Acute Health Risks Research Articles

Exploring simultaneous elimination of dimethyl phthalate and nitrogen by a novel constructed wetlands coupled with dielectric barrier discharge plasma

Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) contamination, as an emerging pollutant, has posed acute health risks to humans due to its potential disruption in reproductive function and endocrine system disorders. In this study, the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma and constructed wetlands (CWs) were coupled to explore the simultaneous enhancement of DMP and nitrogen removal. The results showed that the coupling DBD plasm and CWs obtained an efficient elimination of DMP (87.7–97.3%), and nitrogen removal was also improved simultaneously with higher removal of ammonia nitrogen (97.7–98.6%) and total nitrogen (TN, 22.6–40.6%). TN removal efficiency was promoted gradually by increasing the concentration of influent DMP due to the DMP decomposition into small molecules by DBD plasma, which could provide carbon source to promote denitrification for subsequent CWs. The DMP degradation processes in the coupling system were reflected by three-dimensional excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectrum and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer, which indicated that DMP solution was activated in the DBD plasma and more organic by-products were produced. Additionally, monomethyl phthalate and phthalic acid were main degradation intermediate products of DMP. It indicated that coupling DBD plasma and CWs broke the carbon–oxygen single bond of DMP and converted it into less toxic compounds with less-refractory substances. This study provides assistant information on the application of the coupling DBD plasma and CWs technology for treating wastewater containing toxic and non-biodegradable contaminants.

Pesticide residues and dietary risk assessment in radishes in Shandong.

Pesticide residues in radishes can induce serious health hazards, especially in children and toddlers. In order to assess potential health risk from pesticide residues in radishes, a total of 26 pesticides were evaluated by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in 1690 samples, which were collected from the year 2016 to 2019 in Shandong Province of China. All the 26 pesticide residues were detected in 752 radish samples (44.50%), but only 221 samples (13.08%) contained detectable pesticide residues, which are above the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Multiple residues with two to nine pesticides were present in 5.09% (86 out of 1690) of samples. Hazard quotient (HQ) and the cumulative risk index were far below 100, while percentage value of acute reference dose (%ARfD) of triazophos exceeded 100 for adults, children, and toddlers. The %ARfD value for carbofuran, aldicarb, monocrotophos, and parathion was over 100 for toddlers. From the perspective of public health, the occurrence of pesticide residues in radishes could not pose a serious health risk problem, but the acute health risk should be paid more attention, especially to toddlers. It is recommended to make strict regulations on the management of pesticide residues and human health risk assessment about pesticide residues.

Exposure assessment of deoxynivalenol in wheat and its products among residents in different regions of China

To assess the exposure and health risks of deoxynivalenol(DON) ingested by wheat and its products by residents in China's northern and southern regions. We collected DON content data in wheat and its products from various provinces and cities in China by searching the literature. The food consumption data came from the food consumption survey of Chinese residents in 2015. The point assessment method and the probability assessment method were used to evaluate the exposure of residents of various age groups in the southern and northern regions through wheat and its products. Then the acute reference dose(ARfD) 8 μg/(kg·BW) and provisional maximum tolerated daily intake(PMTDI) 1 μg/(kg·BW·d) of DON were used as a reference value to assess the acute and chronic health risks of DON exposure in each population. The mean content of DON in wheat and its products in the south was 578.51 μg/kg, and in the north was 214.98 μg/kg, both of which were lower than the limit value(1000 μg/kg). The result of point assessment showed that 99% of residents do not have acute poisoning risk when ingesting DON through wheat and its products. In the south, the DON exposure in all age groups was higher than PMTDI at the 90 th percentile consumption level of wheat and its products. In the north, the DON exposure in all age groups was higher than PMTDI at the 75 th percentile consumption level. The result of the probability assessment showed that in the south, the proportion of people with DON exposure exceeding PMTDI in the age groups ≤6 years old, 7-12 years old, 13-17 years old, and ≥18 years old was 13.57%, 10.75%, 9.68% and 9.48%, respectively. In the north, the proportion was 22.05%, 21.67%, 17.69% and 14.41%, respectively. The exposure of DON to wheat and its products and the proportion of people exceeding PMTDI in the northern area was significantly higher than that in the southern area(P<0.001). The exposure to DON and the proportion of people exceeding PMTDI of the low-age group(≤6 years old) was higher than that of the high-age group(P<0.001). Exposure to DON from wheat and its products among the high consumers in China was considerably high, with a certain chronic health risk, especially the low-age residents in northern areas, which should be paid attention to.

