Chronic Hazard Research Articles

Dietary risk assessment of pesticide residues on Tremella fuciformis Berk (snow fungus) from Fujian Province of China

ABSTRACT To assess the dietary exposure risks of pesticide residues in snow fungus for the general population and young children, 91 snow fungus samples were collected from major production areas in Fujian Province, China and the presence of 44 pesticides was determined. A total of thirteen pesticides were detected; 65.9% of the samples contained one or more pesticide residues. The most frequently found pesticide was carbofuran, followed by acetamiprid and then imidacloprid. Data obtained were used for chronic, acute, and chronic cumulative dietary exposure risk assessments. The chronic hazard quotient (cHQ) was extremely low for both the general population and young children. The %ADI values of cumulative dietary exposures to organophosphorus pesticides and carbamates ranged from 0.53% to 1.49%, and did not exceed their corresponding ADIs. However, the acute dietary risks from all 13 pesticides, especially carbofuran and methamidophos, were of concern due to the relatively high acute hazard quotient. The risk ranking scheme showed that carbofuran could pose a high risk to snow fungus consumers. Finally, suggestions are made about the potential use in snow fungus cultivation of the pesticides with detected residues.

Health Risk Assessment of Dermal Exposure to Heavy Metals Content of Chemical Hair Dyes

Contamination of hair dyes to heavy metals can threaten consumer's health. We investigated the concentrations of some important heavy metals in hair dyes and evaluates their non-carcinogenic effects. The most commonly used hair dyes were determined through questioners and 32 samples were collected from the market of Tehran in 2014. The concentration of 10 heavy metals (Fe, Ag, Co, Cr, Mn, Ba, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Al) was determined using ICP-MS. Based on the obtained data from distributed questionnaires and Monte Carlo simulation, the exposure to the evaluated heavy metals was estimated. Besides, using hazard quotient (HQ) and chronic hazard (HI), the risk of non-carcinogenic effects of investigated hair dyes consumption was specified. Results indicated the average concentrations of Al, Ba, and Fe as 0.54, 0.86, and 1.19 mg kg-1 and those of Cd, Cu, and Pb as 0.45, 61.32, and 185.34 μg kg-1, respectively. Pb with HQ of 7.46e-4 had the highest risk and Fe with HQ of 3.4e-6 had the lowest level of risk. Among the investigated dyes, the ones made by Iran (HI=2.8e-4) and the dark brown color (HI=1.93e-4) had the highest level of risk among all the studied samples. Two indices of HI and HQ showed that heavy metal contents in the investigated samples had not probable non-carcinogenic risks for the consumers of these products.

Evaluating potential human health risks from modeled inhalation exposures to volatile organic compounds emitted from oil and gas operations

ABSTRACTSome states and localities restrict siting of new oil and gas (O&G) wells relative to public areas. Colorado includes a 500-foot exception zone for building units, but it is unclear if that sufficiently protects public health from air emissions from O&G operations. To support reviews of setback requirements, this research examines potential health risks from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during O&G operations.We used stochastic dispersion modeling with published emissions for 47 VOCs (collected on-site during tracer experiments) to estimate outdoor air concentrations within 2,000 feet of hypothetical individual O&G facilities in Colorado. We estimated distributions of incremental acute, subchronic, and chronic inhalation non-cancer hazard quotients (HQs) and hazard indices (HIs), and inhalation lifetime cancer risks for benzene, by coupling modeled concentrations with microenvironmental penetration factors, human-activity diaries, and health-criteria levels.Estimated exposures to most VOCs were below health criteria at 500–2,000 feet. HQs were < 1 for 43 VOCs at 500 feet from facilities, with lowest values for chronic exposures during O&G production. Hazard estimates were highest for acute exposures during O&G development, with maximum acute HQs and HIs > 1 at most distances from facilities, particularly for exposures to benzene, 2- and 3-ethyltoluene, and toluene, and for hematological, neurotoxicity, and respiratory effects. Maximum acute HQs and HIs were > 10 for highest-exposed individuals 500 feet from eight of nine modeled facilities during O&G development (and 2,000 feet from one facility during O&G flowback); hematologic toxicity associated with benzene exposure was the critical toxic effect. Estimated cancer risks from benzene exposure were < 1.0 × 10−5 at 500 feet and beyond.Implications: Our stochastic use of emissions data from O&G facilities, along with activity-pattern exposure modeling, provides new information on potential public-health impacts due to emissions from O&G operations. The results will help in evaluating the adequacy of O&G setback distances. For an assessment of human-health risks from exposures to air emissions near individual O&G sites, we have utilized a unique dataset of tracer-derived emissions of VOCs detected at such sites in two regions of intense oil-and-gas development in Colorado. We have coupled these emission stochastically with local meteorological data and population and time-activity data to estimate the potential for acute, subchronic, and chronic exposures above health-criteria levels due to air emissions near individual sites. These results, along with other pertinent health and exposure data, can be used to inform setback distances to protect public health.

