Cd Intake Research Articles

Co-application of biochar and microorganisms improves soybean performance and remediate cadmium-contaminated soil

Sole biochar addition or microbial inoculation as a soil amendment helps to reduce cadmium (Cd) toxicity in polluted agricultural soils. Yet the synergistic effects of microorganisms and biochar application on Cd absorption and plant productivity remain unclear. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the combined effect of microorganisms (Trichoderma harzianum L. and Bacillus subtilis L.), biochar (maize straw, cow manure, and poultry manure), and Cd (0, 10, and 30 ppm) on plant physiology and growth to test how biochar influences microbial growth and plant nutrient uptake, and how biochar ameliorates under Cd-stressed soil. Results showed that in comparison to non-Cd polluted soil, the highest reduction in chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and intercellular CO2 were observed in Cd2 (30 ppm), which were 9.34%, 22.95%, 40.45%, 29.07%, 20.67%, and 22.55% respectively less than the control Cd0 (0 ppm). Among sole inoculation of microorganisms, highest stomatal conductance, water use efficiency, and intercellular CO2 were recorded with combined inoculation of both microorganisms (M3), which were 5.92%, 7.65%, and 7.28% respectively higher than the control, and reduced the Cd concentration in soil, root, and shoot by 21.34%, 28.36%, and 20.95%, respectively, compared to the control. Similarly, co-application of microorganisms and biochar ameliorated the adverse effect of Cd in soybean as well as significantly improved plant biomass, photosynthetic activity, nutrient contents, and antioxidant enzyme activities, and minimized the production of reactive oxygen species and Cd content in plants. Soil amended with poultry manure biochar had significantly improved the soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorous, and available potassium by 43.53%, 36.97%, 22.28%, and 4.24%, respectively, and decreased the concentration of Cd in plant root and shoot by 34.68% and 47.96%, respectively, compared to the control. These findings indicate that the combined use of microorganisms and biochar as an amendment have important synergistic effects not only on the absorption of nutrients but also on the reduction of soybean Cd intake, and improve plant physiology of soybean cultivated in Cd-polluted soils as compared to sole application of microorganisms or biochar.

Arsenic and Heavy Metals in Vietnamese Rice: Assessment of Human Exposure to These Elements through Rice Consumption.

In this work, twelve heavy metals and arsenic, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn, in a rice sample collected from some areas of Vietnam have been quantified and implemented by using multiple analytical platforms such as ICP-MS, AAS, and mercury analyser. Seventy rice samples collected from the Red River Delta and mining zone activity were analysed. Concentration of heavy metals and arsenic in rice was analysed after appropriated sample digestion using internal or external calibration curves. The mean concentration (mg kg−1 dried weight) of the analysed elements in rice samples decreased on the order of Mn (19.268) > Fe (13.624) > Zn (8.163) > Cu (3.138) > Ni (0.384) > Cr (0.296) > Co (0.279) > As (0.115) > Cd (0.111) > Pb (0.075) > Hg (0.007) > Se (<LOD). Mercury, a highly toxic element, has been only found in rice samples collected in the mining activity zone (frequency detection 14.5% of total samples). The experimental results indicated that the heavy metals and arsenic found in rice collected from mining activity zone were higher than those in rice harvested from normal cultivated areas like the Red River Delta. The heavy metals and arsenic content in Vietnamese rice samples were also compared with the concentration of heavy metals in other foreign rice samples in some recent publications. The estimated daily intake through rice consumption was calculated and compared with the level proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The results indicated that the provisional daily intake of Cd was higher than the level proposed by FAO, while the intake of other heavy metals was in an acceptable range of CODEX standard.

Physiological and Molecular Alterations of Phycobionts of Genus Trebouxia and Coccomyxa Exposed to Cadmium.

