Maximum Acceptable Concentration Research Articles

Application of the threshold of toxicological concern approach for the safety evaluation of calendula flower (Calendula officinalis) petals and extracts used in cosmetic and personal care products

Calendula flower (Calendula officinalis) (CF) has been used in herbal medicine because of its anti-inflammatory activity. CF and C. officinalis extracts (CFE) are used as skin conditioning agents in cosmetics. Although data on dermal irritation and sensitization of CF and CFE’s are available, the risk of subchronic systemic toxicity following dermal application has not been evaluated. The threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) is a pragmatic, risk assessment based approach that has gained regulatory acceptance for food and has been recently adapted to address cosmetic ingredient safety. The purpose of this paper is to determine if the safe use of CF and CFE can be established based upon the TTC class for each of its known constituents. For each constituent, the concentration in the plant, the molecular weight, and the estimated skin penetration potential were used to calculate a maximal daily systemic exposure which was then compared to its corresponding TTC class value. Since the composition of plant extracts are variable, back calculation was used to determine the maximum acceptable concentration of a given constituent in an extract of CF. This paper demonstrates the utility and practical application of the TTC concept when used as a tool in the safety evaluation of botanical extracts.

An Ecological Risk Assessment of the Exposure and Effects of 2,4-D Acid to Rainbow Trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss)

Numerous state and federal agencies are increasingly concerned with the rapid expansion of invasive, noxious weeds across the United States. Herbicides are frequently applied as weed control measures in forest and rangeland ecosystems that frequently overlap with critical habitats of threatened and endangered fish species. However, there is little published chronic toxicity data for herbicides and fish that can be used to assess ecological risk of herbicides in aquatic environments. We conducted 96-h flowthrough acute and 30-day chronic toxicity studies with swim-up larvae and juvenile rainbow trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss) exposed to the free acid form of 2,4-D. Juvenile rainbow trout were acutely sensitive to 2,4-D acid equivalent at 494 mg/L (95% confidence interval [CI] 334-668 mg/L; 96-h ALC(50)). Accelerated life-testing procedures, used to estimate chronic mortality from acute data, predicted that a 30-day exposure of juvenile rainbow trout to 2,4-D would result in 1% and 10% mortality at 260 and 343 mg/L, respectively. Swim-up larvae were chronically more sensitive than juveniles using growth as the measurement end point. The 30-day lowest observable effect concentration (LOEC) of 2,4-D on growth of swim-up larvae was 108 mg/L, whereas the 30-day no observable effect concentration (NOEC) was 54 mg/L. The 30-day maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) of 2,4-D for rainbow trout, determined as the geometric mean of the NOEC and the LOEC, was 76 mg/L. The acute:chronic ratio was 6.5 (i.e., 494/76). We observed no chronic effects on growth of juvenile rainbow trout at the highest concentration tested (108 mg/L). Worst-case aquatic exposures to 2,4-D (4 mg/L) occur when the herbicide is directly applied to aquatic ecosystems for aquatic weed control and resulted in a 30-day safety factor of 19 based on the MATC for growth (i.e., 76/4). Highest nontarget aquatic exposures to 2,4-D applied following terrestrial use is calculated at 0.136 mg/L and resulted in a 30-day safety factor of 559 (e.g., 76/0.163). Assessment of the exposure and response data presented herein indicates that use of 2,4-D acid for invasive weed control in aquatic and terrestrial habitats poses no substantial risk to growth or survival of rainbow trout or other salmonids, including the threatened bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus).

