Health Risks Of Dietary Exposure Research Articles

Dietary exposure assessment of perchlorate and chlorate in infant formulas marketed in Shanghai, China

Perchlorate and chlorate are ubiquitous pollutants that can adversely affect the thyroid function in humans. This study assessed the potential health risks associated with the dietary exposure of infants and young children to perchlorate and chlorate present in infant formulas available in Shanghai. The assessment was based on risk monitoring data from 150 samples of infant formulas in Shanghai between 2020 and 2022, along with the dietary consumption data of infants and young children. The detection rates of perchlorate and chlorate in infant formulas were 46.0% and 98.7%, with mean contents of 9.98 μg/kg and 112.01 μg/kg, and the maximum values of 151.00 μg/kg and 1475.00 μg/kg, respectively. The mean and 95th percentile (P95) values of daily perchlorate exposure of 0–36-month-old infant and young children via infant formulas were 0.07 and 0.17 μg/kg body weight (bw) per day, respectively, which were lower than the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of perchlorate (0.3 μg/kg bw per day). The mean and P95 values of chlorate exposure via infant formulas in 0–36-month-old infants and young children were 0.83 and 1.89 μg/kg bw per day, which were lower than the TDI of chlorate (3 μg/kg bw per day). The P95 exposure of different age groups (0–6 months, 7–12 months and 13–36 months) of infants and young children to perchlorate and chlorate in infant formulas was below the TDI. Therefore, the risk associated with the exposure of 0–36-month-old infants and young children to perchlorate and chlorate from infant formulas in Shanghai is considered acceptable. Prioritizing environmental pollution control efforts to reduce the levels of perchlorate and chlorate in food products is important to safeguard the health of the infants and children under the One Health concept.

Spatial and variety distributions, risk assessment, and prediction model for heavy metals in rice grains in China.

In this study, 6229 brown rice grains from three major rice-producing regions were collected to investigate the spatial and variety distributions of heavy metals in rice grains in China. The potential sources of heavy metals in rice grains were identified using the Pearson correlation matrix and principal component analysis, and the health risks of dietary exposure to heavy metals via rice consumption were assessed using the hazard index (HI) and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) method, respectively. Moreover, 48 paired soil and rice samples from 11 cities were collected to construct a predicting model for Cd accumulation in rice grains using the multiple linear stepwise regression analysis. The results indicated that Cd and Ni were the main heavy metal pollutants in rice grains in China, with approximately 10% of samples exceeding their corresponding maximum allowable limits. The Yangtze River basin had heavier pollution of heavy metals than the Southeast Coastal Region and Northeast Plain, and the indica rice varieties had higher heavy metal accumulation abilities compared with the japonica rice. The Cu, Pb, and Cd mainly originated from anthropogenic sources, while As, Hg, Cr, and Ni originated from both natural and anthropogenic sources. The mean HI and TCR values of dietary exposure to heavy metals via rice consumption ranged from 2.92 to 4.31 and 9.74 × 10-3 to 1.44 × 10-2, respectively, much higher than the acceptable range, and As and Ni were the main contributor to the HI and TCR for Chinese adults and children, respectively. The available Si (ASi), total Cd (TCd), available Mo (AMo), and available S (AS) were the main soil factors determining grain Cd accumulation. A multiple linear stepwise regression model was constructed based on ASi, TCd, AMo, and AS in soils with good accuracy and precision, which could be applied to predict Cd accumulation in rice grains and guide safe rice production in contaminated paddy fields.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals from grains and grain products in Gansu Province, China, 2012-2020.

