Estimated Daily Intake Values Research Articles

Organohalogenated pollutants in raw and UHT cow's milk from Turkey: a risk assessment of dietary intake.

In this study, health risk of human exposure to organohalogenated pollutants (OHPs) through milk consumption was determined. Conventionally produced, unprocessed cow's milk samples taken from Konya District, in Turkey, and 15 different brand ultra-high-temperature (UHT) processed cow's milk samples taken from supermarkets of Turkey were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs, α-, β-, γ-, and δ-HCHs, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDT, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulfate, endrin, endrin aldehyde, endrin ketone, aldrin + dieldrin, methoxychlor), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, PCB 28, 52, 101, 153, 138, and 180), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, PBDE 47, 99, 100, 153, and 154 congeners). Estimated daily intake (EDI) values calculated for both adults and children consuming raw or UHT milk were determined to exceed maximum residue limits (MRLs) set for γ-HCH, ∑Heptachlor, and endrin. EDI values also exceeded admissible daily intake (ADI) values given for ∑HCH, ∑Heptachlor, ∑Endrin aldrin + dieldrin, and ∑PCBs. p,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDE ratio was 1 or higher for 66% of the milk samples, which is an indication of sustaining illegal use of DDT. A health risk is determined for dietary intake of OHPs via consumption of milk.

Heavy Metals Contamination and Potential Human Health Risk via Consumption of Vegetables from Selected Communities in ONELGA, Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: Anthropogenic activities such as excessive oil exploration, automobile emissions with agricultural activities, etc tend to elevate the concentrations of heavy metals in the soil. These metals are accumulated by plant roots, thereby resulting to heavy metal contamination of such plants.
 Objectives: This study evaluated the concentration of heavy metals namely: Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Arsenic (As), Iron (Fe), and Copper (Cu) in edible vegetables from selected communities in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), Rivers State, Nigeria, and the concentrations of these metals were used to assess the human health risk posed to the consumers of the edible vegetables.
 Materials and Methods: Sixteen different vegetable samples comprising Vernonia amygdalina, Talinum triangulare, Abelmoschus esculentus and Telfairia occidentalis were digested and analyzed for heavy metals using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (F-AAS). Results obtained from this study were used to estimate the human health risk of these heavy metals.
 Results: The results showed that the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni, As, Fe, and Cu ranged from 0.168-4.908; 0.364-2.977; 2.780-10.241; 0.157-2.633; 61.589-101.520 and 12.029-46.540 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni and As in some of the analyzed vegetable samples exceeded the permissible limit as recommended by WHO/FAO, EC/CODEX and NAFDAC respectively. The concentration of Fe and Cu were below the permissible limit as recommended by WHO/FAO. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of Pb and Cd exceeded the permissible tolerable daily intake of metals (TDI) but fall within the upper tolerable daily intake (UTDI) recommended by Institute of medicine, FDA, also Ni, Fe, and Cu fall within the recommended TDI and the UTDI. The EDI values of As exceeded the recommended TDI and the UTDI. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI) values of Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni were greater than 1. The Life Cancer Risk (LCR) of Pb were within the range of permissible predicted lifetime risks for carcinogens as recommended by US EPA.
 Conclusion: The result from the present study indicate that the exposed population may be at risk of Pb, Cd, Ni and Cu toxicity.

Organophosphate ester and phthalate ester metabolites in urine from primiparas in Shenzhen, China: Implications for health risks

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) and phthalate esters (PAEs) are extensively used as additives in commercial and household products. However, knowledge on human exposure to OPEs and PAEs remains limited in China. This study aimed to investigate OPE and PAE metabolites in urine samples of primiparas and to evaluate the cumulative risk of OPE and PAE exposure. A total of 8 OPE metabolites and 11 PAE metabolites were measured in urine samples of 84 primiparas from Shenzhen, China. The OPE metabolites were found in at least 72% of the urine samples with bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (BCEP) being the dominant analogue. Among the 11 PAE metabolites, mono-n-butyl phthalate (mBP) was the most abundant analogue and had a median concentration (139 μg/L) greater than those reported in urine samples from other countries and regions. A significant, positive correlation was found between Σ8OPEMs (the sum of 8 OPE metabolites) and body mass index (BMI). The urinary concentration of Σ11PAEMs (the sum of 11 PAE metabolites) was positively associated with the time of computer using by the primiparas. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) of tris(2-chlorethyl) phosphate (TCEP, the parent chemical of BCEP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP, the parent chemical of mBP) were determined to be 0.47 and 9.14 μg/kg bw/day, respectively. The 95th percentile EDI values for TCEP and DnBP both exceeded their corresponding reference doses. Twelve and fifty-five percentage of the primiparas were estimated to have HIRfD (hazard index corresponding to reference doses) and HITDI (hazard index corresponding to tolerable daily intake) values exceeding 1 for OPEs and PAEs, respectively, suggesting a relatively high exposure risk.

