Spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water and sediment in the Ganga River: source diagnostics and health risk assessment on dietary exposure through a common carp fish Labeo rohita.

We evaluated spatial distribution and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and sediments at four selected sites of the Ganga River. Also, we measured PAHs in muscle tissues of Rohu (Labeo rohita), the most common edible carp fish of the Ganga River and potential human health risk was addressed. Total concentration of PAHs (∑PAHs) in water was highest at Manika Site (1470.5 ng/L) followed by Knuj (630.0 ng/L) and lowest at Adpr (219.0 ng/L). A similar trend was observed for sediments with highest concentration of ∑PAHs at Manika (461.8 ng/g) and lowest at Adpr Site (94.59 ng/g). Among PAHs, phenanthrene (Phe) showed highest concentration in both water and sediment. Of the eight major carcinogenic contributors (∑PAH8C), Indeno (1,2,3-C,D) pyrene (InP) did appear the most dominant component accounting for 42% to this group at Manika Site. Isomer ratios indicated vehicular emission and biomass combustion as major sources of PAHs. The ∑PAHs concentrations in fish tissue ranged from 117.8 to 758.0 ng/g (fresh weight basis) where low molecular weight PAHs assumed predominance (above 80%). The risk level in fish tissues appeared highest at Manika Site and site-wise differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The ILCR (> 10-4) indicated carcinogenic risk in adults and children associated with BaP and DBahA at Manika Site and with BaP at Knuj Site. Overall, the concentrations exceeding permissible limit, carcinogenic potential and BaP equivalent all indicated carcinogenic risks associated with some individual PAHs. This merits attention because the Ganga River is a reservoir of fisheries.

The burden of disease due to dietary exposure to acrylamide in Italy: A risk assessment-based approach.

The aim of this study was to assess Italian consumers' risk of cancer and burden of disease due to dietary exposure to acrylamide. Our model considered six age groups such as infants, toddlers, other children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly, and the consumption of 31 food items. Using a risk-assessment-based approach, we first characterized the risk of neoplastic effects using the margin of exposure method. Then the risk of kidney, endometrial, breast, ovarian cancer, and total cancer was estimated using adjusted cancer slope factors while the burden of disease was quantified using Disability-adjusted Life Years (DALYs). The highest risk for females was related to breast cancer while the lowest was for kidney cancer. We found a comparable risk of total cancer among Italian males and females, estimated at around 1.59 to 3.57 cases per 100,000 individuals annually with the burden ranging between 12.3 - 25.4 and 11.4 - 24.1 DALYs respectively. Our findings provide insights on the multifaceted impact of acrylamide on public health by offering detailed insights into age-specific exposure levels, diverse cancer risks, and the dietary burden of disease related to acrylamide. Targeted interventions and policies can be developed towards mitigating the health risks associated with acrylamide exposure.

Nationwide distribution of perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids in Chinese diets: An emerging concern.

With the phase-out of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its replacement by perfluoroalkyl ether carboxylic acids (PFECAs), there is a potential for increased exposure to various new PFECAs among the general population in China. While there are existing studies on dietary exposure to legacy perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), research on dietary exposure to PFECAs, especially among the general Chinese populace, remains scarce. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of PFECAs in dietary sources from 33 cities across five major regions in China, along with the associated dietary intake. Analysis indicated that aquatic animal samples contained higher concentrations of legacy PFASs compared to those from terrestrial animals and plants. In contrast, PFECAs were found in higher concentrations in plant and terrestrial animal samples. Notably, hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer (HFPO-DA) was identified as the dominant compound in vegetables, cereals, pork, and mutton across the five regions, suggesting widespread dietary exposure. PFECAs constituted the majority of PFAS intake (57 %), with the estimated daily intake (EDI) of HFPO-DA ranging from 2.33 to 3.96 ng/kg bw/day, which corresponds to 0.78-1.32 times the reference dose (RfD) (3.0 ng/kg bw/day) set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Given the ubiquity of HFPO-DA and many other PFECAs in the nationwide diet of China, there is an urgent need for further research into these chemicals to establish relevant safety benchmarks or consumption advisory values for the diet.

