HEALTH SAFETY OF EDIBLE WILD MUSHROOMS COLLECTED FROM THE INDUSTRIAL AREA

Abstract

The health risk associated with consumption of edible mushrooms derived from area surrounding the metallurgical plants was assessed. Three species (Xerocomus badius (Fr.), Suillus luteus (L.) and Leccinum scabrum (Bull.) Grey) of mushrooms have been studied. Samples were collected at increasing distances (0.2, 5, 10, and 15km) from the border of an industrial area. Determination of the content of 13 elements (Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl, Zn and Se) using ICP-OES method with prior microwave mineralization was made. Among studied metals only Al concentration in mushrooms was distance-dependent. The content of Al in tested samples ranged from 2.8 – 39.6 mg.kg-1 dry matter and significantly (P<0.05) decreased with increasing distance from the industrial plant. High levels of Fe, Ni and Cu were observed in the mushrooms collected near the aluminum foundry (up to 5 km). For other studied elements (K, Mg, Zn, Mn and Se) no effect of pollutants emitted by foundry for their level in mushrooms was observed.