Maximum Acceptable Level Research Articles

Health risk assessment of odors emitted from urban wastewater pump stations in Tianjin, China.

In order to evaluate the potential adverse health effects of odor emissions from wastewater pump stations (WWPSs) to human, a health risk assessment was performed to study the odors emitted from an urban WWPS in a residential area, Tianjin (in North China). First, 15 types of volatile organic compounds in the WWPS were collected and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Next, Monte Carlo probabilistic modeling was applied to evaluate the potential health effects of four odors (chlorobenzene, dichloromethane, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon disulfide), which had higher concentrations. The results revealed that the 95th percentile of the total non-carcinogenic risk was approximately 1.73, which poses a threat to human health. In addition, hydrogen sulfide had the highest non-carcinogenic risk value of the four; the hazard quotient of hydrogen sulfide was estimated to be 1.60 at the 95th percentile, higher than the upper confidence limit (1.0). The 95th percentile of the carcinogenic risk was approximately 5.47E-08, much lower than the maximum acceptable level (1.0E-06). Finally, the influence of the input variables on the output was evaluated using sensitivity analysis, and contaminant concentration, reference concentration, and inhalation unit risk were the most influential variables.

Neurobehavioral Effects of Aspartame Consumption

Despite its widespread use, the artificial sweetener aspartame remains one of the most controversial food additives, due to mixed evidence on its neurobehavioral effects. Healthy adults who consumed a study-prepared high-aspartame diet (25 mg/kg body weight/day) for 8 days and a low-aspartame diet (10 mg/kg body weight/day) for 8 days, with a 2-week washout between the diets, were examined for within-subject differences in cognition, depression, mood, and headache. Measures included weight of foods consumed containing aspartame, mood and depression scales, and cognitive tests for working memory and spatial orientation. When consuming high-aspartame diets, participants had more irritable mood, exhibited more depression, and performed worse on spatial orientation tests. Aspartame consumption did not influence working memory. Given that the higher intake level tested here was well below the maximum acceptable daily intake level of 40-50 mg/kg body weight/day, careful consideration is warranted when consuming food products that may affect neurobehavioral health.

Chlorinated hydrocarbons residues in milk fat of selected farm animals from the north-eastern part of Poland

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine and compare the concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons residues (DDT, DDE, DDD, γ-HCH) in the milk fat of selected species of farm animals. The experiment was carried out on cow’s, sheep’s, goat’s, and mare’s milk samples originating from different parts of north-eastern Poland. The samples were prepared using Röse-Gottlieb’s and Ludwicki’s methods. The determination of the compounds was conducted with gas chromatography. All tested samples contained the residues of chlorinated hydrocarbons. The results varied depending on the animal species as well as the places of sample collections. The highest content of γ-HCH and ΣDDT was determined in cow’s milk (22.75; 53.12 μg/kg of fat, respectively). The lowest level of γ-HCH and ΣDDT was observed in sheep’s milk (0.25; 5.94 μg/kg of fat, respectively). The content of chlorinated hydrocarbons did not exceed the maximum acceptable levels of these compounds.

A Comparative Quality Assessment of Five Types of Selected Fishes Collected from Retail Market in Sri Lanka

The chemical and microbiological quality and safety of fresh fish obtained from the retail and supermarkets of Sri Lanka were examined. Fresh fish samples (n = 155) of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus), salaya/ sardine (Sardinella gibbosa, shrimp (Fenneropenaeus indicus) and squids sp (Loligo duvaucelii) were collected from 19 places around the country and evaluated in the laboratory. Samples were analysed for several chemical and microbial quality including total volatile base nitrogen, histamine, total mercury and total plate count. Furthermore, the presence of selected pathogens such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were detected. In microbiological analysis of samples total plate counts were obtained in the range of 7 x 103-1.2 x 108 cfu/g and 28% of the samples had 103 MPN/g of E. coli and 1 sample contained 500 MPN/g and rest of the samples had < 200 MPN/g with 33% of the samples without E. coli. Twelve percent of samples were positive for Salmonella spp. The range of total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) was 15-4883 mgN/100 g and 33% samples were exceeded the maximum acceptable levels. Further considering histamine and mercury level of yellowfin tuna and sailfish, 7% and 4% of samples exceeded the maximum acceptable levels respectively. When considering both microbiological and chemical results it can be seen that majority of the samples are not fit for the human consumption and that counted as; 35% of yellowfin tuna, 47% of sailfish, 35% of sardine, 100% of squids and 53% shrimp.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in the water environment of Zhalong Wetland, China