Modeling acute and cumulative erythemal sun exposure on vulnerable body sites during beach vacations utilizing behavior-encoded 3D body models

Vacationers in a high-solar-intensity beach setting put themselves at risk of ultraviolet radiation (UV) over-exposure that can lead to acute and chronic health consequences including erythema, photoaging, and skin cancer. There is a current gap in existing dosimetry work on capturing detailed time-resolved anatomical distributions of UV exposure in the beach vacation setting. In this study, a radiative transfer model of the solar conditions of Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA (27.8°N, 82.8°W) is combined with an in silico three-dimensional body model and data on typical beach vacation behaviors to calculate acute and cumulative body-site-specific UV exposure risk during a beach vacation. The resulting cumulative UV exposure calculated for a typical mix of clothing choices, settings, and activities during a week-long (7-day) beach vacation is 172.2 standard erythemal doses (SED) at the forearm, which is comparable with the average total annual UV exposure of European and North American residents and consistent with existing dosimetry studies. This model further estimates that vacationers choosing to spend a full day exclusively in the beach or pool setting can experience UV exposure in excess of 50 SED a day at multiple body sites. Such exposure indicates that significant sun protective measures would be required to prevent sunburn across all skin types in this setting. This work clarifies the significant role that beach vacations play in UV exposure and corresponding acute and cumulative health risks and highlights the importance of behavioral choices (including clothing, activity and photoprotection) as crucial factors in differentiating personal solar exposure risks.Graphical abstract

Improving biological removal of pharmaceutical active compounds and estrogenic activity in a mesophilic anaerobic osmotic membrane bioreactor treating municipal sewage.

The contamination of water sources by pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) and their effect on aquatic communities and human health have become an environmental concern worldwide. Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are an alternative to improve biological removal of recalcitrant organic compounds from municipal sewage. Their efficiency can be increased by using high retention membranes such as forward osmosis (FO) and membrane distillation (MD). Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the performance of an anaerobic osmotic MBR coupled with MD (OMBR-MD) in the treatment of municipal sewage containing PhACs and estrogenic activity. A submerged hybrid FO-MD module was integrated into the bioreactor. PhACs removal was higher than 96% due to biological degradation, biosorption and membrane retention. Biological removal of the PhACs was affected by the salinity build-up in the bioreactor, with reduction in biodegradation after 32d. However, salinity increment had little or no effect on biosorption removal. The anaerobic OMBR-MD removed >99.9% of estrogenic activity, resulting in a distillate with 0.14ngL-1 E2-eq, after 22d, and 0.04ngL-1 E2-eq, after 32d. OMBR-MD treatment promoted reduction in environmental and human health risks from high to low, except for ketoprofen, which led to medium acute environmental and human health risks. Carcinogenic risks were reduced from unacceptable to negligible, regarding estrogenic activity. Thus, the hybrid anaerobic OMBR-MD demonstrated strong performance in reducing risks, even when human health is considered.

Monitoring of Pollutants Content in Bottled and Tap Drinking Water in Italy.

The concentration levels of thirteen organic pollutants and selected heavy metals were investigated in 40 plastics bottled and tap water samples. Some of the selected contaminants have an ascertained or suspected endocrine disrupting activity, such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogs, and Bis 2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which are used by industries as plasticizers. The most frequently detected pollutants were Bisphenol AF (BPAF) (detection frequency (DF) = 67.5%, mean 387.21 ng L−1), DEHP (DF = 62.5%, mean 46.19 µg L−1) and BPA (DF = 60.0%, mean 458.57 ng L−1), with higher concentration levels found in tap waters. Furthermore, a possible level of exposure to thirteen pollutants via drinking water intake was calculated. Our findings show that, even though the occurrence of contaminants and heavy metals in drinking waters does not pose an immediate, acute health risk for the population, their levels should be constantly monitored and “hard-wired” into everyday practice. Indeed, the health impact to the continuous and simultaneous intake of a huge variety of xenobiotics from various sources by humans is complex and still not fully understood.