Multicenter biomonitoring of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in colostrum from China: Body burden profile and risk assessment

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were listed in the Stockholm Convention due to their persistent and toxic nature. In utero exposure to PBDEs might affect fetal development as it is sensitive when exposed to even low dose of xenobiotic substances during the pregnancy. In this study, a multi-centre human biomonitoring study of tri-to hexa-BDEs was conducted in three Chinese cities using 60 colostrum samples from local residents. The patterns and influencing factors, correlation with the birth outcome, and potential health risks during the breastfeeding of tri-to hexa-BDEs in the colostrum samples were assessed. The median concentration of tri-to hexa-BDEs was 9.1 (Interquartile range: 3.1–19.5) ng g−1 lipid weight, and BDE-153 contributed 68% of the detected PBDEs. The PBDE levels were mostly associated with maternal age and drinking water sources, while correlations with other factors including weight gain, BMI, parity and the number of aborted pregnancies was not significant. The level of BDE-28 was positively correlated with the birth weight, while the BDE-99 was positively correlated with the head circumference, using multilinear regression. For the total hazard quotients, 60% of the infants have an estimated value higher than 1, showed potential chronic hazard for future development and possible adverse health effects to the babies from the exposure to PBDE congeners. Alternative food source seems to have a lower risk for neonates than the colostrum, but the advantages of breastfeeding undoubtedly outweigh the risks and potential adverse health effects caused by environmental PBDEs and other xenobiotic chemical exposure.

Method Development for Determining the Removal of Metals from the Water Column under Transformation/Dissolution Conditions for Chronic Hazard Classification.

An extension of the transformation/dissolution protocol (T/DP) was developed and evaluated as a tool to measure the removal of metals from the water column for chronic aquatic hazard classification. The T/DP extension (T/DP-E) consists of 2 parts: T/DP-E part 1, to measure metal removal from the water column via binding of metals to a substrate and subsequent settling, and T/DP-E part 2, to assess the potential for remobilization of metals following resuspension. The T/DP-E methodology (672-h [28-d] removal period, 1-h resuspension event, and 96-h resettling period) was tested using Cu, Co, and Sr solutions in the presence of a substrate. The metal removal rates varied from rapid removal for Cu to slower rates of removal for Co and Sr. The resuspension event did not trigger any increase in dissolved Cu, Co, or Sr. Additional 96-h experiments were conducted using dissolved Ni, Pb, Zn, and Ag and supported the conclusion that the T/DP-E is sufficiently robust to distinguish removal rates between metals with a wide range of reactivities. The proposed method provides a means to quantify the rate of metal removal from the water column and evaluate remobilization potential in a standardized and reliable way. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2032-2042. © 2019 SETAC.

