the developed method has been proven by TMDA – 64.2 certified reference material and addition-recovery studies in water samples. Lead content of some food and water samples was determined by using the developed dispersive magnetic solid-phase extraction method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lead (Pb) is a heavy metal, which causes severe disorders in humans and other organisms. Recently, the item of wetland buffer zone has emerged as an integrated development approach to nature conservation including buffer zone pollution by Pb. The main sources of Pb pollution in Lithuania are Pb ammunition used by hunters and natural and anthropogenic activities. Considering plant capability to accumulate Pb, they are used for bioindication. The objective of the study was to determine Pb content in the aboveground biomass of vegetation collected from the reference sites in the buffer zones of wetlands. The research was conducted in three localities of the different wetland buffer zones - drying ditch, natural pond, and stream, in the three parts of Lithuania: in the Northwestern part of Lithuania in the territory of the Žemaitija National Park, in the northern part of the Žemaitija Upland at the border of Latvia, and in the Central Lithuania, in the vicinity of the largest artificial waterbody - Kauno Marios and the Nemunas River. The content of Pb in the working solutions was determined by the atomic absorption method on an atomic absorption spectrometer at a wavelength of 283.0 nm. Significant differences were calculated using the three-way ANOVA (Tukey's HSD test). The relationships were calculated using a regression analysis, the data were significant at P = 0.01 and P = 0.001. The data of the research show that the content of Pb corresponds to the background content of uncontaminated sites, the values of which are reported by other scientists and is equal to 0.95-6.84 mg kg-1. The average content of Pb in the buffer zones of various surface water source types was 3.75-3.76 mg kg-1. The content of Pb in the plants at 20-30 m from the surface water bodies increased by 1.3-1.5 times, and then at 40 m it decreased by the same indicator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Science & Technology & Economy is the property of Grain Science & Technology & Economy Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article describes the validation of analytical methods for the determination of Manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) in human hair and nail samples. Method validation parameters such as linearity, repeatability, reproducibility, and precision were determined. In addition, the limit of detection (LOD), the limit of quantification (LOQ), and measurement uncertainty were calculated. The developed method was linear in the concentration ranges of 0.001–0.015 and 0.002–0.020 µg·L−1 of Mn and Pb, respectively. The determination coefficients obtained were greater than 0.995. The recoveries obtained after the addition of the standard concentration for the metals ranged from 84.80–107.98%, with a precision not exceeding 12.97% relative standard deviation. The calculated LOD and LOQ for Mn and Pb are within the ranges established by Commission Regulation (EU) No. 836/2011. The expanded uncertainty was estimated to be less than 9.93–6.59% for Mn and Pb. Matrix effects were also studied, finding a smooth effect in both matrices. The analysis of 30 samples of each type revealed the presence of Mn in 30 and Pb in 13 samples. Overall, the proposed validation method was considered optimal for the determination of Mn and Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hàm lượng một số kim loại độc (Pb, Cd và As) trong 18 mẫu mỹ phẩm mà học sinh trung học phổ thông trên ba địa bàn khác nhau gồm thành phố, đồng bằng và miền núi thường sử dụng được xác định, giám định bằng phương pháp quang phổ hấp thụ nguyên tử với độ tin cậy và độ chính xác cao. Hàm lượng Pb, Cd và As được đánh giá theo loại mỹ phẩm, so sánh với quy chuẩn cho phép của Việt Nam và ASEAN cũng như so sánh với mỹ phẩm chính hãng được xác định cùng phương pháp.