Determination, distribution and potential health risk assessment of insecticides and acaricides in citrus fruits of China

In this study, residues and potential health risks of 16 commonly used insecticides and acaricides in 1633 citrus samples from nine cultivars in China were systematically analyzed. A quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method combined with gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was applied. In total, 77.3% of the samples were with residues, of which 57.7% contained 2–12 multi-residues. Etoxazole and chlorpyrifos were the top two detected pesticides with detection frequencies of 37.1% and 31.1%, respectively. Residues of eight analytes were over their MRLs with exceeding rates of 0.1%− 2.4%. The safety of the nine cultivars ranked as lemon > pummelo > ponkan > satsuma mandarin > orange > citrus hybrids > ‘nanfengmiju’ mandarin > ‘shatangju’ mandarin > kumquat according to IqR values and related to the producing areas. Chronic dietary risks of the 16 insecticides and acaricides were negligible low for Chinese consumers. However, %ARfD of triazophos in most citrus cultivars for all population and of bifenthrin in ‘nanfengmiju’ mandarin for children were beyond the acceptable levels, which indicated potential acute health risks. Application of triazophos, bifenthrin, profenofos and etoxazole in citrus should be controlled.

Deported, homeless, and into the canal: Environmental structural violence in the binational Tijuana River

IntroductionThe US deports more Mexicans to Tijuana than any other borderland city. Returning involuntarily as members of a stigmatized underclass, many find themselves homeless and de-facto stateless. Subject to routinized police victimization, many take refuge in the Tijuana River Canal (El Bordo). Previous reports suggest Tijuana River water may be contaminated but prior studies have not accessed the health effects or contamination of the water closest to the river residents. MethodsA binational, transdisciplinary team undertook a socio-environmental, mixed methods assessment to simultaneously characterize Tijuana River water quality with chemical testing, assess the frequency of El Bordo residents’ water-related diseases, and trace water contacts with epidemiological survey methods (n = 85 adults, 18+) in 2019, and ethnographic methods in 2019–2021. Our analysis brings the structural violence framework into conversation with an environmental injustice perspective to documented how social forces drive poor health outcomes enacted through the environment. ResultsThe Tijuana River water most proximate to its human inhabitants fails numerous water-quality standards, posing acute health risks. Escherichia coli values were ∼40,000 times the Mexican regulatory standard for directly contacted water. Skin infections (47%), dehydration (40%) and diarrhea (28%) were commonly reported among El Bordo residents. Residents are aware the water is contaminated and strive to minimize harm to their health by differentially using local water sources. Their numerous survival constraints, however, are exacerbated by routine police violence which propels residents and other people who inject drugs into involuntary contact with contaminated water. DiscussionHuman rights to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene are routinely violated among El Bordo inhabitants. This is exacerbated by violent policing practices that force unhoused deportees to seek refuge in waterways, and drive water contacts. Furthermore, US-Mexico ‘free-trade’ agreements drive rapid growth in Tijuana, restrict Mexican environmental regulation enforcement, and drive underinvestment in sewage systems and infrastructure.

Emergency department presentations in the first weeks following release from prison among men with a history of injecting drug use in Victoria, Australia: A prospective cohort study.

Rates of emergency department (ED) use are higher among people released from prison than in the general population. However, little is known about ED presentations specifically among people with a history of injecting drug use (IDU) leaving prison. We measured the incidence of ED presentation in the three months following release from prison, among a cohort of men with histories of IDU, and determined pre-release characteristics associated with presenting to an ED during this period. We analysed linked survey and administrative data from the Prison and Transition Health (PATH) study (N=400) using multiple-failure survival analysis. Twenty-one percent (n=81/393) of the cohort presented to an ED at least once within the three months after release from prison. The incidence of ED presentation was highest in the first six days after release. Cox proportional hazards modelling showed that a history of in-patient psychiatric admission and housing instability were associated with increased hazard of an ED presentation, and identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander was associated with decreased hazard. In our study, ED presentations following release from prison among people with a history of IDU was linked to acute health risks related to known mental health and social vulnerabilities in this population. Greater collaboration and systems integration between prison and community health and support services is needed to reduce presentations to ED and associated morbidities among people with a history of IDU after release from prison.