Residue levels, processing factors and risk assessment of pesticides in ginger from market to table.

Ginger is consumed as a spice and medicine globally. However, pesticide residues in ginger and their residue changes during processing remain poorly understood. Our results demonstrate that clothianidin, carbendazim and imidacloprid were the top detected pesticides in 152 ginger samples with detection rates of 17.11-27.63%, and these pesticides had higher average residues of 44.07-97.63 µg/kg. Although most samples contained low levels of pesticides, 66.45% of the samples were detected with pesticides, and 38.82% were contaminated with 2-5 pesticides. Peeling, washing, boiling and pickling removed different amounts of pesticides from ginger (processing factor range: 0.06-1.56, most <1). By contrast, pesticide residues were concentrated by stir-frying and drying (0.50-6.45, most >1). Pesticide residues were influenced by pesticide physico-chemical parameters involving molecular weight, melting point, degradation point and octanol-water partition coefficient by different ginger processing methods. Chronic and acute dietary risk assessments suggest that dietary exposure to pesticides from ginger consumption was within acceptable levels for the general population. This study sheds light on pesticide residues in ginger from market to processing and is of theoretical and practical value for ensuring ginger quality and safety.

Essential and Toxic Elements in Infant Cereal in Brazil: Exposure Risk Assessment.

Infant cereals, one of the first solid foods introduced to infants, have been reported to pose risks to human health because they contain toxic elements and an excess of essential elements. The objective of this study was to assess the cancer and non-cancer risk of exposure to essential and toxic elements in infant cereal in Brazil. In our analyses, we included data from 18 samples of infant cereals made from different raw materials and estimated the incremental lifetime cancer risks and non-cancer hazard quotients (HQs) for their consumption. Rice cereal is particularly concerning because it is immensely popular and usually contains high levels of inorganic arsenic. In addition to arsenic, we assessed aluminum, boron, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, selenium, silver, strontium, and zinc. The cancer risk was highest for rice cereal, which was also found to have an HQ > 1 for most of the tested elements. Inorganic As was the element associated with the highest cancer risk in infant cereal. All of the infant cereals included in this research contained at least one element with an HQ > 1. The essential and non-essential elements that presented HQ > 1 more frequently were zinc and cadmium, respectively. The cancer and non-cancer risks could potentially be decreased by reducing the amount of toxic and essential elements (when in excess), and public policies could have a positive influence on risk management in this complex scenario.

Long-term dietary exposure to 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) reduced feeding in common carp (Cyprinus carpio): Via the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely present in water ecosystems where they pose a significant threat to aquatic life, but our knowledge about how PBDEs affect feeding is limited. Therefore, this study explored the effects of continuous dietary exposure to 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) (40 and 4000 ng/g) on the feeding in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and the underlying mechanism. BDE-47 significantly decreased the food intake of carp. Transcriptome analysis of brain tissue showed that BDE-47 mainly affected the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. Further examination of the expression levels of appetite factors in the brain revealed that BDE-47 caused dysregulation of appetite factors expressions such as agrp, pomc, cart, etc. In addition, the JAK-STAT signaling pathway was activated under BDE-47 exposure. It can be concluded from these findings that BDE-47 activated the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, causing imbalanced expression of appetite factors, leading to disordered feeding behavior and decreased food intake in carp. These results provide an important reference for a more comprehensive understanding of the hazards posed by BDE-47 on animal feeding and the associated mechanisms.

Volatile N-nitrosamines in processed meat products: An approach for monitoring dietary exposure, assessing human risk, and evaluating variable correlations by principal component analysis and heat map.