52 coal ash samples from individual households were analyzed to determine the pH and the concentrations of four toxic elements: arsenic, cadmium, lead and thallium. The method used was atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite-furnace atomization. The ash samples originated from various coal grades and statistical analysis showed existing correlations between the concentrations of studied elements, pH and the coal grades. The maximum concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead and thallium were 50,900, 43,500, 128,900, and 6660 µg/kg, respectively. The results were compared with the published data for the ash of industrial origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Contamination of fruit juices with heavy metals presents a risk for human health. Concentrations of lead, and arsenic in fruit juices of market in Mashhad, Iran, were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Methods: Fifty varieties of commercial fruit juices (grape, apple, orange, pomegranate, and multi-fruit) from 5 popular brands (A, B, C, D and E) were purchased from local markets of Mashhad during spring and winter 2016. Five samples of each brand were analyzed by AAS. Results: The mean concentrations of lead and arsenic were 39.4 and 1.9 ng/mL, with a range of 18.5–54.6 and 1.52-2.35 ng/mL, respectively. The orange A and multi-fruit A samples had a higher lead level than the others, whilst multi-fruit E contained the lowest. The lowest arsenic content was found in grape B, while the highest was found in multi-fruit C. Conclusion: Eighty-three percent of the samples had lead levels exceeding the maximum level (30 ng/mL) accepted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, while arsenic levels were below the maximal permissible value (10 ng/mL). Due to the fact that fruit juices are used by all age groups including infants and children, it is necessary to minimize the health risk from heavy metal contamination in fruit juices. For this reason, the amount of heavy metals contaminants in fruit juice samples should be regularly checked and controlled by the local health authorities.

Flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-HGAAS) is a sensitive technique for the quantification of trace amounts of lead. However, plumbane generation is not straightforward and usually HG methods for lead are not robust enough for routine analysis. The optimum pH range for Pb HG is very narrow, so strict control of the acidity of the reaction medium is required for reliable results and in some cases even acid concentrations used for sample preservation can interfere. Moreover, some elements, like Cu, can interfere in the HG reaction suppressing the Pb signal. In this paper we report the development and validation of a method for the determination of Pb in water samples that is robust towards acidity and Cu levels usually found in water samples. All hydride generation parameters were optimized, but special emphasis was put on robustness. The use of borate as a buffer significantly improved the robustness of the method towards acidity, compared to the typical non-buffered HG. Furthermore, the interference of Cu, Sb and Sn in the HG reaction was overcome using thiocyanate as a masking agent. Other elements do not interfere at levels typically found in water samples. The limit of quantification achieved (0.9 μg L−1) is below the current guideline value for Pb in drinking water (10 μg L−1). The linearity of the method was verified between the LOQ and up to 15 μg L−1. An analytical frequency of 25 samples per hour with 3 measurement replicates each was achieved. The method was applied to the analysis of 50 water samples. The concentrations found ranged from

A procedure is proposed for the direct determination of lead in sea water by electrothermal atomization high-resolution atomic absorption spectrometry. The effect of background interferences due to sea water matrix is eliminated using a mixed modifier barium nitrate–hydrofluoric acid. The optimum amount of the modifier matrix is 60 µg Ba (NO3)2 + 1.52 µg HF. The conditions of analysis are as follows: pyrolysis temperature 600°C, atomization temperature 1200°C. The limit of detection for the developed procedure is 0.0003 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic metals (cadmium, lead, and mercury) in the tissues of common carp fished from three reservoirs (Pilská, Domaninský, and Matějovský) in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands were measured in the period from April 2013 to September 2014 and the risk of consuming the fish from these localities was evaluated. During this project 25 fish specimens from each locality were analysed. The concentration of metals in muscle tissue and liver was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. A variation in the content of heavy metals in fish samples and fish tissues was demonstrated and discussed. Higher concentrations of cadmium in the fish tissue were found in 50 samples of carp liver. Because the fish liver is not commonly consumed, common carp from the Moravian-Moravian Highlands does not pose any health risk for consumers. Concentrations of the other monitored toxic metals in fish tissue were low and were complying with the maximum residue limit in all cases.

