Toxic metals and metalloids in dietetic products.

Aim: To determine the concentrations of cadmium, lead, mercury, and metalloid arsenic in the samples of some dietetic products marketed in Croatia, and to compare the values obtained with maximum allowed amounts (MAA) according to the law.

Method: Metal and metalloid concentrations were measured in 30 dietetic products from the group of industrial food supplements and food additives. The measurements were performed by the method of atomic absorption spectrometry.

Soil and wheat grain selenium content in the vicinity of Koprivnica (Croatia).

This paper describes the findings of selenium measurement in three types of soil (semigley, pseudogley and hypogley) and in wheat grain cultivated in these types of soil in the vicinity of Koprivnica using hydrid atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed relatively low selenium levels in all three types of soil (145-333 micrograms Se/kg dry weight) as well as the wheat grain (22-62 micrograms Se/kg dry weight). The analysis of covariance suggested that the concentration of selenium in soil, pH in KCl, and K2O affect the concentration of selenium in wheat grain.

Lead absorption and psychological function in Zagreb (Croatia) school children.

A cross-sectional study was performed on 275 pupils from the third and fourth grade of three elementary schools (three urban areas with different traffic conditions) in Zagreb. Lead exposure was environmental, mostly through leaded gasoline. The difference in traffic density around the schools was consistent with biological indicators of lead absorption.

Lead poisoning associated with the use of Ayurvedic metal-mineral tonics.

Objective: The aim of this study was to confirm the connection between lead poisoning and the use of traditional Ayurvedic metal mineral tonics.

Methods: The study group comprised 29 subjects (26 adults and three children) who had previously taken Ayurvedic metal mineral tonics. All subjects were tested for lead absorption by blood lead, erythrocyte delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity and erythrocyte protoporphyrin.