An Ecological Risk Assessment of the Acute and Chronic Toxicity of the Herbicide Picloram to the Threatened Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and the Rainbow Trout (Onchorhyncus mykiss)

We conducted acute and chronic toxicity studies of the effects of picloram acid on the threatened bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and the standard coldwater surrogate rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Juvenile fish were chronically exposed for 30 days in a proportional flow-through diluter to measured concentrations of 0, 0.30, 0.60, 1.18, 2.37, and 4.75 mg/L picloram. No mortality of either species was observed at the highest concentration. Bull trout were twofold more sensitive to picloram (30-day maximum acceptable toxic concentration of 0.80 mg/L) compared to rainbow trout (30-day maximum acceptable toxic concentration of 1.67 mg/L) based on the endpoint of growth. Picloram was acutely toxic to rainbow trout at 36 mg/L (96-h ALC50). The acute:chronic ratio for rainbow trout exposed to picloram was 22. The chronic toxicity of picloram was compared to modeled and measured environmental exposure concentrations (EECs) using a four-tiered system. The Tier 1, worst-case exposure estimate, based on a direct application of the current maximum use rate (1.1 kg/ha picloram) to a standardized aquatic ecosystem (water body of 1-ha area and 1-m depth), resulted in an EEC of 0.73 mg/L picloram and chronic risk quotients of 0.91 and 0.44 for bull trout and rainbow trout, respectively. Higher-tiered exposure estimates reduced chronic risk quotients 10-fold. Results of this study indicate that picloram, if properly applied according to the manufacturer's label, poses little risk to the threatened bull trout or rainbow trout in northwestern rangeland environments on either an acute or a chronic basis.

Nitrate Occurrence in Groundwater: A Case Study from Haryana

Groundwater and soil samples were collected to determine NO)' and N Level at different locations in two villages and to investigate probable reasons for the occurrence of high nitrate concentration in groundwater. The soil of the study area was loamy sand throughout the profile up to 15 m except sandy loam at depth of 8. I to 10.8 m. All the groundwater samples collected during different time periods (pre-monsoon and post-monsoon) showed nitrate concentration of about more than twice the maximum acceptable nitrate concentration for drinking water standards (45 mg L·'). Water quality with respect to nitrate concentration in the pumped groundwater was determined for different pumping rates and time periods after the start of pumping. The nitrate concentration did not change considerably with the discharge and time during the pumping. Lower nitrate concentration (1.44 me L') in groundwater was observed at shallow depth (5.45- 8.1 m) as compared to 1.56 me L-' in relatively deep (10.8 to 15 m) groundwater. Total nitrogen content in subsurface profile to a depth of 15 m was found to vary from 0.13 to 0.18%. Wide variation in nitrate content (56.19 to 91.36 mg L-t) was observed among tubewell water of two contiguous villages.

Bioaccessibility of essential and non-essential metals in commercial shellfish from Western Europe and Asia

Maximum acceptable concentrations of metals in food – based on total concentrations – have been established in many countries. To improve risk assessment, it would be better to take into account bioaccessible concentrations. A total of seven species of molluscs from France, UK and Hong Kong was examined in this study including clams, mussels, oysters, scallops and gastropods. The species which have total metal concentrations higher than the most severe food security limits are mainly oysters (all of the three studied species), the gastropod Buccinum undatum for cadmium and zinc, and scallops for cadmium. The lowest bioaccessibility (in % extractability with gut juices) was observed for silver (median for all of the species: 14%), it was moderate for lead (median: 33%) and higher for cadmium, zinc and copper (medians were respectively 54%, 65%, and 70%). In most cases, bioaccessible concentrations remained higher than the safety limits, except for cadmium in scallops and zinc in B. undatum. The influence of feeding habit (masticated or swallowed, addition of vinegar or lemon) on metal bioaccessibility in oysters is limited. On the contrary, cooking the gastropods decreased the bioaccessibility of metals, except silver.

