Regulatory Limits Research Articles

Geopolymer Materials from Fly Ash-A Sustainable Approach to Hazardous Waste Management.

This study explores the utilisation challenges of fly ash from municipal waste incineration, specifically focusing on ash from a dry desulphurisation plant (DDS), which is categorised as hazardous due to its high heavy metal content. The ash's low silicon and calcium contents restrict its standalone utility. Laboratory investigations initially revealed that geopolymers derived solely from fly ash after flue gas treatment (FGT), in combination with coal combustion fly ash, exhibited low compressive strength (below 0.6 MPa). However, the study demonstrated significant improvements by modifying the FGT ash through water leaching. This process enhanced its performance when mixed with high-silica and -aluminium fly ash, resulting in geopolymers achieving compressive strengths of up to 18 MPa. Comparable strength outcomes were observed when the modified ash was blended with commercial cement. Leachability tests conducted for heavy metals (HMs) such as copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, and nickel indicated that their concentrations fell below the regulatory limits for landfill disposal: 2, 4, 0.5, 0.04, and 0.4 mg/kg, respectively. These results underscore the effectiveness of water-washing FGT ash in conjunction with other materials for producing geopolymers, contributing to sustainable waste management practices.

It's only one more data center! When scope creep becomes sound emissions creep

A single data center project was originally proposed next to a residential area on a portion of a defunct train yard slated for redevelopment. Sound emissions from this data center's exterior noise sources were evaluated via acoustical modelling; results were compared with regulatory limits, and noise control recommendations were issued to the client. A second data center, operated by the same client, was then proposed adjacent to the first data center project. After this second data center was analyzed and noise control recommendations were issued to the client, a third data center was proposed adjacent to the second data center. This presentation will discuss this case study and the scope and sound emissions creep of these three data center projects.

Noise control tactics to balance the demand for sustainable energy storage, community tranquility, and environmental regulatory compliance

As the construction of large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities increases in California, their impact on urban sprawl is also becoming more pronounced. Projects involving BESS arrangements increasingly find themselves within or near residential land uses in California, providing greater challenges for noise control and abatement to comply with state and local operational noise thresholds. This paper presents case studies of what Dudek has found to be the most efficient noise control tactics related to lowering the noise emission of BESS facilities, particularly through the implementation of onsite noise walls, direct noise attenuation applied to BESS equipment (i.e., noise attenuation for battery thermal management systems involving the operation of ventilation fans and refrigeration system components), and modified BESS equipment arrangements. These strategies are essential for ensuring that BESS projects are not only compliant with environmental standards but also socially acceptable within residential communities. By presenting practical and efficient noise mitigation techniques, this paper aims to guide planners and developers in the sustainable development of BESS facilities, balancing the demand for energy storage with the preservation of community tranquility and compliance with regulatory noise limits.

Waste derived polysulphide coating on fly ash as fillers in plastic composite

Modifying fly ash (FA) for filler application can facilitate a cleaner, high volume and high value-application of FA. One of the major hurdles of utilizing unencapsulated FA as fillers is due to its hydrophilicity and tendency to leach out metals. The current study aims to develop a surface-modified FA (SuMo FA) as a suitable filler by coating it with a cross-linked polysulfide polymer from waste sulphur and oil derivatives. A Class F FA was coated with an in-house developed polysulfide polymer and was followed by a series of physicochemical analysis and 24-h batch leaching tests. This SuMo FA was compounded within PP and PE matrix and its thermo-mechanical properties were evaluated. The novel SuMo FA was ideal for filler application as it exhibited suitable spherical shape and size, hydrophobicity (contact angle ≅120°), and reduced leaching potential. Major contaminants (B, Cr, Pb, and Sr) in leachate of SuMo FA decreased by more than one order. Compounding the SuMo FA in polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) at 20 % (by weight) increased the onset temperature as compared to virgin polymers as well as filler-based polymers (with uncoated FA and CaCO3). Similarly, the SuMo FA filled polymers exhibited the best overall mechanical properties (under flexural and tensile loading) as well as notch impact strength. The Shore D hardness implies that SuMo FA filled polymers were almost identical to the conventionally used CaCO3 filled polymers. The leachate concentration of final PP composites with FA and SuMo FA fillers were lower than the regulatory limit for B, Ba, Cr and Sr. The developed filler material from the SuMo FA can potentially reduce dependence on relatively costly CaCO3 fillers in polymer production thus adhering to United Nation sustainable development goals (6 and 12).

