Mercury Levels in Selected Medicines and Dietary Supplements in Poland.

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 Exposure from the Consumption of Dietary Supplements Containing Vegetable, Cod Liver, and Shark Liver Oils.

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.

Analysis of Mercury Concentration in Honey from the Point of View of Human Body Exposure.

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.

[Knowledge to the subject of legal highs and popularity of their use amongst secondary-school students from the Silesian Voivodeship].

Aim of work: Evaluation of knowledge to the subject of legal highs and popularity of their use amongst secondary-school students from the Silesian Voivodeship. Material and Methods: Studies were conducted in spring of 2016 in two randomly selected secondary schools in Katowice and Dabrowa Górnicza. The survey was carried out amongst students of these schools and concerned question about the knowledge of legal highs effect on the body and their use by young people. The study consisted of 336 questionnaire forms, 159 filled by secondaryschool students from Katowice and 177 by secondary-school students from Dabrowa Górnicza. Results: Legal highs for 78.3% of young people are as dangerous as drugs. Almost 70% of respondents believe that legal highs strongly affected the physical health, psyche, may cause a loss of life or health, as well as cause addiction. As the main effects of legal highs, young people point to strong agitation and aggression, as well as visions and hallucinations. 12.5% of respondents answered "Yes" to the question, whether they ever took legal highs. Most of students (69.7%) think that legal highs should be forbidden. Conclusions: The use of legal highs declared 12.5% of secondaryschool students. Most of respondents are aware of threats to health associated with use of legal highs.

[Changing the contents of Fe and Mn in the tonsils of children exposed to passive smoking and their local imission example Chorzow]. / Zmiana zawartosci Fe i Mn w migdalkach dzieci narazonych na bierne palenie i ich lokalna imisje na przykladzie Chorzowa.

The subject of the research were samples of overgrown adenoids removed by adenoidectomy 56 children, including 30 boys and 26 girls, exposure and unexposure from passive smoking, living in the administrative area of Chorzów. The statistic characteristic of Fe and Mn occurrence is presented in the thesis. The studies were carried out on the changes of Fe and Mn and other elements, (B, Al, La, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, Se, Hg, V, Be, Mo, Sn, V, Ti, Sb, Bi, TI, Zr, Ca, Mg, Na, Ba, Sr, Li) respectively. The elemental composition of adenoids was determined with ICP-AES method (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy). The studies on Fe and Mn occurrence in adenoids showed the presence of its higher concentrations in exposure boys (Fe - 116.13 microg/g; Mn - 0.70 microg/g), in comparison with exposure girls from passive smoking (93.06 microg/g; Mn - 0.57 microg/g).

[Trace elements concentration in pharyngeal tonsils from exposed and unexposed to ETS children in refer to sex and places of living]. / Wplyw biernego palenia na zawartosc pierwiastków fizjologicznych w migdalkach gardlowych w nawiazaniu do plci i miejsca zamieszkania.

The aim of this study was investigation influence sex and place living (industrial region or village) to concentration of: Ca, K, Mg and Na in pharyngeal tonsils (n = 84) from children exposed and unexposed to tobacco smoke and analysis kind of interactions between trace elements. Determination of these elements contents were performed by ICP-AES. It was found higher concentrations of Ca and Na in pharyngeal tonsils from boys (389 microg//g) and girls (356 microg/g) unexposed to tobacco smoke to comparison to expose to ETS boys (304 microg/g) and girls (298 microg/g). Higher concentrations of Ca and Na was found in this samples from children unexposed on ETS, living in industrial area to comparison to unexposed to ETS children living in village region. Higher concentration of K and Mg was found in exposed to ETS girls and boys in comparison to unexposed to ETS children, and higher level of these metals were found in exposed to tobacco smoke children living in industrial region and village.

[The important mean of passive smoking for lead and chromium content in deciduous teeth]. / Znaczenie biernego palenia dla wystepowania olowiu i chromu w zebach mlecznych.

In this work the changes of lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) content in deciduous children teeth exposed on environmental tobacco smoking were presented. As the control group were given deciduous children teeth nonexposed on tobacco smoking in home. The content of lead in deciduous teeth was higher in non-exposed population (13.81 microg/g) than in passive-smoking population (12.28 microg/g) p < or = 0.005. The passive smoking has effect to less chromium content in deciduous teeth. The quotient of lead and chromium contents was higher in passive-smoking boys and girls and different kind of deciduous teeth.

[The influence of tobacco smoking on the occurrence of copper in hydroxiapatites of gallstones]. / Wplyw nalogu palenia tytoniu na wystepowanie miedzi w hydroksyapatytach kamieni zólciowych.

