Health Risk Estimates Research Articles

Investigation of nitrate and nitrite in commercially available infant formulas and baby foods in Iran and estimation of human health risks

Levels of harmful nitrogen-containing substances have increased in many foods and drinks around the world. The impacts of dietary nitrate and nitrite on human health have been controversial topics for many years. The present study aimed to quantify the levels of nitrate and nitrite in infant formulas and baby foods sold in Iran and to estimate non-carcinogenic human health risk from exposure to these substances. The samples were gathered randomly and subsequently analyzed to detect nitrate and nitrite via Spectrophotometry. The ranges of nitrate and nitrite in the infant formulas were 0.221–1.347 (mean 0.645) mg/kg and 0.045–0.263 (mean 0.151) mg/kg, respectively. For baby foods, the ranges of nitrate and nitrite were 0.24–1.93 (mean 0.99) mg/kg and 0.04– 1.45 (0.36) mg/kg. Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) values of nitrate and nitrite in all the samples were below the acceptable daily intake (nitrate ADI = 3.7 mg/kg bw/day and nitrite ADI = 0.07 mg/kg bw/day established by FAO/WHO), showing that levels of these contaminants in infant formulas and baby foods may not cause toxicity in the infant and baby population. None of the infant formulas and baby foods in this study showed evidences of a non-cancer risk to the consumers. However, it is suggested that levels of nitrate and nitrite in these products and their related health risks be constantly monitored to prevent significant health hazards in the future.

Electronic Cigarette-Derived Metals: Exposure and Health Risks in Vapers.

Despite the popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) among adolescent and youth never-smokers and adult smokers seeking a less harmful substitute for tobacco cigarettes, the long-term health impact of vaping is largely unknown. Biochemical, molecular, and toxicological analyses of biospecimens from e-cig users as well as assays in relevant in vitro models and in silico studies can identify chemical constituents of e-cig emissions that may contribute to the disease-causing potential of vaping. E-cig aerosol contains a wide range of toxic and carcinogenic compounds, of which metals are of particular concern. This is due to the known or suspected role of various metals in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases. Many metals and metalloids (herein referred to as "metals") have been detected in e-cig liquid (e-liquid) and aerosol and/or in cells, tissues, biofluids, or other specimens from e-cig users. Metals can contaminate the ingredients of e-liquid or corrode from the internal components of the e-cig device. Metals may also be directly aerosolized from the surface of the heating element or other parts of the device. Inhalation of e-cig metal emissions in habitual vapers and nonusers through secondary exposure may increase the body burden of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. This review summarizes the state of research on e-cig-derived metals and their contributions to the estimated health risks of vaping. Highlighting the chemical composition of e-cig liquid and aerosol, it focuses on the metal contents of the inhaled aerosol and the health risks associated with this exposure. Emphasis is placed on adolescents and youth who are vulnerable populations and bear a disproportionate burden of risk and harm from tobacco products. The gaps in knowledge, methodological challenges, and opportunities ahead are discussed. The importance of translating research findings into actionable information that can be used for the regulation of the manufacturing of tobacco products is underscored.

Annual effective dose and associated health risk estimation using gross alpha and Beta activity concentrations in bottled mineral water in Morocco.

Annual effective dose and associated health risk estimation using gross alpha and Beta activity concentrations in bottled mineral water in Morocco.

Simultaneous screening of 211 pesticide residues in date fruits in Iran and health risk assessments based on Mont Carlo simulation