Drinking water source and exposure to regulated water contaminants in the California Teachers Study cohort.

Pollutants including metals/metalloids, nitrate, disinfection byproducts, and volatile organic compounds contaminate federally regulated community water systems (CWS) and unregulated domestic wells across the United States. Exposures and associated health effects, particularly at levels below regulatory limits, are understudied. We described drinking water sources and exposures for the California Teachers Study (CTS), a prospective cohort of female California teachers and administrators. Participants' geocoded addresses at enrollment (1995-1996) were linked to CWS service area boundaries and monitoring data (N = 115,206, 92%); we computed average (1990-2015) concentrations of arsenic, uranium, nitrate, gross alpha (GA), five haloacetic acids (HAA5), total trihalomethanes (TTHM), trichloroethylene (TCE), and tetrachloroethylene (PCE). We used generalized linear regression to estimate geometric mean ratios of CWS exposures across demographic subgroups and neighborhood characteristics. Self-reported drinking water source and consumption at follow-up (2017-2019) were also described. Medians (interquartile ranges) of average concentrations of all contaminants were below regulatory limits: arsenic: 1.03 (0.54,1.71) µg/L, uranium: 3.48 (1.01,6.18) µg/L, GA: 2.21 (1.32,3.67) pCi/L, nitrate: 0.54 (0.20,1.97) mg/L, HAA5: 8.67 (2.98,14.70) µg/L, and TTHM: 12.86 (4.58,21.95) µg/L. Among those who lived within a CWS boundary and self-reported drinking water information (2017-2019), approximately 74% self-reported their water source as municipal, 15% bottled, 2% private well, 4% other, and 5% did not know/missing. Spatially linked water source was largely consistent with self-reported source at follow-up (2017-2019). Relative to non-Hispanic white participants, average arsenic, uranium, GA, and nitrate concentrations were higher for Black, Hispanic and Native American participants. Relative to participants living in census block groups in the lowest socioeconomic status (SES) quartile, participants in higher SES quartiles had lower arsenic/uranium/GA/nitrate, and higher HAA5/TTHM. Non-metropolitan participants had higher arsenic/uranium/nitrate, and metropolitan participants had higher HAA5/TTHM. Though average water contaminant levels were mostly below regulatory limits in this large cohort of California women, we observed heterogeneity in exposures across sociodemographic subgroups and neighborhood characteristics. These data will be used to support future assessments of drinking water exposures and disease risk.

Below ground chemical and microbial community responses of wood ash addition to a hardwood forest in central Ontario

The use of wood ash as a soil amendment remains restricted in many parts of Canada. To better understand belowground biogeochemical responses to wood ash, soil solution chemistry was measured over 3 years following the application of wood ash (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 Mg·ha−1) at a hardwood stand in Ontario, after which soil microbial response was assessed using 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer sequencing. Metal concentrations in the locally sourced wood ash were below provincial regulatory limits. Significant increases in soil solution pH were observed within the forest floor in the first year of the trial, and significant increases in calcium and magnesium were also observed in later years of the trial. Concentrations of most metals in soil water either decreased or exhibited no significant change in response to wood ash. There was an increase in diversity and richness of soil prokaryotic groups in the FH horizon at the highest wood ash treatment that is most likely linked to the large increase in pH. This study indicates that wood ash has a strong ameliorative effect on soil and soil water chemistry without major changes to soil microbial communities and is a viable amendment to forest soils at dosages below 5 Mg·ha−1.