Aflatoxin B1 in nixtamalized maize in Mexico; occurrence and accompanying risk assessment.

Maize is a staple food in Mexico that might contain Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Nonetheless, data on the exposure and risk assessment of AFB1 from maize for the Mexican population are limited. The aim of the present study was to analyse the occurrence of AFB1 in Mexican nixtamalized maize samples, and to assess the accompanying exposure and risk. Four out of 88 samples contained AFB1 at levels above the limit of detection (1 ng/g). AFB1 occurrence values obtained in this study and additional occurrence values from literature were combined with available literature data for mean and P95 consumption of maize based products. For a 70 kg body weight person, lower bound and upper bound exposure assessments resulted in estimated daily intakes (EDI) of 0.7-8.5 ng/kg bw/day, based on a mean maize consumption. Based on the P95 maize consumption these EDI values amounted to 3.3-11.7 ng/kg bw/day. The corresponding Margin of Exposure (MOE) values amounted to 257-20 for the mean and 50-15 for the P95 consumers. The estimated increased cancer risks were 9-320 and 43-439 cases/106 individuals/lifetime of 75 years for the mean and P95 consumers, respectively. Altogether, the assessment reveals the need for continued risk management of AFB1 in Mexico.

Human Health Risk Assessment of PAHs in Fish and Shellfish from Amariaria Community, Bonny River, Nigeria

The concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Fish (Mullet fish-Mugil cephalus) and Shellfish (Tiger prawn-Penaeus Monodon and crab-Uca tangeri) samples from fishing areas in Amariaria Community, downstream of Bonny River, Southern Nigeria, were assessed to determine possible human health risk associated with consumption. Mean levels (mg/kg) of total PAHs ranged from 0.059 to 0.126 in fish, 0.015 to 0.106 in prawn and 0.057 to 0.063 in crab. A considerable predominance of the 3 and 4-rings PAHs in all the matrices was observed with benzo (a) anthracene dominating in all three species. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of PAHs through consumption of fish ranged from 0 to 0.0005 mg/kg/day, for prawn, 0 to 0.0002 mg/kg/day and for crab, 0 to 0.0002 mg/kg/day. EDI values were, however, lower than the reference dose (RfD) indicating low risk from consumption. Results of the estimated excess cancer risk (ECR) for Benzo (a) anthracene in fish, however, suggests that lifetime exposure to Benzo (a) anthracene through fish consumption would result in cancer risk.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals content in cocoa and chocolate products sold in Saudi Arabia

The study was carried out to assess the level of 10 heavy metals in 27 representative samples of cocoa and chocolate products sold in Saudi Arabia markets using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The mean levels of heavy metals were in the range of 0.033–0.123; 0.001–0.080; 0.010–0.046; 0.013–0.070; 0.61–9.74; 0.27–3.17; 0.02–0.67; 1.11–14.22; 0.18–0.66; and 11.38–72.12 µg/g for Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, and Al, respectively. These values were used to determine the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TCR) associated with dietary exposure to these potentially toxic elements. The EDI values did account for 0.027–0.077; 0.002–0.032; 0.014–0.023; 0.013–0.069; 0.85–5.92; 0.27–1.85; 0.018–0.069; 1.37–8.68; 0.164–0.290; and 10.80–40.75 µg/kg/d for Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, and Al, respectively. They were below the tolerable intake limits in all foodstuffs analyzed, except in cocoa product where Al exceeded the permissible limit. The THQ and HI values were also lower than the safe standard 1 for all foodstuffs analyzed, except for cocoa products where the HI value was 1.909. This high value of HI indicates that consumption of more amounts of cocoa products frequently may result in adverse non-carcinogenic health effect in consumers in future. The THQ of cobalt in cocoa products was 0.806 which enhanced the GTHQ to be 1.196 and thus cobalt contributing 34.08% to the HI explaining that the risk was mainly contributed by cobalt. The TCR values did not exceed the limit, except for Ni in cocoa products which exceed the limit for acceptable risk of developing cancer indicating some concern.

