Concentrations of selected metals (Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd) in tea leaves were investigated. Samples included black, green, and other (red, white, yellow, and oolong) teas. They were purchased on a local market but they covered different countries of origin. Beverages like yerba mate, rooibos, and fruit teas were also included in the discussion. Metal determinations were performed using atomic absorption spectrometry. In black teas, Mn/Cd ratio was found to be significantly higher (48,091 ± 35,436) vs. green (21,319 ± 16,396) or other teas (15,692 ± 8393), while Cd concentration was lower (31.4 ± 18.3 μg/kg) vs. other teas 67.0 (67.0 ± 24.4). Moreover, Zn/Cu and Cu/Cd ratios were, respectively, lower (1.1 ± 0.2 vs. 2.2 ± 0.5) and higher (1086 ± 978 vs. 261 ± 128) when comparing black teas with other teas. Intake of each metal from drinking tea was estimated based on the extraction levels reported by other authors. Contributions to recommended daily intake for Cu, Mn, and Zn were estimated based on the recommendations of international authorities. Except for manganese, tea is not a major dietary source of the studied elements. From the total number of 27 samples, three have shown exceeded cadmium level, according to local regulations.

52 coal ash samples from individual households were analyzed to determine the pH and the concentrations of four toxic elements: arsenic, cadmium, lead and thallium. The method used was atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite-furnace atomization. The ash samples originated from various coal grades and statistical analysis showed existing correlations between the concentrations of studied elements, pH and the coal grades. The maximum concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead and thallium were 50,900, 43,500, 128,900, and 6660 µg/kg, respectively. The results were compared with the published data for the ash of industrial origin.

Here a new flow injection system is reported for the preconcentration of technetium by solid phase extraction. The system provides analyte preconcentration, reduces interferences from polyatomic ions, and prevents interaction of concentrated nitric acid with the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. The volume of eluate was significantly reduced by collecting the eluate of the highest analyte concentration in an injection loop followed by transport to the spectrometer with dilute nitric acid. Due to the absence of a suitable standard reference material, the determination of technetium in peat was compared with liquid scintillation spectrometry.

Objectives: Iodine and selenium are key elements for thyroid. There is also evidence of their immunoregulatory potential. However, the current state of knowledge of potential interactions among iodine—selenium—thyroid—immune system is not sufficient. The aim of the study was to evaluate iodine and selenium statuses and examine the relationship between them and the functioning of the thyroid and immune system in a group of women of reproductive age, without previously diagnosed disease. Methods: The study involved a group of 60 women aged 19–40 from southern Poland. The concentrations of iodine and selenium were determined in serum samples using the ICP-MS and AAS methods, respectively. Thyroid function was assessed by determining serum levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) by electrochemiluminescence methods. Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3) and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in serum were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Immune functions were evaluated by analyzing cytokine levels using ELISA tests, including interferon-γ, interleukin-4, interleukin-17, and transforming growth factor-β. Results: No significant correlations between selenium and thyroid or immunological parameters were observed. The level of iodine in serum positively correlated with free thyroxine, indicating its importance for maintaining normal thyroid function, as well as with FRAP in serum, suggesting a protective role of iodine-mediated antioxidant activity on thyroid function. Conclusions: Our results underline the complexity of the system of correlations between iodine–selenium–thyroid–immune function. Nevertheless, understanding them may turn out to be crucial for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies in the context of thyroid diseases.

Manganese concentration in green and black tea (10 samples of each type) was determined by means of graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Both the dry leaves and the infusions were analysed. The concentration of manganese in dry leaves was in the range of 502–1277 mg · kg−1 for black tea and 798–1906 mg · kg−1 for green one. Since lemon juice is commonly added for tea to enrich its taste, citric acid was used to simulate lemon juice influence on manganese concentration in the infusions. The infusions prepared with and without citric acid addition were analysed and the results showed significant influence of citric acid on manganese leaching. The average extraction levels of manganese from black tea equal 16% (for non-acidified infusions) and 34% (for acidified ones) while these values for green tea equal 13% and 38%, respectively. Statistical evaluation of the results showed that the differences between acidified and non-acidified infusions were statistically significant. High manganese content makes the tea an important source of manganese in human diet.

Food safety regarding heavy metal contamination is a critical global challenge due to the toxic nature of these elements and their ability to bioaccumulate in the food chain. This pilot study investigates the spatial distribution at different depths of potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L.), of toxic elements such as lead and cadmium (both highly toxic) as well as aluminium (far less toxic compared to the previous two) and copper (micronutrient) to evaluate the efficacy of culinary processing in reducing toxic metal exposure. Three popular cultivars in southern Poland – “Soraya”, “Vineta”, and “Jelly” available on the Tarnów market were analyzed. Following the wet digestion step, the quantitative determination of selected metals was performed using Graphite–Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (Agilent 240Z AA). The accuracy of the analyses was validated using certified reference materials. The most interesting findings indicate that while mechanical peeling of tubers effectively minimizes exposure to Pb, it does not significantly reduce Cd levels. Analysis of behavior of aluminium revealed a distribution pattern similar to that observed for lead. Mechanical peeling led to a substantial reduction in the content of lead (69.0–82.0%) and aluminium (96.8–98.6%), as both elements strongly accumulated within the outermost periderm. Conversely, cadmium exhibited high mobility throughout the internal tissues, resulting in a minimal post-peeling concentration decrease ranging from 5.6% to 36.1%.