Assessment of groundwater quality, toxicity and health risk in an industrial area using multivariate statistical methods

BackgroundThis study investigates the common and anthropogenic activities that impact the science of groundwater in and around an industrial zone and exhibits the utilization of multivariate statistical methods for groundwater quality, toxicity and health risk associated with contaminated industrial sites for proficient administration of water assets. A total of 120 groundwater samples were collected during summer and winter season, and analyzed for their twenty physicochemical constituents including seven toxic heavy metals (pH, EC, total dissolved solids (TDS), F, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cl, CO3, HCO3, NO3, SO4, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn). Data obtained was treated using principal component analysis (PCA)/factor analysis (FA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), Correlation coefficient and health risk analysis to find the common pollution source.ResultsThe results for mean abundance during two seasons for cations and anions were 7 and 6.9 for pH; 1875 and 1527 for TDS; 3 and 3.3 (µs/cm) for EC; 655 and 569 for Ca2+; 59 and 56 for Mg2+; 340 and 211 for Na+; 5 and 4 mg/L for K+; 148 and 126 for CO32− 301 and 228 for HCO3−; 289 and 223 for Cl− 0.5 and 0.85 for F−; 99 and 86 for SO42− 28 and 23 mg/L for NO3−. While for heavy metals 18 and 4 for As; 2 and 0.4 for Cd; 29 and 5 for Cr; 17 and 4 for Cu; 25 and 6 for Ni; 82 and 3 for Pb; 953 and 989 µg/L for Zn, respectively. FA identified six dominant factors for each during summer and winter seasons that explained 70.43% and 71.06% of the variance in the dataset. Health risk assessment of chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) during both seasons were in the order Ca > Na > HCO3 > Cl > CO3 > SO4 > Mg > NO3 > K > F and was as well computed.ConclusionThe significant reasons for water quality degrading in the study area were associated with various natural and anthropogenic sources and their unsystematic apportionment, show that proper land uses, industrial planning, design some remedial techniques and implementation of existing laws to have active groundwater resource management.

Indoor and Outdoor Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds and Health Risk Assessment in Residents Living near an Optoelectronics Industrial Park

This study aimed to determine indoor and outdoor levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and to assess potential risks among residents living in the vicinity of an optoelectronics industrial park in 2006–2007. We used steel canisters to collect 72 indoor samples and 80 outdoor samples over 24 h. Gas chromatography with a mass-selective detector was used for qualitative and quantitative analyses. The amounts of time residents spent doing activities in different microenvironments were determined by the self-administered questionnaire. The chronic hazard index (HIc) and cancer risk were applied to assess the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of VOCs among residents. Four VOCs of ethanol (indoor: 77.8 ± 92.8 μg/m3; outdoor: 26.8 ± 49.6 μg/m3), toluene (67.0 ± 36.7 μg/m3; 56.9 ± 19.0 μg/m3), m/p-xylene (50.8 ± 66.1 μg/m3; 21.2 ± 20.3 μg/m3), and acetone (37.7 ± 27.5 μg/m3; 25.8 ± 9.8 μg/m3) were identified as dominant components in both the indoor and outdoor environments. Total VOCs and six VOCs of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m/p-xylene, o-xylene, and ethanol in indoor sites were significantly higher than those in outdoor sites (all p-values &lt; 0.05). All estimated HIc values were less than unity and the cancer risk of benzene exposure was 1.8 × 10−4 (range: 9.3 × 10−5 to 3.4 × 10−4) based on resident time-weighted patterns. Strategies to reduce benzene exposure should be implemented to protect public health.