Bioaccumulation of microcystin congeners in soil-plant system and human health risk assessment: A field study from Lake Taihu region of China

A 120-day field study was carried out near Lake Taihu to evaluate the bioaccumulation of microcystin (MC) congeners in a soil-plant system, as well as to assess human health risk when consuming edible plants irrigated with MCs-contaminated water. Natural cyanobacteria bloom-containing lake water (lake water) and half-diluted natural cyanobacteria bloom-containing lake water with tap water (half-lake water) were used to irrigate lettuce and rice. An additional treatment involving fertilization with a cyanobacteria bloom was applied just to the lettuce experiment. MCs in soils, roots, leaves and grains (rice) were detected. In the soil-lettuce system, the three MC congeners in soils fertilized with a cyanobacteria bloom were not detected. The highest concentrations of MCs detected in soils, lettuce roots and leaves were 24.8 (MC-LR 10.1, MC-RR 10.5, MC-YR 4.2) μg kg−1, 424 (MC-LR 168, MC-RR 194, MC-YR 61.5) μg kg−1 and 183 (MC-LR 78.0, MC-RR 76.8, MC-YR 28.1) μg kg−1, respectively, in the lake water treatment. In the soil-rice system, the highest concentration of MCs was accumulated in roots 1504 (MC-LR 634, MC-RR 573, MC-YR 297) μg kg−1, in the lake water treatment. However, the concentration of MCs that accumulated in grains was extremely low with a total MCs concentration of 5.2 (MC-LR 2.1, MC-RR 2.0, MC-YR 1.1) μg kg−1 in the lake water treatment. According to the estimated daily intake (EDI) value, fertilizing with an appropriate amount (0.2% or less, w/w, dry weight (DW)) of a cyanobacteria bloom, as well as consuming rice irrigated with lake water would not pose a threat to human health. However, the EDI values for both adults and children reached tolerable daily intake (TDI) value, assuming they consumed lettuce irrigated with lake water. Results obtained from the growth and yield indicators suggest that MCs bioaccumulation in edible plants is not necessarily coupled with phytotoxic effects.

Levels, temporal trend and health risk assessment of five heavy metals in fresh vegetables marketed in Guangdong Province of China during 2014–2017

To systematically investigate the presence of toxic heavy metals and evaluate the potential health risks of heavy metals (HMs), the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), and chromium (Cr) in a total of 4401 representative samples of highly consumed fresh vegetables sampled from 21 prefecture-level cities of Guangdong Province, China, were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In the analyzed vegetables, the heavy metal concentrations exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations (MACs) set by Chinese legislation were of 2.41% for Cd, 1.61% for Pb, 0.55% for As, and 0.48% for Cr. The concentrations of HMs indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in vegetable groups and regions. Cd, and Pb were the major contaminants in vegetables according to the results of principal component analysis. During the four-year survey, a temporary rising trend was observed in As and Cr. The results from hierarchical cluster analysis also demonstrated that the status of HMs contaminations in vegetables from various regions displayed certain changes over time.The health risks associated with the intake of these HMs via vegetable consumption were evaluated in term of estimated daily intake (EDI), and noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks by target hazard quotient (THQ) and carcinogenic risk (CR). EDI values of each HM at both common and high consumption levels were observed to be less than the corresponding provisional tolerable daily intakes. The THQs of individual HMs and total target hazard quotients (TTHQs) were less than 1, indicating low health hazards for local residents. However, high consumption of stalk and stem vegetables, leafy vegetables, and root and tuber vegetables, and high consumption of vegetables marketed in the northern region (NR) of Guangdong Province resulted in TTHQs that approach 1 and may cause health risks to increase. The carcinogenic risks (CRs) of Cd, Pb and As were below the threshold level (10−6) or residual level (10−4), suggesting low potential CR from these HM exposures via vegetables consumption. However, highly consumed vegetable categories with high Cd concentrations and vegetables marketed in NR resulted in the CRs of Cd and TCRs exceeding the acceptable range, indicating that serious potential carcinogenic risks to human health may exist.In summary, the findings of this study reveal safe exposures of HMs via vegetable consumption, however, great concern should be focused on the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with high exposures of HMs, especially Cd, Pb and As, via high vegetable intake.

