Maximum Permissible Levels Research Articles

Feedback2Event: Public attention event extraction from spontaneous data for urban management

With the widespread use of social networks, citizens actively use this channel to discuss problems and events arising during life in the city. Thus, representatives of the authorities and other stakeholders can monitor the process of interaction between people and urban infrastructure and services in real time. However, monitoring is complicated by the noisy and unstructured nature of spontaneous data. Informed decision-making based on such data requires extracting the cause of the messages, formulated as an event, to infer them from the unknown and characterize them. The method proposed in the work allows to extract from the flow of spontaneous data events and their spatial and temporal characteristics, as well as to form connections between them. Results of the experiment shows that this approach can represent processes with semantic similarity in the context of urban spatial model with different levels of localization and variants of distribution. Such events can be used for the effective management of urban processes based on spontaneous data, which acquires for maximum permissible level of spatial detail.

An overview of water quality within the Colombo Municipal Council area; A retrospective report analysis

Access to safe and quality drinking water is a fundamental requirement and a basic human right. Water quality is determined by its biological, physical, and chemical properties. Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area consists of the largest population who utilize pipe-borne water supplied by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) Sri Lanka. The objective of the study was to assess the water quality of the drinking water under selected parameters within the Colombo Municipal Council area. In this quantitative, retrospective, cross-sectional study, 268 water analysis reports from 1st July to 30th November 2021 were considered with the permission of the Ethics Review Committee of KIU (KIU_ERC_21_194A) and relevant authorities of NWS&DB. Data on selected parameters such as color, turbidity, pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Free Residual Chlorine (FRC), the total number of coliform bacteria, and the total number of Escheretia-Coli (E-Coli) were extracted. Data analysis was done using SPSS (Version 25). All values were considered based on reference ranges of Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) guidelines. The study indicated that, among nine water schemes and four water reservoirs, the highest contributions for purification were from the Maligakanda water scheme (15.9% n =56) and Maligakanda water reservoir (51.6%, n=139). All the samples were fully treated water and the mean of the color was 4.03 Hazen Units which was within the permissible level, though ( 3.7 % n=10) of samples exceeded the range. The mean value of the turbidity was 0.49 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) which was within the permissible level and only one sample had deviated from the maximum permissible level. The mean pH value was 7.33 and except for one, all other samples were within the permissible level. The mean value of the TDS was 24.51mg/L and the majority (95.8 %, n= 257) of FRC values varied between 0.6-0.8mg/L which was within the permissible level, while 3.39% (n=10) of samples had 0 mg/L. All samples were free from coliform and E-Coli. Most of the samples were within the permissible range of color, pH, turbidity, TDS, FRC, and free from Coliform and E-Coli which can be recommended for use.

Determining patterns in the generation of magnetic fields when using different contact welding techniques

The object of this study is the quantitative characteristics of magnetic fields induced during electric contact welding in various ways: contact point, arc-butt, capacitor point, contact-butt continuous, and pulsating fusion. The problem to be solved is the lack of necessary information regarding the electromagnetic safety of these welding techniques. A description of the proposed methodological approaches to determining the levels of magnetic fields, their measurement tools, and methods for assessing their impact on the welder's body is given. Based on the analysis and processing of the acquired oscillograms and spectrograms of magnetic fields, their quantitative characteristics were measured. To determine the general level of the polyfrequency magnetic field arising at contact welding, the proposed generalized indicator of the level of the magnetic field was used. It was established that during contact point welding by a stationary machine, the level of the magnetic field exceeds the maximum permissible value at the workplace in the range of 50–1000 Hz at a distance of 0.3 m from the welding electrodes. When manually welding in this way, the magnetic field level exceeds the permissible level in the frequency bands of 5–50, 50–1000 Hz directly near the electrical cable. Capacitor spot welding with direct current is characterized by exceeding the maximum permissible MP at the workplace in the high-frequency range of 1000–10000 Hz. During arc-butt welding, no excess of the maximum permissible levels of the magnetic field was detected at the workplace. It is shown that the spectral composition and magnitude of the magnetic field signal is determined by the welding technique and the initial parameters of power supplies. Orimani results can be used in the field of welding production and labor protection.

