Dioxins: validation of food frequency questionnaire and intake in a group of adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: A lot of has been heard about dioxins and dioxins-like compounds. These molecules are typically connected in public awareness with affairs. The main source of dioxins for humans is food (90% of typical exposition); thus, assessment of dioxins intake and monitoring of levels of dioxins in food remain an important issue. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the presented work was checking the reproducibility of the authors' semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, focusing on products that may contain dioxins and related compounds among adolescents. The uptake of these compounds was also assessed using obtained data. For survey purposes, an album of food products from the questionnaire was constructed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A modified semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was constructed and distributed twice in a 2-week time span among 55, 15-year-old, students of secondary schools. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient for both declared frequencies and assessed amounts in the case of the majority of food items was above 0.70. The average assessed intake of dioxins and related compounds was 1.57pgWHO-TEQ/kg body weight per day, and 1.85 pgWHO-TEQ/kg body weight per day, during test and retest, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The modified semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire is a reproducible tool that can be used for adolescents. Average intake in the analyzed group was lower than the Tolerable Daily Intake, but in contrast to other countries remains one of the highest intakes in a comparable age group. The main sources of dioxins exposition were fish (38%), and meat products.

Salt caves as simulation of natural environment and significance of halotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Human activity usually leads to a deterioration in air quality; therefore, searching for places that simulate an environment without pollution is important. Artificial salt caves play crucial role, as a kind of therapy, known as halotherapy, based on treatment in a controlled air medium that simulates a natural salt cave microclimate. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of awareness about the existence of salt caves, basic knowledge about the purpose for their presence among people who bought salt caves sessions, and checking their subjective estimation of salt caves influence on their well-being. MATERIAL & METHODS: 303 inhabitants (18-51-years-old) of 3 randomly chosen cities of southern Poland were surveyed using a validated author's questionnaire. Both genders were represented in comparable numbers. RESULTS: It was be observed that knowledge about the existence of salt-caves is common - 94% of respondents. 96 persons bought at least 3 salt caves sessions. The majority of women, did this for therapeutic reasons (57%), and men for both therapeutic and relaxation reasons (both 39%). Both among women and men, the dysfunctions intended to be cured by sessions included problems with throat, larynx or sinus. Depression as a reason for buying sessions was mentioned only by women. In general, those who attended felt better after sessions in salt caves. CONCLUSION: Besides the health benefits, people do not have free time for rest and activities in clean air; moreover, stress is inseparable from everyday life, and for that reasons salt caves become places that help to support a proper lifestyle.

Dietary acrylamide exposure in chosen population of South Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Acrylamide is used for wide range of industry purposes and it is produced in food during heating process. Foods with high acrylamide concentration include French fries, chips, bread crust, cereal, different baked goods. The electrophilic nature of acrylamide allows to interact with biological molecules. It is easily absorbed via the ingestion, inhalation or through the skin. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of dietary exposure to acrylamide in chosen population with respect to different age groups in South Poland and assessment of health risk. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Food consumption survey was conducted among 3 southern provinces in Poland. Studies involved 1470 participants. A semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire was used. Consumption data of individuals were calculated into µg/kg(bw)/day. Statistics was calculated for both whole group and different age groups. MOE values were calculated. RESULTS: Average acrylamide intake was 0.85 ± 0.82 µg(acrylamide)/kg(bw) per day and calculated 95th percentile was 1.70 µg(acrylamide)/kg(bw)/day. In general total dietary exposure decreased with age from 1.51 µg(acrylamide)/kg(bw)/day for the youngest group (6-12 years old) to 0.67 µg(acrylamide)/kg(bw)/day for the oldest one (42-60 years old). The main contributor of acrylamide in diet in all age groups are bakery products. The MOE values calculated for average acrylamide exposure in diet was 212 and 365 for BMDL10 0.18 and 0.31 mg/kg(bw)/day. CONCLUSIONS: Young population consume the highest amount of acrylamide thus any efforts should be done to rise their nutritional knowledge and to decrease intake of high acrylamide products (crisps and French fries). The need for promotion of knowledge how to decrease acrylamide level especially in home-made food regardless of age is necessary.

[Modified smectite rocks from Poland enhance removal of some organic compounds from natural surrounding]. / Mozliwosc oczyszczania srodowiska naturalnego z wybranych zwiazków organicznych z wykorzystaniem modyfikowanych skal smektytowych Polski.

The organic compounds (phenol, aniline, naphthalene, petrol) are the pollutants which are most frequently encountered in the natural environment. Even small amounts of these compounds may create the hazard to living organisms. The absorption methods are used to neutralize these pollutants and to prevent their dissemination. The objective of these paper was to evaluate the activity of organo-smectite compounds (with respect to phenol, aniline, naphthalene and petrol) using the silty minerals as sorbents. The silty minerals are known for their absorption capability of some organic compounds-mostly cations and base solutions. Only the trace amounts of non ionic compounds (phenol,benzene,dioxins) are absorbed by these minerals. Should the long chain ammonic cations with various length of hydrocarbon chain be introduced at the exchange site, the absorption capability of these compounds and their organophylic properties are greatly improved and their surface became organophylic. The bentonites and smectite silts (from Chmielnik, Milowice, Mecinka, Adamowa and Dylagówka) were used for preparation of sorbents. The laboratory tests had indicated that all smectites treated with ammonia salts create the organic-mineral compounds and that modification of smectites (increase of cation length) changes properties of their surface (hydrophilic character is changed to hydrophobic). The organic smectites have a very good sorption properties with respect to the organic compounds mentioned before.

Antioxidant enzymes and pulmonary function in steel mill welders.

It is known that high levels of nitric oxide and ozone lead to disturbances of the balance between oxidants and antioxidants. The purpose of this study was to investigate ventilatory parameters in relation to the antioxidant status measured as total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CT). The study group consisted of 94 welders, aged 41.2 +/- 10.0 years, employed in the Steel Mill in Kraków, Poland, and exposed to nitric oxides and ozone in concentrations exceeding the threshold limit values. The control group consisted of 115 unexposed healthy workers aged 40.8 +/- 10.2 years. All the subjects under study were smokers. Determination of ventilatory efficiency was based on a "flow-volume" curve and spirometry. TAS was measured using reagents from the Randox Laboratories Ltd, SOD according to Fridovich and CT with Aebi's method. It was found that in the group of welders, the concentrations of TAS, CT and SOD were lower compared to controls (TAS-1.15/1.33 mmol/ml; CT-18.1/28.4 m/gHb, SOD-767.6/855.6 U/gHb). The incidence of extreme obstructive pulmonary disease and small airway disease in the welder group was more frequent than in controls. Changes in the concentration (or activity) of antioxidant parameters cannot be used as early markers of ventilatory dysfunction, although the values in the lowest class of TAS, SOD and CT showed a significantly larger number of welders than controls.

[Assessment of food intake in a group of students at the Medical University of Cracow]. / Sposób odzywiania sie studentów Wydzialu Lekarskiego CMUJ w Krakowie.

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the frequency of individual food products intake and food choice in 246 female and 87 male students of the Cracow Medical School. Food consumption quality was estimated using the Questionnaire of Frequency of Food Products Intake). This study was conducted in autumn-winter (from October to January) period of 2001. The most frequent faults were: small consumption of fish, peas, beans and milk, cheese curds in both groups. In the male group we also observed too small fresh vegetables and fruit and coarse-milled cereals consumption. Men consumed (4-6 times a week) meat, sausages, sweet drinks and alcohol more frequently than women. The diets of the female students were more diversified.