Lifetime Cancer Risk Assessment Research Articles

Determination of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) in bottled water distributed in tehran: a health risk assessment study

ABSTRACT In this study, the levels of six PAEs [bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP)] were determined from four types of bottled water)non-carbonated, mineral, carbonated and carbonated flavoured) using MSPE method (magnetic solid phase extraction) and GC/MS technique (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry). The mean concentration of total PAEs was 6.11 ± 1.43 µg/L. The mean concentration of DEHP was 2.22 ± 0.76 µg/L and was lower than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standard level in drinking water (6 μg/L for DEHP). The highest mean level of total PAE was observed in carbonated water (7.43 ± 2.03 μg/L) and the lowest mean level of total PAE was observed in non-carbonated water (5.15 ± 0.41 μg/L). The Monte Carlo method was applied to calculate the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ), Chronic Daily Intake (CDI), and Incremental Life Cancer Risk (ILCR) indexes. In all samples, the rank order of the estimated THQ values based on the 95% percentile was DEHP (4.77E-4) > DBP (2.25E-5) > BBP (1.99E-5) > DEP (2.75E-6) and there would be unlikely non-carcinogenic risks for consumers (THQ<1). The incremental lifetime cancer risk assessment revealed that phthalate esters (DEHP) in evaluated bottled water samples did not pose a serious concern to humans.

Assessment of annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk due to alpha emitters in some grain samples in Kerbala Governorate, Iraq

Assessment of annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk due to alpha emitters in some grain samples in Kerbala Governorate, Iraq

Life-time cancer risk assessment of carbonaceous disinfection by-products through multiple pathways of exposure in drinking water: Isparta distribution system

Life-time cancer risk assessment of carbonaceous disinfection by-products through multiple pathways of exposure in drinking water: Isparta distribution system

Excess forensic lifetime cancer risk assessment of soils around petroleum product marketing company using gamma ray spectrometry

Excess forensic lifetime cancer risk assessment of soils around petroleum product marketing company using gamma ray spectrometry

Seasonal and Diurnal Variations of BTEX in Ambient Air from a Site Impacted by the Oil Industry in Southeast Mexico.

Atmospheric concentrations of BTEX were measured in an urban site located in the vicinity of an oil storage-distribution facility in Paraiso, Tabasco, Mexico. Samples were collected during two seasons (nortes 2018 and dry 2019). The relative abundance of BTEX mean concentrations was: toluene (5.24µgm-3) > ethylbenzene (3.92µgm-3) > m, p-xylene (3.89µgm-3) > benzene (2.43µgm-3). BTEX concentrations had a clear diurnal and seasonal pattern, showing higher levels during the dry season due to differences in wind conditions, rainfall patterns and temperature. Statistical analysis showed significant positive correlations among BTEX, indicating that these compounds had common sources. Interspecies ratios revealed that BTEX were originated from sources beyond vehicular traffic and that they were influenced by the transport of local air masses. The assessment of lifetime cancer risk showed that the population in the study area is at possible risk of developing cancer.

Human Health Assessment of Sixteen Priority Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Contaminated Soils of Northwestern Algeria.

Background.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental organic contaminants generated by incomplete combustion of organic materials that are widely distributed in soils.Objectives. This study represents the first attempt to examine the health toxicity of 16 detected PAHs in contaminated soil, via different exposure pathways to populations in northwestern Algeria.Methods.The toxicity equivalency quotients (TEQ) of PAHs were evaluated. The carcinogenic risk assessment of incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) from ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure pathways to each PAH in soil are described.Results.Incremental lifetime cancer risk values were in the upper limit of the tolerable range (10−6–10−4) for adults and children. The total cancer risk of PAH-contaminated soils for children, adolescents and adults was 2.48×10−5, 2.04×10−5 and 3.12×10−5mg.kg−1d−1, respectively. The highest potential cancer risks were identified for adults and children, with adolescents having the lowest risks. Across exposure pathways, the dermal contact and ingestion pathways had the greatest contributions to the carcinogenic risk of human exposure to PAHs.Conclusions.Further research and guidelines are needed for risk assessments of PAHs in agricultural, residential/urban, and industrial areas, and further risk assessments should include risks posed by exposure through air.Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Excessive Lifetime Cancer Risk Assessment due to Short-Term Indoor/Outdoor Ambient Radon and Gamma Dose Rate Exposures