Several epidemiological studies have reported a positive association between the consumption of processed meats containing N-nitrosamines (NAs) and the incidence of hepatocellular and colon cancer. The health risk assessment in this investigation was based on the concentration of six volatile N-nitrosamines (VNAs) (N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosomethylethylamine, N-nitrosopiperidine, N-nitrosodibutylamine, and N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine) found in processed meat products (sausage and kielbasa) in the Iranian market. Direct supported liquid membrane two-phase hollow fiber electromembrane extraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to analyse six VNAs. The mean concentration of the six VNAs in sausages and kielbasa was 38.677 ± 27.56 and 48.383 ± 35.76 µg/kg, respectively. The 95th percentile for the chronic daily intake of total VNAs for children (3-14 years) and adults (15-70 years) were calculated to be 5.06 × 10-4 and 1.09 × 10-4 mg/kg bw/day, respectively. The cancer risk assessment showed that the risk associated with NDEA was the highest among the other VNAs studied in Iranian processed meat, with a 95th percentile for the child and adult groups. Based on an incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) value of ≤10-4 for the carcinogenic effects of exposure to a total of six VNAs, it indicates low concern for all age groups.

Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessment of Multi-Mycotoxins (AFB1, AFM1, OTA, OTB, DON, T-2 and HT-2) in the Lebanese Food Basket Consumed by Adults: Findings from the Updated Lebanese National Consumption Survey through a Total Diet Study Approach.

Mycotoxins have been linked to adverse health impacts, including liver cancer and kidney diseases. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the dietary exposure of Lebanese adults to multi-mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), ochratoxin A (OTA), ochratoxin B (OTB), deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 and HT-2) and to assess their associated health risks. Hence, a nationally representative sample of 449 participants aged 18-64 years old were interviewed to obtain their socio-demographic characteristics, food consumption data and exposure estimates. A food frequency questionnaire and 24 h-recall were used to collect data. The concentration of mycotoxins in all foods consumed by the participants was collected from previous national published studies. The estimated daily intake (EDI), the hazard quotient (HQ) and the margin of exposure (MOE) were calculated. The total exposure to AFB1, AFM1, OTA and DON was 1.26, 0.39, 4.10 and 411.18 ng/kg bw/day, respectively. The MOE to AFB1, AFM1, OTA and DON in the Lebanese food basket was 316, 1454, 3539 and 510, respectively, indicating high health-related risks. Per food items, the MOE to AFB1 was below 10,000 in cereals (466.5), mainly in rice (827.9) and Burgul (4868.5). Similarly, the MOE to OTA in cereals was 1439, in which bread (4022), rice (7589) and bulgur (7628) were considered unsafe. Moreover, the MOE to DON in cereals (605) is alarming, especially in bread (632) and manakesh (6879). The MOE to AFM1 in dairy products was 1454, indicating health-related risks with a focus on yogurt (9788) and labneh (8153). As for the herbs/spices group and traditional dishes, the MOE to AFB1 was relatively lower than 10,000 (3690 and 1625, respectively), with a focus on thyme (2624) and kishik (3297), respectively. It is noteworthy that the MOE to DON and the MOE to OTA in traditional foods and coffee were lower than 10,000 (8047 and 8867, respectively). All hazard quotient (HQ) values were below 1, except the HQ value of milk and dairy products (1.96). The intake of some food groups varied between age categories, corresponding to differences in EDI between them. Thus, it is essential to put control measures in place to decrease the contamination and exposure to mycotoxins by Lebanese consumers.

The hidden diet: Synthetic antioxidants in packaged food and their impact on human exposure and health.