The studies were carried out on the changes in copper content in concretions of gallstones which were taken from 146 women (49 smoking and 97 no smoking) and 24 men (11 smoking and 13 no smoking), respectively. The elemental composition of gallstones was determined with ICP-AES method (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy). Studies on copper occurrence in concretions of gallstones showed the presence of its higher concentrations in case of smoking women (9.59 microg/g) and men (8.99 microg/g) in comparison with no smoking women (7.02 microg/g) and men (7.66 microg/ g). It was shown differences in pattern of changes of copper concentration in gallstones in case of smoking and no smoking women and men.

[Chromium in hydroxiapatites of gallstones from active and passive smoking and non smoking women]. / Chrom w hydroksyapatytach kamieni zólciowych u kobiet palacych aktywnie i biernie oraz niepalacych tyton.

The studies were carried out on the changes in chromium content in concretions of gallstones taken from 93 women (24 active smoking, 18 passive smoking, 51 non smoking women), respectively. Chromium content was determined with ICP-AES method (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy). Studies on chromium occurrence in concretions of gallstones showed the presence of its higher concentrations in passive smoking women (3.15 microgCr/g) in comparison with active smoking (1.20 microgCr/g) and non smoking women (0.89 microgCr/g). Separate patterns of changes in chromium in active, passive and no smoking women gallstones were demonstrated.

[The occurance lead and cadmium in hip joint in aspect of exposure on tobacco smoke]. / Wystepowanie olowiu i kadmu w stawie biodrowym w aspekcie narazenia na dym tytoniowy.

The objective of this study was qualification of content cadmium and lead in selected elements of the hip joint in aspect of tobacco smoking. The material for the research were 5 elements of hip joint (articular cartilage, trabecular bone and cortical bone femur head, fragment articular capsule and fragment trabecular bone from region intertrochanteric femoral bone), obtained intraoperatively during endoprothesoplastic surgeries. The samples come from habitants of Upper Silesian Region. Determination of trace elements contents were performed by ASA method (Pye Unicam SP-9) in acetylene-oxygen flame. Higher contents of lead were observed for smoking people, however in case of cadmium the differences of this element were not statistical essential between smokers and non-smokers.

[Co-occurrence Fe in relationships to other metals in pharyngeal tonsil of children in view of sex, age and expose to passive smoking]. / Wspólwystepowanie Fe z innymi metalami w migdalkach gardlowych dzieci ze wzgledu na plec, wiek i narazenie na dym tytoniowy.

The aim of this study was analysis of kind of interactions between Fe and the other metals: Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Zn, K i Na in pharyngeal tonsils from girls and boys in several group of age (2-5 years, 6-9 years and 10-15 years) exposed and no exposed to tobacco smoking. This study showed that the kind of interaction dependent on sex, age and exposed to ETS.

[Influence of smoking tobacco on the occurrence metals in some parts and profiles of femur head]. / Wplyw nalogu palenia tytoniu na wystepowanie metali w czesciach i przekrojach glowy kosci udowej.

The smoking tobacco makes the negative influence on state of osseous tissue, many research shows, that the smoking tobacco states the factor of risk of appearance of osteoporosis. The aim of this study was determined of occurrence of 12 metals in separate parts and profiles of femur head in three studied groups: smoker persons, non-smoker and smoker in past. Human femur heads were obtained from people living in Upper Silesia cities in Poland during endoprosthetoplasty of coxa. The femur heads were cut into 5 cross-sections A-E using a stabilizing device provided with a fixed and a movable part maintained at a 12 degrees angle. As the next step, fragments of articular cartilage, cortical bone and trabecular bone were sectioned off from the cross-sections. In smoker group the large content of chrome of, nickel, zinc pays back attention. In case of individual parts of femur head notice, that the largest place in articular cartilage has accumulating metals. The largest contents of metals were observed in the external sections A and E.

[Lead content in blood of children living near zinc smelter plant exposure on environmental tobacco smoking (ETS)]. / Wystepowanie olowiu w krwi dzieci zamieszkalych w zasiegu oddzialywania Huty Cynku "Miasteczko Slaskie" narazonych na bierne palenie tytoniu.

In this paper the results of concentration of lead in the blood of children living near and background the plant smelter are presented. 510 girls and 567 boys from schools located at Tarnowskie Góry and Miasteczko Slaskie took part in the study. Concentration of lead content in the blood of children was determined by the ASA method with the apparatus Pye Unicam SP-9. Smoking of parents increased the level of lead in the blood. Higher concentration of lead was show in blood girls (8.09 microg/100 ml) and boys (9.78 microg/100 ml) exposure to tobacco smoke in comparison to girls (6.19 microg/100 ml) and boys (6.81 microg/100 ml) living in no smoking conditions.

[Aluminum in hydroxyapatites of gallstones from smoking and non smoking women]. / Glin w hydroksyapatytach zlogów pecherzyka zólciowego kobiet palacych i niepalacych.