Remarkable photodegradation breakdown cost, antimicrobial activity, photocatalytic efficiency, and recycling of SnO2 quantum dots throughout industrial hazardous pollutants treatment

In the conducted research, a one-step hydrothermal synthesis of pure and titanium-doped tin dioxide quantum dots is elaborated upon, with a thorough analysis of their structural, optical, morphological, and photocatalytic properties undertaken using advanced analytical techniques. Through X-ray Diffraction XRD, the crystalline nature and phase purity of the tetragonal structures of SnDs were confirmed, with the crystallite sizes measured at 3.0 nm for SnD1 and 7.66 nm for SnD2, following treatments at 240 °C and 300 °C, respectively. The structural integrity of SnO2 was maintained despite titanium doping. FTIR spectroscopy verified the existence of specific vibrational modes indicative of surface hydroxyl groups. HRTEM images revealed the spherical morphology of particles, with diameters of 3.5 nm for SnD1 and 9.1 nm for SnD2. Optical band gaps, determined through UV-DRS, ranged from 3.33 eV in SnD1 to 3.47 eV in SnDTi2. The photocatalytic degradation of Congo Red dye under xenon lamp irradiation was quantitatively assessed; notably, SnD1 exhibited a 23 % higher rate constant compared to SnD2, attributed to its smaller particle size and a 31 % greater surface area. Doping with 4 % Ti in Sn0.96Ti0.04O2 more than doubled the degradation rate compared to a 6 % Ti doping in Sn0.94Ti0.06O2. Furthermore, the generation of hydroxyl radicals was significantly enhanced, showing an increase of approximately 220 % for SnD1 and 80 % for SnD2. The capability of these nanomaterials to reduce the chemical oxygen demand of industrial organic pollutants to within regulatory limits under solar irradiation was documented, with SnD1 maintaining its photocatalytic efficiency over seven cycles of reuse. In the photocatalytic degradation rate of Congo Red dye, which was 23 % higher for SnD1 compared to SnD2, and the threefold increase in the degradation rate for SnDTi1 compared to SnDTi2. An economic assessment, based on electricity tariffs in Saudi Arabia, highlighted the cost-effectiveness of SnD1, which ranged from 26.93 to 30.36 USD per breakdown cost of the photodegradation process, showing it to be less costly than SnD2. Conversely, SnDTi1 was found to be more economical than SnDTi2, with costs ranging from 26.67 to 33.09 USD. Collectively, the results emphasize the outstanding photocatalytic performance and cost-efficiency of SnDs, reinforcing their potential as sustainable solutions for the treatment of industrial wastewater. Additionally, the antibacterial efficacy of these materials against a range of bacteria, yeast, and fungi was investigated and substantiated.

Estimation of acceptable daily intake values based on modeling and in vivo mutagenicity of NDSRIs of fluoxetine, duloxetine and atomoxetine

Nitrosamine drug substance related impurities or NDSRIs can be formed if an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) has an intrinsic secondary amine that can undergo nitrosation. This is a concern as 1) nitrosamines are potentially highly potent carcinogens, 2) secondary amines in API are common, and 3) NDSRIs that might form from such secondary amines will be of unknown carcinogenic potency. Approaches for evaluating NDSRIs include read across, quantum mechanical modeling of reactivity, in vitro mutation data, and transgenic in vivo mutation data. These approaches were used here to assess NDSRIs that could potentially form from the drugs fluoxetine, duloxetine and atomoxetine. Based on a read across informed by modeling of physicochemical properties and mechanistic activation from quantum mechanical modeling, NDSRIs of fluoxetine, duloxetine, and atomoxetine were 10-100-fold less potent compared with highly potent nitrosamines such as NDMA or NDEA. While the NDSRIs were all confirmed to be mutagenic in vitro (Ames assay) and in vivo (TGR) studies, the latter data indicated that the potency of the mutation response was ≥4400 ng/day for all compounds-an order of magnitude higher than published regulatory limits for these NDSRIs. The approaches described herein can be used qualitatively to better categorize NDSRIs with respect to potency and inform whether they are in the ICH M7 (R2) designated Cohort of Concern.