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Contamination of fruit juices with heavy metals presents a risk for human health. Concentrations of lead, and arsenic in fruit juices of market in Mashhad, Iran, were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Methods: Fifty varieties of commercial fruit juices (grape, apple, orange, pomegranate, and multifruit) from 5 popular brands (A, B, C, D and E) were purchased from local markets of Mashhad during spring and winter 2016. Five samples of each brand were analyzed by AAS. Results: The mean concentrations of lead and arsenic were 39.4 and 1.9 ng/mL, with a range of 18.5-54.6 and 1.52-2.35 ng/mL, respectively. The orange A and multi-fruit A samples had a higher lead level than the others, whilst multi-fruit E contained the lowest. The lowest arsenic content was found in grape B, while the highest was found in multi-fruit C. Conclusion: Eighty-three percent of the samples had lead levels exceeding the maximum level (30 ng/mL) accepted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, while arsenic levels were below the maximal permissible value (10 ng/mL). Due to the fact that fruit juices are used by all age groups including infants and children, it is necessary to minimize the health risk from heavy metal contamination in fruit juices. For this reason, the amount of heavy metals contaminants in fruit juice samples should be regularly checked and controlled by the local health authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Despite the size of small watercourses, their contamination is a major environmental problem. The Małopolska Upland and the adjacent Silesian‐Cracow Upland, situated in the Lesser Poland region, are two good examples of an area with many small rivers and creeks, which are highly susceptible to contamination. The study reports the condition of small watercourses in terms of their contamination with zinc, lead and cadmium. Both water and sediments were studied. The atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) method was used to determine the concentrations of metallic elements. The analytical results showed that despite the decreasing impact of the local industry, levels of concentration of all the studied metals in sediments are significantly elevated in the distance range approximately up to 20 km from the emitters. However, analysing the changes of metallic contaminants content with increasing distance one can state that watercourses located further than 30 km from the emitters are safe for aquatic organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A new Pb (II) magnetic ion-imprinted polymer (Pb-MIIP) was successfully investigated for the selective extraction of Pb (II) from an aqueous solution. MIIP nanostructures were developed using itaconic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 @ITA) as a novel magnetic core, ITA as a functional monomer and chelating agent, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker, and 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The triple application of ITA in the synthesis and reduction of the number of compounds in the preparation of the MIIP, in addition to being economical, reduces the possibility of side reactions. The synthesized products were followed and confirmed in each step by instrumental and microscopic methods. The limit of detection of the Pb (II)-MIIP method was 0.21 μg L−1. Under the optimal conditions, the recovery (R%) was >90% with a relative standard deviation (RSD%) of <4.9%. The synthesized MIIP was reusable and successfully used to extract Pb (II) from tap water samples. [Display omitted] • A new itaconic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized. • A novel Pb (II) magnetic ion-imprinted polymer was successfully introduced. • The proposed synthesis route was simple and cost-effective. • The synthesized adsorbent has good reusability. • This sorbent and method have appropriate LOD and RSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The elemental composition of bones and teeth can allow exposure to heavy metals in the environment to be estimated. The aim of this study was to determine whether impacted mandibular teeth and the surrounding bones can be used as biomonitoring media to assess exposure to heavy metals. Methods: The research materials were 67 impacted lower third molars and samples of the cortical bone removed when the wisdom teeth were surgically extracted. The samples were from people living in two areas with different environmental concentrations of heavy metals. The cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, and zinc concentrations in the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with flame atomization. Results: The cadmium and lead concentrations in the impacted third molars and the bones surrounding the teeth were significantly higher for people living in the relatively polluted Ruda Slaska region than for people living in Bielsko-Biala region. Significantly