Several studies on aeroterrestrial microalgae are unravelling their resistance mechanisms to different abiotic stressors, including hazardous metals, pointing to their future role as bioremediation microorganisms. In the present study, physiological and molecular alterations of four phycobionts of genus Trebouxia (T. TR1 and T. TR9) and Coccomyxa (C. subellipsoidea and C. simplex) exposed to Cd were studied. Cd accumulation and subcellular distribution, cell wall structure, production of biothiols (GSH and phytochelatins), reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, expression of key antioxidant genes and ROS-related enzymes were evaluated to determine the physiological differences among the four microalgae, with the aim to identify the most suitable microorganism for further biotechnological applications. After 7 days of Cd exposure, Coccomyxa algae showed higher capacity of Cd intake than Trebouxia species, with C. subellipsoidea being the highest Cd accumulator at both intracellular and, especially, cell wall level. Cd induced ROS formation in the four microalgae, but to a greater extent in both Coccomyxa algae. Trebouxia TR9 showed the lowest Cd-dependent oxidative stress probably due to glutathione reductase induction. All microalgae synthetized phytochelatins in response to Cd but in a species-specific and a dose-dependent manner. Results from this study agree with the notion that each microalga has evolved a distinct strategy to detoxify hazardous metals like Cd and to cope with oxidative stress associated with them. Coccomyxa subellipsoidea and Trebouxia TR9 appear as the most interesting candidates for further applications.

Estimating the risks from phthalate esters and metal(loid)s in cultivated edible fungi from Jingmen, Central China

Cultivated mushrooms inevitably absorb phthalate esters (PAEs) and potentially toxic metal(loid)s from plastic grow bags and substrate. The associated harm to consumers should be further clarified. This study measured six priority PAEs and nine metal(loid)s in eight mushroom varieties from greenhouses near Jingmen, Hubei, central China. The averaged total target PAE was between 8.60 ± 1.55 and 27.20 ± 5.90 mg kg−1 dry weight. Levels of di-n-butyl phthalate in all samples and those of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in four mushroom species exceeded the maximum residual amount of China. Compared with the maximum levels of contaminants for foods in China, Cd in one and Pb in four mushroom species exceeded the limits. The estimated weekly intake of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Pb for different age groups was higher than the provisional tolerable weekly intake; however, there was no significant carcinogenic risks based on assessment of single or combined PAEs and metal(loid)s.

Evaluation of consumer safety of Polish honey-the content of Cd and Pb in multifloral, monofloral and honeydew honeys.

The paper aimed to evaluate the degree of contamination of honey available on the Polish market with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). The analyses involved 49 samples of honey: monofloral (n = 24): linden, raspberry, goldenrod, bean, dandelion, buckwheat and rapeseed honey, multifloral honey (n = 17) and coniferous honeydew honey (n = 8). The content of Cd and Pb was determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometers (ICP-OES). The content of Cd and Pb was confirmed in all the analysed honeys, but in 18% of samples the level of Cd was < LOQ. The analysed honeys contained from < LOQ to ca. 0.09 mg Cd per 1 kg, on average 0.025 mg kg-1. On average, they contained 0.193 mg Pb (range 0.014-1.007) per 1 kg of the raw product. The content of Cd and Pb can be presented as: honeydew honey > multifloral honey > monofloral honey. The content of Cd in monofloral honeys can be presented as follows: linden > other (raspberry, goldenrod, bean, linden + bean) > dandelion = buckwheat = rape, while the content of Pb as linden > other > rapeseed > buckwheat > dandelion honey. It should be emphasised that consuming 19 g of honey a week (mean honey consumption in Poland) is safe for human health, as it results in an intake of Cd at the level of 1.18E-04% PTWI and 0.553% PTWI for children and an intake of Pb at the level of 0.641% BMDL01 for adults and 5.916% BMDL for children. The obtained results lead to a conclusion that the risk of disorders related to chronic exposure to Cd and Pb ingested with honey is very low, which is demonstrated by the fact that both children and adults showed CDI, CR, THQ and HI that were lower than 1.

Tissue Bioaccumulation and Toxicopathological Effects of Cadmium and Its Dietary Amelioration in Poultry-a Review.