Risk assessment of genotoxic and carcinogenic alkenylbenzenes in botanical containing products present on the Chinese market

In the present study, a risk assessment of plant food supplements (PFS), traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and herbal teas containing alkenylbenzenes was performed using the Margin of Exposure (MOE) approach. The levels of alkenylbenzenes in botanical preparations collected on the Chinese market were quantified and the combined estimated daily intake (EDI) was determined using dose additivity. The combined EDI values obtained assuming equal potency of all alkenylbenzenes detected in the PFS, TCM and herbal teas were 0.3 to 14.3, 0.05 to 539.4 and 0.04 to 42.5 μg/kg bw/day, respectively. Calculating combined EDI values taking into account the toxic equivalency (TEQ) approach, the values for PFS, TCM and herbal teas were 0.3 to 7.7, 0.05 to 278.0 and 0.02 to 16.5 μg estragole equivalents/kg bw/day, respectively. The MOE values resulting from consumption of these PFS, TCM and one cup of herbal tea per day during life-time were generally lower than 10 000, suggesting a potential priority for risk management. For short-term exposure such as two weeks consumption, applying Haber's rule, only one TCM 6 (四神丸) still had an MOE value below 10 000. It is concluded that selected consumption of Chinese botanical preparations raise a concern because of exposure to alkenylbenzenes, especially when exposure is for longer periods of time.

Trace metals concentration in vegetables of a sub-urban industrial area of Bangladesh and associated health risk assessment

Trace metals contamination of vegetables in the sub-urban industrial area of Bangladsh are increasing day by day. The mostly consumed vegetables like tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum), spinach (Spinacea oleracea), bean (Lablab purpureus), brinjal (Solanum melongena), potato (Solanum tuberosum), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var botrytis), cabbage (Brassica oleracea var cupitata), and radish (Raphanus sativus) were collected from industrial area. Trace metals arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The descending order of trace metals followed the order of Zn>Mn>Pb>Cd>As. The results revealed that every vegetable contained the highest concentration of Zn range from 15 ± 1.4 to 50 ± 4.0 mg/kg fresh weight. Trace metals in vegetables exceeded the permissible level of FAO and WHO standard. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were estimated on the basis of estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI) and target carcinogenic risks (TRs). The EDI values of all trace metals were below the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). Total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) were greater than 1, indicated that if people consume these types of vegetables in their diet, they might pose risk to these metals. Finally, the total cancer risks (TRs) values were 6.4 × 10−3 for As and 8.7 × 10−5 for Pb which were greater than threshold value of USEPA (10−6), indicating that the consuming inhabitants of these vegetables are exposed to As and Pb with a lifetime cancer risk.

Safety of low and high cost dry feed intended for dogs in Brazil concerning fumonisins, zearalenone and aflatoxins