An approach to identifying the relative importance of different radionuclides in ecological radiological risk assessment: Application to nuclear power plant releases

There is a need to prioritise the requirements for data to assess the radiological risk for fauna and flora, as inevitable large data gaps occur due to the large number of combinations of radionuclides and organisms for which doses need to be assessed. The potentially most important dose-forming radionuclide-pathways combinations need to be identified to optimize filling these gaps. Few attempts have been made to classify the importance of isotopes with regard to radiation protection of the environment. A hierarchical approach is described here for radionuclides that are potentially present in generic ecosystems (freshwater, marine or terrestrial) and is applied for scenarios considering ecologically relevant chronic exposure. In each ecosystem, the top ten radionuclides that may contribute to doses were identified using a qualitative Chronic Hazard Index. Including quantitative aspects by incorporating discharge quantities changed the priority list, and increased the relative importance of radionuclides contributing most to the authorized releases of nuclear facilities (14C and 3H followed by 60C). The potentially most important dose-contributing radionuclides in the framework of environmental radiation protection under a chronic exposure situation included isotopes of about 20 elements. The five most important in order of decreasing importance were: carbon, hydrogen, caesium, cobalt and americium. Consideration of acute exposure situations was hampered by data gaps that were even greater than that for chronic exposure situations, so it was only possible to consider the feasibility of developing a consistent approach.

Investigation of the primary plasticisers present in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products currently authorised as food contact materials

ABSTRACTPVC is a common food contact material that is usually plasticised to increase its flexibility. Phthalates are one class of chemical compounds that are often used as plasticisers in PVC in a wide range of industries. They may be used in packaging materials for foods and can also be found in components of certain food processing equipment such as conveyor belts and tubing. Transfer of plasticisers from packaging to foods can occur. In recent years, there has been increased interest in understanding the health effects of phthalates, as well as the possible human exposure levels. However, there is limited information available about the routes of exposure to phthalates. In July 2014, the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) produced a report for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission detailing the potential health hazards of phthalates and phthalate alternatives. This report listed diet as one factor contributing greater than or equal to 10% of total phthalate exposure. As a result of this report, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is interested in determining the types of the primary plasticiser present in food packaging and processing materials as well as their concentrations. An investigation was conducted of 56 different samples of PVC food packaging and food processing materials available in the US market using a solvent extraction and GC-MS analysis. Nine different plasticisers including three phthalates, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate and diisodecyl phthalate, were identified in the products tested. The plasticiser concentrations ranged from 1 to 53% depending on the types of food contact materials and the type of plasticiser. Overall, it appears that manufacturers are switching away from phthalates as their primary plasticiser to alternate compounds such as ESBO, ATBC, DEHT, DINCH, DEHA and DINA.

Major Chemical Carcinogens in Drinking Water Sources: Health Implications Due to Illegal Gold Mining Activities in Zamfara State-Nigeria

The study aimed at quantifying the levels of three major chemical carcinogens (MCCs): Pb, Cd, and Cr in wells, boreholes, and river water sources using HRCS AAS of Bagega, Sunke, and Dareta villages of Zamfara State, Nigeria; estimating daily MCC intake; and determining the cancer and non-cancer risks associated with MCC exposure. In total, 202 water samples were collected from the three villages and their MCC contents measured. The levels of Pb in the three Wells in Sunke ranged between 21 ± 9.8 and 326 ± 13.1 mg/L. The highest concentrations of Cd and Cr of 15 ± 7.1 and 96 ± 9.7 mg/L, respectively, were obtained in the affected area in Sunke village. A high incremental lifetime cancer risk of 1.59 × 103 for children due to Cd was obtained in Bagega village. The computed average Chronic hazard index (CHI) values for adults and children were 2.81 × 106 and 2.32 × 106, respectively, in drinking water from the river in Bagega village followed by an average values of 1.62 × 106 and 1.35 × 106 in drinking water from boreholes in Sunke village. The target hazard quotients and the CHI values were far greater than 1 indicating a high risk of adverse health outcomes.

Improving substance information in USEtox® , part 1: Discussion on data and approaches for estimating freshwater ecotoxicity effect factors.

