Evaluation of Toxic Elements in Commercial Dried Mushrooms from the Polish Market: Exposure Assessment and Health Risk Characterization

Edible mushrooms are highly valued for their nutritional properties, yet their exceptional capacity to bioaccumulate heavy metals necessitates rigorous safety assessments of commercially available products. This study evaluates the concentrations of Cd, Pb, Hg, and As in 164 samples of commercial dried mushrooms to assess consumer health risks. Analysis of six species revealed that contamination levels are significantly influenced by taxonomic factors, supplier variability, and certification status. While median concentrations across most species remain within safety thresholds, Boletus edulis and Suillus spp. exhibited the highest accumulation of Cd and As, respectively. A critical finding was an incidental, extreme As concentration (369.048 mg·kg−1) in Imleria badia, resulting in a Hazard Index (HI) of 63.57, far exceeding the safety limit of 1. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed between organic and conventional products, with certified samples showing lower Hg and As levels. Although moderate consumption of most batches is safe, the high variability between producers and the presence of toxicological outliers underscore the urgent need for rigorous monitoring of harvesting areas. These findings suggest that organic certification enhances food safety and highlight the necessity for targeted nutritional guidelines.