The Brazilian pet sector exportation has been growing at an impressive rate lately. Considering the intense globalisation, pet food may be commercialised worldwide and the issue concerning safety of dry dog feed has become a topic of widespread international interest. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety of low and high cost dry feed and the degree of exposure of dogs to mycotoxins through naturally contaminated feed in Brazil. In addition, the safe pet dietary level (SPDL) was calculated. Fumonisins, zearalenone (ZEA) and aflatoxins were analysed in three feed types intended for dogs (n=87), provided by pet owners. Mean fumonisin levels were 272 µg/kg (Standard), 78.2 µg/kg (Premium), and 186 µg/kg (Super Premium) while ZEA mean levels were 52.6 µg/kg (Standard), 10.6 µg/kg (Premium) and 17.5 µg/kg (Super Premium). Mean total aflatoxin levels (aflatoxin B1 + B2 + G1 + G2) in Standard, Premium and Super Premium feed were 1.29 µg/kg, 0.49 µg/kg and 0.53 µg/kg, respectively. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values for fumonisin B1 were 1.41 (Standard), 1.60 (Premium) and 0.93 µg/kg body weight (BW)/day (Super Premium feed), whereas for ZEA they were 0.54 (Standard), 0.37 (Premium) and 0.42 µg/kg BW/day (Super Premium feed). SPDL for fumonisins and ZEA was 2,000 and 375 µg/kg feed, respectively. EDI values for aflatoxin B1 were 13.0 (Standard), 14.0 (Premium) and 11.0 ng/kg BW/day (Super Premium feed). Although the feed samples intended for dogs in Brazil were often contaminated with aflatoxins, fumonisins and ZEA, the estimated daily intake values were low, even for the low cost formulations. However, it cannot be excluded that some of the feed samples could have a negative effect on animal health and performance considering feeding a monodiet of commercial feed, low multi-mycotoxin contamination levels and interactions between mycotoxins.

Assessment of potential health risk of fluoride consumption through rice, pulses, and vegetables in addition to consumption of fluoride-contaminated drinking water of West Bengal, India.

A study was conducted in fluoride-affected Bankura and Purulia districts of West Bengal to assess the potential health risk from fluoride exposure among children, teenagers, and adults due to consumption of rice, pulses, and vegetables in addition to drinking water and incidental ingestion of soil by children. Higher mean fluoride contents (13-63mg/kg dry weight) were observed in radish, carrot, onion bulb, brinjal, potato tuber, cauliflower, cabbage, coriander, and pigeon pea. The combined influence of rice, pulses, and vegetables to cumulative estimated daily intake (EDI) of fluoride for the studied population was found to be 9.5-16%. Results also showed that intake of ivy gourd, broad beans, rice, turnip, fenugreek leaves, mustard, spinach, and amaranth grown in the study area is safe at least for time being. The cumulative EDI values of fluoride (0.06-0.19mg/kg-day) among different age group of people of the study area were evaluated to be ~104 times higher than those living in the control area; the values for children (0.19 and 0.52mg/kg-day for CTE and RME scenarios, respectively) were also greater than the "Tolerable Upper Intake Level" value of fluoride. The estimated hazard index (HI) for children (3.2 and 8.7 for CTE and RME scenarios, respectively) living in the two affected districts reveals that they are at high risk of developing dental fluorosis due to the consumption of fluoride-contaminated rice, pulses, and vegetables grown in the study area in addition to the consumption of contaminated drinking water.

Heavy metal accumulation and health risk assessment in wastewater-irrigated urban vegetable farming sites of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundWastewater irrigation for vegetable production is a highly prevalent practice in Addis Ababa and a number of articles have been published on wastewater-irrigated soils and vegetables contaminated with heavy metals. However, to the best of our knowledge, an insight into assessment of human health risks associated with the consumption of vegetable crops grown on wastewater-irrigated soils is non-existent in the city. Long-term effect of wastewater irrigation on the build-up of heavy metals in soils and selected vegetable crops in Addis Ababa urban vegetable farming sites (10) was evaluated. By calculating estimated daily intakes (EDIs) and target hazard quotients (THQs) of metals, health risk associated with the consumption of the analyzed vegetables was also evaluated.ResultsThe heavy metal concentrations in irrigation water and soils did not exceed the recommended maximum limits (RMLs). Moreover, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations in all analyzed vegetables were lower than the RML standards. In contrast, Pb concentrations were 1.4–3.9 times higher. Results of two way ANOVA test showed that variation in metals concentrations were significant (p < 0.001) across farming site, vegetable type and site x vegetable interaction. The EDI and THQ values showed that there would be no potential health risk to local inhabitants due to intake of individual metal if one or more of the analyzed vegetables are consumed. Furthermore, total target hazard quotients (TTHQs) for the combined metals due to all analyzed vegetables were lower than 1, suggesting no potential health risk even to highly exposed local inhabitants.ConclusionsThere is a great respite that toxic metals like Pb and Cd have not posed potential health risk even after long term (more than 50 years) use of this water for irrigation. However, intermittent monitoring of the metals from irrigation water, in soil and crops may be required to follow/prevent their build-up in the food chain.