Milk quality assurance for paratuberculosis: simulation of within-herd infection dynamics and economics

A bulk milk quality assurance programme for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) in dairy herds was simulated with a stochastic simulation model (JohneSSim). The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological and economic effects of preventive management measures and various test schemes in a simulated population of closed Dutch dairy herds over a 20-year period. Herds were certified as ;low-Map bulk milk' if, with a certain probability, the concentration of Map in bulk milk did not exceed a maximum acceptable concentration of 10(3) Map organisms per litre (based on pasteurisation studies). The programme started with an initial assessment; test-negative herds entered a surveillance procedure and test-positive herds a control procedure. The simulations showed that herd examinations by ELISA for the initial assessment, surveillance and control procedures effectively ensure the quality of ;low-Map bulk milk': > 75% of simulated herds were certified and > 96% of certified herds produced bulk milk with < 10(3) Map/L if the initial herd-level prevalence was 30%. Preventive management measures only had a minor effect on bulk milk quality of certified herds. Culling based on biennial faecal culture was more effective than culling based on annual ELISA. Average total discounted costs for 20-year participation in a programme consisting of initial assessment by ELISA, surveillance by biennial ELISA and control by biennial faecal culture were 16 Euro x 10(3) per herd. In conclusion, this study shows that a bulk milk quality assurance programme for closed Dutch dairy herds is feasible and provides information on the cost-effectiveness of different programmes. The concepts of this study equally apply to other countries because mechanisms of paratuberculosis infection, disease, and testing are comparable in other dairy cattle populations.

Arsenic in Groundwater Wells in Quaternary Deposits in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia

Elevated arsenic (As) concentrations levels have been found in private groundwater wells in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia (BC) in a regional survey. Forty-three percent of the 98 tested wells showed total As concentrations above the 0.010 mg/L Maximum Acceptable Concentration (MAC) and another 40% were above 0.0003mg/L, a level of concern because of possible long-term lifetime exposure that could result in increased risk of negative health effects. There is clear evidence that As in this region is of natural origin and likely associated with marine and glaciomarine deposits. Arsenic was predominantly found in deep wells, and was positively correlated with variables reflective of marine environments such as B, Na, K, Mo, Cl, PO4, pH and specific conductance. Sixty-seven percent of the samples located in the marine and glaciomarine deposits of the Salish and Capilano formation had As concentrations above the MAC. In contrast, only 28% of all samples in the Fort Langley Formation and 16% of the samples on glaciofluvial sediments of the Vashon and Sumas Drift Formation had As concentrations above the MAC. Arsenic was predominantly found in aquifers that are classified as confined and of low vulnerability, while wells in unconfined glaciofluvial deposits showed little evidence of As.

Optimum pH for Oxidation of Mn(II) Ions in Model and Actual Manganese Drainages by a Mn-Oxidizing Fungus, &lt;I&gt;Phoma sp.&lt;/I&gt; Strain KY-1

A Mn-oxidizing fungus, Phoma sp. strain KY-1, showed a Mn-oxidizing activity of more than 1.82 mol m � 3 of Mn(II) at an optimum pH 6.8. Controlling the pH at between 6.5 and 7.3 was necessary for fungal oxidation of Mn(II). This is probably due to inactivation of the Mn-oxidizing enzyme by decrease in pH during the reaction. Carbon fiber was found to catalyze the oxidation of Mn(II), most significantly under more unfavorable conditions such as high Mn concentrations, coexisting inhibitive components, or lacking nutrients. Examinations of fungus used for actual Mn-rich mine drainage containing more than 1.46 mol m � 3 of Mn showed that organic nourishments and pH-buffering agents are both essential to obtain acceptable Mn removal rates and that the time required to attain the 10 mg dm � 3 (0.182 mol m � 3 ), which is the maximum acceptable concentration of Mn in discharged wastewater in Japan, was about 170 h in the presence of carbon fiber. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.M-MRA2008802]

Specific cerebral heat shock proteins and histamine receptor cross-talking mechanisms promote distinct lead-dependent neurotoxic responses in teleosts