ПЛАВНІСТЬ РУХУ ЯК ОСНОВА КОМФОРТНОСТІ АВТОМОБІЛІВ: ФОРМУВАННЯ НОРМАТИВНОЇ БАЗИ «VEHICLE ROAD СOMFORT»

The development and condition of the road network of Ukraine significantly lag behind the needs of society. At the same time, the road itself is the basic factor that forms the smoothness and driving comfort in the aspect of vibration loads of the driver and passengers. In addition, in the conditions of warfare, the mobility (that is, speed modes) of military vehicles off-road is extremely important, the maximum values of which are limited to reaching the maximum permissible levels of vibration loads on personnel (driver – passenger). As a result of practical tests, the results of vibration loads were obtained for the scheme “Road surface – Car – Passenger”. Based on these results, the foundations for the formation of a national regulatory framework regarding the permissible vibration loads during the transporting of passengers on roads and as well as conditions for limiting the speed of off-road vehicles were developed. Based on ISO 2631-1, according to the results of the research, regulatory requirements for the level of permissible vibration loads for city, suburban, and intercity buses, as well as a conformity assessment methodology had been defined. The issues of suspension requirements for off-road driving are considered in connection with the formation of the regulatory framework for military equipment as the basis for mobility from the conditions of vibration loads and the separation of requirements to military equipment designs, depending on the scope of use. By analogy with NATO countries, the above requirements are also necessary regarding the suspension, as a determining element of comfort and off-road mobility. This predetermines the development of a separate standard for military equipment. Keywords. smoothness, passenger transportation, highway, off-road driving, vibration loads.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals (lead and cadmium) in transgenic corn in Tehran

Corn plant and the products made from corn is one of the major transgenic concerning in the world, and due to public concerns about the presence of heavy metals in this product; the present study investigated the food safety in transgenic corn samples due to the presence of lead and cadmium. Iran has the highest exchange of agricultural products. Five packaged popular brands of raw corn samples and one unpackaged one as the bulk sample were purchased from Tehran markets in 2021, and after confirming transgenicity by quantitative real-time PCR and then wet digestion method. The heavy metal contents in all studied samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. Bulk samples had the highest content of lead and cadmium compared to other packaged studied samples. The comparison of lead and cadmium compared to the maximum permissible levels set by the National and international standards revealed that the these toxic heavy metals ‘contents in 100% of studied raw corn samples were higher than the maximum limit. The results of current study indicate that the Lead and Cadmium contents in the studied samples were 18 and 2.7 times higher than the maximum permissible limit (MPL).

Development of models of the electromagnetic environment in buildings and urbanized areas

A set of measures and means to control the electromagnetic situation of the environment in the territories of urban development, in buildings and individual premises has been substantiated and developed. The simulation tools show the ability to rationalize the parameters of overhead lines with voltages of 220 kV and below, which will reduce the electromagnetic load in the territories. Modeling the propagation of fields from underground high-voltage lines has established that the values of magnetic fields compared to overhead lines are lower up to 30 times. Models of propagation of electromagnetic fields of very high and ultrahigh frequency were built. Sources of electromagnetic fields of non-production origin in industrial buildings have been investigated. Uncompensated currents in power networks with nonlinear electric consumers generate magnetic fields by induction of 0.35−1.20 μT, which exceeds the maximum permissible levels of operation of computer equipment. Leakage currents on grounded metal structures generate magnetic fields with 1.52−6.75 μT. Simulation of the propagation of electric and magnetic fields of components of personal computers of controlled ranges according to the MPRII standard was carried out. Models of propagation of the magnetic field of industrial frequency around electric motors and generators with their cross sections were built. On the basis of such models, design schemes for placing equipment in production areas are selected or places of safe stay and movement of personnel are selected. The expediency of using shielding to reduce field levels to safe values due to coating surfaces with liquid protective mixtures was shown. Metal-containing composition based on water-dispersion paint makes it possible to reduce the level of magnetic field of industrial frequency by 2.5−2.6 times, electric field by 1.6−1.7 times, electromagnetic field of industrial frequency – by 1.2−1.3 times.