Sleep improvements on days with later school starts persist after 1 year in a flexible start\xa0system

Early school times fundamentally clash with the late sleep of teenagers. This mismatch results in chronic sleep deprivation posing acute and long-term health risks and impairing students' learning. Despite immediate short-term benefits for sleep, the long-term effects of later starts remain unresolved. In a pre-post design over 1 year, we studied a unique flexible school start system, in which 10–12th grade students chose daily between an 8:00 or 8:50AM-start. Missed study time (8:00–8:50) was compensated for during gap periods or after classes. Based on 2 waves (6–9 weeks of sleep diary each), we found that students maintained their ~ 1-h-sleep gain on later days, longitudinally (n = 28) and cross-sectionally (n = 79). This gain was independent of chronotype and frequency of later starts but attenuated for boys after 1 year. Students showed persistently better sleep quality and reduced alarm-driven waking and reported psychological benefits (n = 93) like improved motivation, concentration, and study quality on later days. Nonetheless, students chose later starts only infrequently (median 2 days/week), precluding detectable sleep extensions in the flexible system overall. Reasons for not choosing late starts were the need to make up lost study time, preference for extra study time and transport issues. Whether flexible systems constitute an appealing alternative to fixed delays given possible circadian and psychological advantages warrants further investigation.

Profiling of pesticides and pesticide transformation products in Chinese herbal teas

Herbal teas have potential health benefits, but they also contain a variety of pesticides and pesticide transformation products (PTPs) that might brings health risks. Our study maps the pesticides and PTPs in two herbal teas (chrysanthemum and Lusterleaf Holly) from two main producing areas in China. Almost all 122 samples contain pesticides, with concentration ranging from 0.0005 to 10.305 mg/kg. Nearly 40% carbendazim and imidacloprid in chrysanthemum teas and λ-cyhalothrin in Lusterleaf Holly have higher concentration levels than the values permitted in EC Regulation No. 396/2005. Distinct distributions of pesticides were found in different teas and production areas. Eight PTPs were identified along with their parents, and were confirmed using a biosynthetic strategy. Acute, chronic and cumulative health risk assessments of pesticides revealed acceptable results. Our study uncovers the profile of pesticides in herbal teas, and provides new insight into discovering the potential environmental pollution and food contaminants.

Water quality assessment and potential ecological risk of trace metals in sediments of some selected rivers in Vhembe district, South Africa

The monitoring of river health systems is crucial to maintain the integrity of services derived from them. This study investigated the physicochemical and microbiological levels in some tributaries of the Luvuvhu River water and sediments in South Africa. High levels of cadmium were recorded in the sediments of most of the rivers capable of posing high risk to aquatic organisms. The severity of the other metals ranged from low to medium risk. Comparable results on the effects of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) on aquatic biota were obtained using various ecological indices (such as contamination factor, degree of contamination and potential ecological risk) and sediment quality guidelines (such as threshold effect level and the probable effect level of the Canadian council of the Environment (CCME) and the effect range-low and effect range-median). High levels of faecal indicator organisms (>59,000 cfu/100 mL) were recorded in all water source that are often used for domestic and agricultural purposes. The decreasing trend of faecal indicator organisms in the selected rivers were in the order: Mvudi > Mudidaba > Dzindi > Luvuvhu > Dzondo. Hence the use of the water for domestic purposes possess a potential acute human health risk. The levels of trace metals obtained from this study were above the threshold levels of water used in aquaculture though most of them complied with the regulatory limit for domestic and irrigation water use in some of the rivers. The decreasing trend of average trace metals levels were in the order: Mvudi > Mudidaba > Dzondo > Luvuvhu > Dzindi. The water quality of some of the tributaries of the Luvuvhu river (Mvudi and Mudidaba) were found to be more contaminated than the Luvuvhu River. Hence, constant monitoring of the various tributaries is recommended, and river restoration programs should be initiated where necessary.

Recommendations of Controlling and Preventing Acute Health Risks of Fine Particulate Matter Pollution - China, 2021.