Recent interests are beginning to be directed towards toxic neurobiological dysfunctions caused by lead (Pb) in aquatic vertebrates. In the present work, treatment with a maximum acceptable toxic concentration of this heavy metal was responsible for highly significant ( p < 0.01) abnormal motor behaviors such as hyperactive movements in the teleost Thalassoma pavo and the same treatment accounted for significantly ( p < 0.05) enhanced hyperventilating states. On the other hand, greater abnormal motor behaviors were detected in the presence of the histamine (HA) receptor subtype 2 (H 2R) antagonist cimetidine (Cim), as shown by the very robust ( p < 0.001) increases of the two behavioral states. Interestingly, elevated expression levels of stress-related factors, i.e. heat shock protein70/90 (HSP90/70) orthologs were reported for the first time in hypothalamic and mesencephalic areas of Pb-treated teleosts. In particular, an up-regulation of HSP70 was readily detected when this heavy metal was given concomitantly with Cim, while the histamine subtype 3 antagonist (H 3R) thioperamide (Thio), instead, blocked Pb-dependent up-regulatory trends of both chaperones in mostly hypothalamic areas. Moreover, intense neuronal damages of the above brain regions coincided with altered expressions of HSP70 and HSP90 when treated only with Cim. Overall these first results show that distinct H n R are able to exert a net neuroprotective role arising from their interaction with chaperones in fish exposed to Pb-dependent stressful conditions making this a potentially key interaction especially for T. pavo, aquatic species which plays an important ecological role towards the survival of other commercially vital fishes.

Comparison of short‐term chronic and chronic silver toxicity to fathead minnows in unamended and sodium chloride‐amended waters

The chronic (early life stage [ELS]) and short-term chronic (STC) toxicity of silver (as silver nitrate) to fathead minnows (FHM) was determined concurrently in flow-through exposures (33 volume additions/d). Paired ELS (approximately 30 d) and STC (7 d) studies were conducted with and without the addition of 60 mg/L Cl (as NaCl). The paired studies in unamended water were later repeated using standard flow conditions (9 volume additions/d). The purpose of the paired studies was to determine if short-term chronic endpoints can be used to predict effects in ELS studies. For each experiment, a "split-chamber" design (organisms were held in a common exposure chamber) allowed the direct comparison between short-term and chronic exposures. It appeared that the chronic toxicity of silver was mitigated to some extent by NaCl addition. The maximum acceptable toxicant concentration for growth in the ELS study was 0.53 microg dissolved Ag/L under standard flow conditions. Early life stage and STC endpoints in all three studies typically agreed within a factor of two. Whole-body sodium and silver concentrations measured in individual fathead minnows during these studies showed an increase in silver body burdens and a decrease in sodium concentration. These results indicate that the STC study could be used as a surrogate test to estimate chronic toxicity and that the mechanism of chronic silver toxicity may be the same as for acute toxicity.

Determinants of variability in acute to chronic toxicity ratios for aquatic invertebrates and fish

Variability in acute to chronic ratios (ACRs; median lethal or effect concentration divided by chronic value) has been of continuing interest in aquatic toxicology because of the reliance on ACRs to estimate chronic toxicity for chemicals and species with known acute toxicity data but with limited or no information for chronic toxicity. To investigate the variability and significant differences in ACRs, an extensive data set was compiled of 456 same-species pairs of acute and maximum acceptable toxicant concentrations for metals, narcotics, pesticides, and other organic chemicals. The overall median value for 456 aquatic invertebrate and fish ACRs analyzed in the present study was 8.3, with a 16,000-fold range in values (1.1-18,550) and a 32-fold range in 10th and 90th percentile values (2.5-79.5). Median ACRs for taxa, ambient habitat media, chronic test end point, and chemical mode of action (MOA)/class categories generally were similar but, in some cases, extremely variable (ranges of 1 to >10,000). No significant differences (p <or= 0.05) were found in median ACRs between taxa, although invertebrate ACRs generally were more variable than fish ACRs. Freshwater organisms had median ACRs significantly greater than those of saltwater species and also were more variable. No significant differences were found in median ACRs among chemical MOA/class data sets; however, ACR variance differed significantly among MOAs. Although few significant differences occurred among median ACRs for different groups, those categories that were highly variable are at an increased risk of underestimated chronic toxicity when mean or median ACRs are used.

