The aim of this study was to determine the level of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 57 samples of canned tuna, 25 samples of canned sardines, and 16 samples of canned smoked sprouts, collected from supermarkets in Serbia. Heavy metal levels (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, iron, copper, and zinc) were determined using an inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry method. Sixteen analysed PAHs were determined using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method. The trace elements in canned fish were in the range (mg kg⁻¹) of 0.01–0.28 for lead, 0.003–0.08 for cadmium, 0.007–0.64 for mercury, 0.17–3.73 for arsenic, 3.88–52.2 for iron, 0.2–5.95 for copper, and 1.35–44.5 for zinc. Total PAH levels reached 17.67 µg kg⁻¹ in canned tuna and 15.12 µg kg⁻¹ in sardines, whereas in smoked sprouts it amounted to 57.19 µg kg⁻¹. Some of the samples contained cadmium, arsenic, copper, and benzo(a)pyrene above the limits as set by the European and Serbian legislation.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of 19 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs): (hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH, β-HCH, δ–HCH), lindane, aldrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, endosulfane I, endosulfane II, endosulfane sulfate, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dieldrin, endrin, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), methoxychlor and endrin ketone and 6 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 153, PCB 138 and PCB 180). The samples were taken from pancetta, dry pork neck (budiola), pork tenderloin and sausages produced in Rakitno (Bosnia and Herzegovina), smoked in both a traditional smokehouse and in an industrial chamber. Instrumental analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The reliability of the results, i.e., quality control is ensured by standard laboratory practice, which involves participation in proficiency test, the use of blank samples, reference materials and implementation of recommendations given by the relevant international organizations. The concentrations of α-HCH, lindane, PCB 28, PCB 52 and PCB 153 were detected and quantified. The concentrations of OCPs and PCBs did not significantly vary depending on product type and the conditions of production. All the examined samples were for human consumption.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of organochlorine (OC) pesticides in 57 samples of canned tuna and 31 samples of canned sardines in vegetable oil, collected from supermarkets in Serbia. OC pesticides α-HCH, β-HCH, δ-HCH, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), DDE, DDD, dielderin, endosulfane I, endosulfane II, endosulan sulfate, endrin, endrin ketone, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, aldrin, metoxichlor, cis-chlordane and trans-chlordane were determined using a GS-MS method. The highest concentrations (µg kg⁻¹, arithmetic means) in canned tuna were for δ-HCH (60.6 ± 97.0) and p, p´-DDT (55.0 ± 25.1), while the corresponding values in canned sardines were for δ-HCH (90.7 ± 102.7) and endosulfane II (78.0 ± 145.9). Mean level for the sum of endosulfans was above the maximum limit in canned sardines (85.0 µg kg⁻¹). Also, dieldrin (39.7 µg kg⁻¹) was measured above the ML.

The goal of the study was to investigate the concentration of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 84 samples of mussels, collected from supermarkets and fish markets in Serbia. Lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic concentrations were determined using an inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry method. Sixteen PAHs were determined using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Heavy metals in the mussels were in the range (mg/kg) of 0.01–0.74 for lead, 0.01–0.38 for cadmium, 0.01–0.15 for mercury and 1.12–5.87 for arsenic. Metals and PAHs levels in all analysed samples were under the legal European and Serbian legislation limits. The provisional tolerable intake values were calculated on the base of the obtainable values of heavy metals. Mussels are considered to be safe for human consumption. However, one should take care of the amount and frequency of mussel consumption, primarily due to consumer’s cadmium and mercury burden.

The objective of this study is an investigation of the influence of six different plastic packages (polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, biodegradable high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene and polyamide polyethylene) on the migration of phthalate residues in smoked carp, trout and salmon stored at −18 °C for three and six months. Six phthalate residues concentrations were determined using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) migrated the most into salmon meat from PAPE packaging after six months of storage, reaching 73.77 μg/kg and 78.45 μg/kg, respectively. The highest concentrations of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) after six months of storage were present in salmon meat packed in polyamide polyethylene (253.56 μg/kg) and the lowest in carp meat packages in polypropylene (157.72 μg/kg). Phthalate residues in all the samples showed higher levels after three and six months of storage compared to the control sample. Among the investigated phthalates, polypropylene was the material with the lowest migration into fish meat. A further amount of DEHP migration in the fish was detected with a higher fat content. We acknowledge that levels of phthalates should be monitored, and research in this field should be continued, especially since there are no legal restrictions regarding the maximum level of phthalates in food.

This study provides an assessment of BTEX compounds—benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers—in urban precipitation collected in the city of Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia, during autumn and winter 2024, analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). By combining chemical analysis with meteorological observations and HYSPLIT backward trajectory modeling, the study considers the mechanisms of BTEX removal from the atmosphere via wet scavenging and highlights the role of local weather conditions and long-range atmospheric transport in pollutant concentrations. During the early observation period (September to late November), average concentrations were 0.45 µg/L benzene, 3.45 µg/L ethylbenzene, 4.0 µg/L p-xylene, 2.31 µg/L o-xylene, and 1.32 µg/L toluene. These values sharply dropped to near-zero levels in December for benzene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes, while toluene persisted at 1.12 µg/L. A pronounced toluene spike exceeding 6 µg/L on 28 November was likely driven by transboundary air mass transport from Central Europe, as confirmed by trajectory modeling. The environmental risks posed by BTEX deposition, especially from toluene and xylenes, underline the need for regulatory frameworks to include precipitation as a pathway for pollutant deposition. It should be clarified that the identified risk primarily concerns aquatic organisms, due to the potential for BTEX infiltration into surface waters and subsequent ecotoxicological impacts. Incorporating such monitoring into EU policies can improve protection of air, water, and ecosystems.