The task force has comprehensively reviewed efforts for air pollution prevention and control, the acute health effects of fine particles (PM2.5), and the health benefits of air pollution prevention and control in China. It has been found that the overall prevention and control of ambient PM2.5 pollution in China has made remarkable progress in recent years. However, it still remains at a relatively high level. Short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 significantly increases the mortality and morbidity risk of Chinese residents, resulting in changes to levels of relevant biological markers. Prolonged PM2.5 heavily polluted weather greatly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Among chemical composition of PM2.5, carbon-containing components, some inorganic salts, and heavy metals are linked with the health impacts. The health risks of PM2.5 pollution are higher for children, the elderly, and patients with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases than for the general population because the former groups are vulnerable subpopulations. The implementation of air pollution prevention and control policies has significantly improved human health. The implementation of personal protective equipment can significantly reduce the health damage caused by short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 pollution. Based on scientific evidence of PM2.5 pollution and acute health risks in China, the following three recommendations are proposed. 1) The policy recommendations for the prevention and control of ambient PM2.5 pollution include the following: to continuously strengthen the widespread use and efficient development of clean energy; to further promote industrial upgrading; to focus on the control of transportation pollution; to keep improving the modernization system of air pollution control; to formulate and refine relevant standards for air quality gradually; and to estimate the effects and health benefits after the implementation of clean air actions, and relevant policies. 2) Prevention of ambient PM2.5 pollution and protection of public health recommendations include the following: to strengthen the release of air pollution monitoring and relevant information; to strengthen awareness of air pollution hazards; to clarify the guidance and recommendations for protecting population health from air pollution; and to strengthen the health protection of population vulnerable to ambient air pollution. 3) Recommendations for research on health risks of air pollution include the following: to strengthen research on air pollutant monitoring technology and monitoring system based on the promotion of accurate exposure assessment; to systematically carry out full-spectrum identification and correlation studies of air pollutants and health effects; to conduct studies on key toxic components and early biomarker inventory of air pollution health effects; to discover the toxicity mechanisms of the key toxic components of air pollutants; to carry out research on population health risk assessment and early warning of combined exposure to air pollutants; and to execute comprehensive studies on the health and economic benefits of pollution and carbon reduction under the national strategies of carbon neutrality and beautiful China.

Acute and chronic health risk assessment for inhalation and ingestion exposure in acrylic acid leak accidents

We established a hypothetical acrylic acid leak accident scenario, conducted a health risk assessment of local residents, and compared an actual accident case to the hypothetical scenario. The exposed subjects were divided into four age groups, and a noncarcinogenic health risk assessment was conducted for inhalation and soil ingestion. In the hypothetical scenario, 40 tons of acrylic acid was leaked in Ulsan for 1 h from midnight on January 1, 2017. In the actual accident case, 3 L of acrylic acid was leaked in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, for 1 h from 11:00 am on March 5, 2020. The environmental concentration of acrylic acid was calculated using the dynamic multimedia environmental model. Noncarcinogenic assessment of the hypothetical scenario showed the hazard quotient exceeded 1 across all age groups, suggesting that a health risk is likely to occur due to inhalation exposure to acrylic acid resulting from a chemical accident. In addition, Hazardacute exceeded 1 until 2 h after the accident under the hypothetical scenario, indicating the likelihood of a health risk. Thus, we propose a methodology that can assess changing concentrations in a hazardous chemical leak from a chemical accident based on the time, place, the chemical’s behaviors in different environmental media, and the health risk posed by the exposure of the chemical to local residents in the area affected by the accident.

Heavy metal contaminated soil, water, and vegetables in northeastern Iran: potential health risk factors.

This study was designed to measure the concentrations of heavy (Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn) metals in water, soil, and frequently edible leafy vegetables in the Iranian population and assessed the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk in consumers. The samples of soil, water, and vegetables were collected from forms near the Tehran-Mashhad highway in Neyshabur, Iran. The content of heavy metals in the samples was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The average concentrations of Pb, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn were 5.56, 3.35, 4.74, 2.95, and 5.27mg/kg, respectively. Lead concentration in all of the vegetable samples was higher than the permissible value endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) / Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). In contrast, the concentrations of all the other heavy metals in the samples were less than the maximum permissible levels recommended by WHO/FAO. Similarly, the water and soil samples were highly contaminated by Lead. The hazard quotient (HQ) of all the heavy metals was distinctively less than one, and it did not exceed 0.3 in any of the age groups. Furthermore, the carcinogenic risk for nickel was only higher than the recommended value, especially in women. While it seems that consuming vegetables has no acute health risk related to heavy metals, long-term and regular ingestion of the vegetables are likely to make cancer risk. Besides, due to the high concentration of Pb in soil and vegetables, regular and integrated assessment of heavy metals in soil, water, and food is necessary.

