Potential Risk Assessment Research Articles

Consumption of fruits and vegetables contaminated with pesticide residues in Brazil: A systematic review with health risk assessment

Brazil is the third largest exporter of fruits and vegetables in the world and, consequently, uses large amounts of pesticides. Food contamination with pesticide residues (PRs) is a serious concern, especially in developing countries. Several research reports revealed that some Brazilian farmers spray pesticides on fruits and vegetables in large quantities, generating PRs after harvest. Thus, ingestion of food contaminated with PRs can cause adverse health effects. Based on information obtained through a systematic review of essential information from 33 articles, we studied the assessment of potential health risks associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in children and adults from Brazilian states. This study identified 111 PRs belonging to different chemical groups, mainly organophosphates and organochlorines, in 26 fruit and vegetable samples consumed and exported by Brazil. Sixteen of these PRs were above the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) established by local and international legislation. We did not identify severe acute and chronic dietary risks, but the highest risk values were observed in São Paulo and Santa Catarina, associated with the consumption of tomatoes and sweet peppers due to the high concentrations of organophosphates. A high long-term health risk is associated with the consumption of oranges in São Paulo and grapes in Bahia due to chlorothalonil and procymidone. We also identified that 26 PRs are considered carcinogenic by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), and the carcinogenic risk analysis revealed no severe risk in any Brazilian state investigated due to the cumulative hazard index (HI) < 1. However, the highest HI values were in São Paulo due to acephate and carbaryl in sweet pepper and in Bahia due to dichlorvos. This information can help regulatory authorities define new guidelines for pesticide residue limits in fruits and vegetables commonly consumed and exported from Brazil and monitor the quality of commercial formulations.

ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVEL OF THREATS AND CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR POSSIBLE IMPACT ON THE FUNCTIONING OF THE STATE ENERGY SECURITY SYSTEM

Assessment of potential threats to the energy security of the state based on systematic approach allows management structures of all levels (state, administrative, regional, corporate) to realize the following: 1. to choose the right ways for the development of "statehood", taking into account the guarantee of the principles of energy security at all levels; 2. to take the necessary actions and decisions on the part of the authorities based on the positions of compliance with the principles of energy security; 3. to provide the best possible factors, phenomena and trends that can prevent possible obstacles that, by their nature, in one way or another will complicate the process of implementing state programs, observance of national interests of the state in relation to it; 4. to generate ideas for the implementation of various measures (based on the values of national security) aimed at neutralizing both potential threats and those already being implemented in relation to the national security system of the state. It should be remembered that assessing possible threats to the state's energy security system involves identifying possible threats and risks, analyzing threats and risks, and assessing existing threats and risks. In general, to ensure the principles of guaranteeing the proper level of efficiency and effectiveness of the policy aimed at ensuring the proper level of functioning of the energy security system, it is necessary, first of all, to carry out an organized and comprehensive assessment of the leading indicators of possible risks. These current and potential threats may hurt it. This is followed by identifying the main ways to neutralize the above risks and threats or the consequences caused by them. It is necessary to implement periodic analytical measures regarding the situation in the national energy security system (including its system-forming facilities) based on a systematic approach with the obligatory identification of several priority measures that should be implemented first in case of any critical situation. Implementation of the assessment of potential risks and threats to the energy security of the state will allow: to predict the possible situation of the state's energy security following different types, levels, and scenarios of possible adverse developments; to carry out a comparative analysis of potential risks and threats in different periods, both in the past and for predicting future ones; to implement a choice of possible scenarios, as well as the future strategy of the state to ensure compliance with the principles of proper functioning of the state's energy security; to ensure the development and implementation. Keywords: threats to the security system, consequences for the security system, energy security system, impact of threats to the security system, assessment of possible risks to the security system.

