Estimated Daily Intake Research Articles

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination and Potential Health Risk of Selected Fish Species in Dhaka District

Fish is a rich source of quality protein and fatty acids. Bangladesh's average daily fish consumption is 67.8 grams per people. Fish species are also prone to heavy metal contamination from their surrounding environment. The main objective of this research was to assess the degree of risk associated with the consumption of various fish species in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Three fish species—Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), Shorputi (Systomus sarana), and Mola (Amblypharyngodon mola)—from three local markets in Savar Union, Dhaka, Bangladesh, were selected for analysis. The Kjeldahl technique, Folch method, and several formulae were used to determine the protein, fat, ash, and moisture content for the proximate analysis. The concentration of heavy metals was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) were used to evaluate the danger to human health. Tilapia had the highest moisture and lipid content, whereas Shorputi and Mola had the highest protein and ash contents, ranging from 20.77% to 18.16%, respectively. The mean concentration of heavy metals in fish was determined to be Pb>Ni>Cr>Cd in this study. Every fish species had extremely high levels of lead (Pb), with the Shorputi fish having the highest levels. Fish from the Shorputi species had the highest EDI value. Pb>Ni>Cr>Cd was the trace element EDI for adults. Among all species, only Pd had a THQ value higher than 1. The CR value across all species were within E-3 and E-6 range, while the HI value was >1. In conclusion, the highest average Pb concentrations were detected in Shorputi, while the highest amounts of Cd, Cr, and Ni were observed in Tilapia. The findings of this study recommended that the Bangladeshi government regularly assess the levels of dangerous heavy metal and metalloid contamination in the daily meals of its citizens in order to enforce regulatory limits and determine the likelihood of long-term exposure. Bioresearch Commu. 10(2): 1524-1531, 2024 (July)

Heavy metals concentrations of traditional herbs consumed in Northwestern zone of Nigeria and associated health risks on humans

Herbal drugs have gained much popularity as alternative medicine among residents of the northern part of Nigeria, taking advantage of abundant medicinal plants in the region. This study therefore investigated the levels of some selected heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in five identified herbal drugs sold in Andaza town, Kiyawa local Government area of Jigawa State. Preparation of the samples was done using a wet digestion method with HNO3 and HCl as digestion acids and the metals were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The health risk assessment (HRA) for adults and children was done by using the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI) and target cancer risk (TCR). The concentrations of heavy metals on dry weight (dw) basis in this study fell within the range (mg/kg dw, mean±SD)): Cd (0.156-0.312, 0.221±0.065), Hg (8.58-16.7, 12.7±3.78), Ni (0.960-2.74, 1.67±0.698), Zn (4.26-10.1, 6.17±2.34) and Pb (0.876-1.91). Pb was not detected in two out of the five samples and therefore the mean±SD of Pb was not computed. A comparison of the results with the World Health Organisation (WHO) maximum permissible limit showed that Hg levels were far above the permissible limit in all the samples; two samples had Cd values above the maximum limit. The concentrations of Ni, Zn and Pb in all the samples were within the recommended levels of WHO. Results of HRA showed that THQ were less than 1 in the analyzed metals except for Hg with relatively high values in both adults (70 kg body weight) and children (24 kg body weight) categories and this may pose a potential health risk to consumers. Results of the percentage non-carcinogenic risk (NCR) of each metal showed that Hg contributed more than 95% to HI (the overall NCR) in each sample. TCR of Pb indicates moderate to high cancer risk whereas, that of CD showed high to very high cancer risk if the samples are consumed for a long period of time. It is therefore important that consumption of these medicines should be monitored and regulated in order for consumers to avoid future health challenges.

