The aim of the research was to determine the total content of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) in agricultural soils and to determine the potential toxicity of different intake routes for children and adults. Two locations were selected (Tomislavgrad and Mostar) where field crops were grown. Taking soil samples and determining the content of Cd and Cu was carried out according to the Instructions on determining the permitted amounts of harmful and dangerous substances in the soil and their testing methods (Official Gazette of FBiH, no. 96/22). A health risk assessment model based on the guidelines of the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA, 1996; USEPA, 2002; USEPA, 2011) was used to calculate the human health risk assessment. The measured values of the total content of copper and cadmium at the Tomislavgrad location are in accordance with the prescribed limit values. The copper content at the Mostar location was 205.90 mg/kg, which is above the limit value, and the cadmium content is in accordance with the prescribed limit values. When the HI value is less than 1, then there is no risk to human health, but if the values are greater than 1, then there is concern about non-carcinogenic risks (USEPA, 2004). The USEPA considers a carcinogenic risk in the range of 1×10–6 to 1×10−4 to be acceptable to human health. Calculations for non-carcinogenic and cancerous health risks were following the limit values.

In Herzegovina table grapes have been grown on smaller private areas. One of the most important factors that affect the yield and quality of vines, grapes and the profit of production are the viruses. The aim of this work is to monitor the occurrence of 4 viruses (GLRaV-1, GLRaV-3, ArMV and GFLV) on 6 table grape varieties: Prima, Black Magic, Cardinal, Demir-kapija, Victoria, Alphonse Lavallée. The research was conducted in the period from November 2019 to September 2020 on one of the larger plantations north of Mostar.Studies have shown different susceptibility of different varieties to these viruses. Of the 60 samples examined, the presence of ArMV virus was not recorded. The presence of GLRaV-1, GLRaV-3 and GFLV viruses was proven by ELISA. The variety Victoria is most susceptible to infection with the GLRaV-3 virus, in which each sample of this variety is infected. The second variety that is most susceptible is Demir kapija with 80% of infected samples, followed by Cardinal with 70% and Alfonso with 50%. The most resistant varieties according to this research are Prima with 30% of infected samples and Black Magic with 10% of infected samples.

This research focuses on the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes and its occurrence in vegetables, specifically, tomatoes and peppers, and the risks this bacterium poses to health. The research included laboratory analysis of 16 samples of tomatoes and peppers, as well as survey research in the area of the City of Mostar. Based on the survey questionnaire, the respondents showed their knowledge about the occurrence of the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes in food and their general knowledge about listeriosis. Laboratory analysis consists of two parts. The first part refers to the laboratory analysis of the samples conducted in the Federal Agro-Mediterranean Institute laboratory in collaboration with its employees. The second part refers to an additional laboratory analysis conducted in the Veterinary Institute of Herzegovina–Neretva Canton laboratory in Mostar. This laboratory research aimed to establish whether the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes was present in the samples of vegetables examined in the analysis. All the vegetable samples were chosen randomly from four different locations in the area of Mostar. Also, the analysis included the examination of the washed and unwashed tomatoes and peppers. After conducting the laboratory research, it was established that the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes was not found in the samples used, which means all the examination results were negative.

The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of consumption of coffee beverages in the city of Mostar. In 2019, an analysis of caffeine content was performed on HPLC in 10 different samples of coffee beverages. Samples of coffee were taken from the market of the city of Mostar by random selection. In addition to the High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, the study was conducted using empirical and descriptive methods. An assessment of daily (EDI) and weekly intake (EWI) was also performed were on the base of determined values of caffeine content in 10 different coffee samples. The acute toxic dose of caffeine is not well defined, but it is considered more than 10 grams of caffeine per day for adults, while in most countries it is not recommended that more than 450 mg of caffeine be consumed per day. The samples were found to be in accordance with the EFSA Scientific Opinion (European Food Safety Authority) stating that a single dose of 200 mg of caffeine from all sources does not pose a risk to the health of healthy adults. (EFSA, 2015).

Contamination of agricultural soils can present a signifi cant risk to human health through oral ingestion, particle inhalation, and dermal contact. Th e aims of this research were to determinate the concentrations, distribution and human health risk of various heavy metals in soil samples from three agricultural areas of South Herzegovina. A total number of 32 soil samples were collected and analyzed for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn). Th e Hazard Index (HI) was used to assess the human health risk of the study area. For the adult and children population, the HI value for dermal exposure to Cobalt (Co) was greater than one (HI>1), and non-cancerogenic eff ects are therefore considered as signifi cant for human health. Our fi ndings impose consideration of taking risk management measures in order to reduce risk for human health from Cobalt (Co).

The aim of the paper was to determine the level of soil contamination with lead and perform risk assessment by calculating the Hazard Quotient Index (HQI). The research was carried out during 2015 and 2016 at three locations in Herzegovina (Mostar, Capljina, and Stolac), where nectarine cultivars ('Big Top' and 'Caldesi 2000') were cultivated. At the Mostar and Capljina locations, the total content of lead in the soil exceeded MPC values in both years of research. Estimated daily intake (EDI) and estimated weekly intake (EWI) values of lead in the studied nectarine varieties showed no acute or chronic risk for human health.