Synthetic antioxidants (AOs) are commonly used in everyday items and industrial products to inhibit oxidative deterioration. However, the presence of AOs in food packaging and packaged foods has not been thoroughly documented. Moreover, studies on human exposure to AOs through skin contact with packaging or ingesting packaged foods are limited. In this study, we analyzed twenty-three AOs-including synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs) and organophosphite antioxidants (OPAs)-along with six transformation products in various food samples and their packaging materials. We found AOs in food products at concentrations ranging from 1.30 × 103 to 1.77 × 105 ng/g, which exceeded the levels in both outer packaging (6.05 × 102-3.07 × 104 ng/g) and inner packaging (2.27 × 102-1.09 × 105 ng/g). The most common AOs detected in foodstuffs were tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate (AO168O), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and octadecyl-3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate (AO1076), together constituting 95.7 % of the total AOs found. Our preliminary exposure assessment revealed that dietary exposure-estimated at a median of 2.55 × 104 ng/kg body weight/day for children and 1.24 × 104 ng/kg body weight/day for adults-is a more significant exposure route than dermal contact with packaging. Notably, four AOs were identified in food for the first time, with BHT making up 76.8 % and 67.6 % of the total BHT intake for children and adults, respectively. These findings suggest that food consumption is a significant source of BHT exposure. The estimated daily intakes of AOs via consumption of foodstuffs were compared with the recommended acceptable daily intake to assess the risks. This systematic investigation into AOs contributes to understanding potential exposure and health risks associated with AOs in packaged foods. It emphasizes the need for further evaluation of human exposure to these substances.

Environmental and dietary exposure to 24 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a typical Chinese coking plant.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known for their health risks, are prevalent in the environment, with the coking industry being a major source of their emissions. To bridge the knowledge gap concerning the relationship between environmental and dietary PAH exposure, we explore this complex interplay by investigating the dietary exposure characteristics of 24 PAHs within a typical Chinese coking plant and their association with environmental pollution. Our research revealed Nap and Fle as primary dietary contaminants, emphasizing the significant influence of soil and atmospheric pollution on PAH exposure. We subjected our data to non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), Spearman correlation analysis, Lasso regression, and Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression to delve into this multifaceted phenomenon. NMDS reveals that dietary PAH exposure, especially within the high molecular weight (HMW) group, is common both within and around the coking plant. This suggests that meals prepared within the plant may be contaminated, posing health risks to coking plant workers. Furthermore, our assessment of dietary exposure risk highlights Nap and Fle as the primary dietary contaminants, with BaP and DahA raising concerns due to their higher carcinogenic potential. Our findings indicate that dietary exposure often exceeds acceptable limits, particularly for coking plant workers. Correlation analyses uncover the dominant roles of soil and atmospheric pollution in shaping dietary PAH exposure. Soil contamination significantly impacts specific PAHs, while atmospheric pollution contributes to others. Additionally, WQS regression emphasizes the substantial influence of soil and drinking water on dietary PAHs. In summary, our study sheds light on the dietary exposure characteristics of PAHs in a typical Chinese coking plant and their intricate interplay with environmental factors. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate PAH exposure so as to safeguard both human health and the environment in affected regions.

Dietary exposure to 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) induces oxidative damage promoting cell apoptosis primarily via mitochondrial pathway in the hepatopancreas of carp, Cyprinus carpio.

To investigate the mechanisms of BDE-47 on hepatotoxicity in fish, this study examined the effects of dietary exposure to BDE-47 (40 and 4000 ng/g) on carp for 42 days. The results showed that BDE-47 significantly increased carp's condition factor and hepatosomatic index. Pathological results revealed unclear hepatic cord structure, hepatocytes swelling, cellular vacuolization, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the hepatopancreas of carp. Further investigation showed that ROS levels significantly increased on days 7, 14, and 42. Moreover, the activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GSH, CAT, and GST increased significantly from 1 to 7 days, and the transcription levels of antioxidant enzymes CAT, Cu-Zn SOD, Mn-SOD, GST, and GPX, and antioxidant pathway genes Keap1, Nrf2, and HO-1 changed significantly at multiple time-points during the 42 days. The results of apoptosis pathway genes showed that the mitochondrial pathway genes Bax, Casp3, and Casp9 were significantly upregulated and Bcl2 was significantly downregulated, while the transcription levels of FADD and PERK were significantly enhanced. These results indicate that BDE-47 induced oxidative damage in hepatopancreas, then it promoted cell apoptosis mainly through the mitochondrial pathway. This study provides a foundation for analyzing the mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by BDE-47 on fish.

Occurrence of mycotoxins in meat alternatives: Dietary exposure, potential health risks, and burden of disease.