Determination of some heavy metals in imported rice grains (Oryza sativa) available in Sulaymaniyah market and evaluation of their health risk assessment

This investigation was conducted to assess the levels of some heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, zinc, iron, nickel, and manganese in imported rice sold on the Sulaymaniyah market – Iraqi Kurdistan. The potential human health risk assessment was conducted by considering estimated weekly intake (EWI) of heavy metals from eating rice and calculated values compared with provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). The mean values for copper, manganese and zinc were considerably higher than allowable limits set by FAO/WHO. While the lead value in the entire rice types were lower than allowable limits set by FAO/WHO except (Uruguayan rice R9 and R12, Iranian rice R20, American rice R24, and Russian rice R26). The concentration of iron and nickel in some rice brands were less than the standard limit, and the chromium value was within the safe limit except for these (Indian rice R1, Uruguayan rice R12, Iranian rice R20, Chinese rice R33) brands, which were higher than the acceptable limit. EWI for chromium and nickel in most samples were higher than the PTWI. Also, EWI for zinc, manganese, and copper was higher than the PTWI set by FAO/WHO. Moreover, the EWI for lead were considerably higher than other measured toxic metals, and the highest mean level of EWI for lead was observed in some imported rice samples. Thus, the high consumption of rice contaminated with heavy metals can cause potential health risks to the Kurdish population in Kurdistan. More consideration should be given to contaminated rice and prevention and control measures should be taken.

Clinical and biological significance of RNA N6-methyladenosine regulators in Alzheimer disease.

RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) regulators are essential for a variety of biological functions, such as early development, viral infections, and cancer. However, their roles in Alzheimer disease (AD) are still not very clear. Here, 16 significant m6A regulators were identified using difference analysis between AD patients and non-demented controls based on the GSE132903 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Using these 16 m6A regulators, a nomogram model was established to predict the prevalence of AD. We found that patients could obtain a good clinical benefit based on this model. In addition, we revealed 2 distinct m6A patterns and 2 distinct m6A gene patterns in AD and demonstrated their prognostic and risk assessment significance. This present work comprehensively evaluated the functions of m6A regulators in the diagnosis and subtype classification of AD. These results suggested they have potential prognostic and risk assessment significance in AD.

Geoinformatic approach to potential soil erosion risk assessment in Tulasi watershed

The disintegration of soil grains caused by raindrops initiates the erosion process and is the primary source of erosion on small and steep slopes. Soil loss occurs all across the world, but poor countries are more vulnerable to it due to failure to replenish lost soil and minerals. Asian countries have been highlighted as one of the locations on the globe where soil erosion has proven to be a difficult challenge in terms of development and land resource conservation. Because India is the world's second most populous country and agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, sustainable land management approaches are urgently needed to protect production potential and provide an adequate supply of healthy food for millions. The Tulasi watershed in Maharashtra, India, is distinguished by heavy rain during the monsoon season, undulating and rocky topography and bare hilltops, all of which increase runoff capacity and make top soil more prone to detachment and loosening. In light of this, the current study employs geo-information technologies and the RUSLE model to derive erosion factors such as rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, land cover and management and to estimate the amount and spatial distribution of soil loss in the study area.

Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Potential Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Sludge of Shanghai Sewage Treatment Plant: A Case Study

Sewage treatment is an important indicator of the urban environment and an important method of sustainable development. In this paper, the spatial distribution characteristics of 8 heavy metals in sewage sludge from 44 sewage treatment plants in Shanghai were analyzed. The pollution degree and potential ecological risk of heavy metals in sludge were evaluated by the Nemerow comprehensive pollution index and Hakanson potential ecological risk index. First, the single factor pollution index of heavy metals was ranked. The Nemerow comprehensive pollution index showed that five sewage treatment plants in Nanxiang, Dongqu, Liantang, Songjiang west, and Xinhe were heavily polluted. Second, the single factor potential ecological risk index of each heavy metal was analyzed. Finally, it is concluded that in the monitoring and control of sewage treatment, Shanghai should pay attention to the sewage treatment plants with high potential ecological risks and gain an excellent performance in the reduction in the emissions of pollution sources, so as to improve environmental quality and reduce the potential ecological risks. This paper provides the basis for studying the characteristics of heavy metal pollution of sewage sludge.

