Monochloropropanediol esters and glycidyl esters in dietary supplements based on fish oils.

Dietary supplements based on fish oils might be contaminated with thermal processing contaminants, which are generated during the fish oil deodorisation. In the study, 30 samples of dietary supplements were analysed in terms of the occurrence of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPDE), 2-monochloropropane-1,3-diol esters (2-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters (GE). The results showed that the highest levels of 3-MCPDE (mean: 1461 µg kg-1) as well as 2-MCPDE (mean: 357 µg kg-1) were observed in the products containing shark liver oil. In the case of GE, they were mainly detected in the supplements including shark liver and cod liver oils. Although the results indicated that the consumption of the investigated supplements constituted no more than 1% of tolerable daily intake (TDI), the occurrence of MCPDE and GE in fish oil dietary supplements with a special attention to the origin of ester precursors should be thoroughly investigated in further studies.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) in Foods commonly consumed in Southwest Nigeria and its Human Health Risk.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical ubiquitous in the environment and listed as an endocrine disruptor. It has the tendency of migrating into food stored in materials containing it. This study, therefore, determines the concentrations of BPA in foods commonly consumed in Southwest Nigeria by the adult population and also estimates the risk associated with human exposure. Eight different food categories were selected for this study. Standard QuEChERS protocol was used for sample extraction and analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Vegetable oil had the highest BPA concentration (28.4 ng/g). This was followed by aquatic canned fish (26.3 ng/g), canned beef (21.3 ng/g) and crayfish (17.5 ng/g). These concentrations were below the 600 ng/g limit of the European Commission for BPA in foods. Bisphenol-A was not detected in raw beef, chicken, cheese, apple, tomatoes, beans and rice; and chicken eggs. The adult population had an average dietary intake of 30.4 ng/kg bw/day. There is no likely occurrence of harmful health effects of BPA in the selected foods with respect to the current concentrations found therein. However, routine monitoring is recommended to prevent human exposure to BPA.

PAHs in different honeys from Serbia.

Maximum limits for PAHs content in honey and bee products are not set. The objective of this study was to conduct a market survey of honey for the presence of PAH16 with the aim of detecting potential contamination and health risks for consumers. A total number of 61 honey samples produced in the territory of Serbia were examined. The content of PAH16 was measured using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometric method. Large values were found in some samples: 140.6 µg/kg for chrysene, 136.3 µg/kg for benzo[ghi]perylene, 120.1 µg/kg for benzo[a]pyrene, 87.2 µg/kg for benz[a]anthracene and 79.6 µg/kg for benzo[k]fluoranthene. It was established that 6.6% honey samples were not safe for human consumption because of high benzo[a]pyrene and PAH4 content, which greatly exceeded the maximum limits for all food categories. Considering that screening of honey obtained from the market does not allow accurate detection of the contamination origin requires further investigations to identify potential contamination sources.

Chemical-specific maximum allowable levels for pesticide residues in dietary supplements.

Dietary supplements are regulated by the U.S. FDA as a subset of foods. Most botanical dietary ingredients do not have pesticide tolerances, resulting in the enforcement of zero tolerance or general maximum residue limits (GMRL), rather than utilizing science-informed tolerances. In the current study, chemical-specific maximum allowable levels (MALs) were derived for 185 pesticides by converting existing, authoritative-body human health effects criteria. MALs were derived for 96% of pesticides using criteria established by the U.S. EPA. If multiple authoritative-bodies had established human health effects criteria, the most scientifically-defensible criteria was selected, taking into consideration both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic endpoints. Five pesticides (o-phenylphenol, pirimicarb, oxadixyl, tetradifon, o,p'-DDT), lacking criteria established by the U.S. EPA had criteria established by other authoritative-bodies that were utilized in the derivation of MALs. Two pesticides did not have any established human health effects criteria (o,p'-DDD and o,p'-DDE). In total, MALs were derived from existing criteria for over 98% of the pesticides in the present study. Consequently, it is demonstrated that human health effects criteria derived by authoritative-bodies can be effectively utilized to derive chemical-specific, science-informed MALs applicable to all food commodities, including botanical ingredients, thereby, minimizing reliance on precautionary zero tolerance and GMRLs.