The scientific consensus model USEtox® is recommended by the European Commission as the reference model to characterize life cycle chemical emissions in terms of their potential human toxicity and freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity impacts in the context of the International Reference Life Cycle Data System Handbook and the Environmental Footprint pilot phase looking at products (PEF) and organizations (OEF). Consequently, this model has been systematically used within the PEF/OEF pilot phase by 25 European Union industry sectors, which manufacture a wide variety of consumer products. This testing phase has raised some questions regarding the derivation of and the data used for the chemical-specific freshwater ecotoxicity effect factor in USEtox. For calculating the potential freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity impacts, USEtox bases the effect factor on the chronic hazard concentration (HC50) value for a chemical calculated as the arithmetic mean of all logarithmized geometric means of species-specific chronic median lethal (or effect) concentrations (L[E]C50). We investigated the dependency of the USEtox effect factor on the selection of ecotoxicological data source and toxicological endpoints, and we found that both influence the ecotoxicity ranking of chemicals and may hence influence the conclusions of a PEF/OEF study. We furthermore compared the average measure (HC50) with other types of ecotoxicity effect indicators, such as the lowest species EC50 or no-observable-effect concentration, frequently used in regulatory risk assessment, and demonstrated how they may also influence the ecotoxicity ranking of chemicals. We acknowledge that these indicators represent different aspects of a chemical's ecotoxicity potential and discuss their pros and cons for a comparative chemical assessment as performed in life cycle assessment and in particular within the PEF/OEF context. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3450-3462. © 2017 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.

An assessment of agricultural pesticide use in Iran, 2012-2014

BackgroundThis is the first published assessment on agricultural pesticide use in Iran with the aim to identify pesticide products with a potential of causing acute or chronic hazard to human health. It also establishes a baseline for future comparisons and for trend assessments.MethodsThe amounts of imported technical materials for formulation by local manufacturers as well as imported final product formulations were extracted from the registration data of the Plant Protection Organization of Iran in 2012–2014. The hazard indicators used were acute oral toxicity and chronic toxicity. For the latter, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and adverse effects on reproduction or development (CMR toxicity), and low Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) were used. The comparative potential of the active ingredients of concern in terms of chronic toxicity was assessed using the average annual volume of their estimated use divided by their respective ADI, called chronic hazard potential (CHP) in the present text. The contribution of individual pesticides in different use categories to the total CHP of the user category, was also calculated, using the average annual volume of the active ingredients of all pesticides used during the period 2012-2014.ResultsOn average about 14,000 tonnes of agriculture pesticides, expressed in active ingredients (AI), were annually used in Iran. Herbicides constituted the largest volume (43%), followed by insecticides and acaricides (37%) and fungicides (19%). 0.1% and 47% of the formulated products met the criteria of WHO Class Ib (highly hazardous) and Class II (moderately hazardous) products respectively. Aluminium phosphide and magnesium phosphide were identified as products of primary concern and chlorpyrifos, diazinon and paraquat as products of secondary concern, in terms of their acute human health hazard. No compound in carcinogenicity category 1A or 1B or germ cell mutagenicity/reproduction toxicity category 1A was identified. Six compounds (diazinon, chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, metam sodium, paraquat and dimethoate) were identified as products with chronic hazard potential based on a low ADI.ConclusionsThe assessment identified and prioritized agriculture pesticide used in Iran in terms of their acute and chronic hazard to human health for re-registration scheme recently established by PPO and for risk mitigation. It also set priority for research into development of alternative products and practices to minimize pesticide risks. Chronic hazard potential - amount of use adjusted with toxicity may serve as a useful point of reference for trend analysis also in the use of less hazardous agricultural pesticide products.

A re-evaluation of PETROTOX for predicting acute and chronic toxicity of petroleum substances.