Occurrence and risk estimation of zearalenone and deoxynivalenol in oats, wheat flour, and cereals consumed in Chile during 2016–2022

Mycotoxin contamination in agricultural products is a significant food safety and public health concern globally. However, little is known about the occurrence and levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) in agri-food product in Chile. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) and ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV) were employed to analyze the levels of ZEN and DON in oats, wheat flour, and cereals marketed in Chile and assess the exposure of Chilean individuals through the consumption. The presence of ZEN and DON during 2016–2022 was not considerable. Nonetheless, a higher prevalence of DON was observed in wheat flour (6.1 %) than in cereals (1.2 %) in different regions of Chile, without concentrations exceeding national regulations (750 ngg−1). The only positive sample for ZEN exceeded the international regulations (75 ngg−1) for cereals by 30-fold (2302 ngg−1). The Estimated daily intake (EDI) and Hazard quotient (HQ) for DON indicated no risk to human health. Meanwhile, the EDI for ZEN exceeded the Tolerable daily intake (TDI: 250 ngkg−1 day). Consequently, the HQ for ZEN was 7.7 (2–5 years) and 4.3 (6–13years), indicating a risk to children and adolescents, which are vulnerable age groups. We recommended increasing the frequency of mycotoxin monitoring for highly consumed agri-food products, considering that Chile is highly susceptible to the effects of climate change that promote the natural proliferation of mycotoxins.

Monitoring and risk assessment of biogenic amines in commercial Thua-Nao, a traditional Northern Thai fermented soybean paste

Thua-Nao, a traditional fermented soybean product in Thailand, is susceptible to contamination with biogenic amines (BAs), thus increasing the risk to human health. The present study evaluated the contamination, formation, and risk assessments of BAs in two types of Thua-Nao. The elution conditions were optimized and used to analyze thua nao BAs with good correlation coefficients and high recovery. The average total BA content in dried Thua-Nao (D-TN; 342 mg/kg) was greater than that in fresh Thua-Nao (F-TN; 239 mg/kg), but the difference was not significant. Tyramine (TYM) was the dominant BA in thua nao, accounting for more than half of the total BAs in the majority of the samples, and it also exhibited a significant positive correlation with soluble protein and total BAs. The calculated highest estimated daily intake (EDI) and index of food safety (IFS) of TYM were 1.51 μg/kg/day and 0.008, respectively, among the age groups who consumed thua nao, indicating a low risk to human health. However, the acute risk index of TYM in F-TN and D-TN among patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) was greater than 80 %. Thus, these results suggested that an adverse health effect is unlikely for the general population after excessive consumption of TYM-contaminated Thua-Nao, but it may have serious health implications for patients taking MAOIs.

Nephrotoxicity of organophosphate flame retardants in patients with chronic kidney disease: A 2-year longitudinal study

Humans are extensively exposed to organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), an emerging group of organic contaminants with potential nephrotoxicity. Nevertheless, the estimated daily intake (EDI) and prognostic impacts of OPFRs have not been assessed in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this 2-year longitudinal study of 169 patients with CKD, we calculated the EDIs of five OPFR triesters from urinary biomonitoring data of their degradation products and analyzed the effects of OPFR exposure on adverse renal outcomes and renal function deterioration. Our analysis demonstrated universal OPFR exposure in the CKD population, with a median EDIΣOPFR of 360.45 ng/kg body weight/day (interquartile range, 198.35–775.94). Additionally, our study revealed that high tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) exposure independently correlated with composite adverse events and composite renal events (hazard ratio [95 % confidence interval; CI]: 4.616 [1.060–20.096], p = 0.042; 3.053 [1.075–8.674], p = 0.036) and served as an independent predictor for renal function deterioration throughout the study period, with a decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate of 4.127 mL/min/1.73 m2 (95 % CI, −8.127–−0.126; p = 0.043) per log ng/kg body weight/day of EDITCEP. Furthermore, the EDITCEP and EDIΣOPFR were positively associated with elevations in urinary 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine and kidney injury molecule-1 during the study period, indicating the roles of oxidative damage and renal tubular injury in the nephrotoxicity of OPFR exposure. To conclude, our findings highlight the widespread OPFR exposure and its possible nephrotoxicity in the CKD population.

Bioaccumulation of trace metals in edible terrestrial snails, Theba pisana and Otala spp., in a dumpsite area in Morocco and assessment of human health risks for consumers.