In this study, heavy metals including lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) in 3520 samples (6 varieties) were measured using ICP-MS and assessed through multiple exposure pathways. We estimated the health risks from various grains and grain products, classified according to gender. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of each heavy metal in men was lower than the reference dose (RfD), and the wheat of Cr in women was above RfD at the P95 exposure level. The health risks of dietary exposure in adults were assessed using deterministic evaluation and Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). The deterministic evaluation showed that the total hazard index of each heavy metal was below 1, and the total incremental lifetime cancer risks of Cd, As, and Cr were above 1.0E-04. Dietary intake was the primary route of exposure. MCS indicated that only 10% of men and 15% of women for Cr ranged over hazard quotient (1), and the ILCRs of most adults were above 1.0E-04 through dietary exposure. Consequently, we conclude that adults are more likely to be exposed to carcinogenic risks in Gansu province.

Unraveling the contribution of dietary intake to human phthalate internal exposure

Human exposure to phthalates (PAEs) occurs primarily through diet, but the contribution of dietary exposure to the total internal exposure of PAEs has not been well studied. This work investigated the relationship between dietary exposure and human internal exposure to PAEs. Daily food samples were determined to evaluate the health risk of dietary exposure, and phthalate metabolites (mPAEs) were determined from urine samples of 360 volunteers of Guangzhou to assess their internal exposure. The total mPAEs concentration in the urine samples ranged from 8.43 to 1872 ng/mL, with mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP), and mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) being the most predominant mPAEs. The concentration of PAEs in food ranged from n.d-40200 μg/kg, and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were the most prevalent. PAE exposure was significantly associated with age, and children exhibited the highest concentration of mPAEs. Using Monte Carlo simulation to estimate PAE exposure's health risk eliminated uncertainties caused by single-point sampling and provided more reliable statistical results. The hazard quotient (HQ) was used to evaluate PAE exposure health risks. The results showed that 37% of the volunteers had HQ levels higher than 1 based on urinary mPAE concentrations, while 24% of the volunteers had HQ levels greater than 1 because of dietary exposure to PAEs. Dietary intake was the predominant exposure route for PAEs, and accounted for approximately 65% (24% out of 37%) of the cases where HQ levels exceeded 1.The work revealed the correlation between dietary external and internal exposure to PAEs, and further studies are needed to better understand the implications.

In-vitro bioaccessibility of pesticide residues in edible seaweeds: Exposure and health risk assessment

Bioaccessibility-based risk assessment can improve dietary recommendations for pesticide residue (PR) contaminated aquatic food products. The bioaccessibility of banned organochlorine (HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, endrin, DDT, and endosulfan) and pyrethroid (cypermethrin) pesticides in green (U. lactuca and C. racemosa) and red (K. alvarezii) seaweeds from Gulf of Mannar, Marine Biosphere Reserve Trust was assessed using in-vitro simulation digestion. Thermal processing of seaweeds significantly (p < 0.05) reduces the PRs concentration. The sum of PRs concentration was higher in U. lactuca and lower in K. alvarezii in raw seaweeds. C. racemosa had higher concentration after thermal cooking. PR bioaccessibility in seaweeds was 9–34%, 2–50%, and 7–34% in C. racemosa, U. lactuca, and K. alvarezii, respectively. Gulf of Mannar seaweeds represent no significant health risk (hazard risk <1). Ignoring PR bioaccessibility in aquatic foods may exaggerate the health risk of dietary exposure.

Mycotoxins in Wheat Flours Marketed in Shanghai, China: Occurrence and Dietary Risk Assessment.

The risk of exposure to mycotoxins through the consumption of wheat flours has long been a concern. A total of 299 wheat flours marketed in Shanghai Province of China were surveyed and analyzed for the co-occurrence of 13 mycotoxins through an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. The detection rates of mycotoxins in wheat flours ranged from 0.7~74.9% and their average contamination levels in wheat flours (0.2~57.6 µg kg-1) were almost lower than the existing regulations in cereals. However, their co-contamination rate was as high as 98.1%, especially Fusarium and Alternaria mycotoxins. Comparative analysis of different types of wheat flours showed that the average contamination levels in refined wheat flours with low-gluten were lower. Based on these contamination data and the existing consumption data of Shanghai residents, point evaluation and the Monte Carlo assessment model were used to preliminarily evaluate the potential dietary exposure risk. The probable daily intakes of almost all mycotoxins, except for alternariol, were under the health-based guidance values for 90% of different consumer groups. Health risks of dietary exposure to alternariol should be a concern and further studied in conjunction with an internal exposure assessment.