Level of Alkenylbenzenes in Parsley and Dill Based Teas and Associated Risk Assessment Using the Margin of Exposure Approach.

Risk assessment of parsley and dill based teas that contain alkenylbenzenes was performed. To this end the estimated daily intake (EDI) of alkenylbenzenes resulting from use of the teas was quantified. Since most teas appeared to contain more than one alkenylbenzene, a combined risk assessment was performed based on equal potency of all alkenylbenzenes or using a so-called toxic equivalency (TEQ) approach through defining toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for the different alkenylbenzenes. The EDI values resulting from consuming one cup of tea a day were 0.2-10.1 μg/kg bw for the individual alkenylbenzenes, 0.6-13.1 μg/kg bw for the sum of the alkenylbenzenes, and 0.3-10.7 μg safrole equiv/kg bw for the sum of alkenylbenzenes when expressed in safrole equivalents. The margin of exposure (MOE) values obtained were generally <10000, indicating a concern if the teas would be consumed on a daily basis over longer periods of time.

Phthalates in plastic bottled non-alcoholic beverages from China and estimated dietary exposure in adults

ABSTRACTConcentrations of six phthalates were determined in 69 plastic bottled non-alcoholic beverages collected from marketplaces in China. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) were the most detected compounds with frequencies of 100%. Dimethyl phthalate was found less, with a mean frequency of almost 34%. The samples were divided into seven groups. The frequencies of phthalates in these groups ranged from 6.67% to 100%, which indicated that different types of beverages were differently contaminated by phthalates. DEHP contained the highest mean and median concentrations (1.60 ng g−1 and 0.62 ng g−1), followed by DBP (1.34 ng g−1 and 0.27 ng g−1). For DBP, the highest phthalate concentration of 14.3 ng g−1 was measured. The results of estimated daily intake (EDI) showed that the risk of Chinese adults exposed to these 6 phthalates in beverages examined was lower than the reference doses as suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The range of EDI values was between 1.77 × 10–4 μg kg-bw−1 day−1 and 0.478 μg kg-bw−1 day−1.

Presence of heavy metals in fruits and vegetables: Health risk implications in Bangladesh

The presence of toxic heavy metals such as As, Cd, Pb, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn in nationally representative samples of highly consumed fruits and vegetables was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Their concentrations exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) set by FAO/WHO for Pb in mango and Cd in tomato among the analyzed fruits and vegetables. Pb content in mango was found to be six times higher than the safe limit at production level. Health risks associated with the intake of these metals were evaluated in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), and carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks by target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI). EDI values of all the metals were found to be below the maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The THQs of all metals were <1, suggesting no health hazards for adult population. However, total THQs of Mn and Cu were >1 through consumption of all vegetables, indicating significant health risks. HI was found to be <1 (0.825) for consumption of fruits; however, it was >1 (3.727) for vegetable consumption, suggesting adverse health effects from vegetable consumption only. The total carcinogenic risk (CR) of As was below the threshold level (10−6) and 9.82E-05 for Pb, suggesting no potential CR from As consumption, but indicating the risk of Pb-induced carcinogenesis. The findings of this study reveal the health risks associated with the consumption of heavy metals through the intake of selected fruits and vegetables in adult population of Bangladesh.

Occurence of the phthalate esters in soil and street dust samples from the Novi Sad city area, Serbia, and the influence on the children’s and adults’ exposure

This is the first study reporting the presence of 6 phthalic acid esters (PAEs) in 60 composite soil and street dust samples collected in the urban zone of Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia. The results were further used to assess children’s and adults’ PAEs nondietary daily intakes (DIs) through incidental soil and dust ingestion and/or dermal absorption. The study could be regarded as the important baseline for future monitoring of PAEs in the urban environments, particularly as it contributes to the rare data on PAEs occurence in the street dust.All 6 PAEs were detected in every analyzed soil and street dust samples from 0.0002mgkg−1 to 4.82mgkg−1, with the highest level obtained for di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), which was the most dominant PAE (70–96%). The highest total PAEs (Σ6PAEs) contents in soil (2.12mgkg−1) and street dust (5.45mgkg−1) samples were obtained for the samples from city parks. In all soil samples, Σ6PAEs exceeded the soil sustainable quality limit sets by the relevant Serbian Regulation, but were much lower than the limit requiring remediation measures. Concerning the estimated DIs, children were more susceptible to PAEs intake than adults regardless of the exposure routes. All the estimated DIs values were far below the known reference values.

