Perfluoroalkyl substances in the meat of Polish farm animals and game - Occurrence, profiles and dietary intake.

Meat from farm animals (pigs, cattle and poultry) and game (wild boar and deer) was analysed in terms of thirteen perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Wild boar muscle tissue was statistically significantly more contaminated than muscle tissue from other animals, and the species order of the lower-bound (LB) sum of four (∑4) PFAS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid) concentrations was wild boar > cattle > deer > pigs > poultry. None of the samples exceeded the maximum levels set by Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Linear PFOS was the most frequently detected compound (in 21 % of all samples analysed and 100 % of wild boar samples), reaching its highest concentration of 1.87 µg/kg wet weight in wild boar. Dietary intake was estimated on the basis of the average per-serving consumption of pork, beef and poultry, and in the absence of such data for game, a 100 g portion was used for the calculation. Mean LB∑4 PFAS concentrations led to intakes between 0.000 and 1.75 ng/kg body weight (BW) for children and 0.000 and 0.91 ng/kg BW for adults. The potential risk to consumers was assessed in relation to the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 4.4 ng/kg BW established by the European Food Safety Authority in 2020. Exposure associated with the consumption of poultry, pork, beef and venison was negligible, being only <1 % of the TWI for children and adults; higher exposure was found to associate with the consumption of wild boar, being 63 % and 21 % of the TWI for children and adults, respectively. The findings of this research suggest that the intake of PFASs through the consumption of meat from Polish livestock and deer is unlikely to be a health concern. However, frequent consumption of wild boar meat could be a significant source of PFASs.

Levels and spatial profile of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in edible shrimp products from Japan and neighboring countries; a potential source of dietary exposure to humans.

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is of great concern for human health because of their persistence and potentially adverse effects. Dietary intake, particularly through aquatic products, is a significant route of human exposure to PFAS. We analyzed perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid (PFSA with carbon numbers from 6 to 8 and 10 (C６-C8, C10)) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA), and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (PFCA with carbon numbers from 6 to 15 (C6-C15)) in 30 retail packs of edible shrimps, which included seven species from eight coastal areas of Japan and neighboring countries. The most prevalent compounds were perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS, C8) and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA, C11), accounting for 46 % of total PFAS. The concentrations ranged from 6.5 to 44 ng/g dry weight (dw) (equivalent to 1.5 to 10 ng/g wet weight (ww)) and varied according to species and location. For example, Alaskan pink shrimp (Pandalus eous) from the Hokuriku coast, Japan contained high levels of long-chain PFCAs (38 ng/g dw (equivalent to 8.7 ng/g ww)), while red rice prawn (Metapenaeopsis barbata) from Yamaguchi, Japan contained a high concentration of PFOS (29 ng/g dw (equivalent to 6.7 ng/g ww)). We also observed regional differences in the PFAS levels with higher concentrations of long-chain PFCAs in Japanese coastal waters than in the South China Sea. The PFAS profiles in shrimp were consistent with those in the diet and serum of Japanese consumers, suggesting that consumption of seafood such as shrimp may be an important source of exposure. The estimated daily intake of sum of all PFAS from shrimp from Japanese coastal water was 0.43 ng/kg body weight/day in average, which could reach the weekly tolerable values (4.4 ng/kg body weight /week) for the sum of the four PFSA set by the EFSA for heavy consumers. The high concentration of PFAS in shrimp warrants further investigation.

Carry-over rate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to raw milk and human exposure risks in different regions of China.

The widespread presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in various environmental matrices and their adverse health effects have gained worldwide attention. Therefore, numerous studies have focused on human exposure to PFAS through different pathways, such as fish and drinking water, and little attention has been paid to milk consumption. This study aimed to explore the transfer of PFAS by investigating the occurrence of PFAS in cow feed, drinking water, and raw milk from 20 regions of China and to assess the risk of human exposure to PFAS from raw milk. In total, 13, 15, and 7 PFAS were detected in cow feed, drinking water, and raw milk with total concentrations (∑PFAS) of 5.59 ± 2.91 ng/g (mean ± standard deviation), 11.91 ± 23.12 ng/L, and 0.15 ± 0.13 ng/mL, respectively. Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) was dominant with a concentration of 2.28 ± 1.75 ng/g, approximately 40.7 % of ∑PFAS in feed. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) were the dominant compounds found in drinking water at 4.80 ± 14.37 and 3.01 ± 6.06 ng/L, respectively. Additionally, PFOA (0.08 ± 0.09 ng/mL) was the most significant compound in raw milk, contributing 51.5 % of ∑PFAS. Moreover, the results of the carry-over rate (COR) were as follows: perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS, 29.58 %) > PFOA (15.78 %) > perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS, 9.45 %). According to the reference dose (RfD) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2018, there is a potential toxicological hazard of PFOA exposure for preschool children through milk consumption. Notably, the health risk from PFOS for 1-year-old children in Central China exceeded that observed for humans in other regions and age groups. Our results showed that PFOS and PFOA were more likely to accumulate in cows and to be constantly transferred to milk, thus increasing the human health risk, especially in children.