Health risk assessment and differential distribution of Arsenic and metals in organs of Urophycis brasiliensis a commercial fish from Southwestern Atlantic coast

The concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn were analyzed in muscle, gills, and liver of Urophycis brasiliensis from two Southwestern Atlantic catch areas (Brazil and Argentina). Additionally, the health risk of general and fishermen populations through fish consumption was estimated. The gills showed the highest concentrations of most of the elements, followed by the liver. With the exception of As, the muscle was the organ with the lowest concentrations of most elements. Levels of arsenic in muscle of U. brasiliensis were exceeded the maximum permissible levels for human consumption recommended by local and international guidelines. The target hazard quotients (THQs) and the carcinogenic risk (CR) showed no risk for individual and all elements. These results highlight the importance of arsenic speciation in U. brasiliensis muscle in order to generate more reliable risk estimates.

Calibration matters: II. Measurement of ambient noise in test rooms/areas

Ambient noise measurement is a part of audiometric calibration in which one measures the ambient noise level in a sound room/test area intended for audiometric testing and then decides whether the background noise in the test room meets the maximum permissible ambient noise level (MPANL) requirements specified in national or international standards, e.g., ANSI/ASA S3.1:1999(R2018) or ISO 8253–1:2010 (R2021). If the ambient noise levels are below the MPANLs, clinicians can be sure that the test stimuli they present to patients are not masked by the background noise in the test room/area and their test results are valid and the subsequent clinical decisions are sound. Audiometric testing, however, may not always be carried out in sound rooms/test areas with ambient noise levels below the MPANLs, especially during community outreach or humanitarian services. A thorough understanding on the MPANL requirements for different transducers can help clinicians determine which equipment is appropriate for the test area. This tutorial discusses the rationale and assumptions behind the MPANL specifications, how to measure ambient noise levels of test rooms/areas, and how to apply the national and international standards to determine if the test room is suitable for audiometric testing. Alternative strategies are discussed when the ambient noise levels exceed the specified MPANLs. The rationale and procedures are explained using examples on how to lower the ambient noise levels in test areas, and how to determine the suitable test frequency range and the lowest threshold levels that can be assessed in the test area.

Health Risk of Heavy Metals Related to Consumption of Vegetables in Areas of Industrial Impact in the Republic of Kazakhstan-Case Study for Oskemen.

Among various heavy metal sources the metallurgic industry is the most threatening because emitted metals presented are the chemical forms in which metals are found in soil are more bioavailable and thus very easily are introduced into the environment and spread in both soils and plants. In this study such a situation is presented and the potential negative effect of emitted metals on soil and vegetables is estimated. Therefore, the following indicators were used: bioconcentration factors calculated for the total amount of metals (BCF) as well as daily intake of metal (DIM) and health risk index (HRI). Analyzed soils and vegetables originated from allotment gardens located at different distances from local industrial plants. The greatest amounts of metals in investigated materials (soils and plants) were found for the industrial zone and the lowest for samples representing the suburban zone. Among the analyzed metals Zn showed the highest (223.94-2645.13 mg·kg-1 for soils and 9.14-49.28 mg·kg-1 for plants), and Cd the lowest levels (1.77-15.2 mg·kg-1 for soils and 0.05-0.46 mg·kg-1 for plants). Regardless of the metal, the lowest BCF values were calculated for plants from the industrial zone and the highest from the urban site. Generally, BCF values calculated for vegetables were low and comparable for carrots, tomatoes, and cabbage. BCF values obtained for beetroots were higher in comparison to other vegetables. Regardless of plants, DIM values for Cd and Pb were low and comparable. DIM values for Cu and Zn were higher, but simultaneously strongly differentiated depending on the analyzed vegetables. A similar tendency was found in the case of HRI. The highest values were recorded for Cu and Zn in tomatoes. Regardless of the individual metals, the calculated values for DIM and HRI indices increased in the following sequence: beetroot < cabbage < carrot < tomato. The Zn and Cu contents in the studied types of vegetables do not exceed the maximum permissible levels recommended by WHO/FAO. In contrast, Pb concentrations were higher than the imposed standards in all the analyzed vegetable samples. On the basis of obtained DIM and HRI indices, consumption of vegetables cultivated in industrial areas should be restricted due to health risks related to heavy metals contained in plants.

