Determination of Trace Elements in Mushrooms by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Characterization of the Health Risk

Five wild edible mushroom species, namely, Macrolepiota mastoidea, Macrolepiota konradii, Macrolepiota procera, Suillus collinitus and Cuphophyllus pratensis, were studied for their trace element contents by inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The potential health risk assessments of children and adults were evaluated by the weekly intake (EWI), target hazard quotients (THQ), hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR). None of the analyzed elements exceeded the THQ value more than 1, but the HI values indicated that M. mastoidea and S. collinitus may be dangerous to children's health. The values of CR for As and Cd for children in all mushroom species were above 1 x 10(-4) suggesting that there was a potential health risk. The CR values for adults suggest that all mushrooms may pose a threat to human health related to Cd.