This study aimed to present the occurrence of sixteen mycotoxins in 105 meat alternatives based on wheat, legumes, and vegetables from Italy. The targeted mycotoxins were aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2), fumonisins B1 and B2 (FB1, FB2), alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tentoxin (TEN), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN), T-2/HT-2 toxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), enniatin B (ENNB), and beauvericin (BEA). The occurrence of mycotoxins was between 0% (AFB2) - 97.4% (ENNB). Mycotoxin co-occurrence varied from binary combinations up to mixtures of twelve. To assess the dietary exposure and potential health risks we simulated the replacement of meat consumption for Italian consumers with meat alternatives. The cumulative exposure to Alternaria mycotoxins and trichothecenes indicated a potential health risk while the exposure to aflatoxins and ochratoxin A indicated a potential health concern related to liver and renal cancer in the model scenario. Moreover, we estimated the risk of liver cancer from exposure to AFB1 and quantified the potential burden using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Luckily, the potential risk of liver cancer was low between 0 and 0.05/100,000 individuals with an associated burden of disease of 0.83 DALYs/100,000 individuals. Taking into consideration the presence of meat alternatives on the food market and the ongoing shift towards plant-based diets there is a need for continuous monitoring to keep the occurrence at safe levels. More attention is needed from the regulatory side for policymakers to consider the legislations of mycotoxins in meat alternatives.

Cumulative risk assessment of dietary exposure of the adult population in Serbia to pesticides that have chronic effects on the thyroid gland through fresh fruits and vegetables.

In contrast to the traditional approach to risk assessment, which focuses on a single chemical, cumulative exposure and risk assessment considers the consequences of exposure to multiple chemical combinations. A cumulative risk assessment of dietary exposure of adult females and adult males to pesticides with chronic effects on the thyroid was conducted by estimation of the Total Margin of Exposure (MOET). Exposure to each active substance was estimated using a second-order Monte Carlo simulation. Input values for the simulation were based on over 2300 conventionally produced fruit and vegetable samples analysed from 2021 to 2023 and consumption data collected using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and 24h recall method. MOET values, for both populations assessed, did not exceed thresholds for regulatory consideration established by risk managers. Considering that MOETs values from consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables were relatively close to the threshold value, total exposure to the pesticides could likely reach risk-associated MOET levels, through the consumption of other food products that may be contaminated.

Phthalate ester levels in agricultural soils of greenhouses, their potential sources, the role of plastic cover material, and dietary exposure calculated from modeled concentrations in tomato.

Soil samples collected from 50 greenhouses (GHs) cultivated with tomatoes (plastic-covered:24, glass-covered:26), 5 open-area tomato growing farmlands, and 5 non-agricultural areas were analyzed in summer and winter seasons for 13 PAEs. The total concentrations (Σ13PAEs) in the GHs ranged from 212 to 2484 ng/g, wheeas the concentrations in open-area farm soils were between 240 and 1248 ng/g. Σ13PAE in non-agricultural areas was lower (35.0 - 585 ng/g). PAE exposure through the ingestion of tomatoes cultivated in GH soils and associated risks were estimated with Monte Carlo simulations after calculating the PAE concentrations in tomatoes using a partition-limited model. DEHP was estimated to have the highest concentrations in the tomatoes grown in both types of GHs. The mean carcinogenic risk caused by DEHP for tomato grown in plastic-covered GHs, glass-covered GHs, and open-area soils were 2.4 × 10-5, 1.7 × 10-5 and 1.1 × 10-5, respectively. Based on Positive Matrix Factorization results, plastic material usage in GHs (including plastic cover material source for plastic-GHs) was found to be the highest contributing source in both types of GHs. Microplastic analysis indicated that the ropes and irrigation pipes inside the GHs are important sources of PAE pollution. Pesticide application is the second highest contributing source.

Biochemical, molecular, and physiological assessments of crude oil dietary exposure in sub-adult red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus).