This study assessed the bioaccumulation patterns of five trace metals (Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, and Zn) in two edible snail species, Theba pisana and Otala spp., collected from a dumpsite in Safi City, Morocco. The results indicated that bioaccumulation might be species-specific, as metal concentration profiles varied between the two snail species. Additionally, higher metal levels in the dumpsite snails confirmed their potential as bioindicators of trace metal pollution in terrestrial environments. However, the distribution of trace elements within the edible parts of the snails showed marked unevenness, with the viscera accumulating more metals than the foot. The study also evaluated the potential human health risks associated with consuming these snails. Trace metal levels in the edible parts exceeded most international safety thresholds. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of trace metals through snail consumption were below the provisional tolerable daily intakes (PTDIs) for both children and adults, suggesting that daily consumption is generally safe. Nonetheless, the hazard index (HI) indicated that children might face health risks from long-term consumption of contaminated snails (HI > 1), while adults are less likely to experience such complications (HI < 1). The total target carcinogenic risk (TTCR) was below 1E-04 for both children and adults, indicating negligible to acceptable carcinogenic risks for all consumer groups.

Onions, Salt and Palm Oil Marination Reduced Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon in Cooked Chevon and Beef Meat: A Risk Assessment Study

The roles of foods in human health can be greatly influenced by processing. The process of singeing deposits polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on meat. However, some food additives have shown tendencies to reduce PAHs levels in singed food. This study conducted a risk assessment study on the effect of onions, salt and palm oil marination on Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in cooked chevon and beef meat. The singed meat samples were cooked with specific quantities of additives (onions, salt and palm oil). PAHs levels were analyzed using Gas Chromatography Mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS) and the health risk assessment was conducted as described by USEPA. Our findings revealed that meat samples singed with augmented fire wood accumulated more PAHs than those singed with only firewood; also chevon accumulated more PAHs than beef. PAHs content in all singed meat samples cooked with maximum quantity of additives (15 g) for 30 min had reduction in concentration of about 99%. The estimated daily intake (EDI) showed that PAHs concentration were higher in uncooked meat samples singed with augmented firewood. The least concentration of PAH was seen in cooked chevon singed with only firewood (9.39E-06 mg/kg/day). The hazard quotients (HQs) evaluated showed that cooking the meat samples with additives, notably decreased PAHs concentration (from between 10−1 and 10−3 to between 10−5 and 10−7). The hazard index (HI) observed showed that PAHs concentration in cooked samples were lower than in uncooked samples. The Carcinogenic potency showed that the uncooked singed meat samples could lead to health complications except for the chevon sample singed with only firewood. However, all cooked samples showed lower health hazards with potency index which were all less than one (<1). The findings suggest that chevon accumulated PAHs more than beef. However, the carcinogenic potency of the PAHs in chevon was less than beef after cooking with additives.

Concentrations, spatial distribution, and human exposure of synthetic phenolic antioxidants in indoor dust from ten provinces in China

Synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) are widely used in diverse industries due to their exceptional antioxidant characteristics. However, human exposure to SPAs may cause health problems. In this study, 226 dust samples were collected from 10 provinces in China, and six SPAs (three parent SPAs and their three transformation products) were analyzed. The concentrations of ∑6SPAs (the sum of six target compounds) ranged from 15.4 to 3210 ng/g (geometric mean (GM): 169 ng/g). The highest concentration of ∑6SPAs was found in Sichuan Province (GM: 349 ng/g), which was approximately 4 times higher than that in Hubei Province (81.6 ng/g) (p < 0.05). The concentrations of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), 2,2′-methylene bis (4-methyl-6‑tert-butylphenol) (AO2246), 2,6-di‑tert‑butyl‑1,4-benzoquinone (BHT-Q), 2,6-di‑tert‑butyl‑4-(hydroxymethyl) phenol (BHT-OH), and ∑p-SPAs were substantially higher in dust from urban areas than rural areas (p < 0.05). AO2246 concentration in dust from homes (GM: 0.400 ng/g) was about 4 times higher than that in workplaces (0.116 ng/g) (p < 0.01). Significantly higher ∑p-SPAs concentrations were found in dust from homes (GM: 17.5 ng/g) than workplaces (11.4 ng/g) (p < 0.01). The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of ∑6SPAs exposed through dust ingestion were 0.582, 0.342, 0.197, 0.076, and 0.080 ng/kg bw/day in different age groups, and exposed through dermal contact was 0.358, 0.252, 0.174, 0.167, and 0.177 ng/kg bw/day. EDIs showed that the exposure risks of SPAs decreased with age. This is the first work to determine SPAs in dust from 10 provinces in China and investigate the spatial distribution of SPAs in those regions.