Machine Learning for Predicting Neutron Effective Dose

The calculation of effective doses is crucial in many medical and radiation fields in order to ensure safety and compliance with regulatory limits. Traditionally, Monte Carlo codes using detailed human body computational phantoms have been used for such calculations. Monte Carlo dose calculations can be time-consuming and require expertise in different processes when building the computational phantom and dose calculations. This study employs various machine learning (ML) algorithms to predict the organ doses and effective dose conversion coefficients (DCCs) from different anthropomorphic phantoms. A comprehensive data set comprising neutron energy bins, organ labels, masses, and densities is compiled from Monte Carlo studies, and it is used to train and evaluate the supervised ML models. This study includes a broad range of phantoms, including those from the International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP-110, ICRP-116 phantom), the Visible-Human Project (VIP-man phantom), and the Medical Internal Radiation Dose Committee (MIRD-Phantom), with row data prepared using numerical data and organ categorical labeled data. Extreme gradient boosting (XGB), gradient boosting (GB), and the random forest-based Extra Trees regressor are employed to assess the performance of the ML models against published ICRP neutron DCC values using the mean square error, mean absolute error, and R2 metrics. The results demonstrate that the ML predictions significantly vary in lower energy ranges and vary less in higher neutron energy ranges while showing good agreement with ICRP values at mid-range energies. Moreover, the categorical data models align closely with the reference doses, suggesting the potential of ML in predicting effective doses for custom phantoms based on regional populations, such as the Saudi voxel-based model. This study paves the way for efficient dose prediction using ML, particularly in scenarios requiring rapid results without extensive computational resources or expertise. The findings also indicate potential improvements in data representation and the inclusion of larger data sets to refine model accuracy and prevent overfitting. Thus, ML methods can serve as valuable techniques for the continued development of personalized dosimetry.

Differential metal and metalloid contents in fresh and cooked Charu mussels (Mytella charruana) from a southeastern Brazilian estuary and associated human health risks

Sepetiba Bay, a key estuarine ecosystem in southeastern Brazil, faces significant metal inputs, with a differential pollution gradient from the bay's entrance to inner areas, raising environmental and public health concerns. This study assessed metal levels in fresh and cooked samples of highly consumed Charu mussels (Mytella charruana) from three bay areas, one near the bay entrance (P1), with higher water renewal rates, one in the northern bay area (P2) and one the eastern bay (P3), presenting lower water renewal rates. Variations in metal and metalloid concentrations across sites were observed, with P3 exhibiting higher levels in fresh mussels for most elements, except for As, which was higher at P2 (0.35 ± 0.45 mg kg−1). Cooked samples demonstrated similar trends for Cu (1.30 ± 0.39 mg kg−1), Ni (0.28 ± 0.20 mg kg−1), and V (0.75 ± 0.28 mg/kg−1), indicating that cooking in contaminanted estuary water does not significantly reduce contamination. Significant differences were detected for Ni, Cd (0.014 ± 0.008 mg kg−1), Zn (14.28 ± 2.50 mg kg−1), and V at P1, which were significantly higher than at P3. Significant Fe (246 ± 68 mg kg−1), Al (109 ± 33 mg kg−1), and Mn increases were observed from P1 to P3. Mussels sampled from P3, near an abandoned military area and urban center, exhibited high Fe and Al levels, attributed to both natural processes and industrial activities. Metal concentrations in Charu mussels often exceeded regulatory limits set by Brazilian, North American, and European agencies. Calculated Se molar ratios indicate that while Se can mitigate Hg toxicity, high Hg levels in Sepetiba Bay's Charu mussels still pose significant health risks. Similarly, high levels of Ag, Cd, and Pb suggest ineffective Se protection. However, Se appears effective against As toxicity. The Health Benefit Value of Selenium (HBVSe) indicate Se's overall protective benefits against Hg toxicity. Higher HBVSe values in cooked mussels at P1 and P2 suggest that cooking increases Se bioavailability. However, raw mussels at P3 had higher HBVSe values than cooked ones, highlighting the need for site-specific assessments. Calculated Hazard Indices indicate general high health risks from mussel consumption, and As levels in Charu mussels indicate high carcinogenic risks. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive Charu mussel monitoring and environmental management efforts at Sepetiba Bay.

Changes in the Properties of Soils Contaminated with Oil Production Water Before and Af ter Treatment with CaO

In the Mexican southeast, hydrocarbon spills and their residues af fect various agricultural sites. A specific case is spills of oil production or congenital waters that cause soil salinization. When soil is contaminated, restorations are regularly carried out based on regulatory limits, but many regions still do not consider the pedological classification, so restorations are not entirely ef fective and, in the case of agricultural soils, reduce your productivity. For these reasons, this study evaluated the cation exchange with CaO applied to four soils contaminated with congenital waters and determined if there are dif ferences in the treatment behavior according to the properties of each soil. It will be found that sandy soils require less treatment time, but have greater ef fects on their properties compared to clay soils, mainly in field capacity, pH, and porosity. Furthermore, it was found that contaminant removal times vary with respect to the type of soil and that this could be related to the amount and type of clay. In the case of congenital water spills, clay soils show a greater increase in electrical conductivity (EC) compared to sandy soils. When remediated with CaO, clay soils needed longer treatment times to reduce EC, but presented fewer changes in their physical and chemical properties. In addition, it was found that, although washing with drinking water is carried out, the treatment with CaO adds alkalinity to the soils, so they must be managed according to the crop to be developed. It is concluded that soils have dif ferent physical and chemical properties, this influences the response they have to an external agent, both when contaminated and when remediated.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination and Potential Health Risk of Selected Fish Species in Dhaka District