higher chromium, copper, manganese, and zinc concentrations were found in the bones surrounding the impacted teeth from people living in Ruda Slaska than in the bones surrounding the impacted teeth from people living in Bielsko-Biala. The cadmium concentrations in impacted teeth and the surrounding bones were significantly positively correlated. Conclusion: The results indicated that impacted mandibular teeth and the surrounding mandibular bones may reflect the exposure of people to cadmium and lead in the environment. This conclusion, however, must be verified in future research projects designed to exclude the possibility of additional dietary, occupational, and other types of exposure to heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A magnetic Fe3O4 @ montmorillonite composite was prepared and used for the separation of lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions. For this purpose, magnetite (Fe3O4) was generated by co-precipitation of FeSO4and FeCl3 onto montmorillonite. The effects of various experimental parameters such as pH of the solution, amount ofsorbent, initial concentration of analytes, and contact time on the sorption efficiencies of lead and cadmium ions wereinvestigated and optimized by applying a batch technique. The concentrations of analytes were determined by highresolution continuum source ame atomic absorption spectrometry. The maximum adsorption occurred at pH 2.0. Theadsorption capacity of Fe3O4 @ montmorillonite composite was 5 mg g-1 Pb and 2 mg g-1 Cd. The quantitativeretention in acidic medium was an advantage for the removal of metals from acidic water samples. Under optimizedconditions, lead and cadmium were quantitatively removed from wastewater (between 95% and 98%) in a contact timeof less than 5 min. The results showed that Fe3O4 @ montmorillonite can be efficiently used for the removal of leadand cadmium from aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud point extraction (CPE), which is the most popular coacervate-based extraction method, was utilized for the separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of cadmium, lead, and nickel. Quinalizarin was used as complexing agent and Triton X-114 was used as surfactant. After extraction, analyte ions were determined by ame atomic absorption spectrometry. The detection limits (3s) of 1.8 μg L-1 for Cd(II), 3.2 μg L -1 for Pb(II), and 2.8 μg L -1 for Ni(II) were obtained using 50 mL of solutions. The relative standard deviation was calculated as 4.3% for 10 μg L -1 Cd(II), 4.9% for 50 μg L -1 Pb(II), and 4.6% for 50 μg L -1 Ni(II). Obtained enrichment factors of Cd(II), Pb(II), and Ni(II) were 144, 129 and 92, respectively. In addition, the method was successfully implemented for the determination of Cd(II), Pb(II), and Ni(II) in water samples and standard reference materials and satisfactory recovery values were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed at the estimation of heavy metal content in vegetables sold at the city market of one of the densely populated Croatian cities, Varaždin, and to establish the relationship between their levels and possible sources of contamination. Twenty-eight samples of the most common diet vegetables (red and white potato, onion, carrot, common bean, lettuce, and cabbage) were randomly bought at the market in September and October 2013. Using the atomic absorption spectrometry method, concentrations of nine heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were measured in the selected samples. The results showed that, in five out of 28 samples analysed, six concentrations exceeded the maximum levels provided for in the regulations: five for Pb and one for Cd. Maximum regulated levels for Pb were exceeded in two samples of red potato, two samples of common bean, and one sample of carrot (17.9%), and for Cd in a sample of red potato (3.6%). In conclusion, the cause of the overstepping of the maximum levels for Pb and Cd in the vegetables analysed was most likely the contaminated soil. The possible sources of soil contamination include traffic, nearby industry, floodwaters of rivers and streams, and the use of pesticides and fertilisers in agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic metals (cadmium, lead, and mercury) in the tissues of common carp fished from three reservoirs (Pilská, Domaninský, and Matějovský) in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands were measured in the period from April 2013 to September 2014 and the risk of consuming the fish from these localities was evaluated. During this project 25 fish specimens from each locality were analysed. The concentration of metals in muscle tissue and liver was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. A variation in the content of heavy metals in fish samples and fish tissues was demonstrated and discussed. Higher concentrations of cadmium in the fish tissue were found in 50 samples of carp liver. Because the fish liver is not commonly consumed, common