Occurrence and combined exposure of phthalate esters in urban soil, surface dust, atmospheric dustfall, and commercial food in the semi-arid industrial city of Lanzhou, Northwest China.

A total of 138 samples including urban soil, surface dust, atmospheric dustfall, and commercial food were collected from the semi-arid industrial city of Lanzhou in Northwest China, and 22 phthalate esters (PAEs) were analyzed in these samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the pollution characteristics, potential sources, and combined exposure risks of PAEs. The results showed that the total concentration of 22 PAEs (Æ©22PAEs) presented surface dust (4.94 × 104 ng/g) â‰« dustfall (1.56 × 104 ng/g) â‰« food (2.14 × 103 ng/g) â‰« urban soil (533 ng/g). Di-n-butyl phthalate (DNBP), di-isobutyl phthalate, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di-isononyl phthalate/di-isodecyl phthalate were predominant in the environmental media and commercial food, being controlled by priority (52.1%-65.5%) and non-priority (62.1%) PAEs, respectively. Elevated Æ©22PAEs in the urban soil and surface dust was found in the west, middle, and east of Lanzhou. Principal component analysis indicated that PAEs the urban soil and surface dust were related with the emissions of products containing PAEs, atmosphere depositions, and traffic and industrial emissions. PAEs in the foods were associated with the growth and processing environment. The health risk assessment of United States Environmental Protection Agency based on the Chinese population exposure parameters indicated that the total exposure dose of 22 PAEs was from 0.111 to 0.226 mg/kg/day, which were above the reference dose (0.02 mg/kg/day) and tolerable daily intake (TDI, 0.05 mg/kg/day) for DEHP (0.0333-0.0631 mg/kg/day), and TDI (0.01 mg/kg/day) for DNBP (0.0213-0.0405 mg/kg/day), implying that the exposure of PAEs via multi-media should not be ignored; the total non-carcinogenic risk of six priority PAEs was below 1 for the three environmental media (1.21 × 10-5-2.90 × 10-3), while close to 1 for food (4.74 × 10-1-8.76 × 10-1), suggesting a potential non-carcinogenic risk of human exposure to PAEs in food; the total carcinogenic risk of BBP and DEHP was below 1 × 10-6 for the three environmental media (9.13 × 10-10-5.72 × 10-7), while above 1 × 10-4 for DEHP in food (1.02 × 10-4), suggesting a significantly carcinogenic risk of human exposure to DEHP in food. The current research results can provide certain supports for pollution and risk prevention of PAEs.

First comprehensive assessment of dietary chlorinated paraffins intake and exposure risk for the rural population of the Tibetan Plateau, China.

Knowledge regarding the occurrence of short-chain and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs) in foodstuffs and their dietary exposure risks for rural Tibetan residents remains largely unknown. Herein, we collected main foodstuffs (including highland barley, vegetables, Tibetan butter, mutton, and yak beef) across the rural Tibetan Plateau and characterized the CP profiles and concentrations. The highest SCCPs concentrations were detected in Tibetan butter (geometric mean (GM): 240.6 ng/g wet weight (ww)), followed by vegetables (59.4 ng/g ww), mutton (51.4 ng/g ww), highland barley (46.3 ng/g ww), and yak beef (31.7 ng/g ww). For MCCPs, the highest concentrations were also detected in Tibetan butter (319.5 ng/g ww), followed by mutton (181.9 ng/g ww), vegetables (127.0 ng/g ww), yak beef (71.2 ng/g ww), and highland barley (30.3 ng/g ww). The predominant congener profiles of SCCPs were C13Cl7-8 in mutton and yak beef, C10Cl7-8 in Tibetan butter, and C10-11Cl6-7 in highland barley and vegetables. The predominant congener profiles of MCCPs were C14Cl7-9 in all sample types. Combined with our previous results of free-range chicken eggs, the median estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of SCCPs and MCCPs via diet for Tibetan rural adults and children was estimated to be 728.8 and 1853.9 ng/kg bw/day and 2565.6 and 5952.8 ng/kg bw/day, respectively. In the worst scenario, MCCPs might induce potential health risks for rural Tibetan population. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic dietary exposure research of SCCPs and MCCPs in the remote rural areas.

Halogenated aromatic pollutants in routine animal-derived food of south China: Occurrence, sources, and dietary intake risks.

