The health risk to the population associated with the contamination of wild mushrooms and berries with heavy metals.

Abstract

AIM: To provide an assessment of the risk of developing general toxic effects on the health of the adult population of the Arkhangelsk region associated with the consumption of wild growing mushrooms and berries. METHODS: The amount and frequency of mushroom and berry consumption by the adult population of the Arkhangelsk region were investigated through a survey (n=445 individuals). Intake doses of heavy metals contaminating mushrooms and berries were calculated for four scenarios. Hazard Quotients (HQ) were used to characterize the risk of developing overall toxic effects due to exposure to mercury, arsenic, lead, and cadmium. Hazard Indexes (HI) for substances with unidirectional effects were employed to assess the risk of non-cancerous effects on critical organs and systems. RESULTS: On average, respondents consumed 180 grams of fresh or frozen berries, 133 grams of berries with juice, and 50 grams of mushrooms in soup or boiled/fried mushrooms per week The Hazard Indexes (HI) calculated for the average consumption of mushrooms and berries and the average heavy metal contamination of wild plants were also below 1.0. However, at high levels of mushroom (P90 - 417 g/week) and berry (P90 - 900 g/week) consumption, along with high levels of heavy metal contamination, there is an increased risk of developing general toxic effects on the endocrine system (HI = 2.27), cardiovascular system (HI = 2.0), digestive system (HI = 2.0), kidneys (HI = 1.25), nervous and immune system (HI around 1.81). It is concluded that at an average contamination level, forest mushrooms and berries can be consumed without restriction. CONCLUSION: An increased risk of developing overall toxic effects on the endocrine, nervous, immune systems, cardiovascular and digestive organs has been established with high consumption of wild mushrooms and berries and at the upper limit of exposure to heavy metals.