carp from the Moravian-Moravian Highlands does not pose any health risk for consumers. Concentrations of the other monitored toxic metals in fish tissue were low and were complying with the maximum residue limit in all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of different concentrations of lead (0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mM) uptake by roots, on root growth of Allium cepa, and the transport of lead ion (Pb2+), iron ion (Fe2+), manganese ion (Mn2+) and hydrogen ion (H+) were investigated spectrophotometrically. The uptake of Pb2+, Fe2+ and Mn2+ by Allium cepa were monitored by a Unicam model 929 flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and pH values were measured by a Jenway 3040 Ion Analyzer with a combination glass electrode. The mineral content of the solution was measured instead of the mineral content of the root material. Lead ions had inhibitory effect on the root growth in all concentrations during the entire treatment. The EC50 was found at 0.50 mM Pb2+. A large amount of Pb2+ was translocated into A. cepa roots. The kinetics of metal ion transport was described by a pseudo-first order reaction at 1.00 and 2.00 mM metal ion concentrations. Pb2+, Fe2+ and H+ ions transfer into plant from solution but Mn2+ ion transfer to the solution from the plant. The amount of H+ in the solution is increased at all Pb+2 concentrations except 0.25 mM Pb+2 concentration. The results of this study are compared with previous studies with nickel and cadmium treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty nine brands of pharmaceutical dosage forms (28 tablets, 4 syrups, 6 suspensions and one chewing gum) that are available in United Arab Emirates pharmaceutical markets were investigated for the presence of three heavy metals; lead, cadmium and nickel. Amongst the samples, 13 products were manufactured locally in United Arab Emirates and 26 products were imported from around the world. The samples were prepared by acid digestion procedure and the resultant solutions were analyzed for heavy metals by using a validated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric method. Calibration curves were achieved using different concentration of lead, nickel and cadmium ranged from 0.001 to 0.05 µg/ml. The mean recoveries of metals from the samples were 86.4 to 97%. The%relative standard deviation for the intraassay and interday precision for the metals were <5%. Amongst the 39 samples of pharmaceutical dosage form all exhibited a positive response for lead, cadmium and nickel except three products whose Ni levels were below quantification level. The products contained variable amounts of heavy metals as of 0.0017 to 11.88 µg lead; 0.0011 to 0.5559 µg cadmium and 0.0011 to 2.6428 μg nickel, respectively. Based on maximum recommended daily dose (g) of these products, maximum daily ingested mass of lead was 0.0034 to 11.88 μg/d, 0.0013 to 0.56 μg/d for cadmium and 0.0011 to 2.64 μg/d for nickel, respectively. The results were compared with those of oral permitted daily exposure levels of United State Pharmacopeial National Formulary 2013. All the products were safe to consume and contained lower level of lead, cadmium and nickel than Oral Permitted Daily Exposure levels, except three products which showed higher level of lead than oral permitted daily exposure levels. Hence the raw materials used in manufacturing of these medicinal agents might be responsible for the presence of higher level of lead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Front end to flame atomic absorption system for automatic determination of metals. • On-line column preconcentration method for monitoring Cu(II) and Pb(II) in beers. • Synthesis a new sol–gel functionalized silica-based sorbent for metal determination. • Copper and lead content of beer samples was in the range 1.6–17.6 μg L−1. • The method exhibited sensitivity, simplicity, reusability, high sampling frequency. A novel sol–gel pyridylethylthiopropyl functionalized silica-based sorbent was synthesized and utilized in an on-line column preconcentration system coupled with flame atomic absorption spectrometry for metal determination. The developed platform was used for the determination of Pb(II) and Cu(II) in beer samples, since there are limited automatic methods for routine analysis of alcoholic beverage. For a preconcentration time of 60 s, the calculated enhancement factors were 96 for Cu(II) and 130 for Pb(II). The limits of detection were 0.33 μg L−1 and 1.98 μg L−1 for Cu(II) and Pb(II), respectively. Moreover, the RSDs were less than 2.9% indicating good method precision. The method was successfully employed for the analysis of commercially available beers. The Cu(II) content of the samples was 1.6–21.8 μg L−1 and the Pb(II) content was 7.3–17.6 μg L−1. The developed manifold exhibited operational simplicity and good performance characteristics, indicating its potential utilization for routine analysis in beer industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-solidified floating organic drop microextraction was used for the preconcentration and determination of Cd(II) and Pb(II). The procedure employed 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol as a chelating agent, 1-undecanol as the extractant solvent, and methanol as the dispersive solvent. Factors influencing the recovery of Cd(II) and Pb(II) such as the pH, volume of extractant, volume of ligand, volume of dispersant, and stirring time were optimized by Plackett Burman design. In order to complete the optimization, a central 23+star orthogonal composite design was applied. The limits of detection for Cd(II) and Pb(II) were 0.15 and 0.52 μg L−1. The validation of the procedure was evaluated by the analysis of TMDA 70 Fortified Water and NCSDC–73349 Bush Branches certified reference materials. The determined values were in good agreement with the certified values. The single-solidified floating organic drop microextraction method was employed for the determination of cadmium and lead in water, vegetables, and fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Soil contamination of areas covered by industrial plants and farms is one of the major environmental problems whose weight is underestimated in Poland and Europe. Such regions are usually not as exposed to direct pollution as highly urbanized industrial areas. On the other hand, they are usually less strictly monitored than protected areas. The District of Olkusz, an example of such a region, is characterized by well-developed agriculture, regressing local industry and growing tourism industry. However, it borders with Silesia, a heavily industrized area. The study reports the condition of arable soils in Olkusz District in terms of their contamination with lead, cadmium, zinc and copper. The atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) method was used to determine the concentrations of the metallic elements. The parameters like pH, content of the clay fraction and content of organic matter have been also taken in consideration to assess the bioavailability of the metals. The analytical results showed that, despite the decreasing impact of the local industry, levels of concentration of all the studied metals are significantly higher than their average concentration in Polish soils. Moreover, all the calculated Pearson correlation coefficients between concentrations of the metals were above 0.9, which means they correlate each other strongly. The impact of the local pollutants (mainly Bukowno smelter) in connection with the proximity of the Silesia and the high vulnerability for contamination of the soils precludes agricultural use of the ground in at least half of the cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two toxic heavy metals, cadmium (Cd(II)) and lead (Pb(II)), in samples of local vegetables were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS). Pak-Leang (Gnetum gnemon Linn.), Pak-Waen (Marsilea crenata Presl.), Mun-Poo (Glochidion littorale Blume Baill.), and Chamuang (Garcinia cowa Roxb.) were from fresh markets in 4 districts namely Muang, Phunphin, Kanchanadit and Ban Na Doem, Surat Thani province. The preparation of samples was carried out by mixed acid digestion procedure in order to extract the heavy metals. From the GFAAS analysis of sample solutions, the average lead contents were as follows: 0.10 ± 0.11 mg kg-1 in Pak-Leang, 0.04 ± 0.07 mg kg-1 in Pak-Waen, 0.14 ± 0.17 mg kg-1 in Mun-Poo and 0.02 ± 0.05 mg kg-1 in Chamuang. The results indicated that the concentrations of lead within these local vegetables were under the maximum allowable level according to the standard of the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. On the other hand, analysis of cadmium found that 3 certain vegetables including Pak-Waen (0.48 ± 0.27 mg kg-1), Mun-Poo (0.78 ± 0.72 mg kg-1) and Chamuang (0.34 ± 0.27 mg kg-1), were contaminated with cadmium higher than the maximum allowable levels in the average for the standards of Australia-New Zealand, Codex, China and the European Union. The assessment of heavy metal indicated that these accumulation quantities in edible plants could be valuably evident for public concerns and research-based food safety. doi:10.14456/WJST.2014.1