Halogenated aromatic pollutants (HAPs) including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PBDD/Fs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) exhibit diverse toxicities and bio-accumulation in animals, thereby imposing risks on human via animal-derived food (ADF) consumption. Here we examined these HAPs in routine ADFs from South China and observed that PBDEs and PCBs showed statistically higher concentrations than PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs. PCDD/Fs and PCBs in these ADFs were mainly from the polluted feed and habitat of animals, except PCDD/Fs in egg, which additionally underwent selective biotransformation/progeny transfer after the maternal intake of PCDD/F-polluted stuff. PBDEs and PBDD/Fs were mostly derived from the extensive use of deca-BDE and their polluted environments. Significant interspecific differences were mainly observed for DL-PCBs and partly for PBDD/Fs and PBDEs, which might be caused by their distinct transferability/biodegradability in animals and the different living habit and habitat of animals. The dietary intake doses (DIDs) of these HAPs via ADF consumption were all highest for toddlers, then teenagers and adults. Milk, egg, and fish contributed most to the DIDs and risks for toddlers and teenagers, which results of several cities exceeded the recommended thresholds and illustrated noteworthy risks. Pork, fish, and egg were the top three risk contributors for adults, which carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were both acceptable. Notably, PBDD/Fs showed the lowest concentrations but highest contributions to the total risks of these HAPs, thereby meriting continuous attention.

Condenações de carcaças bovinas por abscessos e contaminações em um abatedouro-frigorífico de Mato Grosso / Condemnation of bovine carcasses for abscess and contamination in an slaughterhouse - fridge of Mato Grosso

O Brasil no primeiro semestre de 2016 exportou 571,5 mil toneladas de produtos cárneos. O Centro-Oeste tem papel importante nessa expansão, sendo a criação pecuária na região favorecida pela proximidade de centros produtores de grãos e à pouca distância de abatedouros-frigoríficos. As questões sanitárias são de grande importância no âmbito comercial para produtos de origem animal, e é crescente a preocupação de que estas devam se tornar barreiras para alguns criadores que não conseguem atingir qualidade nos seus produtos. Dessa forma, analisou-se 788.885 bovinos abatidos e contabilizou-se as condenações por abscessos e contaminações. Os resultados apontam 0,717% no ano de 2015, 1,051% em 2016 e 2,016% em 2017 de condenações por contaminações e 0,089% no ano de 2015, 0,081% em 2016 e 0,068% em 2017, por abscessos. Através dos achados pode-se concluir que contaminações e abscessos são causas frequentes de condenações, acarretam em prejuízo financeiro e alteram a qualidade da carne.

Frequência de lotes positivos para Salmonella spp. na inspeção ante mortem e sua relação com a contaminação de carcaças de frangos de corte / Frequency of positivity of Salmonella spp. in the ante mortem inspection and its relation with the contamination of broiler carcasses

O Boletim Sanitário traz informações relevantes sobre os lotes a serem abatidos como a contaminação por Salmonella spp.. Objetivou-se avaliar a frequência de lotes positivos nos Boletins e sua relação com as análises oficiais fiscais de carcaças de frangos para pesquisa de Salmonella spp. em um abatedouro de aves registrado no SIF. De 182 Boletins avaliados, 57 (31,3%) apresentaram resultados positivos para Salmonella spp.. De 28 Boletins correspondentes a lotes em que foram coletadas carcaças para análises oficiais, seis apresentaram resultados positivos e 22 negativos para Salmonella spp.. Porém ao analisar as carcaças provenientes desses lotes, apenas duas foram positivas, apesar de pertencerem a lotes negativos. O controle de Salmonella spp. é essencial para garantir a saúde humana e evitar perdas econômicas para indústria.

Levantamento das causas de condenações de carcaças de frangos de corte em um abatedouro-frigorífigo registrado no serviço de inspeção federal / A survey of the poultry carcass condemnation in a slaughterhouse registered at the federal inspection service

Com a evolução da produção avícola, a preocupação com os aspectos sanitários também aumenta. Além da ocorrência de doenças, falhas tecnológicas no manejo ou durante o abate dos animais, podem levar a grandes prejuízos devido a condenações de carcaças. Objetivou-se realizar um levantamento das causas de condenações de carcaças de frangos em um abatedouro frigorífico sob Inspeção Federal (SIF), localizado no estado de Minas Gerais, no período de setembro de 2014 a setembro de 2017. As principais causas de condenações de carcaças encontradas foram contusões e fraturas (41,2%), dermatose (20,1%), contaminação (20,0%), artrite (7,0%) e celulite (5,3%), o que demonstra a importância da adoção de cuidados em todas as etapas da cadeia produtiva para reduzir as perdas, incluindo o treinamento dos funcionários e melhorias do manejo.

Levantamento das principais causas de sequestro de produtos no abate de aves e da frequência de Salmonella spp. em carcaças de frangos de corte com contaminação gastrintestinal visível / Survey of the main causes of products sequestered in poultry slaughter and the frequency of Salmonella spp. in broiler carcasses with visible gastrointestinal contamination

Um dos grandes desafios para a indústria avícola é a contaminação microbiológica dos produtos, principalmente por Salmonella spp. Objetivou-se avaliar as principais causas e determinar o volume produtos sequestrados devido a não conformidades nos PCC, bem como a frequência de contaminação por Salmonella spp. em produtos sequestrados por contaminação no PCC 1B, em um abatedouro frigorífico de aves registrado no SIF, no período de janeiro a maio de 2018. Foram sequestrados no total 1.122.481 kg de produto e a contaminação no PCC 1B foi responsável pelo bloqueio de 480.664 kg (42,8% do total). Das 469 amostras de produtos sequestrados para a pesquisa de Salmonella spp., 115 foram positivas, demonstrando a importância da inspeção e da aplicação dos Programas de Autocontrole para garantir a qualidade do produto e a segurança do consumidor.