The PETROTOX model was developed to perform aquatic hazard assessment of petroleum substances based on substance composition. The model relies on the hydrocarbon block method, which is widely used for conducting petroleum substance risk assessments providing further justification for evaluating model performance. Previous work described this model and provided a preliminary calibration and validation using acute toxicity data for limited petroleum substance. The objective of the present study was to re-evaluate PETROTOX using expanded data covering both acute and chronic toxicity endpoints on invertebrates, algae, and fish for a wider range of petroleum substances. The results indicated that recalibration of 2 model parameters was required, namely, the algal critical target lipid body burden and the log octanol-water partition coefficient (KOW ) limit, used to account for reduced bioavailability of hydrophobic constituents. Acute predictions from the updated model were compared with observed toxicity data and found to generally be within a factor of 3 for algae and invertebrates but overestimated fish toxicity. Chronic predictions were generally within a factor of 5 of empirical data. Furthermore, PETROTOX predicted acute and chronic hazard classifications that were consistent or conservative in 93 and 84% of comparisons, respectively. The PETROTOX model is considered suitable for the purpose of characterizing petroleum substance hazard in substance classification and risk assessments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2245-2252. © 2017 SETAC.

Ecological and human health risks associated with abandoned gold mine tailings contaminated soil.

Gold mining is a major source of metal and metalloid emissions into the environment. Studies were carried out in Krugersdorp, South Africa, to evaluate the ecological and human health risks associated with exposure to metals and metalloids in mine tailings contaminated soils. Concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) in soil samples from the area varied with the highest contamination factors (expressed as ratio of metal or metalloid concentration in the tailings contaminated soil to that of the control site) observed for As (3.5x102), Co (2.8x102) and Ni (1.1x102). Potential ecological risk index values for metals and metalloids determined from soil metal and metalloid concentrations and their respective risk factors were correspondingly highest for As (3.5x103) and Co (1.4x103), whereas Mn (0.6) presented the lowest ecological risk. Human health risk was assessed using Hazard Quotient (HQ), Chronic Hazard Index (CHI) and carcinogenic risk levels, where values of HQ > 1, CHI > 1 and carcinogenic risk values > 1×10−4 represent elevated risks. Values for HQ indicated high exposure-related risk for As (53.7), Cr (14.8), Ni (2.2), Zn (2.64) and Mn (1.67). Children were more at risk from heavy metal and metalloid exposure than adults. Cancer-related risks associated with metal and metalloid exposure among children were also higher than in adults with cancer risk values of 3×10−2 and 4×10−2 for As and Ni respectively among children, and 5×10−3 and 4×10−3 for As and Ni respectively among adults. There is significant potential ecological and human health risk associated with metal and metalloid exposure from contaminated soils around gold mine tailings dumps. This could be a potential contributing factor to a setback in the health of residents in informal settlements dominating this mining area as the immune systems of some of these residents are already compromised by high HIV prevalence.

Assessing Carcinogenic and other Health Risks Associated with Consuming a Food Fish, Labeo pseudocoubie, from the Niger-Benue/Imo River Systems, Nigeria

Carcinogenic and other health risks associated with consuming a food fish, Labeo pseudocoubie from the Niger- Benue/Imo River systems was assessed using bioaccumulation of poisonous metals and health indices. Three hundred fish samples of Labeo pseudocoubie were collected from five stations along the Niger-Benue/Imo River Systems of Nigeria to investigate the bioaccumulation of metal, non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic human health risks. The metal concentrations (As, Pb, Cd, Ni, Zn, Hg, Ba, Fe, V, Cu and Cr) were analyzed using the X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometer. The non-carcinogenic (estimated daily intake, chronic daily intake and target hazard quotient) and carcinogenic human health risks were calculated for metal concentrations in the fish. The data revealed that the mean bioaccumulation for five (5) metals in L. pseudocoubie from most stations were higher than the permissible limits. The non-carcinogenic human health risk revealed that majority of the metals had values above the daily reference dose for both males and females; while the target hazard quotient revealed that very few metals (3) had concentrations above the level at which obvious health impact may be observed. Furthermore, the carcinogenic human health assessment revealed that nickel and arsenic in all stations, except for arsenic in Station 3, were above the range for relatively negligible cancer risk for both males and females. It is therefore recommended that fish consumers along the Niger- Benue/Imo River Systems should exercise serious caution when consuming fish in these areas due to the possible adverse effects that could ensue.