Cadmium (Cd) has been recognized as one of the most toxic heavy metals, which is continuously discharged into environments through anthropogenic (industrial activities, fertilizer production, and waste disposal) and natural sources with anthropogenic sources contributing greater than the natural sources. Therefore, Cd concentration sometimes increases in feeds, fodders, water bodies, and tissues of livestock including poultry in the vicinity of the industrial areas, which causes metabolic, structural, and functional changes of different organs of all animals. In poultry, bioaccumulation of Cd occurs in several organs mainly in the liver, kidney, lung, and reproductive organs due to its continuous exposure. Intake of Cd reduces growth and egg laying performance and feed conversion efficiency in poultry. Chronic exposure of Cd at low doses can also alter the microscopic structures of tissues, particularly in the liver, kidney, brain, pancreas, intestine, and reproductive organs due to increased content of Cd in these tissues. Continuous Cd exposure causes increased oxidative stress at cellular levels due to over-production of reactive oxygen species, exhausting antioxidant defense mechanisms. This leads to disruption of biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acid, protein and lipid, and subsequently apoptosis, cell damage, and necrotic cell death. The histopatholocal changes in the liver, kidneys, and other organs are adversely reflected in hemogram and serum biochemical and enzyme activities. The present review discusses about Cd bioaccumulation and histopathological alterations in different tissues, pathogenesis of Cd toxicity, blood-biochemical changes, and its different ameliorative measures in poultry.

Оценка содержания металлов и мышьяка в морской рыбе, используемой для кормления диких и экзотических животных

The aim of the study was to study the content of some heavy metals and arsenic in frozen fish (capelin, herring, pink salmon, chum salmon, pollock, blue whiting, greenling) used for feeding animals of zoological institutions. In the course of the study, it was found that according to the value of the average content in fish used by zoological institutions for feeding wild and exotic animals, the studied elements form the following decreasing series: Fe &gt; Zn &gt; Cu &gt; As &gt; Pb &gt; Cd. In the course of nonparametric statistics, significant differences were established in the level of accumulation of all studied elements, except for Pb and Cd, by representatives of different fish families. Herring is characterized by a high level of accumulation of Zn and As, low – Cd, salmon: high concentration of Fe, Pb, Cd, low – Cu and As. Greenlings to a greater extent than other families contain Cu, to a lesser extent – Zn and Fe. The rest of the elements in the representatives were kept at an average level. In the studied fish samples, the excess of MPC was not found. The presence of a reliably weak direct correlation the relationship between the content of Pb, Cd and As in fish and animal biosubstrates was established, and the antagonism between the intake and accumulation of the following elements in the body of birds and mammals was statistically confirmed: Zn – Pb, Cu – Pb and Zn – Cd. The accumulation of As in biosubstrates is facilitated by the intake of Zn and Cd, and Cu – Zn.

Public health threats of heavy metals due to the consumption of Achachatina marginata (African Giant Land Snail) from a partially remediated site in Ikot Ada Udo, Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria.

The risk of oral intake of metals from the ingestion of contaminated Achachatina marginata was carried-out. Snail samples (n=48) were hand-picked, preserved in ice, then analyzed for zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES, Yobin Yvon JY-24), then cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS, 4110ZL PerkinElmer). The mean levels of metals in snail from each sampling point were higher compared to the control site. SP 1 had the highest significant levels (p<0.05) of Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, while SP 3 had the highest significant levels (p<0.05) of Cr compared to the control site. The mean heavy metals in the snail were 3.280±0.995mg/kg (Cd), 8.906±2.079mg/kg (Zn), 0.896±0.401mg/kg (Cr), 1.867±0.921mg/kg (Ni), 1.998±0.781mg/kg (Pb). The mean Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb in A.marginata were above WHO acceptable limits for food. Heavy metals level in A.marginata had a decreasing trend of Zn>Cd>Pb>Ni>Cr. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of Cd (5.61×10-3mg/kg/day) was higher than the reference oral dose (RfD) value of 0.001mg/kg/day. The target hazard quotient (THQ) of Cd (5.61) and the hazard index (HI) of metals (6.80) were greater than 1. The carcinogenic risk (CR) of Ni (5.43×10-3) and Cd (2.13×10-3) from contaminated snails intake were higher than the safe range of 10-6 to 10-4. The THQ, EDI of Cd, HI of the metals, and the CR values of Ni and Cd in snails from the contaminated site reveals a potential future health challenge to consumers and a possibility of contracting cancer over a 70 year lifetime. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the site requires a thorough clean-up for the total restoration of the environment.