Principais condenações de vísceras bovinas observadas durante a inspeção post mortem em um abatedouro-frigorífico no município de Januária, norte de Minas Gerais / Main condemnation of bovine viscera observed during post mortem inspection in an industrial slaughterhouse in the municipality of Januária, north of Minas Gerais

Objetivou-se analisar as principais causas e a distribuição das condenações de vísceras bovinas em um abatedouro-frigorífico recém-inaugurado no município de Januária/MG. Foram abatidos 4.619 bovinos, dos quais 864 (18,70%) tiveram as vísceras condenadas. O pulmão foi o órgão que apresentou o maior índice de condenações com 63,43%, seguido dos rins (16,20%), fígado (13,07%), coração (4,87%), baço (2,08%), língua (0,23%) e cabeça (0,12%). As causas mais frequentes de condenações por órgão foram: aspiração de conteúdo ruminal (44,52%), cistos (48,57%), abscessos (75,23%), contaminação (100%) e cisticercose calcificada (100%). Os resultados revelam falhas durante o processo de abate, necessitando de melhoria na capacitação dos funcionários a fim de minimizar os prejuízos causados pelas condenações.

Contaminación por mercurio de leche materna de madres lactantes de municipios de Antioquia con explotación minera de oro / Mercury contamination in breast milk of nursing mothers in gold mining municipalities of Antioquia, Colombia

Resumen Introducción. La leche materna es esencial para el desarrollo del ser humano, pero puede contener sustancias tóxicas provenientes de la contaminación ambiental, especialmente en las áreas mineras. Objetivo. Determinar la prevalencia de la contaminación con mercurio de la leche materna de mujeres lactantes residentes en los municipios con explotación minera de oro. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal de 150 madres lactantes de cuatro municipios mineros de Antioquia (El Bagre, Segovia, Remedios y Zaragoza), a quienes se les hizo una encuesta sobre factores sociodemográficos, ocupacionales y ambientales relacionados con el mercurio, y se les tomaron muestras de leche materna, de orina y de cabello. Se calculó el promedio de la concentración de mercurio y las prevalencias municipales de contaminación. Resultados. El promedio de la concentración de mercurio en la leche materna fue de 2,5 (± desviación estándar 9,2) µg/L. La prevalencia de muestras de leche materna con niveles altos de mercurio fue de 11,7 %. Conclusión. En este estudio se evidencia un grave problema en las regiones mineras auríferas de Antioquia por el efecto de la contaminación con mercurio en sectores de la población más vulnerable.

Abastract Introduction: Breast milk is essential for human development, but it may contain toxics derived from environmental pollution, especially in mining areas. Objective: To assess the prevalence of mercury contamination in breast milk and factors associated with its transfer to nursing mothers living in municipalities with gold mining. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 150 nursing mothers in four municipalities of Antioquia (El Bagre, Segovia, Remedios and Zaragoza) with a mining tradition. We surveyed these mothers to obtain information on their sociodemographic, occupational and environmental factors related to mercury, and we took breast milk, urine and hair samples. We calculated mercury level averages and the contamination prevalence per municipality. Results: Mercury average in breast milk was 2.5 (± standard deviation: 9.2) mg/L. The prevalence of mercury contamination in samples with a high level of mercury was 11.7%. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a serious problem of mercury contamination in gold mining regions of Antioquia, with significant involvement of the most vulnerable population.

Prevalence and serotype distribution of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from foods in Montevideo-Uruguay

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in foods obtained in retail shops and food industries located in Montevideo-Uruguay, and to identify the serogroups of the obtained isolates. Three-thousand one-hundred and seventy-five food samples (frozen, deli meats, ready-to-eat and cheese) were analyzed. The obtained isolates were serogrouped by multiplex PCR and serotyped by conventional procedure. Genetic comparisons were performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis on a sub-set of isolates belonging to the same serotype successively recovered from the same establishment. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 11.2% of samples. The highest prevalence was observed in frozen foods (38%), followed by cheese (10%). 1/2b and 4b were the most frequently identified serotypes. In six of 236 analyzed establishments we successively recovered L. monocytogenes isolates belonging to the same serotype. Most of them corresponded to serotype 1/2b. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles suggest that at least 33% of L. monocytogenes 1/2b isolates are genetically related and that may remain viable for prolonged periods. The observed prevalence of L. monocytogenes was lower than reported in neighboring countries. Our findings highlight the role that frozen foods may play in the spread of this pathogen, and the relevance of serotypes 1/2b and 4b.