Two toxic heavy metals, cadmium (Cd(II)) and lead (Pb(II)), in samples of local vegetables were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS). Pak-Leang (Gnetum gnemon Linn.), Pak-Waen (Marsilea crenata Presl.), Mun-Poo (Glochidion littorale Blume Baill.), and Chamuang (Garcinia cowa Roxb.) were from fresh markets in 4 districts namely Muang, Phunphin, Kanchanadit and Ban Na Doem, Surat Thani province. The preparation of samples was carried out by mixed acid digestion procedure in order to extract the heavy metals. From the GFAAS analysis of sample solutions, the average lead contents were as follows: 0.10 ± 0.11 mg kg-1 in Pak-Leang, 0.04 ± 0.07 kg-1 in Pak-Waen, 0.14 ± 0.17 mg kg-1 in Mun-Poo and 0.02 ± 0.05 mg kg-1 in Chamuang. The results indicated that the concentrations of lead within these local vegetables were under the maximum allowable level according to the standard of the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. On the other hand, analysis of cadmium found that 3 certain vegetables including Pak-Waen (0.48 ± 0.27 mg kg-1), Mun-Poo (0.78 ± 0.72 mg kg-1) and Chamuang (0.34 ± 0.27 mg kg-1), were contaminated with cadmium higher than the maximum allowable levels in the average for the standards of Australia-New Zealand, Codex, China and the European Union. The assessment of heavy metal indicated that these accumulation quantities in edible plants could be valuably evident for public concerns and research-based food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Single internal standard is commonly proposed for definite application in AAS. [•] Internal standard for general use in AAS techniques is original. [•] Bi showed efficiency as internal standard for Pb determinations by FAAS and GFAAS. [•] Assorted samples were analyzed and accurate results were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of heavy metal bioaccumulation on reproduction of the isopod Armadillidium granulatum was studied by exposing the animals to food contaminated with various sub-lethal concentrations of cadmium, lead and zinc salts over a period of three weeks. The analysis carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry on whole body and on isolated female and male genital systems highlighted that, although metal's bioaccumulation was always concentration-dependent, it varies considerably depending on the metal (Cd>Zn>Pb) as pointed out by the respective values of the concentration factor. The heavy metals bioaccumulation has influenced in different ways the reproductive characters observed; while no significant difference was found with regard to the length of the incubation period and the number of broods – A. granulatum has an iteroparous reproductive strategy – the onset and the length of the reproductive season were negatively affected by the increase in concentration of the tested metals, in particular of Cd. The rate of gravid females, instead, was negatively affected by the bioaccumulation of Cd and Zn while in the groups treated with the highest concentrations of Pb all females produced at least one brood. The number of juveniles released from the brood pouch at the end of incubation resulted considerably higher and it was always positively correlated to the increase of the concentration of each metal, except for the highest Pb concentration. The explanation of this result, apparently anomalous, could be the object of a future research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Migration studies of trace metals were carried out on coated chickpea cans marketed in Lebanon. Four elements – iron (Fe), tin (Sn), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) – were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after microwave digestion. Over 3 months, three different storage temperatures (5°C, room temperature and 40°C) were tested. In all cases, the migration of Fe reached a plateau after around 50 days of storage, while the migration of Pb was slow till 50 days, then it increased rapidly. Cd and Sn levels did not increase. Moreover, no effect of temperature was observed in the case of Fe, whereas Pb levels showed slower migration in cans stored at 5°C. Comparing cans from different chickpea brands (Lebanese and foreign) showed that the characteristics of the container have an effect on metal release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for the simultaneous determination of Co, Cu, Pb and Se in crude oil, gasoline and diesel samples using emulsion-based sampling and GF AAS is proposed. 400mg of sample was weighted in volumetric flask following the sequential addition of 125µL of hexane and 7.5mL of Triton X-100® (20% mv−1). Subsequently, the mixture was stirred in ultrasonic bath, during 30min, before dilution to 25mL with deionized water. Aliquots of 20μL of reference solution or sample emulsion were co-injected into the graphite tube with 10μL of 2gL−1 Pd(NO3)2. The pyrolysis and atomization temperatures were 1300°C and 2250°C, respectively. The limits of detection (n=10, 3σ) and characteristic masses were 0.02μgg−1 (0.32μgL-1) and 18pg for Co, 0.03μgg−1 (0.48μgL−1) and 15pg for Cu, 0.04μgg−1 (0.64μgL−1) and 48pg for Pb, and 0.11μgg−1 (1.76μgL−1) and 47pg for Se. The reliabilities of the proposed method for Co and Se were checked by SRM® 1634c Residual Oil analysis. The found values are in accordance to the SRM at 95% confidence level (Student's t-test). Each sample was spiked with 0.18μgg−1 of Co, Cu, Pb and Se and the recoveries varied from 92% to 116% for Co, 83% to 117% for Cu, 72% to 117% for Pb, and 82% to 122% for Se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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