A 14-day exposure study in which sub-adult red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were fed a petroleum crude oil-treated pellet feed was conducted to assess the potential effects of ingesting an oil-contaminated food source. Though food consumption decreased, significant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons accumulated in the body and liver, which did not affect the body and liver's fatty acid composition. In the red drum given the crude oil-treated feed, a significant decrease in the RNA:DNA growth rate index was noted, while only subtle changes in body and liver lipid composition were seen. Differentially expressed gene analysis in the liver demonstrated a significant down-regulation of leptin and up-regulation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses indicated enrichment of terms and pathways associated with cholesterol biosynthesis and oxidative stress. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis further predicted activation of seven pathways associated with cholesterol biosynthesis. Measured oxidative stress biomarkers in the blood indicated decreased systemic antioxidants with increased lipid peroxidation. The results of this study suggest that dietary oil exposure alters the signaling of biological pathways critical in cholesterol biosynthesis and disruptions in systemic oxidative homeostasis.

Dietary exposure to acrylamide among the Malaysian adult population.

This study aimed to estimate the Malaysian adult population's current dietary exposure and margin of exposure (MOE) to the carcinogenic processing contaminant, acrylamide. A total of 448 samples from 11 types of processed foods were collected randomly throughout Malaysia in the year 2015 and 2016. Acrylamide was analysed in samples using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 10 µg/kg and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 25 µg/kg. The highest average level of acrylamide (772 ± 752 µg/kg) was found in potato crisps, followed by French fries (415 ± 914 µg/kg) and biscuits (245 ± 195 µg/kg). The total acrylamide exposure for the adult Malaysian was 0.229 and 1.77 µg/kg body weight per day for average and high consumers, respectively. The MOE were 741 and 1875 for the average consumer based on cancer and non-cancer effects of acrylamide, respectively. Meanwhile, for high consumers, the MOE is 96 for cancer and 243 for non-cancer effects. These findings indicate potential carcinogenic risks from acrylamide exposure among Malaysian adults, especially in Malay and other Bumiputra groups compared to Chinese, Indian, and other ethnic groups, while non-cancer effects appeared less concerning.

Dietary mycotoxin exposure and human health risks: A protocol for a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Mycotoxins are toxic fungal secondary metabolites that contaminate a wide spectrum of essential foods worldwide, such as grain-based products, nuts and spices, causing adverse health effects pertaining to their carcinogenic, nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic nature, among others. AIM: The aim of this systematic review (SR) is to systematically search for, appraise and synthesize primary research evidence to identify what is known about dietary mycotoxin-related health effects and what remains unknown, as well as the uncertainty around findings and the recommendations for the future. SEARCH STRATEGY AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Search strategies, as well as eligibility criteria were structured according to a predefined PECO (population, exposure, comparison, and outcome) research question and developed in an iterative scoping process. Several bibliographic databases, including Embase, Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus, will be searched. Primary research on any measured or modelled dietary exposure to a single or multiple mycotoxins, and adverse human health outcomes (i.e. cancer, non-carcinogenic diseases, and reproductive & developmental adverse outcomes) will be included, and references will be imported into Covidence. In vitro, ex vivo, in silico, animal and review studies, as well as expert's opinions, secondary literature, conference abstracts, presentations, posters, book chapters, dissertations and studies involving non-dietary mycotoxin exposure, will be excluded. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts, and review full-texts. Any disagreements will be resolved by a third reviewer based on two-third majority. DATA EXTRACTION: Data from retained eligible studies will be extracted by the principal reviewer, and peer-checked by a second reviewer. STUDY QUALITY ASSESSMENT: Eligible studies will be evaluated for risk of bias (Overall High-Quality Assessment Tool, OHAT) and certainty of evidence (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation, GRADE). EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: A detailed summary of the included studies will be provided within a tabular format and narratively discussed. Heat maps will be constructed to provide information on available knowledge (gaps), and a meta-analysis may be performed based on the variability in predefined PECO elements and depending on the heterogeneity of studies. CONCLUSION: This protocol describes the methodology for the conduct of a SR on mycotoxin-related human health risks, that could guide future research and inform regulatory decisions, as emphasized by the European Commission within the field of regulatory risk assessment for emerging chemicals.