Risk estimation and multivariate statistical analysis of the heavy metal content of drinking water samples.

Drinking water samples of Jaipur and Ajmer districts of Rajasthan, India, were collected and analyzed for the measurement of concentration of heavy metals. The purpose of this study was to determine the sources of the heavy metals in the drinking water. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used for the determination of the heavy metal concentrations, and for the statistical analysis of the data, principal component analysis and cluster analysis were performed. It was observed from the results that with respect to WHO guidelines, the water samples of some locations exceeded the contamination levels for lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and mercury (Hg), and with reference to the EPA guidelines, the samples were determined unsuitable for drinking because of high concentrations of Pb and Hg. Using multivariate statistical analysis, we determined that copper, manganese, arsenic, Se, and Hg were of anthropogenic origin, while Pb, copper, and cadmium were of geogenic origin. The present study reports the dominance of the anthropogenic contributions over geogenics in the studied area. The sources of the anthropogenic contaminants need to be investigated in a future study.

Risk assessment of genotoxic and carcinogenic alkenylbenzenes in botanical containing products present on the Chinese market.

In the present study, a risk assessment of plant food supplements (PFS), traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and herbal teas containing alkenylbenzenes was performed using the Margin of Exposure (MOE) approach. The levels of alkenylbenzenes in botanical preparations collected on the Chinese market were quantified and the combined estimated daily intake (EDI) was determined using dose additivity. The combined EDI values obtained assuming equal potency of all alkenylbenzenes detected in the PFS, TCM and herbal teas were 0.3 to 14.3, 0.05 to 539.4 and 0.04 to 42.5 µg/kg bw/day, respectively. Calculating combined EDI values taking into account the toxic equivalency (TEQ) approach, the values for PFS, TCM and herbal teas were 0.3 to 7.7, 0.05 to 278.0 and 0.02 to 16.5 µg estragole equivalents/kg bw/day, respectively. The MOE values resulting from consumption of these PFS, TCM and one cup of herbal tea per day during life-time were generally lower than 10 000, suggesting a potential priority for risk management. For short-term exposure such as two weeks consumption, applying Haber's rule, only one TCM 6 () still had an MOE value below 10 000. It is concluded that selected consumption of Chinese botanical preparations raise a concern because of exposure to alkenylbenzenes, especially when exposure is for longer periods of time.

Biological Effects From Low Doses and Dose Rates of Ionizing Radiation: Science in the Service of Protecting Humans, a Synopsis.

There is considerable controversy regarding risk of health detriment after low-level exposure to ionizing radiation. This stems in part from a sort of distance between radiation biologists, epidemiologists, and radiation protection professionals, as well as regulatory institutions. Also, there is a lack of overview of the relevant data and their origins regarding health risks at low doses of ionizing radiation. This feeds seriously into a somewhat hazy fear of ionizing radiation that besets large portions of the public. The current synopsis aims at presenting a holistic view in a concise yet comprehensive manner in order to help people understand the full extent of inputs into attempting to relate low-dose radiation exposure to health risk. It emerges again that different approaches must be found for optimal radiation protection replacing the use of the linear no-threshold (LNT) model.

Occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in human milk samples in Vojvodina, Serbia: Estimation of average daily intake by babies.

The objectives of the study were to determine the aflatoxin M1 content in human milk samples in Vojvodina, Serbia, and to assess the risk of infants' exposure to aflatoxins food contamination. The growth of Aspergillus flavus and production of aflatoxin B1 in corn samples resulted in higher concentrations of AFM1 in milk and dairy products in 2013, indicating higher concentrations of AFM1 in human milk samples in 2013 and 2014 in Serbia. A total number of 60 samples of human milk (colostrum and breast milk collected 4-8 months after delivery) were analyzed for the presence of AFM1 using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay method. The estimated daily intake of AFM1 through breastfeeding was calculated for the colostrum samples using an average intake of 60 mL/kg body weight (b.w.)/day on the third day of lactation. All breast milk collected 4-8 months after delivery and 36.4% of colostrum samples were contaminated with AFM1. The greatest percentage of contaminated colostrum (85%) and all samples of breast milk collected 4-8 months after delivery had AFM1 concentration above maximum allowable concentration according to the Regulation on health safety of dietetic products. The mean daily intake of AFM1 in colostrum was 2.65 ng/kg bw/day. Results of our study indicate the high risk of infants' exposure, who are at the early stage of development and vulnerable to toxic contaminants.