Cadmium exposure as a key risk factor for residents in a world large-scale barite mining district, southwestern China

Cadmium (Cd) contamination is easily generated during the mining and manufacturing of barium (Ba). In this study, concentrations of both Ba and Cd in rice, vegetables, pork, fish, drinking water, and soil samples from an active barite mining district were determined. Daily intakes of Ba and Cd, as well as corresponding health risks, were evaluated. The average total daily exposure doses of Cd were 0.0035 and 0.0012 mg/kg BW/day (geometric mean) in the mining zone (MZ) and the chemical plant zone (PZ), respectively. These values significantly exceed the provisional tolerable monthly intake (25 μg/kg BW/month, equal to 0.00083 mg/kg BW/day). Based on the daily exposure doses, vegetable consumption was the most significant Ba exposure route for residents, contributing around 66.1% of the total exposure. In contrast, rice consumption was the major Cd exposure pathway, accounting for about 85.6% of the total exposure. Although the geometric mean (0.17) and 95th percentile (P95, 0.75) of the total hazard quotient (HQ) for Ba were below the acceptable level (1), suggesting that there were no significant health effects caused by Ba exposure, Cd exposure was associated with significant health risks, with the geometric mean of the HQ (1.7) and the P95 (21) well above the acceptable limit (1), indicating the unacceptable non-carcinogenic risk of Cd exposure. In summary, high Cd exposure risk, rather than Ba, was observed for populations living in a large-scale active Ba mining area.

Evaluation of Element Concentrations in Beef and Pork Meat Cuts Available to the Population in the Croatian Capital.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of essential, trace, and toxic elements in beef and pork meat cuts available at markets and retail chains in the Croatian capital. Significant differences in the concentrations of Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Pb, and Zn were found between bovine cuts (p < 0.01, all) and also between pork cuts (p < 0.01, all). A risk assessment using the estimated intakes based on the lowest and highest mean values of Al, Cr, Ni, and Pb in beef and pork showed low contributions to tolerable toxicological limits. However, consumers whose diets consist of large amounts of beef and pork kidneys may be at risk because the estimated intakes for Cd and Se exceeded the toxicological limits. Consumers of large quantities of beef mixed meat may be at risk due to higher values of estimated As intakes compared to health-based guidance values. Estimation based on the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake values for Cu, Fe, and Zn showed that beef and pork cuts can be considered safe for consumption. A comparison with data from other studies shows that the concentrations of the analyzed elements in beef and pork cuts vary considerably.

Concentration and Potential Human Health Hazards of Heavy Metals in Periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus) Purchased from Major Markets in Calabar, Nigeria.

Background.As water flows through habitats associated with estuaries, such as mud flats, salt marshes, sea grass and mangrove forests, pollutants such as heavy metals are filtered. The fine sediment dominant in intertidal and subtidal estuarine systems is an important sink for these contaminants. Periwinkle, which inhabit estuarine ecosystems, are known to bioaccumulate large quantities of contaminants.Objectives.In view of the widespread consumption of periwinkle in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, this study was designed to assess the concentration and potential human health hazards of heavy metals due to the consumption of this rich, inexpensive and readily available source of protein in Calabar, Nigeria.Methods.Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) content of edible tissues of periwinkles obtained from major markets in Calabar were determined using Shimadzu atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Model AA-6800, Japan) after wet digestion.Results.The ranges of concentration (mg/kg dry weight) were Pb (0.011–0.056), Cd (0.008–0.032), Cr (0.014–0.157) and Ni (0.053–0.261) for Watt Market and Pb (0.009–0.052), Cd (0.011–0.032), Cr (0.012–0.052) and Ni (0.012–0.322) for Mariam Market. Concentrations of all the metals were below Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), FAO/World Health Organization (WHO) and Commission of European Communities maximum permissible limits. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of Pb and Cd were slightly higher compared to the recommended daily intake for the metals. The EDI of all metals under study were lower than the upper tolerable daily intake. The target hazard quotients (THQ) computed to estimate the human health risk posed by each metal were above the safe limits of unity, except for Cr. The hazard index (HI) for a typical adult of 60.7 kg body weight was found to be 9.7 for Watt Market and the relative contributions to the aggregated risk were 24.66%, 54.51%, 0.0001% and 20.70% for Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni, respectively. The HI for Marian Market was 10.7 and the relative contributions to the aggregated risk were 22.31%, 57.55%, 0.06% and 20.09% for Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni, respectively.Conclusions.Consumption of periwinkles purchased from major markets in Calabar poses toxicological risk with respect to Pb, Cd and Ni poisoning.Competing interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Content of toxic metals and As in marine and freshwater fish species available for sale in EU supermarkets and health risk associated with its consumption.