Excessive Lifetime Cancer Risk Assessment due to Short-Term Indoor/Outdoor Ambient Radon and Gamma Dose Rate Exposures

Assessment of excess lifetime cancer risk and risk of lung cancer due to exposure to radon in a middle eastern city in Iran

ObjectiveTo assess the excess lifetime cancer risk and lung cancer risk due to exposure to 222Rn at homes, stone cutting and processing plants, and stone mines. Methods222Rn concentration was measured in 74 sample sites. Sampling was conducted using Alpha Track, comprising CR-39 polymer film. The detectors were placed at the height of 1.00–1.50 m from the floor and away from windows and sunlight per the US. EPA guidelines. The detectors were retrieved after being exposed to 222Rn for the period of three months and then etched in a 6.25 mol/L NaOH solution at 90 °C for 4 h. The results were used to assess the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) and lung cancer risk (LCR). ResultsThe findings showed that the ELCR at homes, stone cutting and processing plants, and stone mines for the mean levels of 222Rn were 0.49%, 0.15%, and 0.15%, respectively. The ELCR values for all sampling sites were lower than the U.S. EPA action level. The number of lung cancer cases in the Neyriz due to the effective dose received by residents for the mean, maximum, and 95th percentile was estimated to be 1.6, 3.6, and 3.1 per year, respectively. The number of lung cancer cases per 106 population due to exposure to mean concentration for stone cutting and processing plants was 10.53, 15.79, and 14.49, respectively. These values for stone mines were 10.39, 26.76, and 18.87, respectively. The results have shown that LCR values were below the range recommended by ICRP. ConclusionsOverall, the ELCR, because of long-term exposure to 222Rn and its progeny levels, does not pose a significant threat to residents and workers. The LCR associated with radon exposure was low in three sampling sites that could be considered safe for both residents and workers.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Pollution and its Associated Human Health Risks in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: a Systematic Review

The frequent incidents of oil spills and other forms of pollution arising from crude oil exploration and exploitation (OEE) in the Niger Delta have caused several investigations on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution. This study aimed at developing a comprehensive report on PAH pollution and its human health risks recorded in the Niger Delta. Studies were extracted from Google Scholar, PubMed, and ResearchGate using a defined selection criterion. The quality of each study was assessed using the Newcastle – Ottawa Scale. Thirty-eight studies were selected with the majority reporting on PAH pollution in aquatic environments. Across all the selected studies, the total number of PAHs recorded ranged from 7 to 28 PAH congeners. Also, PAH potential sources reported in the studies were of pyrogenic and petrogenic sources. PAH concentrations recorded in water, sediment, aquatic organisms (fish and shrimp), soil, dust, and crop samples ranged from below detection limit (BDL) to 450 ± 117.9 mg/L, BDL to 1821.5 mg/kg, 0.005 to 1.098 mg/kg, ND to 4154 ± 3461 mg/kg, 165.1 to 1012 mg/kg, and 0.020 to 3.37 mg/kg, respectively. The majority of the selected studies reported PAH levels which were higher than the permissible limits. Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) assessment of PAHs in samples ranged from low to high via ingestion and dermal routes of exposure to humans. It is recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria promotes environmentally friendly operations of OEE. Future studies should focus on PAH pollution in farmlands, ambient air, and the associated human and ecological health risks.

Toxicological approaches for the quantitative inhalation risk assessment of toxic metals from tobacco smoke: application on the deterministic and probabilistic inhalation risk assessment of cadmium for Austrian smokers

Objective The objective of this study was the assessment of risks from inhalation exposure of Austrian smokers to cadmium through established toxicological approaches with emphasis on the exposure assessment component, which is challenging regarding the actual amount of metal that is inhaled and the simulation of the smoking pattern. Materials and methods Exposure assessment comprised an estimation of the proportion of cadmium inhaled through smoking and actual occurrence data in tobacco products and survey smoking habits, which were integrated in alternative scenarios through a deterministic and a probabilistic Monte Carlo simulation method. Risks were characterized through the comparison of the exposure with health-based guidance values, as well as through the assessment of the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), the non-cancer hazard quotient (NCHQ), and the margin of exposure (MOE). The strengths, the uncertainties, and the limitations of the different methodologies were discussed. Results and discussion Upper exposures are close or exceed the Permitted Daily Exposure. Respiratory ELCRs are unacceptable compared to the benchmark range of 1.0E–06 to 1.0E–04. Renal and respiratory NCHQs exceed the target value of 1.0 by 3- to 17-fold. MOEs are not protective enough for cancer and non-cancer effects. The amount of cadmium that reaches the lung is a key source of uncertainty. Conclusion Probabilistic estimates provide a refined capture of the actual inhalation exposure. Risk estimates and gender and age profiles are alarming, especially for young smokers. Application of toxicological approaches, combined with realistic assessment of the inhalation exposure levels, can support risk communication and management.