Bio-accumulation and health risk assessments of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in wheat grains

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been widely detected in various food, which has attracted worldwide concern. However, the factors influencing the transfer and bio-accumulation of PFASs from soils to wheat in normal farmland, is still ambiguous. We investigated the PFASs accumulation in agricultural soils and grains from 10 cites, China, and evaluated the health risks of PFASs via wheat consumption. Our results show that ∑PFASs in soils range from 0.34 μg/kg to 1.59 μg/kg with PFOA and PFOS dominating, whilst ∑PFASs in wheats range from 2.74 to 6.01 μg/kg with PFOA, PFBA and PFHxS dominating. The lower pH conditions and high total organic carbon (TOC) could result in the higher accumulation of PFASs in soils and subsequently in wheat grains, whilst the bioaccumulation factors of PFASs increase with increasing pH conditions but not with TOC. The estimated daily intake (EDI) values of PFBA, PFOA, and PFHxS are relatively high, but data supports that ingesting wheat grains does not result in any potential risk to the human beings. Our studies provided more information about PFASs accumulation in wheat grains, and help us understand the current potential risks of PFASs in food.

Analysis of Cadmium, Mercury and Lead in oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in a protected area of southeastern Mexico associated with the risk to human health

BackgroundMetal pollution is a problem in many parts of the world. These metals can be harmful when they exceed the recommended limits. This study aimed to assess the levels of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) in the tissues of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) within a protected area in southeastern Mexico. Additionally, the study aimed to conduct a risk analysis for human health associated with these metals. It is anticipated that the observed metal levels will be lower compared to prior studies, thereby not posing a significant risk to the local population. MethodsThe tissue of oyster samples was treated under the techniques of the Official Mexican Standards and analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The metal concentrations were used to calculate the estimated daily intakes (EDI), target hazard quotients (THQ), hazard index (HI), and target cancer risks (TR), for children and adults. ResultsMaximum values of Cd (1.99 μg g−1), exceeded the permissible limits of the Official Mexican Standards. Pb (0.99 μg g−1) and Hg (0.64 μg g−1) are within the recommended limits. The THQ and HI for Cd, Pb, and Hg were lower than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) criteria. ConclusionsBased on our results, whether oyster (Crassostrea virginica) consumption is recommended in adults and reducing consumption in children; to diminish the risk of exposure to Cd, Pb, and Hg.

Fluoride exposure from consumption of some animal-based foods in an outermost region of Europe

Fluoride is an anion that is widely distributed in nature and can be found in varying levels in water supplies and foodstuffs. This study has been carried out considering the toxic effects in cases of chronic and high fluoride intake and the presence of this anion in foods of animal origin. The fluoride content in a total of 96 samples of animal origin (meat, poultry and poultry products; fish and seafood; milk, dairy products and eggs) was determined by potentiometry with a fluoride selective electrode (ISE). The overall mean concentration was 3.92 ± 6.04 mg/kg, with a minimum for milk (values below the detection limit of 0.01 mg/kg) and a maximum for shrimps (32.1 mg/kg). Seafood was found to have the highest fluoride concentrations and the estimated daily intake (EDI) and the percentage contribution to the adequate intake (AI) and upper-level intake (UL) were calculated. Overall, the percentage contribution to UL was less than 20 %. It was concluded that the intake of the analysed animal-based foods does not pose a toxic risk.