The present study investigated Pb, Cd and As concentrations in canned tuna, tuna steak, rainbow trout, smoked mackerel, and Baltic and Atlantic cod, as well as Atlantic salmon. The aim was to spot check the quality of the most commonly purchased types of fish that are available for sale in most common supermarket chains throughout the Poland, as well as to determine potentially less contaminated sources of fish available for retail. A dry ashing digestion protocol followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis was employed to achieve a better recover of heavy metals and As from fish muscle tissues. The cumulative concentration of metals and As in fish muscle tissue decreases in order: farmed Atlantic salmon > mackerel > Baltic cod > rainbow trout > canned tuna fish > Atlantic cod > yellowfin tuna steak. It was found that canned tuna from Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean were more contaminated than tuna from East and West Indian Ocean, Baltic cod was significantly more contaminated than cod from North-East Atlantic. Smoked mackerel from North-East Pacific Ocean is three times more contaminated than mackerel from Northern North Sea. All fish, except for yellowfin tuna steak, should not be intended for retail because they exceed maximum levels for Cd and Pb. Consuming only one serving (140 g) of Baltic cod exposes one to 51% of the daily acceptable Cd intake, while the same portion of canned tuna and smoked mackerel from the Pacific Ocean deliver 69% and 72% of this element respectively. The most cadmium is consumed with smoked mackerel from the North Sea, comprising as much as 162% of the daily acceptable dosage . © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Proinflammatory effects of environmental cadmium boost resistance to opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus: Implications for sustained low-level pulmonary inflammation?

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most toxic environmental heavy metals to which the general population is exposed mainly via the oral route. Owing to its immunomodulatory potential, orally acquired Cd affects antimicrobial immune defense in several organs, including the lungs. While there are data concerning Cd and viral and bacterial pulmonary infections, effects on fungal infections are not studied yet. In the present study, the effect of the Cd (5 mg/L for 30 days, in drinking water, the average daily Cd intake 0.641 ± 0.089 mg/kg) on the immune response of rats to pulmonary A. fumigatus infection was examined. Data obtained showed that orally acquired cadmium does not affect the elimination of the fungus in immunocompetent rats owing to the preservation of some aspects of innate immune responses (lung leukocyte infiltration and NBT reduction) and an increase in other (increased numbers of mucus-producing goblet cells, MPO release). Cd does not affect an IFN-γ response in lung leukocytes during the infection (despite suppression of cytokine production in cells of lung-draining lymph nodes), while it stimulates IL-17 and suppresses IL-10 response to the fungus. As a result, the elimination of the fungus occurs in a milieu with the prevailing proinflammatory response in Cd-exposed animals that preserved fungal elimination from the lungs, though with more intense injury to the lung tissue. Therefore, the proinflammatory microenvironment in the lungs created by Cd that sustains inflammatory/immune response to the fungus to which humans are exposed for a lifetime, raises a concern of orally acquired Cd as a risk factor for the development of chronic low-grade pulmonary inflammation.

Rice cultivars significantly mitigate cadmium accumulation in grains and its bioaccessibility and toxicity in human HL-7702cells.

Excessive Cd accumulation in cereals, especially in high-consumption staple crops, such as rice, is of major concern. Therefore, elucidation of cultivar-specific variation in rice grain Cd bioaccessibility and toxicity in humans would help the development of remedial strategies for Cd accumulation and toxicity. The present study combined an invitro gastrointestinal digestion model with a human HL-7702cell and assessed Cd bioaccessibility and toxicity to humans from the grains of 30 rice cultivars of different types harvested from Cd-contaminated paddy soil. The mean grain Cd content of cultivars within the type exceeded acceptable national standards. Cadmium bioaccessibility was high in all grains (9.08-23.6%) except the low accumulator (LA) rice cultivar (7.93%). The mean estimated daily intake of Cd via the cultivars (except LA) exceeded the FAO/WHO permissible limit based not only on the total grain Cd concentration but also on bioaccessible Cd concentration. A dose-proportional correlation between the invitro bioaccessible and total grain Cd concentrations was observed, suggesting that Cd bioaccessibility accurately reflects the transfer of Cd from rice grain to humans. Toxicity assay results demonstrated that Cd from rice grains could commence oxidative stress and injury in HL-7702cells, except the LA rice, which did not exhibit significant alteration in HL-7702cells owing to its low Cd concentration. These results provide primary evidence to suggest that the cultivation of the LA rice cultivar is an effective agronomic approach to avert Cd entry into the food chain and alleviate Cd toxicity in humans.