Adolescent non-suicidal self-injury during the COVID-19 pandemic: A prospective longitudinal study of biological predictors of maladaptive emotion regulation

BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescence is thought to stem from interactions between vulnerability in developing biological systems and experience of stressors. The current study assesses whether multiple levels of the stress system’s response to threat could prospectively predict NSSI engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic, a shared, time-locked stressor. MethodsParticipants were 64 female adolescents (ages 12–16) from community and clinical settings who were oversampled for NSSI histories. Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents completed a protocol that measured hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to a social stressor (via salivary cortisol), amygdala volume, amygdala emotion-evoked activation, and frontolimbic resting-state functional connectivity. During early months of the pandemic (Summer 2020), measures of NSSI behavior (Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury), emotion regulation difficulties (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), and pandemic-related stressors (Epidemic Pandemic Impacts Inventory) were collected. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess if pre-pandemic biomarkers predicted mid-pandemic NSSI engagement: persistence of NSSI (Persist; N = 21), cessation of NSSI (Desist; N = 26), and no history of NSSI (Never; N = 17). Linear regressions explored if pre-pandemic biomarkers predicted mid-pandemic difficulties in emotion regulation and perceived stress. ResultsHigher pre-pandemic overall cortisol response to stress and amygdala emotion-evoked activation characterized adolescents who persisted in NSSI, compared to those who desisted. These findings remained significant when controlling for pandemic related stressors. Lower prepandemic cortisol reactivity predicted more difficulties in emotion regulation during the pandemic. This finding did not remain significant after controlling for pandemic related stressors. ConclusionsFindings suggest that patterns in key biological threat response systems may confer vulnerability for risk outcomes including NSSI engagement in adolescent females in the context of a shared, novel, naturally-occurring stressor. The results point to the importance of multi-level, longitudinal approaches for understanding the interface between developing neurobiological systems and experiential stress in at-risk adolescents. Identified patterns give insight into potential risk assessment strategies based on an understanding of the multi-level threat response.

Potential health risk assessment and distribution of fluoride in groundwater of Munger, Bihar India: a case study

High fluoride intake via groundwater is a very serious problem for human health, especially in children. The present study focused on the health risk in children between 5–15 years due to higher consumption of fluoride in water used for potable purposes. A total of 195 samples of groundwater were analyzed for water parameters like pH, EC, TDS, fluoride, etc. On the basis of the primary data on the quality of drinking water, non-carcinogenic health risks of excessive fluoride intake in children were evaluated. Findings showed that the concentration of fluoride in Munger lies from 0.029 to 12 (mg/l) and 13.8% of total samples contain fluoride exceeding the allowable limit (1.5 mg/l). Hazard quotient value through ingestion of drinking water with high-level fluoride content varies from 0.625 to 8.571 whereas via dermal exposure hazard, quotient value lies in between 0.001 to 0.012. Therefore, the total hazard quotient obtained in Munger varied from 0.626 to 8.58. This indicates that children in Munger are highly vulnerable to non-carcinogenic health risks via prolonged fluoride intake mainly through the drinking water pathway. The outcome of the sensitivity analysis revealed that the concentration of fluoride is the most influential parameter in non-carcinogenic health risk.

Content of Trace Elements and Human Health Risk Assessment via Consumption of Commercially Important Fishes from Montenegrin Coast

Muscle tissues of Mullus barbatus and Merluccius merluccius were analyzed for the presence of selected trace elements (As, Hg, Cd, and Pb) to determine the value of the daily intake of trace elements from fish consumption and to assess the risk to human health. The mean concentrations of As in the muscle tissue of M. barbatus and M. merluccius for the entire period were 19.689 mg/kg wet weight (ww) and 8.356 mg/kg ww, Hg 0.497 mg/kg ww and 0.153 mg/kg ww, and Pb 0.031 mg/kg ww and 0.025 mg/kg ww, respectively. The concentrations of Cd in all fish sampled were below the detection limit (<0.02 mg/kg ww). The evaluation of the potential health risk assessments based on the target hazard quotient (THQ) and estimated daily intake (EDI) indicated that the intake of As in both fish species and Hg for M. barbatus could pose an appreciable risk to human health. The calculated hazard index (HI) was higher than 1 for both fish species. The continuous monitoring of trace elements' concentrations in fish is strongly recommended, as the results demonstrate potential health risks due to the presence of As and Hg.

