Quantitative analysis and carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic risk assessment of aflatoxin M1 in milk-based baby food and infant formula milk - a case study in Iran.

In this study, solid-phase extraction (SPE) combined with the dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on novel hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DLLME - DES) has been developed as an ultra-pre-concentration technique for the extraction of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk-based baby food (MBBF) and infant formula milk (IFM) samples followed by HPLC combined with fluorescence detection (HPLC - FL). In addition, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessment was performed by health-related risk factors including liver cancer risk (LCR), margin of exposure (MOE) and target hazard quotient (THQ) were calculated using the mean of AFM1 in different infant food samples. The results of the study showed that the mean of AFM1 was statistically significant different between various brands and types of IFM and MBBF. The results of the study showed that the percentage of positive samples higher than the allowable limit of AFM1 in 36 samples of domestic infant formula milk (DIFM), 24 samples of imported infant formula milk (IIFM), 36 samples of domestic milk-based baby food (DMBBF) and 18 samples of imported milk-based baby food (IMBBF) were 41.6, 12.5, 66.7 and 33.3%, respectively. In addition, estimated values for health risk-related factors including LCR, MOE and THQ indicated that for most infants less than one-year-old were higher than the acceptable levels. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the quality of IFM and MBBF consumed in Iran in terms of AFM1 is poor. Therefore, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to reduce the amount of AFM1 in DIFM and DMBBF, and in addition, the IIFM and IMBBF should be controlled qualitatively before supplying the market.

Assessment of human health risks and pollution index for heavy metals in farmlands irrigated by effluents of stabilization ponds.

Areas contaminated with heavy metals can pose major risks to human health and ecological environments. The aims of this study are to assess human health risk and pollution index for heavy metals in agricultural soils irrigated by effluents of stabilization ponds in Birjand, Iran. The results revealed that the levels of Cr, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, Cd, and Pb were in range of 70.3-149.65, 355-570, 31.15-98.45, 23,925-29,140, 22.75-25.95, 0.17-6.51, and 8.5-23.5 mg/kg in topsoils, respectively. Total hazard index values from heavy metals through three exposure routes for adults and children were 9.13E-01 and 1.10, respectively, indicating that there was non-carcinogenic risk for children. The total risk of carcinogenic metals (Cr, Cd, and Pb) through the three exposure routes for adults and children was 1.06E-04 and 9.76E-04, respectively, which indicates that the metals in the soil will not induce carcinogenic risks to these age groups. Pollution levels of heavy metals in soil samples including enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) showed heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils. The results of the present study provide basic information about heavy metal contamination control and human health risk assessment management in the study area.

Environmental impact assessment of Gonabad municipal waste landfill site using Leopold Matrix.

INTRODUCTION: An environmental impact assessment (EIA) before embarking on any project is a useful tool to reduce the potential effects of each project, including landfill, if possible. The main objective of this study was to assess the environmental impact of the current municipal solid waste disposal site of Gonabad by using the Iranian Leopold matrix method. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the environmental impacts of a landfill site in Gonabad in 2015 by an Iranian matrix (modified Leopold matrix). This study was conducted based on field visits of the landfill, and collected information from various sources and analyzing and comparing between five available options, including the continuation of the current disposal practices, construction of new sanitary landfills, recycling plans, composting, and incineration plants was examined. The best option was proposed to replace the existing landfill. RESULTS: The current approach has a score of 2.35, the construction of new sanitary landfill has a score of 1.59, a score of 1.57 for the compost plant, and recycling and incineration plant, respectively, have scores of 1.68 and 2.3. CONCLUSION: Results showed that continuation of the current method of disposal, due to severe environmental damage and health problems, is rejected. A compost plant with the lowest negative score is the best option for the waste disposal site of Gonabad City and has priority over the other four options.