Determination of methanol in Iranian herbal distillates.

BACKGROUND: Herbal distillates have been used as beverages, for flavoring, or as phytomedicines in many countries for a long time. Recently, the occurrence of blindness after drinking herbal distillates has created concerns in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of methanol in herbal distillates produced in Iran. METHODS: Eighty-four most commonly used herbal distillates purchased from herbal distillate factories were analyzed for methanol contents by gas chromatography and flame ionization detection, with ethanol as internal standard. RESULTS: In 15 herbal distillates, the methanol concentration was below the limit of quantitation. The methanol concentrations in all samples ranged from 43 to 277 mg/L. Forty-five samples contained methanol in excess of the Iranian standard. The maximum concentration was found in an herbal distillate of Mentha piperita (factory E) (277±12), and the minimum in a distillate of Carum carvi (factory B) (42.6 ± 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Since the 45 Iranian herbal distillates containing methanol levels were beyond the legal limits according to the Iranian standard, it seems necessary to monitor the amount of methanol and give a warning to watch out for the latent risk problem of methanol uptake, and establish a definitive relationship between the degree of intoxication observed and the accumulation of methanol in the blood.

Voltammetric determination of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Se in milk and dairy products collected from Iran: An emphasis on permissible limits and risk assessment of exposure to heavy metals.

This study was carried out to determine the concentrations of some heavy metals in dairy products, collected from five industrial regions in Iran (n = 250 samples) during winter and summer in 2013. The samples were analyzed using the differential pulse anodic and cathodic stripping voltammetry technique. The obtained ranges of mean Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn and Se were as follow: in raw milk 14.0, 1.11, 427, 571, 2.19 µg kg(-1), in pasteurized milk 9.59, 1.0, 378, 447, 1.78 µg kg(-1), in cheese 14.5, 1.25, 428, 586, 1.68 µg kg(-1), in yoghurt 7.54, 0.99, 399, 431, 1.23 µg kg(-1) and in doogh 7.2, 0.84, 320, 369, 0.99 µg kg(-1), respectively. In nearly all cases the concentrations of the metals were below the international permissible limits and do not pose a health concern for the consumption of milk and dairy products in Iran.

Coenzyme Q10 dose-escalation study in hemodialysis patients: safety, tolerability, and effect on oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation improves mitochondrial coupling of respiration to oxidative phosphorylation, decreases superoxide production in endothelial cells, and may improve functional cardiac capacity in patients with congestive heart failure. There are no studies evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of varying doses of CoQ10 in chronic hemodialysis patients, a population subject to increased oxidative stress. METHODS: We performed a dose escalation study to test the hypothesis that CoQ10 therapy is safe, well-tolerated, and improves biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients receiving hemodialysis therapy. Plasma concentrations of F2-isoprostanes and isofurans were measured to assess systemic oxidative stress and plasma CoQ10 concentrations were measured to determine dose, concentration and response relationships. RESULTS: Fifteen of the 20 subjects completed the entire dose escalation sequence. Mean CoQ10 levels increased in a linear fashion from 704 ± 286 ng/mL at baseline to 4033 ± 1637 ng/mL, and plasma isofuran concentrations decreased from 141 ± 67.5 pg/mL at baseline to 72.2 ± 37.5 pg/mL at the completion of the study (P = 0.003 vs. baseline and P < 0.001 for the effect of dose escalation on isofurans). Plasma F2-isoprostane concentrations did not change during the study. CONCLUSIONS: CoQ10 supplementation at doses as high as 1800 mg per day was safe in all subjects and well-tolerated in most. Short-term daily CoQ10 supplementation decreased plasma isofuran concentrations in a dose dependent manner. CoQ10 supplementation may improve mitochondrial function and decrease oxidative stress in patients receiving hemodialysis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This clinical trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov [NCT00908297] on May 21, 2009.