Invasive Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) Fish from the Southern Baltic as a Source of Arsenic and Selenium-Food Safety Aspects.

Minimizing human exposure to arsenic (As) and ensuring an adequate dietary intake of selenium (Se) are significant issues in research on food sources. This study measured the content of As and Se in the muscles, gills, liver, and gonads of the fish round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) to assess the benefits and risks associated with their consumption. This was achieved by using dietary reference intake (DRI), estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR). The elements were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean concentrations of As and Se (in μg kg-1 wet weight) were 25.1 and 161.4 in muscle, 58.8 and 367.4 in liver, 47.4 and 635.3 in gonads, and 16.4 and 228.5 in gills, respectively. Arsenic in the muscle portion of fish accounted for up to 0.5% of the DRI, while Se constituted approximately 30% of the DRI. The EDI values were below the reference oral dose (RfD). The THQ were much below the permissible levels (THQ < 1), and the CR were at least within the permissible limit (CR < 10-4). With regard to the As content, round goby muscles can be deemed safe for consumers. They may also be a valuable source of Se in the human diet. However, round goby consumption should be monitored for the proper and safe intake of these elements.

Assessment of human health risk concerning edible plants contamination with toxic elements around functional and derelict mines

Edible plants samples were analysed for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic human health risks. The elements nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and mercury (Hg) analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The recovery, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 75 to 89 %, 0.001–0.003 and 0.003–0.01, respectively. The mean value of Hg (0.34 mg/kg) exceeded the limit of 0.05 mg/kg recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). The estimated daily intake (EDI) of Cd in adults ranged from 7.93 × 10−7 to 1.43 × 10−4 and that of Hg from 0.07 to 1.27 and Cd (0.08 × 10−4) in children. These are below the oral reference doses (RfD). Hazard Quotient (HQ) of Hg in children was 1.92. The elements Hg and As obtained the highest total hazard (THI) index of 2.02 in mango1 and oil palm. Arsenic possessed the highest cancer risk of 4.5 × 10−4 in children and 1.9 × 10−4 in adults. Cancer risk (CR) ranged from low to moderate (10−6-10−4), which is below the limit of 10−3. The total carcinogenic risk (TCR) of the edible plants were above the limit of 10−6. The study identified minimal As and Hg pollution and carcinogenic risks in edible plants.

Occurrence and inhalation health risk of neonicotinoid pesticides in outdoor air particulate matters from 2019 to 2021 in China

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs), as a new type of insecticide, are widely used in agriculture and daily life. Because of the low volatility of NNIs, few studies have evaluated them in atmospheric particulate matter. In this study, 101 outdoor PM2.5 samples were collected from the Wuhan urban area from 2019 to 2021, leading to the detection of seven NNIs and three of their metabolites. The detection frequencies of all 10 substances were more than 60%, with DIN (dinotefuran) and IMI (imidacloprid) reaching 100%. DIN (52.4 pg/m3) and IMI (43.0 pg/m3) had higher median concentrations than other substances. Concentration distributions of the four substances ACE (acetamiprid), DIN, IMI, and 5-OH-IMI (5-Hydro-Imidacloprid) exhibited statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) across the four seasons. Concentration levels of ACE, CLO (clothianidin), and IMI were statistically different between the three years (P < 0.05). The median concentration of imidacloprid-equivalent total neonicotinoids (IMIeq: generated by the relative potency factor method) was 256.1 pg/m3. Finally, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of NNIs via respiration was greater in infants and young children than in the rest of the population, suggesting that infants and young children were more likely to be exposed to the health effects of airborne residual PM2.5.

