Natural ecosystems are polluted with various contaminants, and among these heavy metals raise concerns due to their side effects on both environment and human health. An investigation was conducted on essential oil samples, comparing similar products between seven producers, and the results indicated a wide variation of metal content. The recommended limits imposed by European Union regulations for medicinal plants are exceeded only in Mentha × pipperita (Adams, 0.61 mg/kg). Except for Thymus vulgaris, the multivariate analysis showed a strong correlation between toxic and microelements (p < 0.001). We verified plant species–specific bioaccumulation patterns with non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis. The model showed that Adams, Doterra, Hypericum, and Steaua Divina essential oils originated from plants containing high micro and macroelement (Cu, Mn, Mg, Na) levels. We noted that the cancer risk values for Ni were the highest (2.02 × 10⁻⁹–7.89 × 10⁻⁷). Based on the target hazard quotient, three groups of elements were associated with a possible risk to human health, including As, Hg, and Cd in the first group, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Co in the second, and Zn and Al in the third. Additionally, the challenge of coupling inter-element relationships through a network plot analysis shows a considerable probability of associating toxic metals with micronutrients, which can address cumulative risks for human consumers.

Lithium is a naturally occurring alkali metal, found in vegetables, grains and drinking water. Based on the nutritional studies, lithium is an essential trace element with a recommended dietary allowance of 1 mg/day. Lithium is used in therapeutic doses for the treatment of depressive episodes. The natural lithium intake doses are much lower than those used for the treatment of patients with psychiatric disorders, but even very low lithium levels induced by the routine consumption of lithium from water and food may have anti-suicidal effects. Food consumption can naturally increase the lithium intake to levels that are unlikely to cause negative side effects. Over 200 food samples from Romanian market were analyzed, consisting of 130 basic food samples (oils, meat, milk and cheese) and 70 vegetable samples. The lithium concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Vegetable samples had the highest lithium content, followed by the milk, cheese, meat, and oil samples. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied separately on the dairy products and vegetables in order to find the best markers to differentiate these types of food.

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry multielemental profiling was performed to determine eight elements in 54 vegetable samples. The range of concentrations of Fe and Ni was 1.91 ± 0.09 to 443.31 ± 22.32 mg/kg and 0.05 ± 0.004 to 16.36 ± 0.36 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of Pb and Cd were up to 1.56 ± 0.04 and 0.78 ± 0.04 mg/kg, respectively. Some samples exceeded the maximum admissible limits imposed by national and international regulations. The mean concentrations of Mn and Cu were between 20.93 ± 0.43 and 13.98 ± 0.30 mg/kg in tomatoes and 20.60 ± 0.53 and 11.25 ± 0.22 mg/kg in peppers. For the evaluation of health risk related to the consumption of vegetables, the daily intake rate, target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index were evaluated. The daily intakes were low and correspond to 2 to 14% of the tolerable daily values established by legislation. The results showed that the THQ and hazard index for the metals were lower than 1, indicating that the vegetable ingestion does not represent a significant risk for consumer health. Analysis of variance revealed that Zn may be used as a species-specific marker (p = 0.026). Principal component analysis extracted three main components, explaining a total variance of 72.49% and grouped all determined elements.

A 48-yr old female patient, with stage 4 rheumatoid arthritis, who had undergone multiple joint prostheses including four arthroplasties of the left hip, presented for a sudden-onset large bulge on the left thigh, after a minor local injury. Orthopedic examination and radiography excluded fractures. Ultrasonography revealed a large mixed hypo- and hyperechoic collection, with no Doppler signal, but with comet tail artifacts. Repeated cultures from the collection were negative. Fluid analysis revealed increased quantities of titanium and cobalt. The sudden-onset deformity and fluid collection were in favor of a shear lesion (Morel-Lavallée). The new collection communicated with a previously asymptomatic periprosthetic aseptic abscess, mimicking an infection. To our knowledge, Morel-Lavallée shear lesions have not been described in patients with hip prostheses. Their presence may add to the difficulties of ruling out silent infections in such patients. Ultrasonography is a very effective method for the diagnosis and follow-up of collections in this setting.

Contamination of water by toxic heavy metals through the discharge of industrial wastewater is a worldwide environmental problem. This paper presents the adsorption of some metals, present at trace levels in aqueous solution, highly adsorbent on nanostructured carbon materials using batch experiments. The choice of these materials was made based on their particular properties that include high surface area, controlled porosity, and the possibility to tailor the surface hydrophilicity. The objective of this study was to investigate different functionalized Pt nanostructured carbon composites, as sorbents for the removal of certain metals (Cu, Zn, V, Cd, and Pb) from aqueous solution and also to compare the adsorption capacity among these materials. The trace elements concentrations were determinate by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For each sample, three replicates were measured i to assure quality control.