Evaluation of Trace Element Contamination and Health Risks of Medicinal Herbs Collected from Unpolluted and Polluted Areas in Sichuan Province, China

Chemometric approach to find relationships between physiological elements and elements causing toxic effects in herb roots by ICP-MS

“…The differences between contents of elements in herbs in this study and the literature data may arise from differences in: method of cultivation, type of soil, pollution of air, water and soil, pH of soil and water, type and amounts of fertilizers, plant species, climatic condition, plant growth time and conditions, part of the plant, storage conditions and possibly more. Some regions of China are more exposed to discharge of wastewaters, solid and gas waste which are dumped to the environment as a result of mining and smelting industry, traffic, fertilization, soil amendment with sludge from wastewater treatment plants, inadequate irrigation practices which raise concerns regarding their impact on environment, plants cultivation and inhabiting people 3 , 45 . Gao et al showed that soil from polluted areas and the herbs growing there are severely contaminated, in comparison to soils and herbs from unpolluted areas 3 .…”

“…Some regions of China are more exposed to discharge of wastewaters, solid and gas waste which are dumped to the environment as a result of mining and smelting industry, traffic, fertilization, soil amendment with sludge from wastewater treatment plants, inadequate irrigation practices which raise concerns regarding their impact on environment, plants cultivation and inhabiting people 3 , 45 . Gao et al showed that soil from polluted areas and the herbs growing there are severely contaminated, in comparison to soils and herbs from unpolluted areas 3 .…”

“…Herbs of Chinese origin are used as alternative medicines, dietary supplements and herbal infusions and are used not only in China, which has been based on traditional medicinal practice (TCM—Traditional Chinese Medicine) since ancient times, but also in Europe and North America 1 , 2 . They are considered an important source of vitamins and plant proteins, thus supporting immunity 3 . Their unskillful use or combination with other drugs and herbs can lead to dangerous side effects.…”

“…Examination of herbs to determine the content of physiological elements and elements causing toxic effects will allow to assess the degree of poisoning caused by the consumption of Chinese herbs. China is struggling with one of its most serious environmental problems, namely environmental pollution from rapid urbanization and intensive agricultural and industrial production which has poisoned soils with heavy metals 3 , 7 . As a consequence, the toxic elements present in the soil are taken up by plants grown in contaminated areas 8 .…”

“…Recent studies indicate that the contamination of herbs with trace elements is a problem for consumers. The greatest threats are Pb, Cd, As, Ni and Cr, as they have a high carcinogenic potential 3 . Element toxicity may vary depending on the dose, administration route, chemical form of element and time of exposure.…”