El anisakis y sus enfermedades como enfermedad profesional / Anisakis and disease as an occupational disease

El anisakis es un parásito complejo de los animales marinos. El hombre no es el hospedador adecuado, ya que en él la larva L3 no puede completar su ciclo vital, siendo por tanto un hospedador accidental u ocasional, que se interpone en el ciclo vital del nemátodo, y al que el anisakis le puede causar tanto la parasitación como la alergia, cuando ingiere pescado o cefalópodos crudos o poco cocinados: tales como sushi, sashimi, ceviche gravlax noruego, lomi-lomi hawaiano, así como pescados en escabeche, vinagre, desecado, ahumados, semiconservas, o en salazón que contengan este parásito en su forma de larva en estadio tres L3. Las enfermedades por anisakis constituyen un problema de salud pública, generalizado y que ha aumentado su incidencia en los últimos años. En 2012, se notificaron 20.000 casos de anisakiasis en todo el mundo. España es el segundo país con mayor número de intoxicaciones por Anisakis después de Japón. Diversos estudios en España sobre la prevalencia de la sensibilización reflejan una elevada prevalencia entre pacientes que han sufrido episodios de reacciones alérgicas. El 50 por ciento de quienes manipulan directamente el pescado presentan sensibilidad a anisakis. Siendo por tanto cada vez más común la afectación por y en el desarrollo del trabajo, constituyendo entonces procesos considerados como enfermedad profesional cuando se dan las circunstancias determinantes causales de trabajo, riesgo y exposición que para ello deben concurrir. La afección puede presentarse tanto por contacto laboral como por contacto en el consumo ordinario de pescado infestado, lo que hará difícil el estimar como causa exclusiva o consecuente la aparición de la enfermedad a consecuencia del desempeño del trabajo. Los sectores laborales de riesgo por enfermedades por anisakis, son los pescadores, pescaderos («pescateros») y cocineros. En general todos aquellos que trabajan tanto en la captura, limpieza, manipulación, venta, elaboración o preparación del pescado contaminado. Describimos en este artículo las enfermedades por anisakis, los trabajos de riesgo, las características que debieran reunir para ser enfermedad profesional y dos casos ilustrativos cuya consideración lo fue como esta contingencia laboral. Conclusión: Las enfermedades por anisakis y su consideración como enfermedad profesional, viene sujeta a la propia definición de lo que se considera así en nuestra norma legal, es decir que sea una enfermedad contraída como consecuencia del trabajo, en las actividades que se describen en el cuadro de enfermedades profesionales y por la acción del agente o sus sustancias que se recogen en el anexo I del actual cuadro. Además para que se admita como enfermedad profesional debemos de tener un diagnóstico firme (encuadrado en el cuadro de enfermedad profesional), un agente causal (recogido en el listado) y una exposición al anisakis desarrollada en el ejercicio del trabajo (actividades recogidas en el listado). El listado o cuadro de enfermedad profesional es un sistema cerrado para agentes causales y enfermedades causadas, y la adscripción no es fácil. La parasitación tendría cabida en el grupo de enfermedades por agentes biológicos, la alergia podría discutirse su adscripción pero suele recogerse también en este grupo, el asma lo recogeríamos en el grupo de enfermedades respiratorias (causadas por inhalación dice el texto legal) y las manifestaciones dérmicas en el grupo de las enfermedades profesionales de la piel. La exposición laboral al anisakis, es necesaria e imprescindible para que el proceso sea calificado de enfermedad profesional, pero esta exposición no siempre estará bien delimitada, y sin embargo debe estar probada. Puede haber existido una sensibilización fuera del trabajo y una aparición o desarrollo de la enfermedad por reiterada exposición o contacto con el anisakis en el trabajo lo que dificultará su calificación ocupacional

Anisakis is a complex parasite found in marine animals. The human being is not the appropriate host, since the L3 larvae cannot complete its life cycle from within, thus making it an accidental or occasional host that stands in the life cycle of the nematode. The anisakis can cause both parasitism and allergy when the following infected food is eaten: raw fish or cephalopods, undercooked sushi, sashimi, Norwegian gravlax ceviche, Hawaiian lomi-lomi and fish in brine, vinegar, dried, smoked, semi-conserve, or salted. They might contain this parasite in the third-stage larvae form, L3. Anisakis diseases constitute a problem for the public health and its incidence has increased in recent years. In 2012, 20,000 anisakis cases were reported worldwide. Spain is the second country with the highest number of poisoning due to anisakis after Japan. Several studies in Spain on the prevalence of sensitization reflect a high prevalence among patients who have suffered episodes of allergic reactions. 50% of the people who are directly handling fish present anisakis sensitivity. Thus being increasingly affected by common development and work, turning out in processes considered as an occupational disease where the determining circumstances are grounds for work, risk and exposure that it should attend. The condition may occur both work contact and contact in the regular consumption of infested fish, which will make it difficult to estimate as exclusive or consequential onset of the disease as a result of job performance cause. Labor sectors anisakis disease risk are fishermen, fishmongers and cooks. In general, all those who work both in the capture, cleaning, handling, sale, processing or preparation of contaminated fish. We describe in this article anisakis diseases, risk jobs and the characteristics that should gather for occupational disease and two illustrative cases whose consideration was such this labour contingency. Conclusions: Anisakis diseases and its consideration as an occupational disease is subject to the definition of what is considered in our legal norm in Spain, which means that it is a disease contracted as a result of work activities described in the box of occupational diseases and the action of the agents or substances listed in Annex I of the current frame diseases. In addition, in order to be recognised as an occupational disease we must have a firm diagnosis (Table occupational disease), a causative agent (referred to in the list) and an exposure to anisakis developed in the course of work (activities included in the list). The list box or occupational disease frame is a closed causal agent and caused diseases, and the attachment is not easy. Parasitism would fit in the group of diseases by biological agents; allergy disease could discuss its assignment but it has also usually been included in this group; asthma would collect in the group of respiratory diseases (caused by inhalation according to the legal text) and dermal manifestations in the group of occupational skin diseases. Occupational exposure to anisakis is necessary and essential for the process of being qualified as occupational disease, and although this exhibition is not always well defined must be tested. There may have been a sensitization out of work and an onset or development of the disease by repeated exposure or contact with the anisakis at work which would complicate its occupational qualification