Determination of five pesticides in kumquat: Dissipation behaviors, residues and their health risk assessment under field conditions

The present study was carried out to profile the dissipation patterns and residues of five pesticides (triazophos, profenofos, chlorpyrifos, etoxazole and bifenthrin) on kumquat using QuEChERS method coupled with HPLC-MS/MS. The corresponding dietary health risks were also estimated. In the method validation, satisfactory results of good linearity (r2 ≥ 0.9956), sensitivity (limits of quantification ≤0.01 mg/kg), recoveries (71.0–95.7%) with relative standard deviations (0.70–9.4%) were obtained. The half-lives of the five pesticides in kumquat were 13.6–38.5 d under field conditions according to first-order kinetics. Based on the final residue experiment, dietary exposure risks of profenofos, chlorpyrifos, etoxazole and bifenthrin were all acceptably low, with RQc and RQa values of 0.00199–0.122 and 0.00145–0.200, respectively. However, exposure intake of triazophos posed unacceptable acute and chronic health risks for Chinese residents, especially for children with RQa and RQc up to 4.25 and 2.19. Forbidden use suggestion of triazophos and recommended MRLs of profenofos and bifenthrin were put forward in kumquat for safe production and consumption. This work was significant in providing guidance on appropriate application and MRL establishment of pesticides in kumquat.

Acute health risks to community hand-pumped groundwater supplies following Cyclone Idai flooding

This longitudinal flood-relief study assessed the impact of the March 2019 Cyclone Idai flood event on E. coli contamination of hand-pumped boreholes in Mulanje District, Malawi. It established the microbiological water-quality safety of 279 community supplies over three phases, each comprising water-quality survey, rehabilitation and treatment verification monitoring. Phase 1 contamination three months after Idai was moderate, but likely underestimated. Increased contamination in Phase 2 at 9 months and even greater in Phase 3, a year after Idai was surprising and concerning, with 40% of supplies then registering E. coli contamination and 20% of supplies deemed ‘unsafe’. Without donor support for follow-up interventions, this would have been missed by a typical single-phase flood-relief activity. Contamination rebound at boreholes successfully treated months earlier signifies a systemic problem from persistent sources intensified by groundwater levels likely at a decade high. Problem extent in normal, or drier years is unknown due to absence of routine monitoring of water point E. coli in Malawi. Statistical analysis was not conclusive, but was indicative of damaged borehole infrastructure and increased near-borehole pit-latrine numbers being influential. Spatial analysis including groundwater flow-field definition (an overlooked sector opportunity) revealed ‘hit-and-miss’ contamination of safe and unsafe boreholes in proximity. Hydrogeological control was shown by increased contamination near flood-affected area and in more recent recharge groundwater otherwise of good quality. Pit latrines are presented as credible e-coli sources in a conceptual model accounting for heterogeneous borehole contamination, wet season influence and rebound behavior. Critical to establish are groundwater level - flow direction, hand-pump plume draw, multiple footprint latrine sources - ‘skinny’ plumes, borehole short-circuiting and fast natural pathway (e.g. fracture flow) and other source influences. Concerted WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) sector investment in research and policy driving national water point based E. coli monitoring programs are advocated.

Quantification of Pesticide Residues in Fresh Vegetables Available in Local Markets for Human Consumption and the Associated Health Risks

Human health risks as a result of consuming pesticide residues in fresh vegetables have drawn serious attention to the scientific community, particularly in developing countries. This study analyzed country bean (Lablab purpureus L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) for widely used neonicotinoid, synthetic pyrethroid, and dithiocarbamate pesticide residues in order to ensure food safety. The analyzed vegetables contained residues of acetamiprid and cypermethrin in 17% of bean and 13% of eggplant samples, respectively; among them, 3% of bean and 1% of eggplant samples had residues of acetamiprid that were above the maximum residue limits set by the European Union (EU-MRLs). None of the samples for either of the analyzed vegetables contained the residue of thiram and lambda-cyhalothrin. In contrast, 83% of bean and 87% of eggplant samples had no detectable pesticides. Thus, the findings were surprising considering the repeated and overuse of pesticides in vegetables in the investigated areas. However, this outcome supports the general claim of pesticide adulteration in terms of the active ingredients, which is another drawback to ensuring food safety. The non-cancer health risk assessment based on the acute health risk to consumer (aHI) and chronic hazard quotient (HQ) indicates that contaminated vegetables might pose a potential threat to children’s health and alarming for adults. This study reflects the overall scenario of pesticide residues in marketed vegetables of Barishal district of Bangladesh, which could help the consumers to bring awareness, and to take necessary actions by the pesticide suppliers and policymakers.