Concentrations of the Cu, Cd, Cr, As, Zn and Ni in water samples from 272 sampling stations in the water environment of Zhalong Wetland, China were studied. Health risk assessment associated with six heavy metals and metalloid was conducted using health risk assessment model from United States Environmental Protection Agency. It can be concluded that the mean concentrations of Cu, Ni, Zn, As, Cd and Cu were 0.19, 0.45, 0.52, 4.9, 0.12 and 0.24 μg L(-1), respectively. The carcinogenic risk of Cr, As and Cd in the discharged area, experimental area, buffer area and core area were lower than the maximum allowance risk level recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP 5.0 × 10(-5) a(-1)). The non-carcinogenic risks (Cu, Zn, Ni) was also lower than the maximum allowance levels recommended by ICRP. Though it was lower than the level, it was very approaching to maximum acceptable risk level, need to draw attention to the relevant departments.

Metals in Honeys from Different Areas of Southern Italy

The aim of the study was to quantify the cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As) contents in ninety honey samples from nine areas of southern Italy. Results showed that As content was below the detection limit, while Cd, Pb, and Cr contents were below the recommended maximum acceptable levels. Mean Cd, Pb, and Cr contents were 0.013, 0.289 and 0.707 mg kg(-1), respectively. The metal contents in honey varied greatly depending on considered area. Correlations between the metals were statistically significant (p < 0.05), suggesting that polluting sources involve the simultaneous presence of metals in honey.

Assessment of Dairy Cattle Husbandry and Breeding Management Practices of Lowland and Mid-Highland Agro-Ecologies of Borana Zone

This survey was carried out in Borana zone to assess the existing breed/breed strain and herd structure, husbandry practices for the animal, rate of inbreeding, and reproductive and productive performance of dairy cattle. Hence, various strains of Borana cattle and cattle type of neighboring adjacent zone, namely Qorti, Geleba, cross of Qorti and Geleba, Guji and Konso subtype, were observed, except non existence of Konso in mid-highland, in both agro-ecologies. Qorti was the true and preferred cattle strain for its potential milk production capacity however it was at decreasing trend due to the feed shortage resultant from the change in climatic condition combined with shrinkage of grazing land. Respectively, the coefficient of inbreeding was 0.0059 and 0.0088 for the lowland and mid-highland area which seemed to be less than the maximum acceptable level however the prevalence of inbreeding was inhabitable as long as there was uncontrolled mating practice. The average age of sexual maturity, calving interval, reproductive life time and crops of calves during the life time of female were 3.9 and 3.7 years, 16.8 and 13.8 months, 11.5 and 10.9 years, and 7.1 and 6.6 calves in the lowland and mid-highland area, respectively. Average age of sexual maturity and the reproductive life time of the breeding bull were 4.6 and 4.2, and 9.86 and 7.68 years in the lowland, and mid-highland areas, respectively. Milk production of both agro-ecologies and the seasons of the year were characterized by paramount variation and hence a cow could produce daily 1.85 and 1.10 liter during the wet, and 0.35 and 0.95 liter during the dry season from the lowland and mid-highland area, respectively. Therefore, the higher proportion of cows and young animals in the herd endeavor large crops of calves for rapid herd growth and enhance cattle productivity of the country, provided that there is appropriately and efficiently enacting of multifaceted strategies to improve the reproductive performance and combat the danger of genetic dilution from cattle type of adjacent zone, and the problem of feed shortage and nutritive value deterioration.