Papel del ambiente hospitalario y los equipamientos en la transmisión de las infecciones nosocomiales / Role of the hospital environment and equipment in the transmission of nosocomial infections

El ambiente hospitalario constituye un reservorio y una fuente de infección para el paciente ingresado. Existen varias áreas que rodean al paciente: el aire, el agua sanitaria que entra en contacto con el propio paciente, con el personal y con los dispositivos médicos, la comida, las superficies, los instrumentos que contactan con piel y mucosas del paciente y las soluciones estériles que le son administradas por inoculación. Existen patógenos clásicamente asociados con cada modo de transmisión y reservorio ambiental, pero también microorganismos multirresistentes que recientemente se han asociado con adquisición ambiental. Se dispone actualmente de protocolos para la prevención de algunos de los patógenos clásicos ambientales, así como recomendaciones para la prevención de contaminación de algunos procedimientos. No obstante, estas situaciones no cubren todas las formas de transmisión y la mayoría de las investigaciones de reservorios o fuentes ambiéntales se realizan únicamente en situaciones de brote

The hospital environment is both a reservoir and source of infection for the hospital patient. Several areas around the patient should be considered: air, toilet water coming into contact with the patient, staff and medical devices, food, surfaces, and instruments contacting the patient's skin and mucosa, and sterile solutions. There are pathogens classically associated with each mode of transmission and environmental reservoir, but multi-resistant microorganisms have also been recently been associated with environmental acquisition. Protocols are currently available for the prevention of some classic environmental pathogens, as well as recommendations for the prevention of contamination in some procedures. However, these situations do not cover all forms of transmission, and most investigations of reservoirs or environmental sources are restricted to outbreak situations

Contaminação microbiana de sanduíches em lanchonetes: estudo transversal realizado em Brasília / Bacterial contamination of sandwiches sold in snack bars: cross-sectional study carried out in Brasilia, Brazil

OBJETIVO: investigar as condições higiênico-sanitárias de sanduíches disponíveis para consumo humano comercializados na região de Brasília, Distrito Federal (DF). MÉTODOS: realizou-se um inquérito transversal de amostragem representativa para as lanchonetes na região de Brasília em 2006. A amostra foi constituída de 167 lanchonetes, sorteadas aleatoriamente de uma lista de estabelecimentos cadastrados na Secretaria de Saúde do Distrito Federal. Em cada lanchonete, um sanduíche foi preparado e analisado imediatamente para a contagem de coliformes, estafilococos, Bacillus cereus e detecção de Salmonella. RESULTADOS: dentre as 167 amostras, 55 (33 por cento; intervalo de confiança de 95 por cento: 26 por cento-40 por cento) apresentaram contaminação acima dos limites estabelecidos pela legislação vigente para as seguintes bactérias: coliformes, estafilococos, Bacillus cereus e Salmonella. Ao considerar qualquer nível de contaminação, esse valor sobe para 92 por cento. CONCLUSÃO: devido ao grau de contaminação encontrado sugere-se realização de atividades educativas e de vigilância com intuito de melhorar a qualidade higiênico-sanitária dos sanduíches avaliados.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the hygienic conditions of sandwiches available for human consumption sold in the region of Brasilia, Federal District. METHOD: a cross sectional survey of a representative sample of snack bars in the Brasilia region was conducted in 2006. A sample of 167 snack bars was randomly selected from a list of existing establishments registered with the Federal District's Health Department. In each snack bar a sandwich was prepared and analyzed immediately for coliforms, staphylococcus, Bacillus cereus counts and Salmonella detection. RESULTS: of the total of 167 samples, 55 (33 per cent; 95 per cent confidence interval: 26 per cent-40 per cent) had contamination levels above the limits established by prevailing law for the following bacteria: coliforms, staphylococcus, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella. When considering any kind of contamination, this percentage increases to 92 per cent. CONCLUSION: given the level of contamination found, educational and health surveillance activities are needed to improve hygiene procedures in the establishments that prepare sandwiches.