Fish is a rich source of quality protein and fatty acids. Bangladesh's average daily fish consumption is 67.8 grams per people. Fish species are also prone to heavy metal contamination from their surrounding environment. The main objective of this research was to assess the degree of risk associated with the consumption of various fish species in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Three fish species—Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), Shorputi (Systomus sarana), and Mola (Amblypharyngodon mola)—from three local markets in Savar Union, Dhaka, Bangladesh, were selected for analysis. The Kjeldahl technique, Folch method, and several formulae were used to determine the protein, fat, ash, and moisture content for the proximate analysis. The concentration of heavy metals was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) were used to evaluate the danger to human health. Tilapia had the highest moisture and lipid content, whereas Shorputi and Mola had the highest protein and ash contents, ranging from 20.77% to 18.16%, respectively. The mean concentration of heavy metals in fish was determined to be Pb>Ni>Cr>Cd in this study. Every fish species had extremely high levels of lead (Pb), with the Shorputi fish having the highest levels. Fish from the Shorputi species had the highest EDI value. Pb>Ni>Cr>Cd was the trace element EDI for adults. Among all species, only Pd had a THQ value higher than 1. The CR value across all species were within E-3 and E-6 range, while the HI value was >1. In conclusion, the highest average Pb concentrations were detected in Shorputi, while the highest amounts of Cd, Cr, and Ni were observed in Tilapia. The findings of this study recommended that the Bangladeshi government regularly assess the levels of dangerous heavy metal and metalloid contamination in the daily meals of its citizens in order to enforce regulatory limits and determine the likelihood of long-term exposure. Bioresearch Commu. 10(2): 1524-1531, 2024 (July)

Simple method for detecting tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and tetrahydrocannabinol in cannabis tissues using urine-based drug diagnostic device

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA, or THC in the decarboxylated form), synthesized by cannabis plant (Cannabis sativa L.), is a cannabinoid that can be used as a therapeutic drug but is a dangerous psychoactive compound. Cannabis grown for industrial fiber hemp must contain little THCA to prevent misuse. Many attempts to develop new cultivars with low THCA contents have therefore been made. It is time-consuming and expensive to determine THCA in cannabis plant tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography, so we attempted to develop a simple and quick method for selected cultivars with low THCA contents. The diagnostic device, which is an immunoassay based on the principle of competitive binding of drug metabolites, was initially developed for human drug testing in urine. We aim to determine whether the diagnostic device can be applied to natural cannabinoids from cannabis plant. The devices were not suitable for aqueous extracts with methanol contents >20 %. The test (T) line on each device was less intense for leaf and flower extracts than the negative control (water). The THCA contents of water extracted leaves determined by HPLC and calculated based on the cannabidiolic acid contents were 7.5 and 15 μg mL−1 for SuperwomanS1 and Spectrum303 cultivars, respectively. When THCA and THC standards were loaded onto Abon devices, the T line disappeared at the THCA concentration 20 μg mL−1 and the THC concentration 1 μg mL−1, respectively. Using extracts of 0.2 g fresh leaves, SuperwomanS1 and Spectrum303 will give faint and strong T lines, respectively, indicating that the devices could be used to test cannabis tissue THCA contents against the international regulatory limit (≤ 0.3 % w/w). The results indicated that the THCA contents of cannabis tissues at the flowering stage can readily be estimated using drug diagnostic devices, making it convenient for cannabis growers and breeders to semi-quantify THCA.

