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As the most abundant element in the atmosphere, nitrogen is a vital nutrient for plant growth. Nitrate is the main form of nitrogen uptake by plants. Although nitrates are relatively low in toxicity, if they accumulate in vegetables can be converted to nitrite and nitrous acids in the human body. This study collected 83 tomato and 40 onion samples cultivated in Fars province; then nitrate concentration was determined by an HPLC, also cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentration by an atomic absorption instrument. The Cd and Pb in samples were below the detection limits (LOD) of the techniques used. However, the nitrate concentration in tomato and onion samples from Fars province varied from 0 to 154.40 mg/kg and 0 to 317.20 mg/kg, respectively. The mean chronic daily intake (CDI) for tomatoes in children, women and men was 0.1188, 0.0375, and 0.0366, and for onions, 0.1899, 0.0605, and 0.0447, respectively. On the other hand, the 95th percentile hazard index in the probabilistic method for nitrate for children, women, and men were 0.81, 0.26, and 0.21, respectively. Also, nitrate concentration in onion for children and tomatoes in both men and women was identified as the most considerable parameter in assessing the non-carcinogenic risk of nitrate. This study showed that the amount of nitrate in some samples of tomatoes and onions was not within the acceptable international standard limits. Therefore, monitoring the nitrate concentration in these high-consumption vegetables is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the health risk assessment of exposure to fluoride in drinking water of southern province of Iran was performed with a definite and probabilistic approach. The Monte-Carlo simulation and sensitivity analysis were used to explain the impact of risk and uncertainty upon estimations. The results indicated that fluoride concentration was in the range of 0.1–0.9 mg/L with an average of 0.454 ± 0.205 mg/L, and distribution function followed the normality. Moreover, the highest fluoride concentration was observed in the central and northern regions of the province. In the definitive method, hazard quotient (HQ) associated with fluoride in drinking water were lower than 1 (HQ < 1). Conducting Monte-Carlo simulation illustrated that the potential non-carcinogenic risk for children in the 95th percentile exceeded the safe limit of 1, indicating a potential non-carcinogenic in this age group. Sensitivity analysis showed that fluoride concentration and water consumption rate had the most effect in the model. Therefore, consumption of water and foods containing fluoride along with excessive consumption of tea could increase the risk for human health. The results suggested that a continuous monitoring of fluoride in water resources besides proper dietary regime for inhabitants of this province should be taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive nitrate consumption has been linked to potential health risks in humans. Thus, understanding nitrate levels in staple foods such as cow milk can provide insights into their health implications. This study meticulously examined nitrate concentrations in 70 cow milk samples from traditional and industrialized cattle farming systems in Fars province, Iran. A combination of deterministic modeling, a probabilistic approach, and six artificial intelligence algorithms was employed to determine health risk assessments. The data disclosed average nitrate concentrations of 32.63 mg/L in traditional farming and 34.95 mg/L in industrialized systems, presenting no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). The Hazard Quotient (HQ) was deployed to gauge potential health threats, underscoring heightened vulnerability in children, who exhibited HQ values ranging from 0.05 to 0.58 (mean = 0.19) in contrast to adults, whose values spanned 0.01 to 0.16 (mean = 0.05). Monte Carlo simulations enriched the risk assessment, demarcating the 5th and 95th percentile nitrate concentrations for children at 0.07 and 0.39, respectively. In children, pivotal interactions that influenced HQ encompassed those between nitrate concentration and consumption rate, as well as nitrate concentration and body weight. The interplay between nitrate concentration and consumption rate was most consequential for the adult cohort. Among the algorithms assessed for HQ prediction, Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB) was optimal for children and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) for adults, with nitrate concentration being a key determinant. The results underscore the imperative for rigorous oversight of milk nitrate concentrations, highlighting the enhanced susceptibility of children and emphasizing the need for preventive strategies and enlightened consumption. [Display omitted] • Milk's nitrate levels in traditional vs. industrial cattle systems were explored • Deterministic, probabilistic, and Al-models were used to assess health risks. • Nitrate in milk from traditional & industrial farms had no notable difference. • The HQ values for children and adults were lower than the risk limit. • Nitrate concentration in milk was the most effective factor on the HQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given water's vital role in supporting life and ecosystems, global climate change and human activities have significantly diminished its availability and quality. This study explores the health risks of drinking water consumption in the shiraz county water resources and distribution system. The result showed that the water was slightly alkaline. However, the average pH values during the study were within the permissible range. The area's abundance of total hardness and calcium was due to the high concentration of minerals in rocks and soils. The nitrate and fluoride concentrations in drinking groundwater varied from 0.02 to 116.70 mg/L and 0.10–1.85 mg/L, respectively. Although the water quality index indicated that 52.63, 45.03, and 20.3 percent of samples were of excellent, good, and poor quality in 2020, those percentages obtained 46.05, 52.09, and 14.0 percent in 2021. The regression values of training, testing, validation, and the proposed artificial neural network model were 0.93, 0.92, 0.85, and 0.92. The maximum levels of hazard quotient of nitrate and fluoride (except for adults) were higher than 1 in all age groups, indicating a high non-carcinogenic risk by exposure to nitrate. Furthermore, according to the Monte Carlo simulation, the 95th percentile hazard index in all groups was more than 1. Children and infants were more inclined towards risk than teens and adults based on the intake of nitrate and fluoride from drinking water. The Sobol sensitivity reflected that the nitrate concentration and ingestion rate are vital parameters that influence the outcome of the oral exposure model for all age groups. The interaction of ingestion rate with a concentration of nitrate and fluoride is an important parameter affecting the health risk assessment. In conclusion, these findings suggest that precise measures can reduce health risks and guarantee safe drinking water for residents of Shiraz County. [Display omitted] • TH and Ca2+ were high concentrations due to minerals in rocks and soils. • Increase in NO 3 − was observed from the middle and eastern to the west and southwest. • EC strongly correlated with other parameters, especially TDS and TH. • 95th percentile of HI was higher than 1 in all age groups except adults. • The interaction of C NO3 -IR and C F -IR was the most important parameter in HHRA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of PTEs in fruits (sold in Iranian markets) were evaluated in the present study. The highest mean concentrations (µg/kg) of aluminum (519), chromium(VI) (20.6), iron (803), nickel (60.4), lead (35.5), copper (208), cobalt (6.79), mercury (4.38), zinc (857), manganese (666), arsenic (7.50), and cadmium (4.40) were obtained in black plum, nectarine, black plum, peach, black plum, cherry, pear, cherry, banana, banana, cherry, and cherry, respectively. The highest (34.50) and the lowest (25.56) heavy metal pollution index were observed in mango and apple, respectively. PTEs were positively and negatively correlated with each other. Total chronic daily intake of PTEs was lower than tolerable daily intake for consumers. Target hazard quotient, total target hazard quotient, and hazard index were lower than one (safe limit) for children and adults. The cancer risk of individual toxic PTEs was within the safe limit for children and adults (except Ni), and the cumulative cancer risk of PTEs in some apples and peach was not safe for adults (> E-04). The results of the Monte Carlo Simulation showed that intake rate was the most efficient parameter in the target hazard quotient and cancer risk. PTEs were grouped in three clusters based on their sources. [Display omitted] • PTE concentrations of some fruits were measured in Shiraz city. • Mango and apple had the highest and the lowest pollution index, respectively. • Chronic daily intakes of PTEs were lower than tolerable daily intakes. • Total target hazard quotients of PTEswere in the safe range. • Cumulative cancer risks of fruits were safe (except three apples and one peach samples). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]