Metal pollution and potential human health risk assessment in major seafood items (fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods)

Global seafood consumers are increasingly concerned about and prefer safe, high-quality, and hazard-free seafood products. This study investigated various Pakistani processing plants supplying the international market and explored commercially important seafood species (fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods) for metal content, contamination, and potential health risks. The results showed that the metal concentrations differed significantly among species. The metals loads were as Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn > Pb > Ni > Cd > Hg. Contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and metal pollution index (MPI), verified negligible contamination of seafood. As assessed by the estimated daily intake, target hazard quotient, hazard index, and carcinogenic risk, the potential human health risks associated with the contaminated seafood were lower than the perceived threat. In conclusion, seafood processing plants export products that meet international food safety standards and are safe for consumers worldwide.

Binational survey using Mytilus galloprovincialis as a bioindicator of microplastic pollution: Insights into chemical analysis and potential risk on humans

Microplastic (MP) contamination in edible mussels has raised concerns due to their potential risk to human health. Aiming to provide valuable insights regarding the occurrence, physicochemical characteristics, and human health implications of MP contamination, in the present study, two nationwide surveys of MP contamination in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were conducted in Morocco and Tunisia. The results indicated that MP frequency ranged from 79 % to 100 % in all the analyzed samples. The highest MP density was detected in mussels from Morocco (gills “GI”: 1.88 MPs/g ww−1; digestive glands “DG”: 0.92 MPs/g ww−1) compared to mussels of Tunisia (GI: 1.47 MPs g− 1; DG: 0.79 MPs g− 1). No significant differences in MP density were found between the two organs (GI and DG) for both countries. MPs were predominantly blue and black fibers, and smaller than 1000 μm. Seven polymeric types were identified, of which PET, PP, and PE were the most abundant, accounting for >87 % of all samples. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) showed that most MPs have noticeable signs of weathering and inorganic components on their surface. The highest MP daily intake was found in children, while the lowest was estimated in women and men. Moreover, the annual dietary exposure of MPs through mussel consumption was estimated to be 1262.17 MPs/year in Morocco and 78.18 MPs/year in Tunisia. The potential risk assessment of MPs in mussels based on the polymer hazard index (PHI) was estimated in the high-risk levels, implying that MPs may pose health risks to humans. Overall, this research suggests that the consumption of mussels represents a considerable MP exposure route for the Moroccan and Tunisian populations.

Potential health risk assessment of contaminants in soil-like material recovered from landfill mining

Landfill mining is an innovative technique to clear dumpsites and recover valuables from legacy waste. Bio-earth, referred here as soil-like material, constitutes a major portion of the legacy waste fraction. The characterisation of SoilLike Material from Ariyamangalam Dumpyard and estimation of pollution indices by comparing with the background soil helps in the identification of the contamination level. The potential health risk associated with the contaminants in Soil Like Material is highlighted. A statistical correlation was also done for various parameters of Soil Like Material to identify the indicator element through the Spearman rank correlation method. The degree of contamination based on eight heavy metals taken into account shows a value of 48.23, which is in the range of very high contamination. The major pollution is induced by the lead present in the Soil Like Material compared to the background soil, followed by chromium and zinc. Lead shows the maximum contamination factor of 19, pollution index of 23.3, geo-accumulation index of 4.2 and enrichment factor of 19. The hazard index is in the order of Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > Cd > Zn > Hg > As for the heavy metals. Among all heavy metals, the cumulative cancer risk is more due to nickel (0.06 and 0.006 for children and adults, respectively) which is harmful to human health. Hexavalent chromium was found to be an indicator element by significantly correlating with four other parameters. The results of the health risk assessment (HRA) and pollution indices add value to the application of Soil Like Material fractions both onsite and offsite.