Compromising situation of India's bio-medical waste incineration units during pandemic outbreak of COVID-19: Associated environmental-health impacts and mitigation measures.

COVID-19 induced pandemic situations have put the bio-medical waste (BMW) management system, of the world, to test. Sudden influx, of COVID-infected patients, in health-care facilities, has increased the generation of yellow category BMW (Y-BMW) and put substantial burden on the BMW-incineration units of India. This study presents the compromising situation of the BMW-incineration units of India, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, from 21st March 2020 to 31st August 2020. This analysis revealed that on an average each COVID-infected patient in India generates approximately 3.41 kg/d of BMW and average proportion of Y-BMW in it is 50.44%. Further, it was observed that on 13th July 2020, the total Y-BMW, generated by both the normal and COVID-infected patients, fully utilized the BMW-incineration capacity of India. Also, it was made evident that, during the study period, BMW-incineration emitted several pollutants and their concentration was in the order: NOx > CO > SOx > PM > HCl > Cd > Pb > Hg > PCBs > Ni > Cr > Be > As. Subsequently, life time cancer risk assessment depicted that with hazard quotient >10−6, Cd may induce carcinogenic health impacts on both the adults and children of India. Therefore, to mitigate the environmental-health impacts associated with the incineration of BMW, evaluation of various options, viz., alternative technologies, substitution of raw materials and separate treatment of specific wastes, was also done. It is expected that the findings of this study may encourage the global auditory comprising scientific community and authorities to adopt alternate BMW-management strategies during the pandemic.

Evaluation of gross-alpha and gross-beta activity concentrations and assessment of excess lifetime cancer risk in waters of Eğirdir Lake, Turkey

ABSTRACT Eğirdir Lake is the fourth largest lake in Turkey and located in Isparta province. It is one of the most important water sources in Göller District. Eğirdir Lake supplies water to the Eğirdir basin and most of the agricultural lands were irrigated through Eğirdir Lake and it is also used as drinking water in adjacent provinces. Evaluating the gross-alpha and gross-beta activity concentrations can be accepted as the first step of determining the natural radioactivity level of water. The aim of this study is to investigate the natural radioactivity level of Eğirdir Lake surface water by measuring gross-alpha and gross-beta activity concentrations. Study was conducted in two different seasons, in order to evaluate the seasonal effect on results. Seasonal average activity concentrations of gross-alpha and gross-beta varied in a range of 0.0125–0.0345 Bq/L and 0.0750–0.1 Bq/L, respectively. Mean activity concentrations of gross-alpha and gross-beta for seasonal averages were 0.0215 ± 0.0057 Bq/L and 0.0833 ± 0.008 Bq/L, respectively. From the measured activities, annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were calculated. The obtained ELCR results varied in the range of 0.0157%–0.0202% with arithmetic mean of 0.0173%. In addition to that, statistical analyses were carried out in order to investigate the significances of the results. Resultant values exhibited that gross-alpha and gross-beta activities were found to be lower than suggested limits of WHO screening procedure. These results indicated that water consumption-related annual effective dose due to internal irradiation is less than 0.1 mSv/year and the water of Eğirdir Lake is of low risk to use as drinking water and also for multiple purposes.

Atmospheric particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, n-alkanes, hopanes, steranes and trace metals: PM2.5 source identification, individual and cumulative multi-pathway lifetime cancer risk assessment in the urban environment