Drinking Water Quality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The production and transmission system of the Saudi Water Authority (SWA) faces a number of challenges in maintaining the high quality of potable water. Produced desalinated water is transmitted for long distances and is mixed with ground and surface waters of varying quality. The SWA is also in the process of converting from thermal desalination to seawater reverse osmosis which typically gives higher total dissolved solids, requiring better control of species with possible impacts on system integrity or human health. The results of monitoring across the desalination plants and transmission systems of the SWA in 2020–2022 confirm an overall high quality of water, with levels of disinfection by-products and heavy metals low in comparison to public water supplies in high-income countries dependent on surface and groundwater rather than seawater desalination. The results also indicate that continued operational improvements are required with the transition from thermal desalination technologies to reverse osmosis in order to maintain chloride at a level to avoid corrosion in the distribution system and to maintain boron and bromate within acceptable regulatory limits. Significant improvement in bromate control was observed over the course of the study, and recent innovations in post-treatment suggest that this will improve further.

Management Strategies for On-street Parking Facility at Gen. Sudirman Street Kuanino Kupang

Poor performance of on-street parking facilities at Gen. Sudirman Kuanino Street, Kupang, can disrupt traffic flow and cause various problems. The research method is to evaluate the performance of on-street parking facilities and their impact on road performance, transportation costs, and the environment. The results show that the parking index exceeds the parking space capacity, with the highest values of 150% (left) and 138% (right). This is due to the parking volume of building material store operational vehicles (pick-ups and trucks). The resulting impact is a decrease in road performance with a degree of saturation (DS) at 1.22. Hence, it affects transportation costs and vehicle exhaust emissions exceeding regulatory limits. The recommended structuring strategy is the application of rules to control the volume, space, and time of parking by prohibiting parking from building material store operational vehicles, requiring minimum availability of off-street parking spaces by every store, applying a progressive parking fee system, and planting green plants. If the structuring strategy is implemented, the highest parking index results are 84% (left) and 96% (right), and the road performance results increase from the DS value of 1.22 to 0.71.

Edible insects: Understanding benzo(a)pyrene toxicokinetics in yellow mealworms for safe and sustainable consumption

The global interest in edible insects as sustainable protein sources raises concerns about the bioaccumulation of contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), to problematic levels. Understanding the accumulation dynamics of PAHs in edible insects is highly relevant due to the widespread sources and toxicological profiles; however, the bioaccumulative potential of PAHs in edible insects is unexplored. This study examined the uptake and elimination dynamics of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P), a representative and carcinogenic PAH, in yellow mealworm larvae (YMW, Tenebrio molitor). Larvae were exposed to feeding substrate with varying B(a)P concentrations (0.03, 0.3, and 3 mg kg−1), and uptake (21 days in B(a)P-contaminated substrate) and elimination (21 days in B(a)P-free substrate) kinetics were subsequently assessed. The results showed that YMW can eliminate B(a)P, revealing dose-dependent B(a)P bioaccumulation in these insects. Larvae fed on a substrate with 0.03 mg kg−1 accumulated B(a)P over 21 days, presenting values of 0.049 (Standard deviation - 0.011) mg kg−1 and a kinetic-based (BAFkinetic) of 1.93 g substrate g organism−1, exceeding the EU regulatory limits for food. However, with a B(a)P half-life (DT50) of 4.19 days in the larvae, an EU legislation safety criterion was met after a 13-day depuration period in clean substrate. Larvae exposed to substrates with 0.3 and 3 mg kg−1 showed B(a)P accumulation, with BAFkinetic values of 3.27 and 2.09 g substrate g organism−1, respectively, not meeting the current legal standards for food consumption at the end of the exposure to B(a)P. Although the B(a)P half-life values after 35 days were 4.30 and 10.22 days (DT50s), the larvae retained B(a)P levels exceeding permitted food safety limits. These findings highlight a significant oversight in regulating PAHs in animal feed and the need for comprehensive safety evaluations of PAH hazards in edible insects for improved PAH feeding guidelines.