CONCEPTUAL MODELING OF THE DATABASE OF GIS MONITORING OF ELECTROMAGNETIC POLLUTION OF SETTLEMENTS

The article presents the results of conceptual modeling of the geospatial database for monitoring electromagnetic pollution of settlements. Recently, the world has seen a rapid increase in the number of sources and the level of electromagnetic radiation. This can negatively affect people's health and their environment. The analysis of the publications showed that today researchers have formed a theoretical base for assessing the impact of electromagnetic radiation on people and the environment, developed models of the propagation of electromagnetic waves, ways and methods of protection against their harmful effects. However, not enough attention has been paid to monitoring the electromagnetic pollution of settlements. Systematic measurements of electromagnetic field levels are carried out only by individual EU countries Systematic control of this type of pollution is not carried out in Ukraine, there are no regulatory documents regarding the procedure for its monitoring, but the maximum permissible levels of electromagnetic fields for the population are established. Data on the distribution of electromagnetic fields are interdisciplinary in nature and necessarily contain an indication of the location of objects. For their effective processing, it is advisable to use geo-information technologies. Based on the results of the analysis of the subject area of electromagnetic pollution monitoring, a conceptual data model was developed. It is described using UML tools. The model contains two sets of data. The basic set of geospatial data includes information about buildings of various purposes, land plots, streets, highways, railways, engineering communications, relief, soils, hydrography, territory zoning, facility addresses. The profile set includes data on electromagnetic radiation sources and their sanitary protection zones, control points, the results of calculations and measurements of radiation parameters, the relative level of electromagnetic fields and the building restriction zones. The proposed model can be the basis of the physical modeling of the settlement's electromagnetic pollution monitoring system. 

Теоретичне дослідження умов максимально допустимого буксування рушіїв колісних енергетичних засобів

Goal. Determination of the maximum allowable skidding of wheel drives, provided there is no cut and the manifestation of such a level of its displacement by the tire grips, which does not exceed the specified strength limit. Methods. Are based on the use of sections of the theory of traction dynamics of a tractor, which consider the rolling process of an elastic traction wheel on a deformed soil surface. Theoretical calculations of the obtained analytical regularities were carried out in the MathCad 15.0 software environment. The initial data were the parameters of the typical soil environment of the south of Ukraine and the design parameters of tractors of traction classes 1.4 and 3, which are most common in this area. Results. An analytical dependence has been developed that allows you to determine the maximum permissible level of skidding of wheeled power vehicles, taking into account the shear strength limit of the soil medium. According to the calculations, it was established that the maximum allowable value of wheel drive towing significantly depends on the condition of the agrotechnical background on which the tractor moves. A quantitative characteristic of this condition is the coefficient of rolling resistance of the wheel drive. No less significant influence on the value of the maximum permissible skidding of the drivers of wheeled power vehicles is exerted by the angle of the position of the ground grip on the tire in relation to its longitudinal axis of symmetry. Conclusions. Theoretical studies have established that the greater the coefficient of rolling resistance of a wheeled vehicle on this or that agrotechnical background, the smaller the maximum permissible value of its skidding should be, with a more economical impact on the soil environment. Compared to a tractor of traction class 1.4 (MTZ-892), the use of a power tool of traction class 3 (XTZ-17221) is possible with higher values of the maximum permissible towing. The results of mathematical modeling prove that with an increase in the value of the angle of placement (inclination) of the ground grip to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the wheel drive, the maximum permissible level of its skidding should be lower.

MACRO- AND TRACE ELEMENTS COMPOSITION OF THE BLUE HONEYSUCKLE AND ELM-LEAF SPIREA CE-NOPOPULATIONS IN THE GEOCHEMICALLY ABNORMAL ENVIRONMENT IN THE MOUNTAIN ALTAI

The specificity of macro- and trace elements accumulation in the leaves and stems of Lonicera caerulea and Spiraea chamaedryfolia cenopopulations growing at the sites with serpentinite inclusions in the Mountain Altai (Russia) was studied. The total content of macro- and trace elements in plants and soil was determined by atomic emission spectrometry, and the mobile forms, extracted by the ammonium acetate solution with pH 4.8, were measured by atomic absorption. The study revealed species-specific accumulation of some chemical elements in plant organs. The elm-leaf spirea plants were found to accumulate Mn and Ni more intensively in comparison with the blue honeysuckle plants, and to concentrate such trace elements as Zn, Cu and Mn, whereas the blue honeysuckle plants concentrated Zn and Cu. Species-specific statistically significant correlations between mobile Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb and Mg soil and phytomass content were also revealed. Negative correlation was found between the total P and Cr content in soil and plants, whereas total Fe, Cd and Ni in soil and plants correlated positively. The leaves of Lonicera caerulea and Spiraea chamaedryfolia, growing at the site with ultra-basic rock outcroppings, had Ni concentrations exceeding the maximum permissible level and decreased Ca concentration.