The occurrence of atmospheric fine particles (PM2.5)-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), trace metals and organic molecular markers was investigated by conducting an intensive sampling campaign at the Eastern Mediterranean urban area of Nicosia (Cyprus). Sixty-two 24-hr PM2.5 samples were collected and analyzed for fifty parent and alkylated PAHs, twenty-five long chain n-alkanes, seventeen hopanes and twelve steranes used for source apportionment. The same number and kind of samples were analyzed to determine twenty-eight trace metals. Emphasis was given to investigate the air levels of the scarcely monitored although highly carcinogenic PAHs such as dibenzopyrenes, dibenzoanthracenes, 7H-benzo[c]fluorene and 5-methyl-chrysene, not included in the USEPA's sixteen PAH priority list (USEPA-16). UNMIX receptor model was applied to apportion the sources of atmospheric emissions of the determined organic compounds and trace metals and evaluate their daily contributions to the corresponding PM2.5 associated concentrations. For comparison purposes, principal component analysis with multiple linear regression (PCA/MLR) was also applied and its results are reported. The UNMIX receptor model, compared to PCA/MLR, offered a more precise source profile and more reliable daily mass source distributions by eliminating negative contributions. The individual and cumulative multi-pathway lifetime cancer risk (posed via inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact) by exposure to PM2.5-associated USEPA-16 listed and non-listed PAHs and selected airborne trace metals (As, Cd, Co, Ni, and Pb) were assessed. To estimate the contribution of each emission source to the total cancer risk, multiple linear regression analysis was performed, using as independent variables the daily source mass contributions and as dependent variables the respective cancer risk units. The estimated total cumulative cancer risk comprising all toxic PAHs, besides those included in the priority list, and metals was higher than the USEPA's threshold by a factor of eight, denoting a potential risk for long-term exposure of a population in the urban environment.

Assessment of Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk in an Endosulfan Spread Area, Kasaragod

Assessment of Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk in an Endosulfan Spread Area, Kasaragod

The occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, bisphenol A and organophosphate flame retardants in indoor dust and soils from public open spaces: Implications for human exposure

Global concern exists regarding human exposure to organic pollutants derived from public open spaces and indoor dust. This study has evaluated the occurrence of 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 11 organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) and bisphenol A (BPA). To achieve this, a new simple, efficient and fast multi-residue analytical method based on a fully automated pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) and subsequent quantification by gas chromatography coupled to electron ionization-mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode was developed. The developed method was applied to indoor dust (12 sampling households) and soil derived from two public open spaces (POSs). Among all compounds studied, PAHs were the most ubiquitous contaminants detected in POS soils and indoor dust although some OPFRs and BPA were detected in lower concentrations. An assessment of the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) was done and indicated a high potential cancer risk from the POS sites and some of the indoor dust sampled sites. However, key variables, such as the actual exposure duration, frequency of contact and indoor cleaning protocols will significantly reduce the potential risk. Finally, the ingestion of soils and indoor dust contaminated with OPFRs and BPA was investigated and noted in almost all cases to be below the USEPA reference doses.

Assessment of natural radioactivity and consequent radiological hazard in different brands of commercialized bottled mineral water produced in China.

As one of the drinking water quality parameters, natural radioactivity parameters are recommended to prevent a potential health threat to the public. In this study, the gross-α and gross-β activity concentrations in 15 different brands of commercial bottled mineral water consumed in China were analyzed to evaluate the quality and corresponding health impact on the population. The activity concentrations of gross-α and gross-β in different samples varied from 4.4 to 130.6 and 17.3-320.3 mBq L-1, respectively. The values of the annual effective dose equivalent rate (AED) for infants, children and adults ranged from 1.3 to 21.6, 2.9-52.5 and 5.5-97.8 μSv y-1, respectively. The average excess lifetime cancer risk caused by the consumption of bottled mineral water samples was estimated as 6.0 × 10-5. These results show that all the measured gross-α and gross-β are found to be obviously less than the guidance level by WHO and the domestic standard. The values of AED are below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limit of 0.1 mSv y-1. Combined with the lifetime cancer risk assessment, it is concluded that there is no significant risk for consumption of the observed brands of bottled mineral water and it can be consumed safely.

Source apportionment and seasonal variation in particulate PAHs levels at a coastal site in Belgium.

In the present study, estimation of the atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was done in particulate samples collected from De Haan, Belgium, during different seasons. The sampling site was situated very close to the north sea and far from the influence of local or industrial activities. The levels of PAHs depicted a distinct seasonal trend, being highest during the spring season. The observations of the study indicated a mean value of 2.6ngm-3 for concentration of all the 16 US EPA PAHs, thus being significantly lower when compared to results of previous studies focused on other sites. The dominating PAHs species reported were naphthalene, fluoranthene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, and indeno[1,2,3c,d] pyrene. Assessment of the seasonal variation of the PAH levels was also done with respect to diagnostic ratio-based source identification, analysis of back trajectories, and principle component analysis. Burning of fossil fuels was observed to be the prominent source of atmospheric PAHs in the study area. Further, lifetime cancer risk assessment was performed to assess the detrimental health impacts on humans on being exposed to atmospheric PAHs. Particulate PAHs present in the ambient air of Belgium shows no carcinogenic health impacts. However, considering the industrial expansion in the region, efforts are required to prevent the environmental contamination of PAHs. Graphical abstract.