Risk assessment of human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons via shrimp (Macrobrachium felicinum) consumption along the Imo River catchments, SE Nigeria.

Shrimp species (Macrobrachium felicinum) collected from estuarine mangrove area of the Imo River is an important route of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The estuarine associated sediment (EAS) composited sample showed higher TPAH, ΣAlkyl, ΣPAHcarc and ΣPAHEPA concentrations (550.84, 172.36, 413.17 and 482.11ng/g dry weight-dw) than their mean concentrations in shrimp samples (509.39±354.21, 31.38±18.49, 52.10±1.35 and 460.06±330.76ng/g wet weight-ww), respectively. Among the individual PAHs congeners, phenanthrene was the dominant species detected in the EAS accounting for 21.02% of the total PAH load and the decreasing order of 3->2->5->4->6-ring contamination was found. A different pattern predominated by naphthalene was observed for the shrimp species, suggesting that the organisms have different selectivity for a range of PAHs congeners. These variations may be attributed to different degree of bioavailability of these compounds, characteristic sandy lithology of the EAS and the protective capacity of soot particles associated with liquid fossil fuel combustion masking the uptake of high molecular weight PAHs by the organisms. Cancer risk associated with consumption of shrimps in the region was assessed using estimated daily intake (EDI) and compared with standards. The EDI values for naphthalene, benzo(a)pyrene and ∑PAHcarc were lower than the USEPA benchmarks and EFSA levels of concern values for adult and children population, suggesting low probability of developing cancer.

Human health risk assessment from arsenic exposure after sea bream (Sparus aurata) consumption in Aegean region

The aim of the present study was to determine the amount of arsenic in the muscular tissues of wild sea breams, sea breams cultured in soil ponds and sea breams cultured in off-shore marine cage systems in the Aegean Region of Turkey. Then an estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) based risk assessment by sea bream consumption in terms of arsenic was performed for both children and adults. The arsenic concentrations in the muscular tissues of fish were detected by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry method after digestion by microwave wet burning. According to the results obtained, the highest average arsenic concentration was found in sea bream cultured in soil pond while the lowest was determined in off shore marine cultured sea bream. The arsenic concentrations determined in all fish groups were found out to be below 1 mg.kg wet weight which is the international legal limit. Also the EDI values determined for children and adults were lower than 0.30 μg/kg/day, the oral reference doses (RfDo) value for arsenic and THQ value was found out to be lower than the value assessed as potentially carcinogenic. Summarising, the results of this study do not underline any potential risk in term of arsenic deriving from consumption of sea bream cultured and caught in Aegean Sea.

Occurrence, bioaccumulation and risk assessment of dioxin-like PCBs along the Chenab river, Pakistan

This study aimed to assess the occurrence, distribution and dietary risks of seven dl-PCBs (dioxin-like PCBs) in eleven collected fish species from Chenab river, Pakistan. ∑7dl-PCBs (ng g−1, wet weight) burden was species-specific and the maximum average concentrations were found in Mastacembelus armatus (5.43), and Rita rita (5.1). Correlation of each dl-PCBs with δ15N%, indicated a food chain accumulation process of these chemicals into Chenab river, Pakistan. Species-specific toxicity of each dl-PCBs (WHO–PCBs TEQ) was calculated and higher values were found in three carnivore fish species i.e., M. armatus (2.5 pg TEQ g−1), R. rita (2.47 pg TEQ g−1), Securicola gora (2.98 pg TEQ g−1) and herbivore fish species i.e., Cirrhinus mrigala (2.44 pg TEQ g−1). The EDI (Estimated Daily Intake) values in most cases exceeded the WHO benchmark (4 pg WHO–TEQ kg−1 bw d−1) evidencing a potential health risk for consumers via fish consumption from Chenab river.