Toxic and essential metals in liver, kidney and muscle of pigs at slaughter in Galicia, north-west Spain

The aims of the study were to evaluate toxic and essential metal concentrations in meat and offal from pigs in north-west Spain to compare these with reported metal concentrations in pigs in other countries and in cattle in this region, and to relate the observed concentrations to maximum acceptable concentrations. Samples from 63 pigs aged 6 months were randomly collected at slaughter. After acid digestion, levels of metals were determined by ICP-OES and ICP-MS. As regards the toxic metals, mean concentrations in liver, kidney and muscle were 0.073, 0.308 and 0.009 mg kg−1 fresh weight for cadmium, 0.004, 0.008 and 0.003 mg kg−1 for lead, 0.013, 0.011 and 0.003 mg kg−1 for arsenic, and 0.001, 0.002 and 0.001 mg kg−1 for mercury. These concentrations can be considered low, and in general similar to those reported in similar studies in recent years. In addition, maximum admissible concentrations established by the European Union were not exceeded in any sample. As regards the essential metals, concentrations in liver, kidney and muscle were 14.9, 5.63 and 6.85 mg kg−1 for copper, 81.3, 28.9 and 42.5 mg kg−1 for zinc, 195, 51.6 and 26.5 mg kg−1 for iron; 1.17, 2.51 and 0.656 mg kg−1 for selenium, 3.32, 1.56 and 1.01 mg kg−1 for manganese, 0.023, 0.027 and 0.003 mg kg−1 for cobalt, 0.120, 0.077 and 0.131 mg kg−1 for chromium, 0.009, 0.027 and 0.026 mg kg−1 for nickel, and 1.62, 0.683 and 0.140 mg kg−1 for molybdenum. These concentrations are all within the accepted adequate–safe ranges for this animal species, and in general are in line with those previously reported in the literature.

Indice fisicoquímico de la calidad de agua para el manejo de lagunas tropicales de inundación

We propose ICA-L, a wetland physicochemical water quality index (WWQI), to be used as a management tool for seasonal-flooding lagoons in Palo Verde National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The goal is to preserve their natural role for native plants as well as migrants and local animal species. The index was developed in four steps: parameter selection, assignment of parameter weight, transformation of data to their corresponding sub indices and selection of an appropriate aggregation function. In this process, the following criteria were used as a reference: WQI from the National Sanitation Foundation, WQI for the Des Moines River, Escribano and De Frutos WQI, the international legislation on maximum acceptable concentration for different water quality variables, and the authors' personal criteria. The index includes the following parameters: dissolved oxygen percent saturation, pH, nitrate concentration, total phosphorus concentration, chemical oxygen demand, concentration of suspended solids, electrical conductivity and temperature. The index sets itself to zero if the concentration of some toxic substance exceeds the maximum allowed limit. The adjustment values were based on "weights" defined in the National Sanitation Foundation Water quality Index (ICA-NSF). In this study, the weight of fecal coliforms count was excluded, the values of turbidity and the one for total solids were integrated into one (suspended solids) and a factor of 0.08 was assigned to the conductivity parameter. The sub indices associated to suspended solids were obtained from the quality of Kahler-Royer variation graph; the values for pH and the nitrate concentration from the graphs constructed for ICA-NSF. The percentage of dissolved oxygen saturation, in sites like irrigation channels, was evaluated directly from the quality variation graph constructed for ICA-NSF, whereas the same parameter for the flooding lagoons required an adjustment based on the optimal value for similar non contaminated ecosystems. The conductivity was evaluated from adjustments in the qualification functions commented by Escribano & De Frutos. Chemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus and temperature, were qualified based on the functions developed for the ICA-L.

Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate tolerance in bacteria isolated from sediment of tropical water bodies polluted with detergents

The discharge of untreated detergent-bearing waste introduces linear alklcylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) to the aquatic environment. The surfactant persists in some streams and rivers in Nigeria, some is adsorbed to suspended materials and end in the sediment of the receiving water bodies. In this study, bacteria isolated from sediments of some tropical detergent-effluent-polluted streams were tested for tolerance to LAS using the media dilution technique. LAS-tolerance was indicated by growth of the bacteria in the presence of the surfactant. The pH, concentrations of surfactant, population of heterotrophic bacteria and population of LAS-tolerant bacteria in the sediments were determined. A direct relationship (r = 0.9124) was found between the alkaline conditions (pH= 8.2-12.0) and high surfactant concentrations (45-132 mg/g) in the sediment. The sediments harboured a high population and a wide variety of bacteria; the populations of viable heterotrophic bacteria (VHB: 2.9 x 10(5) to 1.2 x 10(7) cfu/g) and LAS tolerant bacteria (LTB: 1.5 x 10(4) to 1.2 x 10(6) cfu/g) had a direct relationship (r = 0.9500). An inverse relationship resulted between each of them and the concentration of surfactant in the sediment, r(VHB/LAS) = -0.9303 and r(LTB/LAS) = -0.9143, respectively. Twelve bacteria species were isolated from the sediment: Alcaligenes odorans, Bacillus subtilis, Burkholderia cepacia, Citrobacter freundii, Citrobacter diversus, Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Micrococcus albus, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcusfaecalis. Most of them were adapted to the surfactant with their maximum acceptable concentrations ranging between 0.03 and >1.0% (w/v). The sediments could serve as source of adapted organisms which can be used in bio-treatment of LAS-bearing waste.

Reprint of “Chronic toxicity of silver nitrate to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia magna, and potential mitigating factors”

We investigated the chronic toxicity of Ag, as silver nitrate, using two freshwater aquatic cladoceran species, Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia magna, to generate data for the development of a chronic ambient water quality criterion for Ag. Preliminary studies with C. dubia showed variable results which were related to the equilibration time between food and silver. Follow-up testing was conducted using a 3 h equilibration time, which stabilized dissolved Ag concentrations and the toxicity of Ag +. Results with C. dubia conducted individually (1 per cup, n = 10) and in mass (30 per chamber, n = 2) gave similar results once similar standardized equilibration times were used. The maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) of Ag to C. dubia and D. magna was 9.61 and 3.00 μg dissolved Ag/L, respectively. The chronic toxicity of Ag + to C. dubia was also evaluated in the presence of: (1) dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and (2) sulfide. The addition of DOC (0.4 mg/L) resulted in a ∼50% decrease in toxicity while the addition of sulfide (75.4 nM) deceased toxicity by 42%. Whole-body Ag concentration in D. magna was positively correlated with increased levels of Ag exposure, however; we observed a non-statistical decrease in whole-body Na levels, an estimator of sodium homeostasis.

Hydrochemical and microbiological quality of groundwater in West Thrace Region of Turkey

The aim of this study was to do a preliminary assessment of the hydrochemical and microbial groundwater quality of the West Thrace region. Forty samples of groundwater collected from Edirne (Site 1) to Gelibolu (Site 2) were assessed for their suitability for human consumption. As3− was non-detectable in all the groundwater and Zn2+, Pb2+, F−, Cu2+, NH4+, Cn− PO43− and Cl− were all below their respective European Union drinking water directive (EU-DWD) and Turkish food codex-drinking water directive (TFC-DWD). Maximum Acceptable Concentrations (MAC) Ni2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, and Ca2+ levels were detected in upper maximum acceptable concentrations 77.5, 42.5, 35.0, 50.0, 50.0, and 32.5% of the groundwater samples, respectively. However, in terms of Cr3+, Ni2+ and Pb2+, the differences between groundwaters of Sites 1 and 2 were significant (p < 0.05). Eight water samples (20%) had HPC exceeding the EU and Turkish water directive limit 20 CFU (Colony Forming Unit)/ml in drinking water and the maximum bacteria count recorded was 44 CFU/ml. Total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, E. coli, Enterococcus spp., Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus spp. and P. aeruginosa were detected in 25, 17.5, 15, 47.5, 15, 27.5, and 15% of the groundwater samples, respectively. Furthermore, heavy metals and trace elements were found after chemical analyzes in most samples. The pollution of groundwater come from a variety of sources, Meric and Ergene rivers, including land application of agricultural chemicals and organics wastes, infiltration of irrigation water, septic tanks, and infiltration of effluent from sewage treatment plants, pits, lagoons and ponds used storage.