Health Effects of Hydrogen Sulfide Exposures: A Review of the Evidence Pertaining to Low Level Exposures

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic gas well-known for its acute health risks in occupational settings and long considered a nuisance in community settings. Less is known about the health effects of chronic, low-level exposures (10 ppm). We review the health effects of chronic exposure to H2S at low concentrations that are relevant in community, and often occupational, settings. METHODS: We focus on the peer-reviewed epidemiological literature since 2004. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, we contextualize epidemiological studies with peer-reviewed toxicological, experimental, and exposure assessment studies as well as agency guidelines and standards. We examine all sources of H2S emissions, geothermal and industrial, yet limit the exposure route of interest to inhalation. RESULTS:Chronic exposure to H2S at levels below 10 ppm was associated with odor aversion, irritation, and harmful ocular, nasal, respiratory, and neurological effects. Exposure to an annual mean concentration between 7 and 27 ppb was associated with an increased prevalence of harmful neurological effects. Among people exposed to mean concentrations as low as 0.3 ppb, a slight increase of H2S as little as 1 ppb may be associated with increased eye irritation, nasal irritation, and respiratory effects. Few studies considered vulnerable and susceptible populations. In epidemiological studies, the strength of association between low-level H2S exposure and adverse health effects was primarily limited by exposure measurement error and confounding by co-pollutants. CONCLUSIONS:Long-term, community-based epidemiological studies with robust objective exposure assessment are needed. Still, the evidence linking chronic exposure to H2S in the ppb range with negative health effects, especially considering potential effects on sensitive populations, suggests that more stringent guidelines and standards are needed to protect communities. KEYWORDS: air pollution, long-term exposure, environmental epidemiology, exposure assessment

Acute Pharmacological Effects and Oral Fluid Concentrations of the Synthetic Cannabinoids JWH-122 and JWH-210 in Humans After Self-Administration: An Observational Study.

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a group of new psychoactive drugs used recreationally with potential health risks. They are monitored by the EU Early Warning System since 2010 due to severe adverse effects on consumers. JWH-122 and JWH-210 are naphthoylindole SCs and potent cannabinoid receptor CB1 and CB2 agonists. Information about the effects of SCs usually is available from intoxication cases and surveys, and few studies on humans after controlled administration or observational/naturalistic studies using standardized measures of cardiovascular and subjective effects are available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute pharmacological effects of JWH-122 and JWH-210 recreational consumption in a 4 h observational study and assess their disposition in oral fluid (OF). Sixteen volunteers self-administered 1 mg dose of JWH-122 (n = 8) or 2.25 mg mean dose of JWH-210 (range 2–3 mg, n = 8) by inhalation (smoking). Physiological parameters including blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), heart rate (HR), and cutaneous temperature were measured. A set of visual analog scales, the 49-item short-form version of the Addiction Research Center Inventory (ARCI), and the Evaluation of the Subjective Effects of Substances with Abuse Potential (VESSPA-SSE) were used for the evaluation of subjective effects. OF was collected at baseline and at 10, 20, and 40 min and 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after self-administration. Statistically significant increases in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and HR were observed after JWH-122 self-administration but not after JWH-210 self-administration. JWH-210 self-administration produced significant changes in subjective drug effects, similar to those induced by THC (intensity, high, good effects, and hunger). The subjective effects following JWH-122 consumption were minimal. The maximal effects were mostly observed 20 min after intake. JWH-122 and JWH 210 OF concentration reached a peak 20 min after administration and could not be detected after 3 h. The results demonstrated a different pattern of effects of these two SCs. Due to the limitations of our observational study, further research with a larger sample and controlled studies are needed to better define the acute pharmacological effect and health risk profile of JWH-122 and JWH-210.