Assays for the in vitro establishment of Swietenia macrophylla and Cedrela odorata / Ensayos para el establecimiento in vitro de Swietenia macrophyllay Cedrela odorata

Recalcitrance and contamination in Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King) and Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata L.) stem tissues are the main causes of its ineffective in vitro propagation. The objectives of this research were: a) to evaluate sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and plant preservative mixture (PPM®) as surface disinfectants and/or added to the culture medium for the in vitro establishment of nodal explants taken from 10-year-old Mahogany and Spanish cedar plants, and b) to evaluate the in vitro response of such explants treated with N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0, 2.2, 4.4, 8.8, 17.7 μM), silver nitrate (AgNO3) (0, 3 mg l-1), activated charcoal (0, 1 g l-1) and vented caps. All the experiments were arranged in a completely randomized design. The NaOCl at 15%, for 20 min, as a surface sterilization or PPM® at 2 ml l-1 into the culture medium, were the best treatments to reduce contamination for both species. For Mahogany explants, BAP at 17.7 μM resulted in higher percentages of bud breaks than Spanish cedar (64% and 25%, respectively). Leaves on elongated shoots dropped off by 20 days after starting the explants in culture and neither the activated charcoal nor the AgNO3 alone or combined prevented leaf abscission. The AgNO3 decreased contamination, but also increased leaf abscission. Bud breaks was two-fold higher for nodal explants established in vessels with vented caps than with normal caps. Mahogany nodal explants were easier to surface sterilize and more buds broke from BAP treated explants than Spanish cedar treated explants in the in vitro establishment.

La contaminación y la recalcitrancia de tejidos de tallo de Caoba (Swietenia macrophylla King) y Cedro español (Cedrela odorata L.) son las causas principales de su inefectiva micro-propagación. Los objetivos de la investigación fueron: a) evaluar el hipoclorito de sodio (NaClO) y una mezcal preservadora de plantas (PPM®) como desinfectantes superficiales y/o agregados al medio de cultivo para el establecimiento in vitro de explantes nodales de Caoba y Cedro español de 10 años de edad; b) evaluar la respuesta in vitro de tales explantes tratados con N6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) (0, 2.2, 4.4, 8.8, 17.7 μM), nitrato de plata (AgNO3) (0, 3 mg l-1), carbón activado (0, 1 g l-1) y tapas porosas. Los experimentos fueron establecidos bajo un diseño completamente al azar. La contaminación se redujo en ambas especies con NaOCl al 15% durante 20 min como desinfección superficial o con PPM® (2 ml l-1) agregado al medio de cultivo. El mayor porcentaje de brotación de explantes se obtuvo con BAP a 17.7 μM en caoba (64%) comparado con cedro (25%). Los brotes se defoliaron a los 20 días de cultivo y ni el carbón activado ni el AgNO3, solos o combinados evitaron la defoliación. El AgNO3 disminuyó la contaminación, pero incrementó la defoliación. La brotación fue dos veces mayor en los explantes nodales establecidos en recipientes con tapas porosas que cuando se utilizaron tapas normales. Los explantes nodales de Caoba respondieron mejor a la desinfección superficial y a los tratamientos de BAP comparados con los de Cedro español en el establecimiento in vitro.

Calidad microbiológica de alimentos remitidos a un laboratorio de salud pública en el año 2009 / The microbiological quality of food sent to a public health laboratory in 2009

Objetivo Analizar la calidad Microbiológica de alimentos provenientes de los Municipios de Santander, procesados por el Laboratorio Departamental de Salud Pública durante el año 2009. Materiales y Métodos Se analizó la calidad microbiológica de los alimentos remitidos al LDSP de Santander durante el año 2009 mediante la recopilación de los reportes emitidos por la institución y la realización de un análisis estadístico de 763 muestras de alimentos provenientes de 76 municipios del departamento. Se analizó la información por municipio en los programas estadísticos Minitab versión 15 y Statistica versión 8.0 donde se organizó la información por categorías alimentarias y se analizaron las frecuencias en cada municipio durante el periodo de enero a diciembre del 2009 Resultados Se evidenció que de los 763 registros de alimentos el 45,2 % (n=345) presentaron contaminación bacteriana, observándose una mayor frecuencia de estos eventos en los municipios de Barichara, Barrancabermeja, Floridablanca, Girón, Socorro y Valle de San José con el 33,6 % (n=116) del total de muestras afectadas. Los principales alimentos que presentaron parámetros fuera de norma fueron los alimentos preparados con un total de 160 muestras remitidas, de las cuales 80 presentaron alteraciones lo que corresponde al 50 %, seguido de las bebidas como jugos y refrescos con un 48,3 %, los lácteos 47,9 % y los cárnicos 40,7 %. Conclusiones En las muestras remitidas al LDSP se encontró un alto índice de contaminación alimentaria durante el año 2009, información útil para la planeación de acciones preventivas dentro de los programa de vigilancia del LDSP.