Ochratoxin A in liquorice products - a review.

Liquorice is a herbal medicine produced mainly in China and Iran. This plant is suspected to contain ochratoxin A (OTA), a secondary metabolite produced by fungi. Although liquorice is not included in the daily dietary of humans, the high levels of OTA reported in this product have concerned consumers. Registration of a standard method for measuring the amount of this mycotoxin in liquorice-derived products is an important challenge and requires the introduction of a reliable, simple, fast-performance and reproducible technique. This review examines studies carried out concerning the occurrence of OTA in liquorice products. Recent information regarding contaminated liquorice, the regulatory framework and methods to degrade OTA in liquorice are discussed.

Infant Formula: The Addition of Minimum and Maximum Levels of Selenium to Infant Formula and Related Labeling Requirements. Final rule.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is amending the regulations on nutrient specifications and labeling for infant formula to add the mineral selenium to the list of required nutrients and to establish minimum and maximum levels of selenium in infant formula.

[Uranium Concentration in Drinking Water from Small-scale Water Supplies in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany]. / Urankonzentration im Trinkwasser aus Hausbrunnen in Schleswig-Holstein.

In this study the drinking water of 212 small-scale water supplies, mainly situated in areas with intensive agriculture or fruit-growing, was analysed for uranium. The median uranium concentration amounted to 0.04 µg/lL, the 95(th) percentile was 2.5 µg/L. The maximum level was 14 µg/L. This sample exceeded the guideline value for uranium in drinking water. The uranium concentration in small-scale water supplies was found to be slightly higher than that in central water works in Schleswig-Holstein. Water containing more than 10 mg/L nitrate showed significantly higher uranium contents. The results indicate that the uranium burden in drinking water from small wells is mainly determined by geological factors. An additional anthropogenic effect of soil management cannot be excluded. Overall uranium concentrations were low and not causing health concerns. However, in specific cases higher concentrations may occur.

Biological monitoring of exposure and effects in workers employed in a selenium-processing plant.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess external and internal selenium exposure and potential biological effects in employees working in a selenium-processing plant. METHODS: Twenty male employees of a selenium-processing plant (exposed) and 20 age-matched male individuals without occupational selenium exposure (controls) participated in the study. Exposure to selenium at the workplace was determined by personal air sampling. Internal exposure was assessed by measuring total selenium concentration in plasma after a workshift and after holidays as well as by measuring the selenium concentration in urine before and after shift and after holidays. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in blood and the prothrombin time were determined as biological effect parameters. RESULTS: The exposure to selenium in the workplace air ranged from 8 to 950 µg/m(3) and exceeded in a large part current occupational exposure limits. The selenium levels in plasma samples of the exposed ranged from 49 to 182 µg/L during exposure and were significantly higher than the plasma levels observed after holidays as well as in the control group. The selenium concentration in pre- and post-shift urine samples did not differ significantly, and the average urinary selenium levels of the employees (18-1,104 µg/g creatinine) were significantly higher than those measured after holidays or determined in controls. Both the concentration of selenium in plasma and in urine did not correlate with the current external exposure of the employees at the workplace. However, we found a strong and significant association between the two biomonitoring parameters. In spite of the considerable high external exposure to elemental selenium, we did not find any effect on the GPx activity in blood as well as on the prothrombin time. CONCLUSIONS: Both the selenium levels in plasma and urine may be used as biological monitoring parameters for the assessment of chronic occupational exposure to selenium. Nevertheless, the toxicokinetics of the urinary excretion of selenium remain still unclear and require further investigations. Moreover, our findings emphasise the necessity of a re-evaluation of occupational exposure limits for elemental selenium and inorganic selenium compounds.

Natural occurrence of mycotoxins in medicinal plants: a review.