Health risk assessment of dietary exposure to phthalates from plastic-coated paper among university students

Plastic-coated paper (PCP) is commonly used as a takeaway food container in Thailand. This study aimed to investigate the phthalate content in PCP and to evaluate the health risk of dietary exposure to phthalates. Determination of phthalates, namely, of benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), was carried out using a simple total immersion test followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Consumption data of 430 students in a university were collected by a questionnaire for health risk assessment. The results showed that DEHP was the most abundant compound detected in the PCP samples, followed by DBP and BBP, respectively. The hazard indexes (<1) showed that the health risk to all subjects was acceptable, but monitoring of phthalates in PCP on market shelves should be performed regularly to protect consumers’ health.

Occurrence, dietary exposure, and health risk estimation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in grilled and fried meats in Shandong of China.

There is a lack of information regarding the quantitative determination and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in grilled and fried meat products in Shandong Province of China. The aim of this work was firstly to detect the contamination levels of 15 PAHs in 52 grilled and fried meats consumed by the population of Shandong Province, China. In brief, concentrations of the sum of 15 PAHs in individual samples were ranged from 8.23 to 341 μg/kg with a mean contamination level of 63.3 μg/kg. Moreover, the factors for the formation of PAHs in these samples have been identified and analyzed. One grilled meat sample exceeded the maximum limits of 2 and 12 μg/kg set for BaP and PAH4 by the European Union. For a further step, the mean dietary exposures for total PAHs from grilled and fried meat products were estimated to be 120 and 74.8 ng/kg bw/day, respectively. Finally, the health risk estimation was performed using the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) approach. The obtained values of four groups were all lower than 10‐4, indicating a slight potential carcinogenic risk of consumer health. This study was the first attempt to provide baseline information of potential health risk of dietary exposure of PAH‐containing grilled and fried meats, which could be useful for health management of the local consumers.

The level of mercury contamination in mariculture sites at the estuary of Pearl River and the potential health risk

In the present study, the Hg contamination in mariculture sites located at the estuary of Pearl River was to investigate with an attempt to analyse associated health risks of dietary exposure to both total mercury (THg) and methyl mercury (MeHg) in cultured fish and shellfish. The highest total mercury concentration (7.037 ± 0.556 ng L−1) of seawater was observed at Zhuhai Estuary. The Hg concentrations of sediment in Guishan Island were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in Daya Bay (away from the Pearl River). Besides, the both THg and MeHg levels in sediment at mariculture sites were higher (p < 0.05) than corresponding reference sites. It was attributed to the fact that mariculture activities increased Hg loading and promoted MeHg production. The vertical distribution of Hg in sediment cores demonstrated that mercury methylation mostly occurred at the sediment-water interface. Results of health risk assessments showed that fish consumption would impose a higher risk to children but less to adults, while shellfish produced in the studied area was safe for consumption.

Health risks of dietary exposure to perfluorinated compounds

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) form a diverse group of chemicals with surface-active properties manufactured for over 50years. In recent years, a number of studies have reported the ubiquitous distribution of PFCs in human tissues and wildlife. Although the relative importance of the routes of human exposure to these compounds is not well established yet, it has been suggested that food intake and packaging, water, house dust, and airborne are all potentially significant sources. However, dietary intake is probably the main route of exposure to these compounds, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), the most extensively investigated PFCs. This paper reviews the state of the science regarding the concentrations of PFCs in foodstuffs, human dietary exposure to these compounds and their health risks. The influence of processing, cooking and packaging on the PFCs levels in food is also discussed. Because of the rather limited information about human dietary exposure, studies to determine exposure to PFCs through the diet for the general population of a number of countries are clearly necessary. The correlation of PFCs body burdens and dietary intake of PFCs should be also established.