Chronic toxicity of silver nitrate to Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia magna, and potential mitigating factors

We investigated the chronic toxicity of Ag, as silver nitrate, using two freshwater aquatic cladoceran species, Ceriodaphnia dubia and Daphnia magna, to generate data for the development of a chronic ambient water quality criterion for Ag. Preliminary studies with C. dubia showed variable results which were related to the equilibration time between food and silver. Follow-up testing was conducted using a 3 h equilibration time, which stabilized dissolved Ag concentrations and the toxicity of Ag +. Results with C. dubia conducted individually (1 per cup, n = 10) and in mass (30 per chamber, n = 2) gave similar results once similar standardized equilibration times were used. The maximum acceptable toxicant concentration (MATC) of Ag to C. dubia and D. magna was 9.61 and 3.00 μg dissolved Ag/L, respectively. The chronic toxicity of Ag + to C. dubia was also evaluated in the presence of: (1) dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and (2) sulfide. The addition of DOC (0.4 mg/L) resulted in a ∼50% decrease in toxicity while the addition of sulfide (75.4 nM) deceased toxicity by 42%. Whole-body Ag concentration in D. magna was positively correlated with increased levels of Ag exposure, however; we observed a non-statistical decrease in whole-body Na levels, an estimator of sodium homeostasis.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in meat products and estimated PAH intake by children and the general population in Estonia

The concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene and 11 other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analysed from 322 commercial, cured meat products and 14 home-grilled meat samples as part of the Estonian food safety monitoring programme during 2001–2005. The maximum acceptable concentration of 5 µg kg−1 for benzo[a]pyrene was exceeded in 3.4% of samples. The highest PAH concentrations were detected in home-grilled pork samples. Using of disposable grilling unit resulted in 1.6 times higher PAH concentrations compared to the traditional wood-burning grill. The average intake of benzo[a]pyrene and sum of 12 PAHs from meat products was estimated for children (age 1–16 years) on the basis of an individual food consumption questionnaire and, for the general population, based on national food consumption data. The highest total PAH concentrations detected were 16 µg kg−1 in smoked meat and ham, 19 µg kg−1 in smoked sausage and 6.5 µg kg−1 in smoked chicken samples. Since smoking and grilling are prevalent meat-cooking methods in Estonia, the impact of meat products is assessed to be significant in overall PAH intake.

Determination of Benzene in Soft Drinks and Other Beverages by Isotope Dilution Headspace Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

An automated, simple, and reproducible method was developed for the determination of benzene in soft drinks, based on isotope dilution headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the selected-ion monitoring mode. The method was used to assess benzene levels in samples of 124 soft drinks and beverages. Benzene was not detected in 60% of the 124 products. The average benzene levels in 6 products exceeded the Canadian maximum acceptable concentration of 5 microg/L for benzene in drinking water, and 2 of the 6 products had benzene levels above the World Health Organization guideline of 10 microg/L. The highest level of benzene, 23 microg/L, was found in a soft drink product specifically marketed to children.

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Cr(VI) during ferrochrome production

The level of the generation of hexavalent chromium during ferrochrome production was checked. The concentration of Cr(VI) increases with each stage of ferrochrome production, 7070 μg g −1 being the highest concentration encountered in the last stage of production (dust). This concentration exceeds the maximum acceptable total Cr concentration per 8 h by a factor of more than 1000. It was further observed that there is a higher contamination of soil by this pollutant closer to the plant than further away. The highest concentrations of Cr(VI) in soil and grass were found to be 12.7 and 4.2 μg g −1, respectively. The results of the investigation indicate that the consumption of such grass by animals do not pose any health hazard, for concentrations of the toxic Cr species are very low. Therefore, the release of emissions, including dust, during ferrochrome production, is a major contributor to occupational diseases and death to people working in ferrochrome production plant or mine.