Study on Risk Evaluation based on Occupational Exposure Evaluation and Carcinogenic Risk Simulation

In order to provide the quantitative risk evaluation for 1,3-butadiene-expose, quantitative method using physiologically based pharmacokinetic model and dose-response model is applied to the carcinogenic risk evaluation for 1,3-butadiene-exposed workers. First, the internal dose of inhaled-1,3-butadiene in human beings is simulated by exposure related dose estimating model recommended by USEPA. Second, the internal dose is induced into calculating formula of carcinogenic risk. In order to determine the uncertainty of the cancer risk, Monte Carlo simulation is used to analyze the risk probability distribution. A large chemical enterprise in Tianjin is selected as the case study and carcinogenic risk evaluation for 1,3-butadiene-exposed workers is calculated. The results show that the cancer risk of 1,3-butadiene-exposed workers obviously exceeds 1×10 -4 the maximum acceptable risk level. It is

Assessment of AflatoxinM1and Enteropathogenic Microorganism Levels in Milk Samples Vended in Cross River State, Nigeria

Aflatoxin M1 and enteropathogenic microorganism levels in milk samples vended in Cross River State were investigated. Thirty one milk samples were purchased from supermarkets and markets across the three (3) senatorial districts of Cross River State during August to November 2012. The milk samples were grouped into three (3) categories; A (Evaporated milk samples), B (Powdered milk samples), C (Infant milk formula). The milk samples were analyzed for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) by competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while enteropathogens (Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Mould, Mesophilic Aerobic bacteria and Coliform) were cultured for microbiological sensitivity test using standard methods. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was found in 100 percent of all the milk samples that were analyzed in this study. The contamination levels ranged from 0.06µg/l to 0.07g/l, while the mean value was 0.07µg/l. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the mean concentrations of AFM1 of the milk samples among the different categories. All the different milk samples (100%) exceeded the European Union maximum acceptable levels (0.05µg/l). None of the milk samples exceeded the Nigerian permissible limit (0.5µg/l). Salmonella, Escherichia Coli and Coliform bacteria were not detected in the milk samples. Aerobic Mesophilic bacteria and Mould were present in the milk samples but did not exceed the standard of 105cfu/ml for aerobic mesophilic bacteria and 102cfu/ml for mould. It is concluded that the milk samples vended in Cross River State contain aflatoxin M1 and detectable enteropathogen levels which fall within Nigerian regulatory limits.

Origin and assessment of groundwater pollution and associated health risk: a case study in an industrial park, northwest China

Groundwater quality which relates closely to human health has become as important as its quantity due to the demand for safe water. In the present study, an entropy-weighted fuzzy water quality index (WQI) has been proposed for performing groundwater quality assessment in and around an industrial park, northwest China, where domestic water requirements are solely met by groundwater. The human health risk was assessed with the model recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, the sources of major ions and main contaminants were also analyzed. The study shows that groundwater in the study area has been contaminated conjunctively by natural processes and industrial and agricultural activities. Nitrate, manganese (Mn), fluoride, total dissolved solids, total hardness and sulfate are major contaminants influencing groundwater quality. Nitrate and heavy metals such as Mn are mainly affected by human agricultural activities and industrial production, while other contaminants are mainly originated from mineral weathering and water-rock interactions. The results of water quality assessment suggest that half of the groundwater samples collected are of medium quality thus require pretreatment before human consumption. The mean health risk caused by the consumption of contaminated groundwater in the area is 8.42 × 10(-5) per year which surpasses the maximum acceptable level (5 × 10(-5) per year) recommended by the International Commission on Radiologic Protection. The entropy-weighted fuzzy WQI proposed in this study can not only assign proper weights to parameters but also treat uncertainties associated with water quality classification. This study will be of interest to international environmentalists and hydrogeologists. It will also be useful in regional groundwater management and protection.