THE VALIDATION OF THE METHOD FOR QUINOLONES RESIDUES DETERMINATION IN SAMPLES OF MILK, EGG POWDER, TISSUES, BLOOD PLASMA OF ANIMALS USING THE METHOD OF ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAY

The article presents the results of validation of screening method for the determination of quinolone antibiotics residues (enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, marbofloxacin, danofloxacin) in tissue samples, egg powder, milk and blood plasma using RIDASCREEN®Chinolone/Quinolones test kits from R-Biopharm (Germany). According to the information provided by the manufacturer of the kit, the quantitative determination of quinolones content of can be carried out in the following matrices: shrimp, fish, eggs, meat. In accordance with European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC, the methods proposed by the manufacturer were validated taking into account the maximum permissible levels (MRLs), and the results of the development of sample preparation techniques for the assay of liver, milk and blood plasma for various representatives of antibiotics of quinolone group and the corresponding validation results were presented.
 The suitability of the technique was confirmed on the basis of establishing of main validation parameters for screening methods (technical threshold and cut-off factor) using control (blank) samples (muscle and parenchymal tissues of poultry and animals, cow’s milk, blood plasma of broiler chickens and egg powder) and spiked with quinolones standard solutions at the level of ½ MRL according to the "added-found" criterion. The main advantages of the developed method are the simplicity of performance, rapidity and economic efficiency.
 The reliability of the results obtained by the developed method was verified using confirmatory UPLC-MS/MS method. The results of comparative study of control (blank) samples of chicken muscle tissues, egg powder and cow’s milk and spiked with enrofloxacin standard solution at the level of 2.5 and 5.0 μg/kg are presented.
 The proposed methods for liver, milk and blood plasma sample preparation can be used to study withdrawal periods and bioequivalence of veterinary drugs based on quinolone antibiotics.

О достаточности обоснования максимального допустимого уровня содержания зил-патерола в мясной продукции

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee recommends the maximum permissible level of zilpaterol in meat to be fixed at 0.5 µg/kg. This level is substantiated by results of analysis described in several research works. Nevertheless, substantiation provided for this recommended standard requires a detailed discussion. In this study, we aimed to analyze substantiation of FAO/WHO suggestions on the maximum permissible level (MPL) of zilpaterol in meat as per health risks for consumers. Our analysis of research results revealed that the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) and the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) were established allowing for negative effects on various organs and systems in the body. The lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) under acute exposure was taken as a baseline for establishing MPL. This level produces negative effects on the nervous system (developing tremor). However, modifying factors used in MPL development have not been supported with solid argument. We also established that the LOAEL identified for the nervous system under acute exposure was much lower than NOAELs for other organs and systems under chronic exposure. Therefore, the aforementioned research results seem rather controversial. It is necessary to consider another additional factor, which is wide prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among adult population and risk factors that cause their development. Therefore, potential adverse effects on the cardiovascular system are no less important and we should note that they have been reliably detected both in acute and chronic experiments. In this study, we modeled a health risk caused by adverse effects of consuming meat products with residual zilpaterol levels; the risk was modeled in dynamics. The modeling experiment established that an impermissible health risk of adverse health outcomes in the cardiovascular system occurred even under exposure to zilpaterol in levels close to the lowest limit of sensitivity. Consequently, it seems rather premature to accept the maximum permissible level for zilpaterol in meat that is being suggested at present. It is recommended to cut its level down to the lowest limit of detection.