Assessment of trace metal contamination in surficial fine-grained sediments and mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis from Safi areas in the northwestern Atlantic coast of Morocco

During the spring season, trace metal concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) were investigated in surficial fine-grained sediments and the blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. The study was conducted on the Atlantic coast of Morocco at two selected points along Safi shores, a supposed clean station and a recognized metal-contaminated one. The main objectives were to assess the pollution status of these two stations and to highlight the environmental and human risks associated with metal contamination. The bioavailability and the bioaccumulation of the selected metals, several physiological and biometric parameters of mussels were assessed at both sampling stations. As expected, the station located near industry plants showed the highest metal concentrations in the two compartments and was associated with lower values in the physiological and biometric indices. At the mussel scale, inter-station and inter-tissue variations in metal concentrations were observed showing a preferential accumulation within the digestive gland. Besides, strong reliable negative relations of Cd and Cu concentrations were obtained with physiological indices. Surprisingly, a significant occurrence of both selected metals was recorded at the location assumed as a reference station. Therefore, the hypothesis that this station presumed to be clean and currently used as a control station must be reconsidered. As for the risk for the consumer, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of Cd and Cu indicated a potential health risk through mussel consumption since the EDI values were markedly above the international guidelines and threshold levels for human consumption. Finally, our data were compared to those previously obtained along the Safi coastline (NW Morocco) and other geographical regions, including the Mediterranean and western Atlantic areas within the temperate zone.

Cadmium dietary intake and blood levels in early childhood

Background: Low level cadmium (Cd) exposure during childhood is common and may contribute to poorer children’s health. Diet is the main source of Cd exposure in this population, however information on dietary Cd intake in children is limited. The aim of this study was to estimate the dietary Cd (DCd) intake from 1 to 6 years of age and its association with blood Cd levels (BCd).Methods: Diet was assessed longitudinally in children from the Programming Research in Obesity GRowth Environment and Social Stressors (PROGRESS) cohort in Mexico City, using a semi-quantitative food frequency past week questionnaire (FFQ) at 1 (n=558), 2 (n=452), 4 (n=593) and 6 (n=595) years of age. DCd was estimated using food composition tables from the US, European Food Safety Authority, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada and 5 food items from Mexico. Cd levels from the reports were averaged and standardized to mg/kg. We matched reported levels with the FFQ and estimated the individual DCd in grams at each time point. BCd was analyzed using ICP-QQQ. We modeled 4 year-old BCd and the arithmetic mean of 1, 2 and 4 year old DCd in tertiles, adjusted for child’s sex, age, BMI z-score and environmental tobacco exposure.Results: The mean weekly DCd intake was 0.0033±0.0027g, 0.0042±0.0024g, 0.0058±0.0029g and 0.0066±0.0029g at 1, 2, 4 and 6 years old respectively. The most Cd-containing consumed food items changed across age of assessment, however milk, sweets, potatoes, rice and bread were consistently identified Cd sources in all stages. Compared to the 1st tertile, DCd 2nd tertile was associated with increased BCd and DCd 3rd tertile with decreased BCd. Conclusion: Our results show that children’s Cd consumption increases with age and suggest a non-linear association between diet and blood Cd. Future studies will assess the relationship between DCd and children’s renal health.

Trace metals contamination potential and health risk assessment of commonly consumed fish of Perak River, Malaysia.

