Safety of Potato Consumption in Slovak Region Contaminated by Heavy Metals due to Previous Mining Activity

Abstract

Heavy metals are among the most serious environmental contaminants in mining districts. Soil, as one of the main components of the environment, is the place of heavy metal entry into plants and consequently into the food chain, too. Potatoes grown in the region of Middle Spis (Slovakia) may be a source of increased content of heavy metals and pose a health risk to the consumer. The contents of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Ni) in potato and soil samples were determined using the AAS method and compared with limit values set by the Slovak Republic and the European Union. The content of heavy metals was determined in 12 potato cultivars with different length of vegetation period (mid-early, very early, and early, resp.), which were grown in three localities with a highly disturbed environment. Total contents and mobile forms of heavy metals as well as physical and chemical properties were determined in soil samples which were collected from the same sampling sites. Only Pb content in potato tubers was higher than the hygienic limit value (0.1 mg kg−1 FM) in 15 sampling sites (interval was n.d. –0.2298 mg kg−1 FM). The contents of exchangeable forms (total content) of heavy metals in soil were ranged between the intervals: Cd 0.004–0.055 (0.94–1 56), Pb 0.023–0.295 (17.00–26.80), and Ni 0.019–0.475 (30.80–71.00) mg kg−1. At current average consumption levels of potatoes, tolerable weekly intake (TWI) or tolerable daily intake (TDI) for observed heavy metals was not exceeded.

Heavy Metals in Native Potato and Health Risk Assessment in Highland Andean Zones of Junín, Peru

“…shows the results of the heavy metals content in tubers of both native potato varieties collected in the four districts and obtained from the same soil sampling sites. Values obtained were compared to the maximum levels recom-Heavy metals concentrations in tubers of two native potato varieties (mg/kg) in four highland Andean locations in Junín, Peru.Slovakia and Jamaica report indicate lower values[2] [50] coincident with what was found in this study. In Punjab, Pakistan[22] reports indicate high Pb contents in potato that exceed 40 times the allowed limit, while our study determined that Pb exceeds four times what is recommended.…”

“…Heavy metals represent a source of contamination and an environmental and human health problem [1]. The soil is the entry point for heavy metals in plants and, consequently, also in the food chain [2]. There are different sources of heavy metals in the soil such as natural sources and anthropogenic sources (mining and industrial activities, irrigation with sewage and the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers) [3] [4] [5].…”

Distribution characteristics of cadmium and lead in particle size fractions of farmland soils in a lead–zinc mine area in Southwest China

“…Similarly, the contents of Cd and Pb in a mining area of Shanxi in China and in Slovakia were higher in the surface soil (Li et al 2015b;Musilova et al 2017). This occurred because mining areas contain a great deal of heavy metal-polluted dust, which will float down to the surrounding environment (Galiulin et al 2002) and cause heavy metal pollution in the surface soil though wind and transport.…”

Occurrence of Chemical Contaminants in Peruvian Produce: A Food-Safety Perspective

“…Another study found potatoes in Junin showed levels of Pb at 0.41 mg/kg (MCL at 0.1 mg/kg) [ 68 ] The authors explained that mining was a likely source of this contamination. Similarly, other studies in Chile, China, and Slovakia reported that produce grown near a mining operation had noncompliant concentrations of As, Pb, and Cd [ 70 , 71 , 72 ]. These findings supported the importance of understanding the risk of contamination of produce grown close to mining activities.…”