Occurrence, Potential Risk Assessment, and Source Apportionment of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Water from Beiluo River

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are highly hazardous, persistent, and bioaccumulative substances that pose a threat to water quality in a number of locations, including the Beiluo River in Shaanxi Province, China. However, little is known about the contribution of PCBs to the Beiluo River. In this study, in order to look into the impact of sources on the water of the Beiluo River, the discovered PCB congeners in water were examined on a regional scale. The concentration of PCBs in water across Beiluo River was in the range from 0.065 to 1.92 ng L−1, and the average concentration was 0.37 ng L−1. The main PCB sources in the Beiluo River waterbody were found using positive matrix factorization (PMF). Source apportionment results indicated that the PCB pollution of the Beiluo River was mostly caused by industrial emissions, technical PCB mixtures, and coal and wood combustion. According to current ecological risk assessment guidelines, the PCB concentrations found in this study may have a negative impact on biological systems. Overall, the new information about the presence of several PCBs in the water of the Beiluo River justifies the need for urgent management actions, as well as long-term monitoring efforts, to protect ecosystems. Future investigations of these chemicals in China may use the conclusions of this first ecological risk level assessment on the PCB contamination in the waterbody of the Beiluo River as a guide.

Large-scale spatiotemporal variations, sources, and risk assessment of banned OCPs and PAHs in suspended particulate matter from the Negro river, Argentina

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) threaten the environment due to their wide environmental resistance. Environmental paradigms coexist along the Negro River (NR) in Argentina, South America, which flows to the sea below the latitude of 40o S; however, this is the first environmental assessment of OCPs and PAHs in water of the NR for more than 15 years. With 21 sampling sites covering a range of 600 km of river extension, we assessed 16 OCPs and 16 PAHs in suspended particulate material (SPM) with regard to their levels, seasonality, sources, and potential biological risk assessment. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detection, we found an overall mean value for Σ16 OCPs of 648.56 ng. g−1, d.w. Despite a ban spanning 25 years, an increasing trend of accumulation of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and endosulfan was shown in the lower valley. The ɑ-HCH/ɤ-HCH and β-HCH/(ɑ + ɤ)-HCH ratios indicated a prevalent usage of technical HCH over lindane and recent HCH inputs. The most abundant compound, α-endosulfan, averaged 141.64 ng. g−1, d.w. and DDX (Σ 4,4′-DDE, 4,4′-DDD, and 4,4′-DDT) averaged 99.98 ng. g−1, d.w. Winter OCP loads in the NR reflected the runoff of the heaviest pesticide application period. We estimated the total discharge of DDT into the Atlantic ocean was 96 g.day−1, added to 458 g of HCHs and 257 g of endosulfans (ɑ + β + epoxide) adsorbed by the SPM. PAHs occurred widely along the river (38.83 ± 43.52 μg. g−1) and the highest levels coincided with locations with marked anthropogenic-related activity, such as petroleum/gas exploitation facilities. Risk quotient analysis showed a low risk posed by OCPs, but a high risk of potential effects on biota posed by the PAHs, highlighting the need for mitigation measures.

Age-dependent potential health risk assessment due to radioactive radon-222 in the environs of highly populated Durgapur industrial zone and nearby Bakreswar hot spring, India.

It is well known that exposure to a high concentration of radon-222 causes severe health effects, including cancer. The present article includes a survey on radon-222 in the water bodies of the city Durgapur [non-geothermal area] and nearby Bakreswar hot spring [geothermal province], India. The possible sources of radon from natural radionuclides and industries have been discussed in the article. Durgapur is a densely populated [~ 3680 persons/km2] industrial city with a population of 0.57 million. On the other hand, many tourists and pilgrims usually visit Bakreswar throughout the year. Age-dependent potential health risk assessments of the dwellers at Durgapur and Bakreswar due to radon exposure were performed for the first time. The present work is the first attempt to estimate the mean ingestion /and inhalation dose per annum, total effective dose [TED] per annum and the health risk assessment for cancer in adults, children and infants due to radon exposure at Durgapur and Bakreswar. In some cases, the values of TED exceed the permissible limit of 100 micro Sievert per year [µSv/y] as recommended by EUC and WHO. The radiation profile maps relating to radon concentration and associated contour maps of health risk factors [HRF] for the adults, children and infants were also prepared for the first time. Some areas were identified as high-risk zones, and the dwellers are prone to a high risk of cancer. The article also proposed several techniques to reduce radon in water and buildings. The authors also recommended banning some water sources to protect people from radon risk. This study will help scientists, policymakers, industrialists, farmers, government agencies and public health departments.