Concentrations of toxic elements in tissues of slaughtered animals and cow’s milk - a five year study

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the contamination of animal muscle, liver, and milk with lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. Determination of the elements was carried out using several techniques of atomic absorption spectrometry. Between 2008 and 2012, samples of muscles and liver from 1305 cattle, 2345 pigs, 758 horses (only muscles), 1721 poultry (chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks), and 736 samples of raw milk were collected. Only 48 (0.7%) samples exceeded the maximum acceptable levels of the elements, especially lead and cadmium. In the case of lead, the highest number of samples exceeding the legal limits was found in muscles of pigs (6), where the maximum value reached 0.376 mg/kg. For cadmium, the highest number of samples (22) with values exceeding legal limits was found in muscles of horses. The cadmium content in muscles of horses, at both the mean (0.052 mg/kg) and median (0.023 mg/kg), was in order of magnitude higher than that observed in cattle and pigs. Small percentage of samples with values exceeding the maximum levels of toxic elements in food of animal origin indicates a low risk for the consumers’ health.

A Risk-based Approach to Setting Sterile Filtration Bioburden Limits

Microbial control during the drug substance and drug product manufacturing process is critical for ensuring product quality and safety. For sterile biological drug products (finished dosage forms) typically manufactured by sterile filtration followed by aseptic processing, control of the microbial load at the sterile filtration step is an important component of the overall microbial control strategy. Both FDA and EMA regulatory guidelines stipulate that a maximum acceptable bioburden level, which is referred to as a pre-filtration bioburden level in this paper, should be stated at the point immediately prior to the sterile filtration step. The EMA guideline further states that a bioburden limit of no more than 10 colony-forming units (CFU) per 100 mL will be considered acceptable in most situations. The EMA guideline also states that a pre-filtration sample volume of less than 100 mL may be tested if justified. This paper introduces a risk-based method to establish pre-filtration bioburden acceptance levels and alternative test volumes. The relationship between bioburden risk, pre-filtration bioburden test limits, and sterile filtration process parameters, such as filtration volume, filter surface area, and microbial retention capacity of the sterilizing filter, was statistically determined. Taking into account the batch filtration volume, it is shown that pre-filtration bioburden test volumes and acceptance limits other than 10 CFU/100 mL may be justified, without compromise to sterility assurance. In the manufacturing of sterile medicinal products, good manufacturing practice requires that bioburden be monitored before the final sterilization filtration step. High bioburden increases the challenge to the sterilizing filter and may also lead to other quality issues. Therefore a pre-filtration bioburden limit should be established. This paper introduces a risk-based method to establish such limit which may be different from what is recommended in regulatory guidelines.

Transfer of aflatoxin M1 from milk to ripened cheese in three Italian traditional production methods

Robiola and Primosale, two fresh cheeses, and Maccagno, an hard-type cheese, were produced using milk that was naturally and artificially contaminated with aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) at the levels of 10, 50 and 200 ng/l. Concentrations of AFM1in milk and cheeses were determined by liquid chromatography and fluorimetric detection, coupled with immunoaffinity column extraction. In the Robiola production method, AFM1 levels in whey ranged between 30% and 65% of the total amount of the toxin present in the milk, while Primosale and Maccagno, that share the same rennet based cheesemaking procedure, showed an higher percentage of AFM1 partitioning to whey.For each cheese-making method, the concentration of AFM1 on fresh matter was higher in the cheese compared to the original milk. The fresh cheeses showed a concentration factors of 1.43 and 2.20 for Primosale and Robiola, respectively, whereas the Maccagno cheese showed a value of 6.71. For all the production methods considered, when using milk not exceeding the maximum acceptable level of 0.05 μg AFM1/kg set by EU, the resulting cheese also complied with current Italian recommendations for AFM1 contamination (450 ng AFM1/kg).