The rapid growth of industrial and agricultural activities in Malaysia are leading to the impairment of most of the rivers in recent years through realising various trace metals. This leads to toxicity, particularly when the toxic has entered the food chain. Perak River is one of the most dynamic rivers for the Malaysian population. Therefore, in consideration of the safety issue, this study was conducted to assess the concentration of such metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Pb) in the muscles of most widely consumed fish species (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii, Puntius bulum, Puntius daruphani, Hexanematichthys sagor, Channa striatus, Mystacoleucus marginatus, and Devario regina) from different locations of Perak River, Malaysia by employing inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Among the trace metals, Fe and Cd were found to be the highest (29.33–148.01 μg/g) and lowest (0.16–0.49 μg/g) concentration in all of the studied species, respectively. Although the estimated daily intakes (μg/kg/day) of Cd (0.65–0.85), Fe (79.27–352.00) and Pb (0.95–12.17) were higher than their reference, the total target hazard quotients values suggested that the local residents would not experience any adverse health effects from its consumption. In contrast, the target cancer risk value suggested that all fish species posed a potential cancer risk due to Cd and cumulative cancer risk values, strongly implying that continuous consumption of studied fish species would cause cancer development to its consumers.

Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Cadmium and Arsenic in Japanese, Vietnamese, and Indonesian Rice

Herein, we quantified the concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in 63 milled rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivated in Japan, Vietnam, and Indonesia. We estimated the daily intake of Cd and As by adults and children consuming this rice by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Cd and As were detected in all milled rice samples. No significant differences were observed in Cd concentrations between Japanese (50th percentile concentration: 0.036 mg/kg), Vietnamese (0.035 mg/kg), and Indonesian rice (0.022 mg/kg). However, As concentrations in Vietnamese rice (50th percentile concentration: 0.142 mg/kg) were significantly higher than those in Japanese (0.101 mg/kg, p<0.001) and Indonesian rice (0.038 mg/kg, p<0.0001). Target hazard quotients (THQs) were then calculated to evaluate the non-carcinogenic health risk from ingestion of individual heavy metals (Cd and As) by rice consumption. Results revealed that THQs of individual heavy metals for Japanese, Vietnamese, and Indonesian adults and children consuming this rice were all less than one, suggesting that no health risk is associated with the intake of a single heavy metal via rice consumption.

Cadmium and Lead Exposure, Nephrotoxicity, and Mortality.

The present review aims to provide an update on health risks associated with the low-to-moderate levels of environmental cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) to which most populations are exposed. Epidemiological studies examining the adverse effects of coexposure to Cd and Pb have shown that Pb may enhance the nephrotoxicity of Cd and vice versa. Herein, the existing tolerable intake levels of Cd and Pb are discussed together with the conventional urinary Cd threshold limit of 5.24 μg/g creatinine. Dietary sources of Cd and Pb and the intake levels reported for average consumers in the U.S., Spain, Korea, Germany and China are summarized. The utility of urine, whole blood, plasma/serum, and erythrocytes to quantify exposure levels of Cd and Pb are discussed. Epidemiological studies that linked one of these measurements to risks of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and mortality from common ailments are reviewed. A Cd intake level of 23.2 μg/day, which is less than half the safe intake stated by the guidelines, may increase the risk of CKD by 73%, and urinary Cd levels one-tenth of the threshold limit, defined by excessive ß2-microglobulin excretion, were associated with increased risk of CKD, mortality from heart disease, cancer of any site and Alzheimer’s disease. These findings indicate that the current tolerable intake of Cd and the conventional urinary Cd threshold limit do not provide adequate health protection. Any excessive Cd excretion is probably indicative of tubular injury. In light of the evolving realization of the interaction between Cd and Pb, actions to minimize environmental exposure to these toxic metals are imperative.

Toxic Metals (Al, Cd, Pb) and Trace Element (B, Ba, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Sr, V, Zn) Levels in Sarpa Salpa from the North-Eastern Atlantic Ocean Region.

Sarpa salpa is a fish belonging to the Sparidae family and is usually found in local markets. Toxic metals such as aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and trace elements such as boron (B), barium (Ba), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lithium (Li), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), strontium (Sr), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) are incorporated into fish tissues and remain there. The liver has the highest concentrations of all the analyzed toxic metals and almost all the analyzed trace elements. The consumption of 100 g/day of S. salpa muscle tissue does not pose a health risk. However, 100 g/day of liver consumption may pose a serious health risk due to the intake of Cd (572% of the tolerable weekly intake for adults with a body weight of 68.48 kg) and Pb (117% of the tolerable daily intake for adults weighing 68.48 kg). The consumption of liver of this species is not recommended due to its possible harmful effects on health.