Flubendiamide: Residues and Risk Assessment in Tomato Solanum lycopersicum

Flubendiamide belongs to a new chemical class, the phthalic acid diamides, widely used on tomato in India for the management of fruit borers. Flubendiamide is registered for use in India on tomato, but Maximum Residue Limits are not available as per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. A research project was taken to study the dissipation pattern of flubendiamide on tomato cv. Nirupama in both open fields and poly-houses, when applied twice @ 48 g a.i. ha−1, first spray was given 50 days after planting (fruit initiation) followed by the second spray at 10 days interval as per the farmers practice. Flubendiamide residues were quantified through regular sampling till the residues are below the determination level (BDL) of 0.05 mg kg−1 following the validated QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of flubendiamide were performed on HPLC-PDA and LC-MS/MS. Initial deposits of 1.23 mg kg−1 were detected in the tomato samples collected from poly-house, which dissipated to BDL at the 10th day with half-life of 6.18 days. In open fields, deposits of 0.90 mg kg−1dissipated to BDL at the 7th day with half-life of 6.07 days, and indicated that dissipation was slow in poly-house when compared to the open fields due to various factors. MRL of 3 mg kg−1in polyhouse tomato and 2 mg kg−1 in open field tomato is recommended based on the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) calculator and chronic hazard exposure assessment taking into consideration of average body weight, national per capita tomato consumption and acceptable daily intake (ADI) of flubendiamide. Among the various decontamination methods tested, veggy wash was found very effective in removing flubendiamide residues to the extent of 65.39% which can be recommended as risk mitigation method for food safety, followed by 4%acetic acid solution (61.63%) and tap water wash was least effective (17.71%) in removing flubendiamide residues from tomato.

Multilocation field trials for risk assessment of a combination fungicide Fluopicolide + Propamocarb in tomato.

Dissipation kinetics of two systemic fungicides, namely fluopicolide and propamocarb used as a combination formulation (Infinito 68.75 SC), were studied on tomato at four different locations by the All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues to recommend their pre-harvest interval (PHI) and to propose the maximum residue limits (MRL) for the two fungicides based on chronic hazard exposure assessment. The combination fungicide was sprayed thrice at the recommended dosage of 93.75g a.i./ha fluopicolide and 937.50g a.i./ha propamocarb as well as at double the recommended dosage of 187.50g a.i./ha fluopicolide and 1875.0g a.i./ha propamocarb on tomato crops and the residues were monitored periodically by GC-MS. The fungicides dissipated to below the limit of quantification (LOQ) within 10 to 15days, with a half-life of 2-4days for fluopicolide and 1-2days for propamocarb. Taking into consideration the MRLs of codex and calculations made using the method of MRL fixation of the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) as well as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) calculator, MRL of 5mg/kg is proposed for fluopicolide and 15mg/kg for propamocarb, following critical exposure of the commodity considering PHI of 1day.

Fate and agricultural consequences of leachable elements added to the environment from the 2011 Cordón Caulle tephra fall