Effect of industrial sludge on concentration and distribution pattern of Lead, Cadmium and Nickel in root, stem and leaf of Red Amaranth (Amaranthus gangeticus L.) in silty clay loam soil

A pot experiment was carried out to evaluate the concentration and distribution of Lead, Cadmium and Nickel in industrial sludge. The test crop was Red Amaranth (Amaranthus gangeticus L.). Nitrogen was applied comprising the five combinations of different proportion of urea and industrial sludge and a control. Red Amaranth was harvested at 30 and 42 Days after sowing (DAS). Different physical and chemical analysis of soil, sludge, root, stem and leaf of the plant were carried out as required. Heavy metals concentration indicated the trends of Pb&gt;Ni&gt;Cd and distribution pattern of Pb, Cd and Ni were identified Leaf&gt; root&gt; stem, Root&gt; leaf&gt; stem and Root&gt; leaf&gt; stem respectively, both at 30 and 42 DAS with little exception. Industrial sludge had a significant influence on heavy metal concentration and distribution and contaminant food chain, although the data were below the maximum acceptable level. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i1.15321 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(1): 67-74, June 2012

Exposure of ruminants to persistent organic pollutants and potential of decontamination

Human activities are emitting persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to the environment. These compounds have raised concerns about the risk of transfer through the food chain via animal products. They are characterized by a strong persistence in environmental matrices and a lipophilicity which may lead to their accumulation in fat tissues. In EU Regulations (no. 1881/2006, 1259/2011), maximum acceptable levels for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and dioxin-like or nondioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food of animal origin have been set. Transfer rates from contaminated fodder to milk have been established: for PCBs, the rate of transfer varies from 5 to 90% and for PCDD/Fs from 1 to 40%. The differential transfer of the compounds towards milk is related to the hydrophobicity of the pollutants and to their metabolic susceptibility. According to numerous authors, soil is the major reservoir for POPs, and its involuntary ingestion by farm animals reared outdoors may be the main cause of animal product contamination (meat, milk, or eggs). Recent studies seem to indicate that soil is a real risk matrix in terms of transfer of pollutants to the food chain. A POP crisis management is extremely difficult, since it impacts many farmers located in the contaminated area. The question arising is to know if livestock contaminated by POPs may be decontaminated and further used for their initial purpose. Recent data demonstrate that the decontamination process appear feasible and depends on initial level of contamination or the physiological status of the animals.

First operation with the JET International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor-like wall

To consolidate International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) design choices and prepare for its operation, Joint European Torus (JET) has implemented ITER's plasma facing materials, namely, Be for the main wall and W in the divertor. In addition, protection systems, diagnostics, and the vertical stability control were upgraded and the heating capability of the neutral beams was increased to over 30 MW. First results confirm the expected benefits and the limitations of all metal plasma facing components (PFCs) but also yield understanding of operational issues directly relating to ITER. H-retention is lower by at least a factor of 10 in all operational scenarios compared to that with C PFCs. The lower C content (≈ factor 10) has led to much lower radiation during the plasma burn-through phase eliminating breakdown failures. Similarly, the intrinsic radiation observed during disruptions is very low, leading to high power loads and to a slow current quench. Massive gas injection using a D2/Ar mixture restores levels of radiation and vessel forces similar to those of mitigated disruptions with the C wall. Dedicated L-H transition experiments indicate a 30% power threshold reduction, a distinct minimum density, and a pronounced shape dependence. The L-mode density limit was found to be up to 30% higher than for C allowing stable detached divertor operation over a larger density range. Stable H-modes as well as the hybrid scenario could be re-established only when using gas puff levels of a few 1021 es−1. On average, the confinement is lower with the new PFCs, but nevertheless, H factors up to 1 (H-Mode) and 1.3 (at βN≈3, hybrids) have been achieved with W concentrations well below the maximum acceptable level.

Wheat grain Cd concentration and uptake as affected by timing of fertilizer N application

Li, X., Ziadi, N., Bélanger, G., Yuan, W., Liang, S., Xu, H. and Cai, Z. 2013. Wheat grain Cd concentration and uptake as affected by timing of fertilizer N application. Can. J. Soil Sci. 93: 219–222. The effect of a single N application (120 kg ha−1) at seeding on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain Cd concentration and uptake was compared with an equally split N application (seeding and the stem elongation stage) in a field experiment at 12 site-years. Averaged across all site-years, the single N application tended to reduce wheat grain Cd concentration (58 vs. 68 µg kg−1DM) and uptake (151 vs. 191 mg ha−1) compared with the split application. The Cd concentrations, however, never exceeded the maximum acceptable level for Cd in wheat grain. A single N application at seeding might reduce the risk of high grain Cd concentration in spring wheat.

