Old and New Threats-Trace Metals and Fluoride Contamination in Soils at Defunct Smithy Sites.

The aim of this study was to investigate soil contamination with trace elements and fluoride at sites in Szczecin (NW Poland) where economic activity was historically associated with the use of trace metals. As the Polish legislation does not recognize the lasting impact of historical pollution on soils, land developers are not obliged to determine soil pollution in the new residential areas, including parks and playgrounds for children. Therefore, in this study, at the locations of defunct metalwork enterprises (smithies, foundries, chemical plants, and small metal production plants), which were closed down after World War II, we determined lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and cobalt (Co) levels in the soil. In addition, we also determined fluoride (F) levels due to the contemporary fluoride pollution in the area generated by a large chemical plant with a post-production phosphogypsum waste landfill and a power plant complex. Our results show that soil at the sites of now-defunct smithies can still act as a significant source of trace metals. Pb concentration in the surface (0⁻20 cm) and subsurface (20⁻40 cm) layers exceeded concentration thresholds for soils with first-degree pollution. The concentrations of Zn and Cu also exceeded their natural background limits. Furthermore, our research indicates an increased concentration of fluoride in surface layers of the soil; however, not exceeding the fluoride content threshold. These observations have important consequences for public health and safety because, presently, the studied sites function as housing estates and other public facilities. Therefore, contaminated soil at these sites may pose a threat to the health of local residents and should be closely monitored for trace metal contamination levels.

Influence of folic acid supplementation on coagulation, inflammatory, lipid, and kidney function parameters in subjects with low and moderate content of folic acid in the diet.

BACKGROUND: The human body requires folic acid (FA) to produce blood cells, secure cell division, and growth. Moreover, this vitamin is important in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Because the results of studies on the use of FA in the prevention of CVD are ambiguous, it seems necessary to conduct further research, which will explain in which cases supplementation is effective. AIM: To assess the impact of FA supplementation on the coagulation, inflammatory, lipid parameters, and kidney function in subjects with atherosclerosis risk factors, depending on the content of FA in their diet. METHODS: The study enrolled 97 young adult Caucasian individuals (34 males and 63 females) with atherosclerosis risk factors. This population was divided into two groups: A--with low content of FA in the diet (< 40% of reference daily intake) and B--with moderate content of FA in the diet (40-90% of reference daily intake). The participants were asked to take FA in the low-dose of 0.4 mg/24 h for 3 months. RESULTS: Low-dose FA supplementation resulted in elevation of FA concentrations (79% vs. 75.1%) in the studied groups and, concomitantly, a decrease in homocysteine concentrations (21% vs. 20.3%). Mean level of creatinine decreased after FA supplementation in both groups (0.93 ± 1.1 vs. 0.72 ± 0.15 mg/dL and 0.83 ± 0.16 vs. 0.77 ± 0.15 mg/dL). These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The difference in mean estimated glomerular filtration rate values before and after FA supplementation was statistically significant in group A (p = 0.002) and on the border of statistical significance in group B (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: FA supplementation has no influence on the coagulation, inflammatory and lipid parameters in subjects with atherosclerosis risk factors depending on the content of FA in their diet. However FA supplementation may have a beneficial effect on kidney function in subjects with low content of FA in the diet.