Trace metal levels in edible mushrooms from the Šalek and the Upper Meža Valleys with emphasis on assessment of potential human health risk due to mushroom consumption

Samar Al Sayegh-Petkovšek and Boštjan Pokorny (2011) Trace metal levels in edible mushrooms from the Šalek and the Upper Meža Valleys with emphasis on assessment of potential human health risk due to mushroom consumption. Zbornik gozdarstva in lesarstva (94). pp. 21-38. ISSN 0351-3114

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Abstract

Cd, Pb, Hg, and As levels were measured in fruiting bodies of edible mushroom species collected in the vicinity of abandoned smelter (Upper Meža Valley) and the biggest thermal power plant in Slovenia (Šalek Valley). The survey was performed with the aim to compare research areas with other European studies and to assess the potential human risk due to mushroom consumption. Provided results revealed that consumption of fruiting bodies can pose a health risk to humans. Agaricus arvensis, Agaricus silvicola, Boletus reticulatus and Laccaria amethystina originating from the Šalek Valley, and Boletus edulis, Lycoperdon perlatum, Leccinum versipelle, Armillaria mellea and Macrolepiota procera originating from the Upper Meža Valley should not be consumed at all. Furthermore, several of the analysed fungal species should be consumed with caution. Cadmium has been probably the most detrimental (problematic) metal in both areas, since Cd levels in fruiting bodies of most fungal species determined maximum acceptable biomass of mushrooms, considering the WHO/FAO directives setting the permitted weekly intake of metals in human body. The monitoring programme of the most problematic metals in fruiting bodies should be established in degraded areas (e.g., Jesenice and Celje basin) and traditional fungi picking areas (Pokljuka and Smrekovec).

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