In this study, 211 pesticides were analyzed simultaneously using a QuEChERS method coupled with GC–MS–MS and LC–MS–MS in 90 fresh date fruit samples produced in Kerman Province. Probabilistic estimates of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation-based hazard Quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR). The linearity of 0.015–0.30 mg kg−1 with the coefficient of determination (R2) values exceeding 0.9989 were achieved. The percentage of recoveries, limits of detection (LODs), limits of quantification (LOQs), Relative standard deviation (RSD %) and matrix effect (ME) were determined in the range of 77–119%, 0.001–0.003 mg kg−1 and 0.005–0.01 mg kg−1, ≤ 15% and − 7.5 to 14.2%, respectively. Among 90 analyzed date fruits, 9 samples (10%) contained at least one pesticide residue, whereas 5 samples (5.5%) showed pesticide residues exceeding maximum residual limit (MRL) according to the national and European Commission. The obtained HQ values for the target pesticides were as cypermethrin > imazalil > permethrind > endosulfan > Fenpropathrin. The HI values for adult and child consumers with all pesticide residues were lower than 1. The CR was less than 1.0E-6 value. Thus, there was no carcinogenic risk to the consumers of date fruits.

Comprehensive chemical profiling of roadside soil and road dust of Delhi, India: Estimation of health risk and city fuel consumption

Comprehensive chemical profiling of roadside soil and road dust of Delhi, India: Estimation of health risk and city fuel consumption

A Monte Carlo simulation and meta-analysis of health risk due to formaldehyde exposure at different seasons of the year in various indoor environments.

A Monte Carlo simulation and meta-analysis of health risk due to formaldehyde exposure at different seasons of the year in various indoor environments.

Inorganic arsenic in aquatic products in Shenzhen, China from 2018 to 2024: Levels, temporal variation and health risk assessment.

Inorganic arsenic in aquatic products in Shenzhen, China from 2018 to 2024: Levels, temporal variation and health risk assessment.

Subchronic Exposure to Regulated Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids: Do We Need to Refine Our Exposure Assessment? A Full-Scale Case Study in a Canadian Municipality.

Regulated disinfection byproducts (e.g., trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids) in drinking water networks fluctuate spatially and temporally, depending on water sources and treatment practices with higher concentrations during the summer. Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids monitoring is based on yearly averages of quarterly measurements with maximum acceptable concentrations where extensive monitoring of disinfection byproducts is not required during those months. Because of concerns that exposures of a short duration could result in adverse reproductive and developmental outcomes, it is vital to study the temporal and spatial variations in exposure within complex systems such as networks. This paper uses an extensive data set in a network to study how domestic exposure may vary across the network and influence potential health risk estimation for key lifestages such as infants, toddlers, and adults. According to this study, the patterns and levels of subchronic exposure to those compounds vary spatially in the network. Subchronic hazard quotients to chloroform were also investigated and were below one, indicating that levels of exposure are less than the dose that may trigger toxicity for the selected end point. The information provided may assist public health authorities in evaluating the influence of DBP peaks on exposure and subchronic hazard quotients as well as in identifying areas of a distribution system with higher subchronic risks than others.

The Impact of the Availability Heuristic on Decision-Making and Risk Perception

The present essay will consider the availability heuristic, a cognitive bias whereby individuals’ judgment regarding the likelihood of certain events is altered by the ease with which they are able to formulate examples. Historical developments from early psychological studies through its formalization by Kahneman and Tversky will underline its main features, underlie its operations, and discuss its influence on decision-making, risk perception, and errors in judgment. Case studies tend to reveal the heuristic’s insistent influence in everyday life, notably in crime perception, estimation of health risk, and investing in the financial markets.

