The aim of this study was to assess the potential health risks of radioactive elements and heavy metals ingested through the consumption of various types of tea imported to the Polish market (black, green, red, oolong and white). The concentrations [Bq/kg] of radionuclides (⁴⁰K, ¹³⁷Cs, ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁰Pb and ²²⁸Th) in tea leaves before and after brewing were measured using γ-ray spectrometry with high-purity germanium (HPGe). The concentrations [mg/kg] of the studied elements (Fe, Cr, Cu, Mo, Al, Mn, Ni, P, V, Cd and Pb) were determined using a microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometer (MIP-OES). The results presented here will help to expand the database of heavy metals and radioactivity in teas. With regard to the potential health risk, the percentage of leaching of individual elements in different types of tea infusions was determined, and the assessment of the consumption risk was estimated. Since the calculated exposure factors, namely the HQ (Hazard Quotient) and THQ (Target Hazard Quotient), do not exceed critical levels, teas can still be considered health-beneficial products (most of the radionuclides as well as elements remain in the leaves (65–80%) after brewing).

The main aim of this work was to study the chemical composition of eighteen ground coffees from different countries and continents with regard to the content of hazardous substances as radioactive elements (⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ²³⁴U, ²³⁸U and ¹³⁷Cs), metals, including heavy metals, aluminum and some microelements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) as well as substances that have a positive effect on human health and well-being (polyphenols, proteins, fats and caffeine). The tests were carried out before and after the brewing process using the following techniques: gamma and beta spectrometry, a microwave-induced plasma optical emission spectrometer (MIP-OES), gravimetric method, UV–Vis spectrophotometry as well as thin-layer chromatography. The leaching percentage of certain elements/compounds in coffee infusions was also measured. The research showed clear differences between Arabica and Robusta coffees, and also allowed for identifying some differences between Arabica coffees depending on the place of their origin. The results presented can raise consumer awareness and help them make better food choices.

The research was aimed at providing new knowledge in the field of chemical characteristics of solid waste generated in the process of combustion of sewage sludge in fluidized bed furnaces. The research material consisted of disposed fluidized beds (DFB), sewage sludge ash (SSA) and air pollution control residues (APC) from three Polish installations for the thermal treatment of sewage sludge. Natural radionuclides as well as anthropogenic isotope ¹³⁷Cs were determined in the tested materials and the migration of a wide spectrum of trace elements to various waste fractions generated in the process of sewage sludge combustion was examined. It was observed that both radioisotopes and most of the trace elements determined accumulate in SSA and DFB, while the APC fraction contains a much smaller amount of them. The exceptions are mercury and selenium, whose volatile compounds migrate to the exhaust gas dedusting system and accumulate in the APC fraction (up to 40 mg/kg and 13 mg/kg, respectively). A potential threat from the ²²⁶Ra isotope in SSA is identified in the context of the management of this waste in the production of building materials because the typical activity of ²²⁶Ra in SSA collected from areas with very low Ra content in natural environment exceeds 1.5-6 times the activity of this isotope in conventional cement mixtures. When managing SSA and DFB, special attention should be paid to the content of metalloids such as As, B and Se, due to the high content of mobile forms of these elements in the mentioned materials.

In the pursuit of environmentally and economically sustainable sewage sludge ash (SSA) management methods, researchers often employ laboratory-made SSA (L-SSA) as a substitute for industrial-made SSA (I-SSA) produced in fluidized bed furnaces. To check whether L-SSA is a material that imitates I-SSA well, the fractionation of metals whose presence is a significant problem during SSA management was performed. In addition, the grain distribution, specific surface area, and textural properties of the tested materials were examined. Differences in total Pb and Hg content and mobility of Cu, Ni, Mn, and Zn were observed between I-SSA and L-SSA. Larger particle sizes of L-SSA compared to I-SSA were confirmed, while comparable textural properties and specific surface area of both types of materials were maintained. Based on the results, it was concluded that L-SSA is chemically different compared to I-SSA, and that L-SSA should not be used as a reference in research focused on the design of SSA management methods. Moreover, fractionation of metals was performed in disposed fluidized beds (FBs), which are diverted to non-hazardous waste landfills without prior analysis. It has been proven that studied metals are present in FBs as abundantly as in SSA, while Cu, Mn, and Ni may show higher mobility than in I-SSA.

In this study, the effect of the filtration process on Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe and Zn concentration in water, using filters from one of the leading European manufacturers, was investigated. The increase in Na (up to 300%) and K concentration (up to 320%) at the beginning of jug filter usage was reported. A decrease in Ca, Fe and Zn concentration was observed. Standard filters remove 80–90% of Mg from tap water at the beginning of the usage, while magnesium-enriching ones slightly increase its concentration – from around 8 to 12–25 mg/L. Significant changes in the filter's operating characteristics were also observed for other studied elements as they wore out. Using Mg-enriching filters can increase magnesium intake from 4–5 to 6–15% of the recommended daily dose from water consumption. The results were also discussed regarding the amounts of macroelements found in commercially available bottled water. The magnesium concentration in tap water after filtration through magnesium-enriching filters was lower compared to bottled mineral waters. The authors note a scope for the development of water filter production technology, in particular, the need to develop filters that more efficiently enrich water with magnesium and do not increase sodium concentration.

In this study, multifunctional composite coatings based on chitosan (CS), mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNPs), and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully deposited on Ti-13Nb-13Zr alloy by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). Two coating systems containing Eudragit E100 (EE100) or poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) were developed to tailor physicochemical and biological properties. The synthesized MBGNPs exhibited a spherical morphology with an average particle size of approximately 80 nm, as observed by TEM, while XRD analysis confirmed their amorphous structure. Both coatings formed uniform porous layers (∼10 µm thick) with excellent adhesion to the substrate (class 1, EN ISO 2409). Surface characterization revealed significantly increased roughness and distinct wettability behavior depending on polymer composition. CS/EE100 coatings exhibited hydrophobic character and low surface free energy, whereas CS/P4VP coatings showed highly hydrophilic behavior with increased surface energy. Electrochemical studies demonstrated enhanced electrochemical activity of coated samples, particularly for the P4VP-based system, associated with its porous and hydrophilic structure. Ion release studies confirmed time-dependent calcium release from MBGNPs and significantly higher silver ion release from CS/P4VP coatings, especially under acidic conditions. Both coatings exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, achieving up to ∼2.4 log reduction. Cytocompatibility studies using hFOB 1.19 osteoblast-like cells demonstrated that the CS/P4VP/MBGNPs/AgNPs coating maintained high cell viability (>80%) despite increased Ag+ release, while both coatings maintained alkaline phosphatase activity. Overall, the P4VP-based coating demonstrated the most favorable balance between antibacterial activity, ion release, and cytocompatibility, highlighting its potential for advanced biomedical implant applications.