Inpatient management of complicated mTBI with the BIG assessment tool: Review and summary of the evidence

Introduction The management of mild traumatic brain injury has evolved through the years with an emphasis on the safe discharge of patients given current resources. In this article, we discuss key studies published in the past 12 years that have influenced the direction of complicated mild traumatic brain injury (cmTBI) management. We summarize the evidence on the utilization of the Brain Injury Guideline (BIG) algorithm. Methods An independent literature search was conducted on the BIG, updated versions of BIG, and the prognostic studies of adult mild traumatic brain injury admissions cited by the BIG articles. Evidence resources included the search engines of PubMed, Medline, Ovid, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar bibliographic databases of items published between 1 January 2010 and 30 December 2021. The evidence focused on BIG and its modified versions, as a potential risk assessment tool for discharging mTBI patients early. Results Studies supporting the BIG algorithm prior to 2019 presented evidence with serious limitations to their findings. These limitations threaten their veracity and fail to support the efficacy or validation of the BIG algorithm's utilization for mTBI patient management. Conclusion The lack of rigor in the BIG algorithm studies suggest the research is currently insufficient to support early discharge and research needs to continue on modified versions of the tool before its widespread use.

Potential health risk assessment of metals in the muscle of seven wild fish species from the Wujiangdu reservoir, China

Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg were analyzed in the surface water and muscle of seven fish species (Carassius auratus, Cyprinus carpio, Hemiculter leucisculus, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco, Silurus meriaionalis, Ctenopharyngodon idellus, and Parabramis pekinensis) from the Wujiangdu reservoir, China. All metal concen-trations in water were lower than grade one water quality values. Mean metal concentrations in the fish muscle decreased in the order: Zn (10.765 mg kg−1) &gt; Fe (8.908 mg kg−1) &gt; Mn (0.373 mg kg−1) &gt; Cu (0.369 mg kg−1) &gt; Pb (0.158 mg kg−1) &gt; As (0.102 mg kg−1) &gt; Hg (0.042 mg kg−1) &gt; Cd (0.024 mg kg−1). Metal concentrations were higher in omnivorous and carnivorous fish than those in herbivorous fish. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of Hg was much higher than that of other metals in all fish species. The values of target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) were lower than 1 for fishermen and the general population, indicating that there was no considerable noncarcinogenic risk. However, target cancer risk (TR) values were greater than 1.0 × 10−6, indicating that the car-cinogenic risk caused by fish consumption could not be ignored. Several kinds of fish species were not completely safe for human consumption according to the standard of the European Commission. The potential health risks in fishermen were much higher than that in the general population.

Metals bioaccumulation, possible sources and consumption risk assessment in five Sillaginid species, a case study: Bandar Abbas (Persian Gulf) and Chabahar Bay (Oman Sea), Iran