BIOMARKERS HELP US UNDERSTAND HOW CELLULAR AND SYSTEMIC AGING CONTRIBUTE TO MORTALITY

Abstract Research suggests aging is a coordinated decline occurring in multiple systems and at multiple biological levels. However, it is largely unknown how general biological aging and specific systemic aging co-occur and influence one another to affect health outcomes like mortality, multimorbidity, and functional limitations. There is also emerging interest in understanding how social exposures may differentially accelerate decline in individual physiological systems. We utilize data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative sample of about 4000 US adults over age 55. We used eXtreme Gradient Boosting (xgboost) in a training subsample to create estimates of health risk based on mortality, multimorbidity, and functional limitations using sets of biomarkers representing biological systems (e.g., nervous, immune, cardiovascular, and renal systems) as well as cellular aging (e.g., epigenetic clocks). These models generated risk scores for each outcome based on each system (e.g., renal functioning using BUN, creatinine, and cystatin C). Outcomes were regressed on these scores in a testing subsample to assess the relative impact of each system on health. Results suggest cellular aging, respiratory aging, and metabolic dysfunction contribute most to these health outcomes. Aging of these systems also partially mediates the risk associated with age, race/ethnicity, sex, and education. These results suggest aging of specific systems may be differentially affected by sociodemographic exposures and may differentially contribute to health risks. This research may help guide interventions focused on reducing inequalities in mortality risk by identifying health risks that would have the greatest impact on health at the population level.

Dietary consumption of pre-carcinogenic amines and mutagenicity in humans: An evidence-based study

Dietary consumption of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA) is considered to be a high-risk factor that substantially contributes to the development of mutagenicity and carcinogenicity in humans. This study provides ample evidence for the plausible association between mutagenicity or carcinogenicity development and dietary intake of heterocyclic amines in humans. The current study intends to assess the degree of heterocyclic amine contaminants in high-temperature cooked meats, their subsequent food intake, and potential health risk estimations. The meat samples were homogenized, filtered, extracted, and eluted. The list of heterocyclic amines to be identified and quantified included PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine), IQ (2-amino-3-methyl-imidazo[4,5-f] quinolone), and MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline). They were simultaneously isolated and studied using the method of high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The highest heterocyclic amine concentration was found in chicken (2705.99 ± 6.12 ng/g), beef (574.09 ± 1.52 ng/g), and mutton (342.41 ± 3.69 ng/g). PhIP (73%) was the main heterocyclic amine in chicken. The estimated daily dietary intake or exposure in chicken, mutton, and beef was 0.690, 0.050, and 0.144 ng/kg body weight, respectively. The values for margin of exposure were within the range identified by the European Food Safety Authority for mutton (102.06) and chicken (13.250), but not for beef (3.784). This significantly high prevalence of heterocyclic amines and the associated health risks are sufficient to warn the public about the high dietary intake of meat and its carcinogenic health hazards. The mutational patterns induced by heterocyclic amines resemble those in human tumors, requiring the use of specific biomarkers like HAA-DNA and HAA-protein adducts. Future prospects are high for integrating these biomarkers into epidemiological studies, which could provide a comprehensive assessment of health risks associated with dietary heterocyclic aromatic amines in human cancer.

Geospatial mapping and entropy-based analysis for groundwater evaluation with estimation of potential health risks due to nitrate and fluoride exposure.

Groundwater is a vital source of freshwater, but its quality is often compromised by various physiochemical factors. In the Mid-Gangetic Plains, there is a concerning escalation in the degradation of groundwater quality due to anthropogenic interventions. However, there remains a paucity of comprehensive knowledge concerning groundwater quality and the associated health hazards it poses. In response to this gap, the current study focuses on Nalanda district (Bihar), where 78 groundwater samples were collected across district in the month of May 2022 and their various water quality parameters were quantified as per standard methods. The adequacy of groundwater for human use was assessed using an entropy-based water quality index (EWQI), which also evaluated the potential human health risk stemming from nitrate and fluoride contamination. Furthermore, an empirical Bayesian kriging (EBK) driven geostatistical approach was utilized to predict water quality parameters at ungauged sites. The analysis of results disclosed that the ionic dominance in groundwater followed the sequence as cations Ca2+ > Mg2+, and anions HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > NO3- > F- > PO43-. The concentration of NO3- and F- exceeded the permissible BIS levels by 11.5% and 6.5% of the samples respectively. The analysis of EBK models suggested K-Bessel as the best-fit model for pH, Mg2+, TH, F-, NO3-, and SO42- spatial interpolation while exponential EBK model for EC, Cl-, and PO43- and whittle EBK model for TDS, Ca2+, and HCO3- spatial interpolation. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that elevated TDS and EC levels, coupled with correlations between NO3-, SO42-, and Cl-, suggest anthropogenic influences. The EWQI of the groundwater samples ranged from 36.28 to 180.80. The analysis of EWQI values revealed predominantly fair to good groundwater quality across the study area, suitable for drinking purposes. The hazard quotients for NO3- and F- indicate that non-carcinogenic health risks are more significant with nitrate pollution. The combined health impact was assessed using total hazard index (HI), ranging from 0.20 to 3.29 for children, 0.19 to 3.05 for males, and 0.17 to 2.70 for females. The cumulative probability distribution revealed total hazard index (HI) > 1 in 41.56%, 34.62%, and 28.21% of samples for children, males, and females. The HI analysis indicated a substantially higher risk for children compared to adults within the study area. This study offers a novel combination of entropy-based water quality assessment and geostatistical EBK modeling to evaluate groundwater quality and health risks in ungauged areas. The findings provide valuable insights for improved groundwater management and health risk mitigation.