Comprehensive and cumulative risk evaluation of dietary exposure to aflatoxins and ochratoxin A on fermented teas worldwide by a new assessment model.

Recently, mycotoxin risks in fermented tea have received high attention, but mycotoxin transfer rates from tealeaf to infusion during brewing were rarely considered. In addition, the assessment data (i.e., mycotoxin occurrences and tea consumption) in previous assessments were usually limited. Here, a comprehensive and cumulative risk assessment of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A was performed using a tea assessment model, by which mycotoxin transfer rates were included and the assessment data were collected worldwide. By 10 times of brewing, the aflatoxin transfer rate was only 2.94% and OTA was 63.65%. Besides the extreme case, hazard quotients (HQs) from all consumers were lower than the threshold of 1.0, indicating no noncarcinogenic risk; the P95 cumulative margin of exposure (1/MoET) values were 2.52E-04 (30-39 years of age) and 2.42E-04 (≥50 years of age) for two high exposure groups under the upper bound scenario, which a little higher than the carcinogenic risk threshold of 1.00E-04. Notably, the P95 cumulative 1/MoET values (3.24E-03 -7.95E-03) by food assessment model were ten times higher than those of by tea assessment model. The comparative results showed that mycotoxin dietary risks on tea consumption by food assessment model were much overestimated. The result of this study indicated that the contaminants transfer rates should be considered for risk assessment on tea consumption in future work.

Total aflatoxin and ochratoxin A levels, dietary exposure and cancer risk assessment in dried fruits in Türkiye.

This study aimed to measure total aflatoxin (AF) (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) and ochratoxin A (OTA) levels in dried fruit samples and to evaluate the potential dietary exposure and cancer risk to these mycotoxins in Kayseri/Türkiye. Dried fruit samples were collected between April-May 2021. A total of 11 dried grapes and apricot samples, 7 dried fig and plum samples were collected. Total aflatoxins and OTA in dried fruits were determined by ELISA method. Then, the margin of exposure (MOE) and cancer risk were calculated. Total AF was detected in dried fruit samples between 42.86%, and 100%. Between 18.18% and 57.14% of samples exceeded the European Commission (EC) limits for total AF. Moreover, OTA was detected in all samples. Between 71.43% and 100% of samples exceeded the EC limits for OTA. Cancer risk due to OTA exposure was higher than total AF and it was determined that OTA exposure could pose a risk for public health (MOE < 10,000). Although mycotoxin exposure seems to be low due to the low consumption of dried fruit in Türkiye, the risk of exposure and cancer may increase because of complying with the recommendations of the dietary guidelines. The findings provide new insights into exposure to total AF and OTA through the consumption of dried fruit.

An updated status of currently used pesticides in India: Human dietary exposure from an Indian food basket.

Currently used pesticides (CUPs) were introduced to have lower persistence and bioaccumulation, and lesser bioavailability towards non-target species. Nevertheless, CUPs still represent a concern for both human health and the environment. India is an important agricultural country experiencing a conversion from the use of obsolete organochlorine pesticides to a newer generation of phytosanitary products. As for other developing countries, very little is known about the transfer of CUPs to the human diet in India, where systematic monitoring is not in place. In this study, we analyzed ninety four CUPs and detected thirty CUPs in several food products belonging to five types: cereals and pulses, vegetables, fruits, animal-based foods, and water. Samples were taken from markets in Delhi (aggregating food produced all over India) and in the periurban area of Dehradun (northern India) (representing food produced locally and through more traditional practices). Overall, chlorpyrifos and chlorpropham were the most detected CUPs with a detection frequency of 33% and 25%, respectively. Except for vegetables and fruits, the levels of CUPs in all other food types were significantly higher in samples from Delhi (p < 0.05). Exposure dosage of CUPs through different food matrices was calculated, and chlorpropham detected in potatoes had the maximum exposure dosage to humans (2.46 × 10-6 mg/kg/day). Risk analysis based on the hazard quotient technique indicated that chlorpyrifos in rice (2.76 × 10-2) can be a concern.