The June 2011 eruption of Cordón Caulle volcano, Chile, dispersed tephra over ~350,000km2, including productive agricultural land. This resulted in the death of nearly one million livestock. Two distinct environments were affected: a proximal temperate Andean setting, and the semi-arid Argentine steppe farther from the volcano. The purpose of this study was to better understand the fate and agricultural consequences of leachable elements added to the environment by this large silicic tephra fall. Tephra, soil and surface water samples across the depositional area were collected both immediately after the eruption (tephra and water) and nine months afterwards (tephra, soil and water). Tephra samples were analysed following a new hazard assessment protocol developed by the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN). Water-extractable element concentrations in freshly-collected tephra were very low to low compared to other eruptions, and showed no trends with distance from the volcano. Surface water analyses suggested short-term changes to water composition due to the release of elements from tephra. No effect on the fertility of soils underlying tephra was apparent after nine months. Water-extractable fluorine (F) in freshly-collected tephra ranged from 12 to 167mg/kg, with a median value of 67mg/kg. Based on parallels with the 11–12 October 1995 eruption of Ruapehu volcano, New Zealand, we conclude that F toxicity was a possible contributing factor to the large-scale livestock deaths as well as to chronic fluorosis widely reported in wild deer populations across the Cordón Caulle tephra depositional area. Finally, we recommend that effective response to widespread tephra fall over agricultural areas should include: (1) rapid, statistically representative field sampling of tephra, soils, surface water supplies and forage crops; (2) analysis using appropriate and reliable laboratory methods; (3) modelling both short and long-term impacts on the ecosystem, especially for elements that may generate chronic hazard; (4) timely dissemination of results to agricultural agencies; (5) longitudinal sampling and monitoring to adapt impact models; and (6) developing reliable animal fatality diagnoses through autopsies and chemical analysis.

Assessment of Health Risks Formed by Traffic-Related Air Pollution in Kyiv, Ukraine

Introduction: Consistent scientific evidence relates the occurrence of various health effects to the residential exposure to traffic emissions. This study investigated the association between the risk of development of adverse respiratory outcomes and exposure to traffic-related air pollutants in Kyiv, Ukraine. Methods: Human exposure to carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), formaldehyde and particulate matter (PM10) formed by road traffic was assessed in two districts of Kyiv city based on combination of outputs of ISC-AERMOD View dispersion model, designed LUR models and measurement campaign (2012-2014). According to health risk assessment methodology, for each pollutant noncancer risk levels were estimated as corresponding hazard quotients (HQ) for both acute and chronic exposure. Total chronic hazard was assessed as a hazard index (HI). Results: Acute exposure levels for all pollutants, except PM10, were below limit value (HQ&lt;1) indicating that risks of development of acute health effects attributed to CO, NO2, SO2, NMHCs and formaldehyde in short-term period were at minimum. HQ for PM10 was between 1,2 and 1,4 pointing out the possible increase in the incidence of respiratory disorders. It was revealed that chronic exposure to traffic emissions resulted in increased risks of respiratory effects related to NO2 (HQ from 1,0 to 2,1), NMHCs (HQ from 1,0 to 3,2) and PM10 (HQ from1,1 to 1,3) pollution. Results showed that CO, SO2 and formaldehyde concentrations posed no significant risk (HQ&lt;1). Hazard index for total chronic hazard was between 0,02 and 5,43 for the residences in close proximity to roads with intensive traffic that would lead to the up to 5 times increase in number of cases of respiratory diseases. Conclusions: This study showed that long-term traffic-related exposure was associated with increased risk of development of negative respiratory outcomes, primarily due to NO2, NMHC and PM10.

Evaluation of Toxic Metals and Their Exposure via Drinking Water of Different Origin Using Multivariate Technique: Health Risk Assessment

In the current study, we monitored the potentially toxic level of lead (Pb), aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd) and other physicochemical parameters in different types of drinking water samples of district Jamshoro. Moreover, the objective of this research was the possible risk assessment of hazardous metals level in different types of drinking water used in the local population. The concentrations of toxic metals in water samples of different origin were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry. It was observed that the levels of Al, Cd and Pb in lake and ground water elevated as compared to the WHO recommended permissible level. Concentrations of toxic metals in lake and ground water were considerably elevated (p<0.001) as compared to domestic treated water. Based on concentrations of toxic metals; chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) were calculated as factors for health risk assessment. CDI and HQ for lake and ground water revealed that water is unsafe for human activities while the domestic treated water has lower CDI and HQ values. Furthermore, it was also exposed through results obtained with cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) that geogenic as well as anthropogenic actions is the major contamination cause in understudy area.