In this study, the concentrations of 10 metals (As, Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in different tissues (gill, muscle and otolith) of five sillaginid species (Sillago arabica, S. attenuata and S. sihama from the Persian Gulf and S. indica, S. sihama and Sillaginopodys chondropus from the Oman Sea) were analyzed using ICP-MS, and the potential human health risk assessment for local consumers was also conducted using standard indices. The concentration of trace metals (μg g−1 dw) in fish ranged from 0.24 to 16.09 (As), 7.88 to 167.51 (Al), 0.005 > −0.866 (Cd), 0.006 > −7.95 (Cr), 1.02–5.58 (Cu), 24.86 to 390.85 (Fe), 0.005 > −1.93 (Hg), 0.021 > −7.80 (Ni), 0.33–4.41 (Pb) and 4.78–170.43 (Zn). The levels of trace metals varied significantly among sampling sites, fish species and their tissues. Gill tissues accumulate higher concentrations of the analyzed elements, except for As and Hg, whose higher concentrations were found in muscle tissues. Among the species, S. sihama in the Persian Gulf showed the highest levels of toxic metals compared to the other species. The dendrogram of metal association in fish muscle tissues revealed that Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb and Hg in muscles mainly originated from anthropogenic sources, especially petroleum activities. A second dendrogram based on the association of these five metals in the muscle tissue separated the sillaginid species of the Persian Gulf from the Oman Sea. The mean concentrations of the analyzed metals in the edible tissues were lower than international standards of maximum permissible limits (MPL), except for inorganic As (iAs) and Pb. The index of estimated daily intake (EDI) for Cr and Hg in all sillaginid species, and iAs, Pb and Ni only in the Persian Gulf's sillaginid species was higher than the recommended values. The value of the target hazard quotient (THQ) indicated that the intake of individual heavy metals due to the consumption of sillaginid species was safe for human health (except Hg in S. arabica) whereas combined heavy metals' intake revealed potential health problems in the case of increased consumption for all three sillaginids in the Persian Gulf. Target cancer risk (TR) for iAs in all species and Cd, Cr and Ni in Persian Gulf species was higher than the acceptable range. The results indicated the health issues associated with high consumption, especially for sillaginids in the Persian Gulf, which should be considered in food safety monitoring for local people in the area.

Groundwater quality index and potential human health risk assessment of heavy metals in water: A case study of Calabar metropolis, Nigeria

The study aims to determine the spatial variability of physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metals constituent of groundwater within Calabar Metropolis, as well as the potential human health risk of adults and children to heavy metals through ingestion and dermal pathways. Fifty groundwater samples were collected from different locations and analyzed for pH, total dissolved solids, temperature, electrical conductivity, Zinc, Chromium, and iron following standard methods. The variables were subjected to principal axis factoring analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and geospatial analysis. The water quality index of the study area was determined using the weighted average water quality index (WAWQI) method while the potential health risk was assessed in accordance with the USEPA approach. The average concentrations of Cr, Fe, and Zn were 0.02 mg/l, 0.05 mg/l, and 0.22 mg/l, respectively. The results of the factor analysis revealed that the contamination from dissolved solids were probably from geogenic sources. The comparison of the results with the WHO standard revealed that the permissible limits for EC and Cr in drinking water were exceeded in 2 % and 4 % of the locations, respectively. The water quality of the study area ranges within four categories: “good” to “very poor”. The order of toxicity of heavy metals based on mean concentration and total hazard quotient s (HQs) for both adults and children was as follows Zn > Fe > Cr. The total mean HQs for adults and children, for Cr, Zn and Fe were obtained as 4.63E-01, 2.10E + 01, 2.06E + 00 and 1.62E + 00, 7.35E + 01, 7.21E + 00, respectively. The hazard index values obtained from the human health risk analysis for both adults and children revealed that the heavy metals (HMs) had a significant contribution to non-carcinogenic risk (HI > 1) due to exposure to groundwater from the study area. Children were more at risk compared to adults (mean HIchildren = 8.24E + 01 > mean HIadult = 2.35E + 01). The lifetime cancer risk due to Cr was significant for both adults and children (mean LTCRadult = 3.47*10-1 > 10-6, mean LTCRchildren = 1.22 > 10-6). The range of water quality rating calls for concern and immediate action.

Potential risk assessment and toxicological impacts of nano/micro-plastics on human health through food products.

The problem of environmental pollution with plastic is becoming more and more acute every year. Due to the low rate of decomposition of plastic, its particles get into food and harm the human body. This chapter focuses on the potential risks and toxicological effects of both nano and microplastics on human health. The main places of distribution of various toxicants along with the food chain have been established. The effects of some examples of the main sources of micro/nanoplastics on the human body are also emphasised. The processes of entry and accumulation of micro/nanoplastics are described, and the mechanism of accumulation that occurs inside the body is briefly explained. Potential toxic effects reported from studies on various organisms are highlighted as well.