Potential human exposure to Pb, Cd, Zn, As and Hg through consumption of foodstuffs grown or bred near mining areas in Slovenia

Food contaminants and essential elements will be investigated in two Slovenian areas highly polluted with heavy metals due to former Pb and Zn mining (1424 - 1995) and a still active Pb smeltery using secondary Pb products in the Meza valley, and Idrija mercury mine activities from 1508-1994 in the Idrija region. For selected 'food' samples the present situation will be checked regarding the concentrations of contaminating metals (Pb, Cd, Zn and As or Hg). Determinations of Se will be included regarding its detoxifying role as an essential part of antioxidative enzymes and in forming insoluble complexes with some metals, either in food (especially of animal origin) or after digestion in humans. Since individual chemical forms of elements definitely determine bioavailability and toxicity, some speciation studies will also be performed on foodstuffs from contaminated areas, which exceed maximum permissible trace element levels. The speciation studies will include arsenic speciation since it is already known that inorganic forms are much more toxic than organic species, mercury speciation (MeHg, Hg) and biological speciation regarding cellular distribution of metals between water soluble and unsoluble parts. (author)