On sufficient substantiation for maximum permissible level of zilpaterol in meat products

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee recommends the maximum permissible level of zilpaterol in meat to be fixed at 0.5 µg/kg. This level is substantiated by results of analysis described in several research works. Nevertheless, substantiation provided for this recommended standard requires a detailed discussion. In this study, we aimed to analyze substantiation of FAO/WHO suggestions on the maximum permissible level (MPL) of zilpaterol in meat as per health risks for consumers. Our analysis of research results revealed that the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) and the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) were established allowing for negative effects on various organs and systems in the body. The lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) under acute exposure was taken as a baseline for establishing MPL. This level produces negative effects on the nervous system (developing tremor). However, modifying factors used in MPL development have not been supported with solid argument. We also established that the LOAEL identified for the nervous system under acute exposure was much lower than NOAELs for other organs and systems under chronic exposure. Therefore, the aforementioned research results seem rather controversial. It is necessary to consider another additional factor, which is wide prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among adult population and risk factors that cause their development. Therefore, potential adverse effects on the cardiovascular system are no less important and we should note that they have been reliably detected both in acute and chronic experiments. In this study, we modeled a health risk caused by adverse effects of consuming meat products with residual zilpaterol levels; the risk was modeled in dynamics. The modeling experiment established that an impermissible health risk of adverse health outcomes in the cardiovascular system occurred even under exposure to zilpaterol in levels close to the lowest limit of sensitivity. Consequently, it seems rather premature to accept the maximum permissible level for zilpaterol in meat that is being suggested at present. It is recommended to cut its level down to the lowest limit of detection.

Catalytic Ozonation of Aqueous Solution of Paracetamol.

The catalytic properties of iron ions in the oxidative destruction of the active pharmaceutical ingredient paracetamol, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide have been investigated. It was found that in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst, the oxidation degree reaches more than 98%. The dependence of the oxidation efficiency on the concentration of the catalysts (hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ions) has been determined. A scheme for the treatment of pharmaceutical effluents is proposed, including the stages of homogeneous ozonation, coagulation of oxidative destruction and filtration products, and adsorption on activated carbon. The concentration of paracetamol and the chemical oxygen demand in the model solutions after treatment does not exceed the maximum permissible levels.

ALUMINUM WASTE CANS RECYCLING IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA: ANALYSIS OF SOIL AND WATER BENEFITS

The study empirically evaluated the environmental (water and soil) benefits of aluminum waste cans recycling in Lagos State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from three locations using a soil auger the locations were aluminum at the recycling site, soil 100m away from the recycling site, and soil 150m away from the recycling site. From each location, three soil samples were collected and taken to the laboratory for analysis of soil physicochemical properties and heavy metal contents using standard methods. Similarly, a random sampling technique was employed to collect 3 borehole water samples 100m away from the recycling site and 150m away from the recycling site using 750 millimeters of a SMART plastic container. The collected water samples were taken to the laboratory for analysis of heavy metals using standard methods. The results obtained revealed that high contents of physio-chemical properties of OC (2.96%), Ca (10.92 cmol/kg), Mg (0.77 cmol/kg), K (0.24 cmol/kg), Na (0.57 cmol/kg), exchange acidity (0.33 cmol/kg) and ECEC (12.46 cmol/kg) were found in soil 100m away from the recycling site. Also high content of Av. P (23.27 mg/kg) was found in soil 150m away from the recycling. The contents of OC, P, Ca, Mg, K, and ECEC increase with distance away from the recycling site. No significant variations were found in the contents of OC, TN, P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, ,Al and ECEC (p>0.05). The content of Fe (223.87 mg/kg) was found to be high at the aluminum waste cans recycling site (discharge point) and low in soil 150m away from the recycling site while high Mn (2.62 mg/kg) content was found in soil 150m away from the recycling site and low in soil 100m away from the recycling point. The contents of Fe, Mn, Pb,Cd and Zn were withwhomWHO maximum permissible level indicating low concentration in the soil. A negative and significant association was observed between Zn and Cd (rho = -0.812, p<0.05). High Fe (259.18 mg/L), Pb (2.49 m,g/L) and Zn (16.01 mg/L) contents were found in the wastewater (discharge point), while high Mn (56.42 mg/L) content was found in the borehole water sample. The contents of Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn were the above WHO permissible limit. Based on the findings, the study concluded that the government should set up modalities to control the discharge of substances into the soil and water.