Are Infants and Children at Risk of Adverse Health Effects from Dietary Deoxynivalenol Exposure? An Integrative Review.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a foodborne mycotoxin produced by Fusarium molds that commonly infect cereal grains. It is a potent protein synthesis inhibitor that can significantly impact humans' gastrointestinal, immune, and nervous systems and can alter the microbiome landscape. Low-dose, chronic exposure to DON has been found to stimulate the immune system, inhibit protein synthesis, and cause appetite suppression, potentially leading to growth failure in children. At higher doses, DON has been shown to cause immune suppression, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, diarrhea, gastroenteritis, the malabsorption of nutrients, intestinal hemorrhaging, dizziness, and fever. A provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) limit of 1 µg/kg/body weight has been established to protect humans, underscoring the potential health risks associated with DON intake. While the adverse effects of dietary DON exposure have been established, healthcare communities have not adequately investigated or addressed this threat to child health, possibly due to the assumption that current regulatory exposure limits protect the public appropriately. This integrative review investigated whether current dietary DON exposure rates in infants and children regularly exceed PMTDI limits, placing them at risk of negative health effects. On a global scale, the routine contamination of cereal grains, bakery products, pasta, and human milk with DON could lead to intake levels above PMTDI limits. Furthermore, evidence suggests that other food commodities, such as soy, coffee, tea, dried spices, nuts, certain seed oils, animal milk, and various water reservoirs, can be intermittently contaminated, further amplifying the scope of the issue. Better mitigation strategies and global measures are needed to safeguard vulnerable youth from this harmful toxicant.

Mitigating the African Economic Crisis Through Financial Inclusion

This study sought to examine the challenges facing the African economy and financial inclusion. The paper undertakes a comprehensive exploration of the African economic landscape, navigating through historical intricacies, structural challenges, and global influences. Grounded in a quantitative methodology, the study adopted the survey method to systematically unravel the multifaceted dimensions of the economic crisis and financial inclusion in Africa. The study was anchored on both Monetarist and Keynesian models. A sample size of 350 participants was studied, using a purposive sampling technique. The study discovered that cultural, technological, and regulatory limits all significantly contribute to the economic crisis, which is evidenced by the high rate of currency devaluation in Africa, high rates of inflation in the price of goods, and economic downturns. Thus, the paper recommends that fin-tech companies, appropriate technology applications, and advancements in online payments could potentially save this predicament. The paper further recommends that the government should enact regulatory changes that lower entrance barriers for financial institutions, support innovation, and safeguard consumers to advance financial inclusion.

Assessment of ochratoxin A occurrence in poultry feed in eastern Algeria

ABSTRACT This study investigated the prevalence of the mycotoxin Ochratoxin A in poultry feed samples from Eastern Algeria, an important poultry production region. Ochratoxin A, produced by Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi, can contaminate feed, leading to toxicity issues for poultry and human beings consuming contaminated products. Analysis of 42 feed samples using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), found 62% contained detectable ochratoxin A levels exceeding the concentration of 1.50 ng g−1, varying between 2.23 ng g−1 and 3.23 ng g−1 with an average of 2.59 ng g−1. Although the widespread prevalence is below current regulatory limits, there is a need for continued monitoring to prevent contamination and toxin transfer to poultry meat and eggs. The study recommends expanding testing to more regions and implementing Ochratoxin A surveillance. This is a feed – and food – safety issue on a large scale, with implications for other countries in North Africa.

A novel COP adsorbent built up by thiophene group: Rapid and selective adsorption toward trace hazardous Hg(II)

Mercury is one of the most toxic heavy metals to humans. Developing highly efficient adsorbent for removing mercury is of great significance. Herein, two thiophene-based COPs were synthesized through Schiff base reaction by rationally selecting thiophene group as COP building block and functional component simultaneously, avoiding the drawbacks of functionalization strategy such as sacrificing the porous structure and blocking the active sites. The high S/N content in the COPs structure enables robust adsorption towards Hg(II), with maximum adsorption capacity up to 468.8 mg g−1. Notably, even in the presence of 12 interfering ions, the resulting COP-BTTS effectively reduced trace Hg(II) at 1000 μg L−1 to 33 μg L−1 within 30 s, achieving a removal rate up to 97 %, and below the regulatory discharge limit of 10 μg L−1 for wastewater in 15 min. Moreover, the temperature of COP-BTTS can rise to 140 °C-150 °C under xenon light due to its exceptional photothermal property, which can facilitate the efficient desorption of Hg2+. And the COP-BTTS maintains its exceptional recoverability after the successive repeated 5 cycles. This work sheds light on the feasible strategy for designing and synthesizing COP adsorbent with high adsorption capacity, selectivity, and irradiation-assisted desorption of metal ions.