Assessment of excess lifetime cancer risk of sand samples used as building materials in Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu, India by gamma ray spectrometry

The radionuclide activity data of riverbed sand samples collected from 15 different locations along the banks of Thenpennai River flows within Tiruvannamalai district of Tamilnadu, India were implemented to evaluate the radio- logical safety of the geographical area. The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides were determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The sand samples believed to be undisturbed, were collected from a number of locations at a depth of 5–20 cm from the surface. In this region, the mean activity concentrations for the radionuclides utilized to conduct the calculations were; 226Ra at 5.24 Bq/Kg, 232Th at 112.19 Bq/Kg, and 40K at 360.96 Bq/Kg. The radiation hazard for residents was assessed by radium equivalent activity (Raeq), indoor air absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose (AEDE) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). The results reported were all below the recommended maximum values. Therefore, the radiological hazards attributed to building materials under study are negligible. The use of sand in construction of dwellings is considered to be safe for inhabitants.

Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring and Assessment of Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk to People in Demra Thana, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Objective: The quality of life is influenced by the environment quality and one of the major factors that require a continuous monitoring is the level of radiation. Radiation protection is required to minimize the health effects due to radiation. It is essential to know real-time gamma radiation dose rates and calculation of annual effective dose of a country in order to generate the baseline database.&#x0D; Methods: The radiation monitoring was performed using real-time portable digital radiation monitoring device. This real-time digital portable radiation monitoring device meets all European CE standards as well as the American “FCC 15 standard”. The portable radiation monitoring device was placed at 1 meter above the ground on tripod and data acquisition time for each monitoring point (MP) was 1 hour. 35 MPs were selected for collection of radiation dose rates at different outdoor locations in Demra Thana, Dhaka from October-November 2019.&#x0D; Results: The measured dose rates due to natural radionuclides were ranged from 0.133 ± 0.022 µSv.h-1 to 0.251 ± 0.016 µSv.h-1 with an average of 0.187 ± 0.032 µSv.h-1. The annual effective dose to the population from outdoor environmental gamma radiation was varied from 0.232 ± 0.038 mSv to 0.440 ± 0.029 mSv with an average of 0.328 ± 0.057 mSv. Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) are also calculated which is ranged from 0.9×10-3 to 1.7×10-3 with an average value of 1.3×10-3, which is 4.5 times greater than world average of 0.29×10-3.&#x0D; Conclusion: This kind of study is required to detect the presence of natural radionuclides and artificial radionuclides (if any) releasing from nuclear and radiological facilities in the country or from neighboring countries for normal operations or in case of accident/incident. From this study, it can be concluded that there is no radiation burden to the environment due to man-made sources.

Cancer risk analysis of some drinking water resources in Gümüşhane, Turkey

Water; it is the basic necessity of living things that exist in the world like air and food. An adult person consumes an average of 2 L of water per day by drinking. This consumed water contains a number of radionuclides. For this reason, it is important to determine the effect of these radionuclides on human biological structure. In studies up to now, researchers calculate activity concentrations of radionuclides in drinking water and calculate annual equivalent doses based on these activity concentrations. However, it is always overlooked that this consumption is constant in calculations. This results in the inability of drinking water to fully determine the effect on human health. In this study, a new and comprehensive perspective was introduced in the gamma analysis of drinking water. This viewpoint includes the activity concentration, the annual equivalent dose, lifetime average annual dose, and lifetime cancer risk assessment depending on age groups. Thus, it is aimed that the radionuclides present in water can make more reliable calculations on affecting human health and water cleaning in terms of radiation. The proposed model was applied to some drinking water sources in Gumushane. We found out that the obtained values of annual effective dose equivalent in all samples do not exceed the WHO recommended levels. The risk of cumulative cancer at the end of the 70th year of a person using these drinking water sources has been about determined as 1 in 100,000. Positive correlations were obtained between 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K concentrations versus pH. In addition, a negative correlation was obtained 40K concentration with conductivity.