The investigation on the aluminum changes in gallstones from 149 women, including 49 smokers and 79 non-smokers women was carried out. All patients were inhabitants of Southern Poland. Aluminum concentration was determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) with the measurement precision of 1-3% and the detectability of 0.01 microg/g. Arithmetical mean was statistically significantly higher for non-smoking women (33.39 microgAI/g) in comparison to smoking women (20.30 microgAI/g). The changes of given elements were different for smoking women in comparison to non-smoking women.

[The changes of barium and strontium content in gallstones from smoking and non-smoking women]. / Zmiany zawartosci baru i strontu w zlogach kamieni zólciowych kobiet palacych i niepalacych tyton.

The problem of statistical characteristics of occurrence barium and strontium content in gallstones from smoking and non-smoking women living in southern Poland is presented in the work. The subjects of the research were gallstones, gained intraoperatively from 146 women (49 smoking, 97 non-smoking). The content of barium and strontium was determined using atomic emission spectroscopy with inductive coupled plasma (ICP-AES). The statistical characteristic of barium and strontium content in gallstones shows that smoking does not decide about content level of these elements in gallstones. Content of barium (2.32 microgBa/g) as well as strontium (3.23 microgSr/g) in gallstones from non smoking women are higher in comparison to content of these elements in gallstones from smoking women (1.91 microgBa/g and 2.76 microgSr/g).

[Analysis of participation of mercury in gallstones from smoking and non smoking people]. / Analiza udzialu rteci w skladzie mineralnym kamieni zólciowych osób palacych i niepalacych tyton.

Mercury concentration in gallstones of 146 women (49 smoking, 97 non-smoking) and 24 men (11 smoking, 13 non-smoking) was determined employing Inductively Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The possibility of mercury accumulation in concretions in the gallbladder was confirmed by the study. The changes of given elements were different in comparison for smoking and non smoking women and men. The research of mercury occurrence in gallstones shows the presence of higher concentration at smoking both women (0.16 microgHg/g) and men (0.22 microgHg/g) in comparison to non smoking women (0.12 microgHg/g) and men (0.06 microgHg/g).

[Metabolism of chromium in femur head in aspect of cigarette smoking]. / Metabolizm chromu w glowie kosci udowej w aspekcie nalogu palenia.

The objective of this study was qualification of content chromium in femur head in aspect of smoking cigarette. Investigated of femur head from habitants of Upper Silesian Region. The content of chromium was marked at non-smoking persons, smoking in past and smoking at present. Determination of contents chromium realized by ASA method (Pye Unicam SP-9) in flame acetylene-oxygen. Higher contents of chromium were observed for smoking people. The most of the correlations described by large values of the correlation factors were concerned Cr with Ni, Cu, Zn, Na.

[The role of the sex in cooccurrence of selenium with other elements in gallstones]. / Rola plci we wspólwyst powaniu selenu w zlogach pecherzyka zólciowego z innymi pierwiastkami.

The characteristic of occurrence selenium content in gallstones from smoking and no smoking people living in southern Poland is presented in the work. The subject of the research were gallstones, gained intra-operatively from 146 women (49 smoking, 97 no smoking women) and 24 men (11 smoking, 13 no smoking men). The content of selenium was determined using atomic emission spectroscopy with inductive couple plasma (ICP-AES). The influence of smoking to women and men describes the degree of elimination selenium from them organism by use of gallstones in detoxification process.

[Antagonistic effect of selenium in interactions with selected elements during contamination of the gallstones from smoking and no smoking men]. / Antagonistyczna rola selenu w interakcjach z wybranymi pierwiastkami podczas kontaminacji kamieni zólciowych u mezczyzn palacych i niepalacych.

The problem of statistical characteristics of occurrence metals content in gallstones from smoking and no smoking man living in southern Poland is presented in the work. The subject of the research were gallstones, gained intraoperatively from 24 man (11 smoking and 13 non smoking). The content of metals was determined using atomic emission spectroscopy with inductive couple plasma (ICP-AES). In relations to chemical mineral composition of hydroxiapatites antagonism selenium were confirmed, as mainly to Si, Fe, Mn, P, Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Hg, Mo, Ti, Sb, Bi, Sr, Ca, Mg, Na, K for no smoking man.

[Analysis of the possible interaction between cadmium and nickel in the gallstones from actively and passively smoking and non-smoking women]. / Analiza potencjalnych interakcji miedzy kadmem i niklem w kamieniach zólciowych kobiet palacych aktywnie i biernie oraz niepalacych tyton.

The problem of statistical characteristics of occurrence cadmium and nickel content in gallstones from active and passive smoking and no smoking women living in southern Poland is presented in the work. The subject of the research were gallstones, gained intraoperatively from 93 women (24 active smoking, 18 passive smoking, 51 no smoking women). The content of cadmium and nickel was determined using atomic emission spectroscopy with inductive couple plasma (ICP-AES). The influence of smoking to women describes the degree of elimination cadmium and nickel from women organism by use of gallstones in detoxication process.