The effect of different types of microplastic and acute cadmium exposure on the Mytilus galloprovincialis (Lamarck, 1819)

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a pressing issue for both environmental health and the safety of human food sources. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the effects of MPs on Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lamarck 1819), focusing on the food safety risks associated with MP and cadmium (Cd) exposure in these organisms intended for consumption. The retention of different polymer types of MPs in mussels was specifically evaluated, and the influence of Cd on MP retention across these polymers was investigated. Mussels were exposed to polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs individually and in combination with the toxic metal Cd for a duration of 7 days. Antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress parameters, and digestive system enzyme activities, selected as biomarkers for Cd and MPs pollution, were assessed. Furthermore, human consumption risk evaluations and limits regarding mussel intake were analysed in terms of food safety. The results suggest that exposure to Cd, MPs, or their combination induces oxidative stress, tissue damage, and neurotoxicity. Alterations in digestive enzyme activities could impact the mussels' energy acquisition from food and their capacity to conserve energy reserves. The estimated daily intake (EDI), provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and target cancer risk (TCR) levels for all groups surpassed established limits, implying a significant health risk for humans consuming these products. These results underscore the potential health risks for humans associated with consuming mussels exposed to Cd and/or MPs and provide valuable data for monitoring pollution levels and ecological risks in aquatic organisms. Additionally, our findings reveal that the retention of Cd in mussel tissues varies significantly after exposure, with combinations of PET and Cd showing lower levels of Cd accumulation compared to other groups, suggesting a differential interaction that influences Cd retention.

Bisphenol Chemicals in Surface Soil from E-Waste Dismantling Facilities and the Surrounding Areas: Spatial Distribution and Health Risk.

Electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling facilities are well-known bisphenol chemical (BP) sources. In this study, non-targeted screening combined with targeted analysis of BPs in surface soil from e-waste dismantling facilities and their surroundings revealed their presence, distribution, and exposure risk. A total of 14 BPs were identified including bisphenol A (BPA) and its novel structural analogs and halogenated BPs. The total concentrations of BPs ranged from 963 to 47,160 ng/g (median: 6970 ng/g) in e-waste soil, higher than those measured in surface soil from surrounding areas, i.e., 10-7750 ng/g (median 197 ng/g). BPA, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), and bisphenol F (BPF) were the dominant ones from the two areas. Concentrations of TBBPA and its debromination product from the surrounding area significantly decreased with increasing distances from the e-waste dismantling facilities. Estimation of daily intake via oral ingestion of soil suggests that current contamination scenarios are unlikely to pose health risks for e-waste dismantling workers and adults and toddlers living in the surrounding areas, with their intakes generally well below the tolerable daily intakes proposed for several BPs. However, the BPA intakes of workers exceeded the more strict tolerable daily intake for BPA established recently, which merits continuous environmental surveillance.

Investigation of thallium as a contaminant in dietary supplements marketed for weight loss and physical fitness

Dietary supplements are drastically growing as a category of consumer products all over the world. The abuse of supplements marketed for slimming purposes and physical fitness has been observed worldwide in recent years, which raises concerns in terms of public health. In this study, different types of dietary supplements marketed and delivered through the e-commerce were studied for the determination of thallium as a hazardous inorganic contaminant. The total content of thallium was determined by a sensitive voltammetric method after a microwave-assisted oxidative digestion of the sample. In addition, a comparative spectrometric method was applied for validation of the results in the samples. The maximum concentration found for thallium was found to be 2.89 mg kg−1, which well agree with the comparative measurement. Considering the 32 studied formulations, it can be pointed out that ∼24% of the of dietary supplements presented Tl concentrations at concentrations higher than 1 mg kg−1. The results permitted the assessment of the health risk related to thallium from contaminated samples, based on the calculation of the estimated daily intake (EDI) and the risk quotient (HQ). The highest daily intake of thallium was calculated as 82.0 µg day−1 in a protein-based supplement, which is equivalent to an EDI of 1.17 µg kg−1 day−1. This work highlights the need to develop regulations on the limits of toxic elements such as thallium in widely consumed dietary supplements, as well as an in-depth look at the adverse effects caused by this element in the human body.