Analysis of the results of research into the mercury content in fish and seafood during import-export operations in Ukraine for 2019–2021

The article presents the results of research on the determination of mercury in fish muscles and seafood, conducted based on the State Research Institute for Laboratory Diagnostics and Veterinary-Sanitary Examination by the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Laboratory as systematic research in the period from 2019 to 2021. Mercury content in fish muscles was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry with direct sample injection. The study was carried out using a Milestone DMA-80 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Italy). Certified standard samples (MERK) of mercury ion solution composition with an accredited value of 1.0 mg/cm2 were used to construct the calibration curves. The detection limits of mercury in fish and seafood are determined according to the validation data: the LOD detection limit is 0.1 μg/kg, and the LOQ detection limit is 5.0 μg/kg. During the studied period, research was carried out on 3368 samples of fish products: 2587 samples of sea fish, 161 samples of freshwater fish, 130 samples of other types of fish and seafood – 490 pieces, of which four examples of sea fish, namely fish of the tuna family, were found to exceed the maximum permissible level of mercury, which is 0.12% of the total number of studied samples. The mercury content in tuna muscles ranged from 0.356 to 1.889 mg/kg, 1.8 times higher than the MDR. It was found that the average mercury content in the muscles of freshwater fish was 0.006–0.315 mg/kg, which is significantly lower than the average mercury concentration in marine fish. The mercury concentration in the muscles of other types of fish and seafood was 0.008–0.472 mg/kg and did not exceed the regulated norms.

Dioxin transfer simulation from feed to animal tissues and risk assessment

Dioxins might be introduced into the food chain through a direct or an indirect pathway. The main source of human exposure to dioxins is food of animal origin, whereas feeds are the main route of exposure of farmed animals to dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. The aim of the study was to simulate dioxin passage from feed to tissues on farm animals using transfer models, and, in addition, to assess the risk to consumers of food of animal origin. From over 700 feed samples analyzed over the course of 9 years (2013–2021), those exceeding the maximum permissible levels set down in Commission Regulation No 277/2012/EU were selected. These samples being derived from real cases of dioxin contamination made it possible to present the most realistic picture of the effects these feed materials could have had if they had entered the food chain. Three species of animals were selected (laying hens, dairy cattle and slaughter pigs), for which feed materials with dioxin contents exceeding the maximum permissible level were selected in accordance with the nutritional recommendations. The calculated PCDD/PCDF concentrations in chicken eggs, cow's milk and pork were above the maximum permissible level in most cases.

Контроль вмісту нітратів у харчових продуктах – актуальні питання

Abstract. Nitrates are natural metabolic products of all plants. They are vital to plants – without them their normal growth and development is impossible. However, the uncontrolled use of nitrogen fertilizers has led to their uncontrolled accumulation in food products. When eating vegetables with high amounts of nitrates, they are partially restored to nitrites in the intestinal tract, and the latter, entering the bloodstream cause diseases – methemoglobinemia. Therefore, quantitative and qualitative determination of nitrates and nitrites in plant and animal products, water and soils are relevant today. Based on the analysis of scientific literature, the essence of the problem of excessive accumulation of nitrates in agricultural products and their negative impact on human health is highlighted. Aim. The aim of the research was to determine experimentally the concentration of nitrates and nitrites in plant and animal products, water and soils, to compare it with the maximum allowable concentration as required by Commission Regulation (EU) No 1258/2011 on maximum nitrate content in vegetables and by State sanitary rules and regulations on Maximum Permissible Levels of Certain Contaminants in Food, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine of May 13, 2013 No 368 (as amended by the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine of May 22, 2020 No 1238). Materials and Methods. Sources of information retrieval in printed and electronic publications, databases search engines, methods of analysis, comparison and generalization of data. Photometric method. Results. The analysis of the value of nitrates in nature, sources of this substance in food was conducted; normalization of the content of nitrate components, the problem of plant products quality decline due to the uncontrolled use of fertilizers was studied; the content of nitrates in plant and animal products; the harmful effects of products with high nitrate content were considered; a comprehensive assessment of nitrate content in plant products was carried out; comparative characteristics of methods for determination of nitrate compounds were given; the consequences of consumption of products with high nitrate content were analyzed. Conclusions. The problem of nitrate pollution is becoming increasingly significant, because the amount and speed of the nitrate nitrogen cycle in the environment is constantly increasing, which increases its impact on natural systems and the possibility of nitrate accumulation in crop products, humans and animals. Therefore, the implementation of analytical control of food and environmental objects is important to obtain objective information about the content of man-made pollutants, which are nitrates and nitrites. Key Words: nitrates, maximum permissible level, nitrate compounds, nitrate pollution.