Objective Testing the microbiological qualityof foodsamples from municipalities in theSantander department which were processed bythePublicHealth Laboratory(PHL) in 2009. Materialsand Methods The microbiological quality of food samples sent to the Santander PHL in 2009 was analysed by collecting reports issued by the institution and conducting a statistical analysis of 763 food samples from 76 municipalities in the department. Minitab statistical software (version 15) and Statistica (version 8.0) were used for analysing the information by municipality; this information was organised by food category and adverse incident frequency was analysed in each municipality from January to December 2009. Results It was seen that 45.2 % (n=345) of 763 food records had bacterial contamination; there was a greater frequency of these events in the municipalities of Barichara, Barrancabermeja, Floridablanca, Girón, Socorro and Valle de San Jose accounting for 33.6 % (n=116) of all affected samples. The main foods that had non-standard parameters were prepared foods (160 samples submitted), of which 80 had alterations in quality (50 %), followed by drinks like fruit juice and soft drinks (48.3 %), dairy products (47.9 %) and meat (40.7 %). Conclusions A high rate of food contamination was found in the samples sent to PHL during 2009; this information is useful for planning preventative action within the ongoing PHL surveillance programme.

Avaliação da descontaminação fúngica de camomila [Chamomilla recutita (L. ) Rauschert] por meio de diferentes métodos caseiros em duas temperaturas / Evaluation of fungal decontamination of chamomile [Chamomilla recutita (L. ) Rauschert] through different home procedures at two temperatures

O aumento no consumo de plantas medicinais vem se transformando em problema de Saúde Pública, devido ao potencial de contaminação microbiana, principalmente por origem natural e condições inadequadas de uso e armazenamento. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a descontaminação fúngica de camomila [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert] através de diferentes processos caseiros (decocção, infusão, água morna). Foram analisadas 10 amostras de camomila, procedentes de diferentes estabelecimentos comerciais. Os resultados das análises microbiológicas indicaram redução da contaminação fúngica na maioria das amostras, porém não atingindo os índices considerados satisfatórios, o que evidencia a necessidade de medidas regulatórias e educacionais que garantam a qualidade destes produtos, desde a produção até a colheita.

The increase in the consumption of medicinal plants has become a Public Health problem due to potential microbiological contamination, especially due to their natural origin and inadequate conditions of use and storage. The present study aimed to evaluate the fungal decontamination of chamomile [Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert] through different home procedures (decoction, infusion, warm water). Ten chamomile samples from different commercial establishments were analyzed. The results of microbiological analyses indicated a reduction in fungal contamination in most samples which, however, did not reach the indexes considered satisfactory, evidencing the need of regulatory and educational measures to guarantee the quality of these products, from production to harvest.

Exposición a órganoclorados por ingesta de leche pasteurizada comercializada en Cartagena, Colombia / Estimating exposure to organochlorine compounds from consuming pasteurised milk in Cartagena, Colombia

Objetivo Estimar la exposición de pobladores adultos a compuestos órganoclorados a partir de la ingesta de leche pasteurizada comercializada en la ciudad de Cartagena. Métodos Estudio observacional descriptivo de 47 muestras de lotes de producción de distintas marcas de leche pasteurizada y comercializada en la ciudad de Cartagena. El contenido de materia grasa en las muestras de leche fue determinado por Cromatografía de gases. Asimismo, fueron encuestadas 596 personas mayores de edad de las cuales se indagó la frecuencia de consumo de productos lácteos con el fin de estimar la ingesta diaria potencial y admisible y evaluar el riesgo a ingesta de organoclorados. Resultados Las personas encuestadas se encuentran expuestas a compuestos órganoclorados mediante la ingesta de 12,1 mg/g/día a través del consumo de leche pasteurizada comercializada en la ciudad de Cartagena. El 100 por ciento de las muestras analizadas se encontró contaminada con alguno de los plaguicidas objeto de estudio. La población objeto de estudio presenta una ingesta diaria (IDP) de compuestos órganoclorados superior a lo permitido, a la luz de la FAO/OMS. Conclusiones No es posible recomendar a la población cartagenera no consumir leche, pero si recomendar a las autoridades competentes encargadas de exigir a las productoras que inicien campañas de mejoramiento de la calidad de la leche desde el punto de vista toxicológico.

Objective Estimating adult residents' exposure to organochlorine compounds from drinking milk being marketed in the city of Cartagena. Methods This was a descriptive observational study; 47 samples were taken from different production lots of brands of pasteurised milk being sold in the city of Cartagena. The milk samples' fat content was determined by gas chromatography. 596 adults were also surveyed whose dairy product consumption frequency had been investigated to estimate potential and acceptable daily intake and assess the risk of consuming organochlorines. Results The people surveyed here were exposed to organochlorine compounds through consuming 12.1 mg/g/day in pasteurised milk being sold in the city of Cartagena. 100 percent of the samples tested were contaminated with one of the pesticides being studied. The study population had a daily intake (IDP) of organochlorine compounds greater than that permitted by FAO/WHO guidelines. Conclusion It cannot be recommended that people in Cartagena do not drink milk; however, the competent authorities can be requested to require dairy-product producers to launch campaigns to improve the quality of milk from a toxicological point of view.