Medicinal plants are widely used as home remedies and raw materials for the pharmaceutical industries. Herbal remedies are used in the prevention, treatment and cure of disorders and diseases since ancient times. However, use of medicinal herbs may not meet the requirements of quality, safety and efficacy. During harvesting, handling, storage and distribution, medicinal plants are subjected to contamination by various fungi, which may be responsible for spoilage and production of mycotoxins. The increasing consumption of medicinal plants has made their use a public health problem due to the lack of effective surveillance of the use, efficacy, toxicity and quality of these natural products. The increase in use of medicinal plants may lead to an increase in the intake of mycotoxins therefore contamination of medicinal plants with mycotoxins can contribute to adverse human health problems and therefore represents a special hazard. Numerous natural occurrences of mycotoxins in medicinal plants and traditional herbal medicines have been reported from various countries including Spain, China, Germany, India, Turkey and from Middle East as well. This review discusses the important mycotoxins and their natural occurrences in medicinal plants and their products.

The factors influencing urinary arsenic excretion and metabolism of workers in steel and iron smelting foundry.

In order to evaluate the degree of arsenic (As) exposure and the factors influencing urinary As excretion and metabolism, 192 workers from a steel and iron smelting plant, with different type of work in production such as roller, steel smelting, iron smelting and metallic charge preparation, were recruited. Information about characteristics of each subject was obtained by questionnaire and inorganic As (iAs), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in urine were determined. The results showed that steel smelters had significantly higher concentrations of DMA and total As (TAs) than rollers and metallic charge preparation workers, and iron and steel smelters had a higher value of primary methylation index and lower proportion of the iAs (iAs%) than rollers and metallic charge preparation workers. In steel smelters, urinary As level exceeded the biological exposure index (BEI) limit for urinary As of 35 µg/l by 65.52%, and higher than metallic charge preparation workers (35.14%). The individuals consumed seafood in recent 3 days had a higher TAs than the individuals without seafood consumption. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that different jobs, taken Chinese medicine of bezoar and seafood consumption in recent 3 days were significantly associated with urinary TAs exceeded BEI limit value 35 µg/l. Our results suggest that workers in steel and iron smelting plant had a lower level of As exposure, and seafood consumption and taking Chinese medicine of bezoar also could increase the risk of urinary TAs exceeded BEI limit value.

[Hygienic substantiation of maximum permissible concentrations of oil products in the soils of the Republic of Belarus].

Oil products are the one out of major pollutants in soil. For reduction of the technogenic load on human beings and performing preventive measures in the Republic of Belarus differentiated hygienic rate setting for oil products in the soil have been scientifically substantiated for follows different categories of Lands: agricultural lands, defense lands, lands for recreation, historical and cultural purpose, forest lands, lands of water fund, reserve lands--50 mg/kg; settlements sand, garden housing and dacha cooperatives,--100 mg/kg; industrial, transport, communication, energy, defense and other appointments lands--500 mg/kg.

[Survey of pesticide residues in imported tea (1992.4-2010.3)].

A survey of pesticide residues in 116 imported tea samples on the Tokyo market from April 1992 to March 2010 was carried out. Twenty-two kinds of pesticides, including organophosphorus, organochlorine, pyrethroid and others, were detected at levels between trace (below 0.01 ppm) and 4.0 ppm in 76 samples. The rate of detection was 90% in non-fermented tea, 89% in semi-fermented tea, and 49% in fermented tea. Organophosphorus pesticide was not detected in puer tea, which is fermented with bacteria. The pesticide residues tended to be decreased by a fermentation process. However, organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides appeared to be chemically stable, so they were still detected in fermented teas. Residue levels of these pesticides were calculated as less than 1% of ADI, except for ethion (45% of ADI) based on the daily intake of tea. Therefore, these teas should be safe when drunk in customary amounts.

[Role of laboratory tests in the early diagnosis of metabolic disorders in workers engaged in petrochemical production].

Studies of metabolic processes in petrochemical production workers revealed activation of lipid peroxidation, depressed antioxidant system, altered intracellular metabolism, high prevalence of dyslipidemia and increased serum enzymes levels. The metabolic changes of cellular and subcellular levels were seen in asymptomatic individuals--that supports value of laboratory tests in diagnosis of pathologic processes in petrochemical production workers.