Estimated daily intake and cumulative risk assessment of organophosphate esters and associations with DNA damage among e-waste workers in Hong Kong

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are extensively used as additives in various products, including electronic equipment, which becomes e-waste when obsolete. Nevertheless, no study has evaluated OPEs exposure levels and the related health risks among e-waste workers in Hong Kong. Therefore, 201 first-spot morning urine samples were collected from 101 e-waste workers and 100 office workers to compare eight urinary OPE metabolites (mOPEs) levels in these groups. The concentrations of six mOPEs were similar in e-waste workers and office workers, except for significantly higher levels of diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) in e-waste workers and bis(1-chloro-2propyl) phosphate (BCIPP) in office workers. Spearman correlation analysis showed that most non-chlorinated mOPEs were correlated with each other in e-waste workers (i.e., nine out of ten pairs, including di-p-cresyl phosphate (DpCP) and di-o-cresyl phosphate (DoCP), DpCP and bis(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (BBOEP), DpCP and DPHP, DpCP and dibutyl phosphate (DBP), DoCP and BBOEP, DoCP and DPHP, DoCP and DBP, BBOEP and DPHP, DPHP and DBP), indicating that handling e-waste could be the exposure source of specific OPEs. The median values of estimated daily intake (EDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) suggested that the health risks from OPEs exposures were under the recommended thresholds. However, linear regression models, Quantile g-computation, and Bayesian kernel machine regression found that urinary mOPEs elevated 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG) levels individually or as a mixture, in which DPHP contributed prominently. In conclusion, although e-waste might not elevate the internal OPEs levels among the participating Hong Kong e-waste workers, attention should be paid to the potential DNA damage stimulated by OPEs under the currently recommended thresholds.

Bioaccumulation of Lead and Mercury in Water, Sediment, and Fish Samples of Baraila Lake, Vaishali, Bihar.

In the current study, a protected subtropical wetland in Bihar (India), Baraila Lake, was investigated for heavy metal (Pb and Hg) status. These metals tend to bioaccumulate in fish, posing a concern to human health. This study reported the concentration of lead and mercury in water, sediment, and fish muscles of Baraila Lake in the year 2022. The samples were collected from pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons at four sampling locations, i.e., Loma, Dhulwar, Chakaiya, and Kawai Baraila, and were analyzed in triplicates. Lead concentration in water samples of all four sites of Baraila Lake observed during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season exceeded the permissible limit for drinking water, while the mercury concentration of all sites was under the permissible limit in both seasons as prescribed by WHO. The extent of elemental pollution was evaluated using the Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), contamination degree (Cd), ecological risk factor (Er), and the potential ecological risk index (Ri). Lead concentration in fish muscles of both seasons exceeded the permissible limit, while the concentration of mercury exceeded in Xenentodon cancila (0.55 ± 0.07µg/g) during the pre-monsoon season. Also, estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI) were calculated in different fish muscles to assess potential human health risks. A higher THQ value of 1.303 was observed in carnivore fish during the pre-monsoon season.

Human health risk associated with nitrates in some vegetables: A case study in Gonabad

Vegetables are vital parts of the human diet, however, they also may contain substances such as nitrate which can affect human health. This cross-sectional research was conducted with the objective to assess the health risk of citizens in Gonabad from nitrate exposure through the consumption of some vegetables. Common vegetables namely, cucumber, carrot, tomato, potato, lettuce, cauliflower, onion and mushroom were analyzed for nitrate contents. The values of the estimated daily intakes (EDIs), target hazard quotients (HQs) were computed to estimate the non-carcinogenic health risk. Nitrate concentrations in the selected vegetables ranged from 25 to 2100 mg/kg (fresh weight). The highest concentration of nitrate was found in lettuce (2100 mg/kg). The EDI values in some vegetables exceeded the acceptable daily intake of nitrate. The calculated HQ values of carrot, potato, lettuce, onion and mushroom were HQ ≥ 1 for children, signifying non-carcinogenic health risk to the age group. For teenagers group, the HQ values for lettuce and onion was ≥ 1. Furthermore, potato, lettuce and onion were unsafe considering HQ values related to nitrate concentration in adults. Therefore, the control of possible contamination sources and minimization of vegetable nitrate concentration are recommended.