Health Risks for Consumers of Forest Ground Cover Produce Contaminated with Heavy Metals

Abstract

Background: The activity of heavy metal (HM) mining and processing industries causes soils contamination with HM. The metals could be transferred from contaminated soils to edible plants and fungi. This study aimed to assess the content of Cd, Pb, Hg, As, and Ni in berries and edible mushrooms collected in the forests located near Miasteczko Slaskie zinc smelter and in the Lubliniec region, in the context of consumers’ health risk. Methods: The ET-AAS method was used to determine the content of Cd, Pb, Ni, and As. Mercury concentration was determined using the CV-AFS method. Results: The studies showed high levels of Cd and Pb in the examined products. A statistically significant impact of the distance from the smelter on the Cd concentration in the berries was observed. Total non-cancer health risk from the combined exposure of adults to all HM in mushrooms and berries was significant when consuming the most heavily contaminated produce. The risk to children was significant, even when consuming products with moderate levels of the metals. Ingestion of Cd by children with mushrooms was related to a high cancer risk. The uncertainty of the results was determined. Conclusions: It is recommended to take action to increase awareness among residents of the areas adjacent to the forests regarding the existing health risk and to take possible measures to reduce exposure to HM.