Application of Mont Carlo Simulation and Artificial Neural Network Model to Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment in Fluoride-Endemic Areas

Application of Mont Carlo Simulation and Artificial Neural Network Model to Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment in Fluoride-Endemic Areas

Health risk assessment of lead, cadmium, heavy metals and metalloids in residential paint flakes from indoor wall surfaces.

Paint components pose risky metals like lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury that endanger occupants, mainly children and pregnant women. To assess the levels and health risks of 14 metals in paint flakes from indoor walls of residential houses in four states in South-western Nigeria. Flaked paints were collected from 144 houses where children reside. Metals were analysed using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. The cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and chromium (Cr) levels (mg/kg) ranged from 1239.9 to 2254.2, 1126.5 to 3080.3, 822.1 to 1492.0, and 2.5 to 60.6 in all the state capitals examined, respectively. All samples examined in this study were above the regulated permissible limits. The US Environmental Protection Agency estimated health risk assessment model was used to calculate the chronic daily intake, hazard quotient, hazard index (HI), and lifetime cancer risk (LCR). HI > 1 was highest in the ingestion route (2.592341: adults, 24.5153: children), and the LCR in children and adults followed the order of LCRingestion > LCRinhalation > LCRdermal. The probability of developing cancer over a lifetime, Total Lifetime Cancer Risk, for children exceeded the limit range for Pb, Mn, and Zn in the paint flakes from all the buildings, while almost all buildings where children resided exceeded the limit range for Cd. The study revealed that paint flakes from indoor walls pose a significant source of metal contamination and health risk, especially for children. In Nigeria, there is a need for stricter regulation and monitoring of metal content in paints and paint flakes.

Chemical Profiles of Particulate Matter Emitted from Anthropogenic Sources in Selected Regions of China

Particulate matter (PM) emissions from anthropogenic sources contribute substantially to air pollution. The unequal adverse health effects caused by source-emitted PM emphasize the need to consider the discrepancy of PM-bound chemicals rather than solely focusing on the mass concentration of PM when making air pollution control strategies. Here, we present a dataset about chemical compositions of real-world PM emissions from typical anthropogenic sources in China, including industrial (power, industrial boiler, iron & steel, cement, and other industrial process), residential (coal/biomass burning, and cooking), and transportation sectors (on-road vehicle, ship, and non-exhaust emission). The data was obtained under the same strict quality control condition on field measurements and chemical analysis, minimizing the uncertainty caused by different study approaches. The concentrations of PM-bound chemical components, including toxic elements and PAHs, exhibit substantial discrepancies among different emission sectors. This dataset provides experimental data with informative inputs to emission inventories, air quality simulation models, and health risk estimation. The obtained results can gain insight into understanding on source-specific PMs and tailoring effective control strategies.

