Hazard Assessment Of Substances Research Articles

2 Humanising Nanotoxicology Testing: Moving Towards Animal-free Approaches for Hazard Assessment of Nanomaterials

Abstract The vast array of nanomaterials (NMs) under development raises ethical concerns over the reliance and extent of animal usage in the hazard assessment of substances. Grouping which allows read-across of data from NMs predicted to pose similar hazard could provide justification for waiving of in vivo tests. The GRACIOUS Framework has defined Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATAs) to guide the generation of data to support grouping. Each IATA is underpinned by a tiered testing strategy promoting the use of acellular and in vitro assays, (Tier 1-2), which are predictive of in vivo mechanisms of toxicity. Tier 3 in vivo studies are only required to confirm grouping or fill specific gaps. Adopting the IATA approach allows the effective triage of vast number of NMs prioritized for in vivo hazard assessment, thus reducing overall animal testing. However, many of the methods recommended at Tier 1-2 are reliant on the use of animal-derived materials and reagents. The information gathered at early Tiers therefore cannot be considered animal-free unless adaptions are made to standard in vitro protocols to replace all animal-derived reagents. The objective of this study was to review the GRACIOUS Inhalation IATA and identify where animal-free options could be selected when designing experimental hazard studies. The replacement of animal-derived reagents with human alternatives was trialed in multiple Tier 1 assays using a CuO NM as a case study material. This proof-of-concept study informs the suitability of animal-free methods for NM hazard assessment and demonstrates only minor adaptions may be required.

Method Validation and Assessment of Hazardous Substances and Quality Control Characteristics in Traditional Fruit Wines.

The presence of potentially hazardous substances in fruit wines poses a threat for human health. However, the management standards and specifications of hazardous substances contained within various types of fruit wines are currently insufficient. The aim of this study was to analyze hazardous substances (cyanide, acetaldehyde, and ethyl carbamate) and quality control characteristics (pH, titratable acidity, sulfur dioxide, and diacetyl) in seven different types of fruit wines. The pH levels and titratable acidity varied between fruit wine types. In all fruit wines, sulfur dioxide (SO2) was within acceptable ranges as per the Korean standard. Acetaldehyde content also varied between fruit wine types as well as based on the analytical method (titration or enzymatic analysis) employed. Cyanide was in the range of 0.02–0.35 mg/L. Diacetyl contents were in the range of 0.66–2.95 mg/L (p > 0.05). The contents of ethyl carbamate varied considerably, within the range of 5.22–259.69 μg/kg (p < 0.05). The analytical methods of diacetyl and ethyl carbamate were validated for specificity, linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, and precision. Therefore, the content of hazardous substances and quality control characteristics should be closely monitored and controlled to improve safety and quality of the traditional fruit wines.

Assessment of Hazardous Substances in Electrical Cables: Implementation of RoHS Regulations in India

Abstract Globally, the use of plastics in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and home appliances as alternatives to aluminum and steel has been increased rapidly. As a result, the sustainable recycling of plastics in the Indian informal sector has been complicated by hazardous additive substances. In plastics, lead and cadmium compounds are mainly applied as pigments and stabilizing agents. As per the directive of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), for all homogenous materials in the manufacture of various types of EEE, the application of lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is restricted to a maximum level of 1,000 μg/g and especially cadmium to a maximum level of 100 μg/g. In the present work, five electrical cables of various colors and gauges, available in the local market (Hyderabad, India), were chosen for a case study. As per the norms of IEC62321, Electrotechnical Products—Determination of Six Regulated Substances (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenlys, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers), the prescreening using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer showed the presence of lead only in all cables against the six restricted substances with variable concentrations with color as well as thickness. The maximum lead content observed was ∼31,000 μg/g in black cables with a 2.5-mm2 thickness. The measured lead content using EDXRF spectrometry has cross-checked with other well-established analytical techniques: Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the results were found to be comparable. The spiking studies of lead showed that the obtained results by EDXRF spectrometry were within the acceptable range (accuracy limit of 100 ± 20 %). From the results obtained, it is concluded that the content of lead tested in all the electrical cables selected was more than 1,000 μg/g and hence found to be noncompliant as per RoHS regulation.

Integrated indicator framework and methodology for monitoring and assessment of hazardous substances and their effects in the marine environment

Many maritime countries in Europe have implemented marine environmental monitoring programmes which include the measurement of chemical contaminants and related biological effects. How best to integrate data obtained in these two types of monitoring into meaningful assessments has been the subject of recent efforts by the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Expert Groups. Work within these groups has concentrated on defining a core set of chemical and biological endpoints that can be used across maritime areas, defining confounding factors, supporting parameters and protocols for measurement. The framework comprised markers for concentrations of, exposure to and effects from, contaminants. Most importantly, assessment criteria for biological effect measurements have been set and the framework suggests how these measurements can be used in an integrated manner alongside contaminant measurements in biota, sediments and potentially water. Output from this process resulted in OSPAR Commission (www.ospar.org) guidelines that were adopted in 2012 on a trial basis for a period of 3 years. The developed assessment framework can furthermore provide a suitable approach for the assessment of Good Environmental Status (GES) for Descriptor 8 of the European Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).

05/02797 Hazard assessment of substances produced from the accidental heating of chemical compounds

05/02797 Hazard assessment of substances produced from the accidental heating of chemical compounds

A strategy for the assessment of hazardous substances in industrial effluents (IDA)

A strategy for the assessment of industrial wastewater discharges with regard to the major hazard parameters toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation is presented. The modular design of the strategy named IDA (Industrial Discharge Assessment) allows us to successively determine the three hazard parameters. Starting with the parameter toxicity biological tests for acute and chronic as well as genotoxicity are performed. Next persistence in the aquatic environment is simulated by a biological degradation test. A method based on solid-phase extraction was developed to cover the parameter bioaccumulation by determination of the amount of potentially bioaccumulating substances. The strategy was applied to real wastewater samples to test its applicability. In one of the investigated discharges toxic and persistent but no potentially bioaccumulating substances were found to be present. The strategy IDA is generally applicable and provides reasonable results to allow for a deeper insight into the hazard potential of an effluent.

METIER (modular ecotoxicity tests incorporating ecological relevance) for difficult substances. 4. Test chamber for cladocerans in flow-through conditions

Continuous-flow systems in toxicity testing are advantageous because they introduce constant toxicant concentrations and constant food to the test organisms and continuously purge wastes. Therefore, continuous-flow systems are particularly useful in hazard assessment of substances that may readily be lost from test chambers (i.e., poorly water soluble, volatile, readily biodegradable or photodegradable, hydrolitically unstable compounds). Within METIER (Modular ecotoxicity tests incorporating ecological relevance), a European Union-funded project, a basic design for a standard flow-through exposure system was developed. This paper addresses the adaptation of the flow-through system for use with cladocerans, which involved designing a suitable test chamber and appropriate operation procedures. The sublethal toxicity of a reference compound (3,4-dichloroaniline) to Daphnia magna Straus was evaluated under both flow-through and semi-static conditions. Tests conducted under flow-through conditions provided a less sensitive measure of toxicity than under semi-static conditions. This result is probably a function of the higher food availability within the flow-through system. The no-observed-effect concentration for reproduction was the most sensitive endpoint and was 5 μg/L in the flow-through system and 2.5 μg/L in semi-static conditions.

A step sequence system for exposure analysis as a contribution for the ecological hazard assessment of substances

A step sequence system for exposure analysis as a contribution for the ecological hazard assessment of substances