Wheat grain Cd concentration and uptake as affected by timing of fertilizer N application

Li, X., Ziadi, N., Belanger, G., Yuan, W., Liang, S., Xu, H. and Cai, Z. 2013. Wheat grain Cd concentration and uptake as affected by timing of fertilizer N application. Can. J. Soil Sci. 93: 219-222. The effect of a single N application (120 kg ha-1) at seeding on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain Cd concentration and uptake was compared with an equally split N application (seeding and the stem elongation stage) in a field experiment at 12 site-years. Averaged across all site-years, the single N application tended to reduce wheat grain Cd concentration (58 vs. 68 µg kg-1 DM) and uptake (151 vs. 191 mg ha-1) compared with the split application. The Cd concentrations, however, never exceeded the maximum acceptable level for Cd in wheat grain. A single N application at seeding might reduce the risk of high grain Cd concentration in spring wheat.

Development of an inverse method for coastal risk management

Abstract. Recent flooding events, like Katrina (USA, 2005) or Xynthia (France, 2010), illustrate the complexity of coastal systems and the limits of traditional flood risk analysis. Among other questions, these events raised issues such as: "how to choose flooding scenarios for risk management purposes?", "how to make a society more aware and prepared for such events?" and "which level of risk is acceptable to a population?". The present paper aims at developing an inverse approach that could seek to address these three issues. The main idea of the proposed method is the inversion of the usual risk assessment steps: starting from the maximum acceptable hazard level (defined by stakeholders as the one leading to the maximum tolerable consequences) to finally obtain the return period of this threshold. Such an "inverse" approach would allow for the identification of all the offshore forcing conditions (and their occurrence probability) inducing a threat for critical assets of the territory, such information being of great importance for coastal risk management. This paper presents the first stage in developing such a procedure. It focuses on estimation (through inversion of the flooding model) of the offshore conditions leading to the acceptable hazard level, estimation of the return period of the associated combinations, and thus of the maximum acceptable hazard level. A first application for a simplified case study (based on real data), located on the French Mediterranean coast, is presented, assuming a maximum acceptable hazard level. Even if only one part of the full inverse method has been developed, we demonstrate how the inverse method can be useful in (1) estimating the probability of exceeding the maximum inundation height for identified critical assets, (2) providing critical offshore conditions for flooding in early warning systems, and (3) raising awareness of stakeholders and eventually enhance preparedness for future flooding events by allowing them to assess risk to their territory. The next challenge is to develop a framework to properly identify the acceptable hazard level, as an input to the present inverse approach.

Development of ultrasensitive direct chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay for determination of aflatoxin B1 in food products

A direct competitive chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CL-ELISA) for determination of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was developed. To improve the assay sensitivity, a mixture of 3-(10′-phenothiazinyl)-propane-1-sulfonate and 4-morpholinopyridine previously optimized by a factorial design was used as enhancer of horseradish peroxidase-induced chemiluminescence. Varying the concentrations of the coating anti-AFB1 antibody and conjugate of AFB1 and horseradish peroxidase the conditions of the chemiluminescent assay were optimized. The values of the detection limit value and dynamic working range of CL-ELISA of AFB1 were 0.0015ngmL−1 and 0.003–0.03ngmL−1, respectively. It was shown that a dilution of rice and mung beans extracts in 5 and 10 times, respectively, prevented a matrix effect of the food products in CL-ELISA. The recovery values from the spiked samples of rice and mung beans were in the range of 90–104% and 102–117%, respectively. Studying 8 rice and 8 mung beans samples purchased in commercial stores the developed CL-ELISA allowed to find 3 samples (1 rice and 2 mung beans) containing AFB1, the content of AFB1 in one sample being higher than the maximum acceptable level established in the European Community.