Distribution and Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Antibiotics, Illegal Drugs, and Toxic Elements in Gastropods from Southeast China.

We investigated fourteen antibiotics, three illegal drugs, and two toxic elements in commercially available gastropods from southeast China. The data revealed high detection frequencies (DFs) for florfenicol (61.32%), florfenicol amine (47.33%), and thiamphenicol (39.88%), with maximum concentrations of 1110, 2222, and 136 µg/kg wet weight (ww), respectively. The DFs of illegal drugs were 3.54% for leucomalachite green and 0.3% for chloramphenicol. The average levels of Cd and As were 1.17 and 6.12 mg/kg ww, respectively. All chemicals presented diverse DFs in different sampling months. The highest DFs of florfenicol, florfenicol amine, and thiamphenicol were in July. The health risk assessment showed that targeted hazard quotients (THQs) of antibiotics, Cd, and As for children, teens, and adults were all less than one. Notably, the toxic elements (Cd and As) were identified as the primary health risk in gastropods, contributing to over 90% of the total THQs.

Antibiotic residues in commercial freshwater fish from southeast China: distribution and human health risk assessment.

We investigated 14 antibiotic residues in 8 marketed freshwater fish species from southeast China and estimated the associated health risks to local consumers. The antibiotic residues were determined by UPLC-MS/MS. Our findings revealed widespread distribution of quinolones (QNs), tetracyclines (TCs), and chloramphenicols (CAPs) in the freshwater fish. Notably, the average concentrations of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin reached levels as high as 62.5 µg/kg wet weight (ww) and 11.7 µg/kg ww, respectively, and detection frequencies were 68.7% for enrofloxacin and 31.6% for ciprofloxacin. Additionally, we detected chloramphenicol, a prohibited antibiotic, in samples with a detection frequency of 0.76%. Among the fish species, the mean concentration of total antibiotic residues was highest in bluntnose black bream (263.3 µg/kg), followed by English perch (52.4 µg/kg), crucian carp (46.3 µg/kg), black carp (28.6 µg/kg), yellowcheek carp (21.0 µg/kg), grass carp (15.3 µg/kg), bighead carp (3.78 µg/kg), and mandarin fish (3.69 µg/kg). We estimated the daily intake values of these antibiotic residues which were lower than the acceptable daily intake values and hazard indexes were much less than 1. It indicates that there is very low direct health risk to consumers. Despite that, investigation on the chronic impact, such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria, gut microbiota disruption, and allergic reactions, is urgently needed.

Toxic Elements in Beans from Zhejiang, Southeast China: Distribution and Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment.

This study described the distribution of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb in 692 bean samples from Zhejiang province, southeast China, and estimated the health risk using Monte Carlo simulation. The average levels of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb were 0.0349, 0.0379, 0.246, 0.0019, and 0.0246 mg kg-1. Correlation analyses showed very strong positive correlations for Cd-Pb in kidney beans and mung beans, Cd-As in black beans, and Pb-As in red beans. The target hazard quotients (THQs) were adopted for non-carcinogenic risk assessment, and THQs at the 50th percentile were all less than 1, indicating that there are no deleterious effects from rice exposure to these elements. When evaluating THQ for multiple elements, the certainty with a hazard index (HI) greater than 1 for children was 12.64%, for teens 11.54%, and for adults 1.01%. The sensitivity analysis reveals that the concentration of Cd in beans and ED (exposure duration) are the main principal factors that contributed to the total risk. The mean carcinogenic risks for children, teens, and adults were all less than 1 × 10-4, indicating no potential carcinogenic risk. Despite that, the routine monitoring of these elements, especially for Cd should be continued.

Distribution of Cadmium in Fresh Vegetables Marketed in Southeast China and Its Dietary Exposure Assessment.