The impact of exposure assessment on associations between air pollution and cardiovascular mortality risks in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The impact of exposure assessment on associations between air pollution and cardiovascular mortality risks in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Estimation of radiological health risks due to 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in foods consumed in Iraqi Kurdistan Region

ABSTRACT This study investigates the activity concentration of natural radionuclides in a diverse range of food samples in the Koya district markets food baskets, including both domestic and imported products. The samples cover annual crops (e.g. coffee, tea, kidney beans), tree nuts (e.g. almonds, pistachios), and other items (e.g. beef, fish, milk) by using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. This research addresses a notable gap by providing baseline data on radionuclide concentrations and assessing potential health risks. Average activity concentrations for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were 0.943, 0.367, and 191.8 Bq kg−1, respectively. Radium equivalent activity values ranged from 2.88–58.48 Bq kg−1, all below the safety limit. The average excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was 0.154 mSv a−1, indicating safety for most samples, though coffee and tea showed higher levels. This study provides new data crucial for future research and regulatory monitoring, underscoring the need for further investigation into geological impacts on radionuclide levels.

The cadmium content in commercially key species of seafood from Shandong, China: Potential human health risk estimation

The cadmium content in commercially key species of seafood from Shandong, China: Potential human health risk estimation

Mapping the Environmental Risk of Fluoride Exposure of Drinking Water in a Community of Zacatecas, Mexico

Fluoride (iF) is an inorganic element commonly present in groundwater in central Mexico and is considered a health risk when it exceeds the Mexican drinking water standard of 1.5 mg/L. Prolonged exposure to iF can cause various adverse health effects, such as dental fluorosis and neurological effects, particularly in children. A rapid and cost-effective strategy to identify possible areas where the resident population may be at risk of exposure to this contaminant is the health risk estimation methodology of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The aim of this study was to estimate the environmental risk of iF exposure in residents of Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico, and subsequently construct risk maps to identify areas of the city where there is a higher risk of exposure. Fifty-five tap water samples were collected from households to determine iF concentrations using the ion-selective electrode method. Based on these environmental values, the hazard quotient (HQ) was estimated following the health risk estimation methodology. Subsequently, risk maps were generated from these values to visualize the spatial distribution of high-risk areas within the city. The iF concentrations in tap water ranged from 1.3 to 7.3 mg/L (ppm), with only one sample below the standard of 1.5 mg/L. We estimated HQ values ranging from 0.63 to 3.73. Exposure to iF in tap water is a health problem that must be addressed, necessitating risk communication actions that enable the population to safeguard its health through simple measures, thereby avoiding future health costs.

Determination of contamination, source, and risk of potentially toxic metals in fine road dust in a karst region of Southwest China.

Understanding the pollution situation of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in fine road dust (FRD) in emerging industrialized cities and identifying priority control factors is crucial for urban environmental management, resident health protection, and pollution control. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation on PTMs pollution in FRD in Zunyi, a representative emerging industrialized city in the karst region of southwestern China. The average contents of Ni, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ba, Pb, V, and Co in the FRD were 43.2, 127.0, 1232.1, 134.4, 506.6, 597.8, 76.1, 86.8, and 16.2mgkg-1, respectively, which were obviously higher than the corresponding background levels of the local soil except for V and Co. The comprehensive pollution level of the determined PTMs in the FRD was very high, primarily caused by Zn and Cu. The sources of PTMs in Zunyi FRD were traffic, industrial, construction, and natural sources, accounting for 38.0, 23.7, 21.9, and 16.4% of the total PTMs content, respectively. The PTMs in Zunyi FRD exhibited a low to moderate overall ecological risk level, mainly contributed by Cu and traffic source. The cancer risks of PTMs in Zunyi FRD were high for all populations. The non-carcinogenic risk of PTMs in Zunyi FRD was acceptable for adults, but cannot be ignored for children. According to the source-specific probabilistic health risk estimation results, the priority control source is industrial source and the priority control PTM is Cr. Local governments need to give more attention to the carcinogenic risks and health hazards posed by PTMs in the FRD.