This study investigated concentrations of cadmium (Cd) in 2465 vegetable samples (52 species) from 2018 to 2022 and estimated the associated health risk for local consumers. The average concentration of Cd was 0.035 mg kg-1, and the percentage of samples exceeding the Chinese maximum allowed concentration was 3.89% (96/2465). The top five species with highest Cd levels were Lilium brownii F (0.182 mg kg-1), Allium chinense G (0.117 mg kg-1), Allium macrostemon Bunge (0.105 mg kg-1), Colocasia esculenta (0.064 mg kg-1), and Amaranthus tricolor L (0.054 mg kg-1). Bulb vegetables had a higher relative accumulation of Cd compared to other vegetables. The levels of Cd in vegetables varied significantly across sampling areas and years. The mean estimated daily intake (EDI) of cadmium through consumption of vegetables was 0.519 µg kg-1 bw per day for adults and 0.217 µg kg-1 bw per day for children. The target hazard quotients (THQs) were all less than the threshold of 1 for both adults and children. This indicates that there is low health risk for Cd through vegetable consumption. However, routine monitoring of Cd levels in food is still crucial to ensure food safety and protect public health.

Distribution and safety assessment of heavy metals in fresh meat from Zhejiang, China.

There are increasing concerns on heavy metals in animal derived foods. We analyzed the levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Pb in 1066 fresh meat samples including pork, beef, mutton, chicken and duck from Zhejiang province, southeast China. The average levels of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Pb were 0.018, 0.002, 0.061, 0.801, 0.0038, 0.055, and 0.029 mg/kg wet weight respectively. There are significant positive correlations among Cd, Hg and Pb (P < 0.05) and negative correlations for Cu-Pb or Cu-Cd (P < 0.05). The exposure assessment showed that the health risk to humans by consuming these meat products was relatively low. However, regular monitoring of heavy metals in meat products is still recommended considering their intensive industrial activities.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in marine fish to the population in Zhejiang, China.

Environmental pollution with toxic metals can lead to the possible contamination of the marine fish. We investigated the levels of As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in 652 marine fish samples (15 species) collected from coastal areas of Zhejiang, China and estimated their health risk. Mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb were 0.783, 0.009, 0.114, 0.031, 0.043 mg/kg wet weight. The average estimated daily intakes (EDIs) for As, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb were 1.214, 0.014, 0.177, 0.048 and 0.067 µg/kg bw/day. The risk assessment at mean exposure level showed that there was no health risk associated with these elements through consumption of marine fish. However, potential health risk may exist for high exposure consumers considering the possible contamination of As and Hg. Given that the different levels of certain elements in marine fish in China, this study provides a scientific basis for food safety assessment and suggestions for risk management.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in rice to the population in Zhejiang, China.

Environmental pollution with toxic heavy metals can lead to the possible contamination of the rice. Selected metals (As, Cd, Hg and Pb) and their accumulation in rice collected from Zhejiang, China were analyzed to evaluate the potential health risk to the local adults and children. The mean levels found in rice were as follows: As, 0.080 mg/kg; Cd, 0.037 mg/kg; Hg, 0.005 mg/kg; Pb, 0.060 mg/kg. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) were calculated in combination of the rice consumption data. The mean intakes of As, Cd, Hg and Pb through rice were estimated to be 0.49, 0.23, 0.03 and 0.37 µg/kg bw/day for adults, and 0.34, 0.29, 0.04 and 0.47 µg/kg bw/day for children. The 97.5th percentile (P97.5) daily intakes of As, Cd, Hg and Pb were 1.02, 0.64, 0.37 and 1.26 µg/kg bw/day for adults, and 0.63, 0.83, 0.47 and 1.63 µg/kg bw/day for children. The risk assessment in mean levels showed that health risk associated with these elements through consumption of rice was absent. However, estimates in P97.5 level of Cd and Pb for children, and Hg for adults have exceeded the respective safe limits.

Determination of methylmercury in marine fish from coastal areas of Zhejiang, China.

The concentration of methylmercury (MMC) and total mercury (TMC) in marine fishes (five species) frequently consumed in the coastal areas of Zhejiang province, China, was determined. The method of high-performance liquid chromatography-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-AFS) with the microwave-assisted extraction was used for the MMC determination. TMC was analysed by a direct mercury analyser. MMC and TMC concentrations in five fish species ranged from 53 to 158 µg kg⁻¹ and 60 to 172 µg kg⁻¹, respectively. The proportion of MMC levels in TMC was greater than 80%. The highest MMC and TMC levels were found in Hairtail.