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BACKGROUND: Diesel exhaust (DE) exposures pose concerns for serious health effects, including asthma and lung cancer, in California communities burdened by multiple stressors. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate DE exposures in disproportionately impacted communities using biomonitoring and compare results for adults and children within and between families. METHODS: We recruited 40 families in the San Francisco East Bay area. Two metabolites of 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), a marker for DE exposures, were measured in urine samples from parent-child pairs. For 25 families, we collected single-day spot urine samples during two sampling rounds separated by an average of four months. For the 15 other families, we collected daily spot urine samples over four consecutive days during the two sampling rounds. We also measured 1-NP in household dust and indoor air. Associations between urinary metabolite levels and participant demographics, season, and 1-NP levels in dust and air were evaluated. RESULTS: At least one 1-NP metabolite was present in 96.6% of the urine samples. Detection frequencies for 1-NP in dust and indoor air were 97% and 74%, respectively. Results from random effect models indicated that levels of the 1-NP metabolite 6-hydroxy-1-nitropyrene (6-OHNP) were significantly higher in parents compared with their children (p-value = 0.005). Urinary 1-NP metabolite levels were generally higher during the fall and winter months. Within-subject variability was higher than between-subject variability (~60% of total variance versus ~40%, respectively), indicating high short-term temporal variability. IMPACT: Biomonitoring, coupled with air monitoring, improves understanding of hyperlocal air pollution impacts. Results from these studies will inform the design of effective exposure mitigation strategies in disproportionately affected communities.

The scientific literature on microplastics in food has increased exponentially in the last years leading to a huge amount of published reviews on this topic. Following an approach inspired by the umbrella-review methodology, the present review aimed at systematically gathering information regarding the routes of exposure of microplastics through the food chain, starting from information collected by literature reviews. A literature-based search of published reviews was carried out in three scientific databases. Eligible reviews had to be written in English and had to deal with microplastics (MPs) or nanoplastics (NPs) in food or food chains. At the end of the screening process, 59 reviews were included of which four were systematic. Microplastics were found in a broad range of food originating from marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. The size range of detected MPs/NPs varied greatly (0.02 – 16,400 μm). Among the analysed review, three food matrices (milk, beer and sugar) were considered for the cross-citation analysis. The choice was based on the fact that these matrices are unusually associated with MPs/NPs pollution and the high redundancy of information observed during data extraction. Results surprisingly showed that the number of published reviews was higher than the number of primary studies, suggesting the need for applying a systematic review methodology to comprehensively synthesize data on microplastics in food and to harmonize definitions. In addition, especially for European countries, future research on MPs/NPs distribution should be performed on food such as milk, wine and meat since they are poorly investigated in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2012 risk assessment on brominated phenols and their derivatives in food, focusing on five bromophenols and one derivative: 2,4,6‐tribromophenol (2,4,6‐TBP), 2,4‐dibromophenol (2,4‐DBP), 4‐bromophenol (4‐BP), 2,6‐dibromophenol (2,6‐DBP), tetrabrominated bisphenol S (TBBPS), tetrabromobisphenol S bismethyl ether (TBBPS‐BME). Based on the overall evidence, the CONTAM Panel considered in vivo genotoxicity of 2,4,6‐TBP to be unlikely. Effects in liver and kidney were considered as the critical effects of 2,4,6‐tribromophenol (2,4,6‐TBP) in studies in rats. A BMDL10 of 353 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day for kidney papillary necrosis in male rats was identified and was selected as the reference point for the risk characterisation. The derivation of a health‐based guidance value was not considered appropriate due to major limitations in the toxicological database. Instead, the margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied to assess possible health concerns. Around 78,200 analytical results for 2,4,6‐TBP in food were used to estimate dietary exposure for the European population. Considering the resulting MOE values, all far above an MOE of 6000 that does not raise a health concern, and accounting for the uncertainties affecting the exposure and hazard assessments, the CONTAM Panel concluded with at least 95% probability that the current dietary exposure to 2,4,6‐TBP does not raise a health concern. Due to lack of occurrence data, no risk assessment could be performed for breastfed or formula‐fed infants. No risk characterisation could be performed for any of the other brominated phenols and derivatives included in the assessment, due to lack of data both on the toxicity and occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban street dust (UStD) is a vital issue for human health and is crucial for urban sustainability. This study aims to enhance the creation of safe, affordable, and resilient cities by examining environmental contamination and health risks in urban residential areas. Specifically, it investigates the concentrations and spatial distribution of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in UStD in Yenimahalle, Ankara. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cr, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cu in UStD were 97.98, 66.88, 55.22, 52.45, 38.37, and 3.81 mg/kg, respectively. The geoaccumulation pollution index (Igeo) values for these elements were: Cd (5.12), Ni (1.61), Cr (1.21), Pb (1.13), Cu (0.78), and Zn (0.24). These indices indicate that the area is moderately polluted with Cr, Pb, and Ni, uncontaminated to moderately contaminated with Cu and Zn, and extremely polluted with Cd. The hazard index (HI) values for Cr, Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Zn were below the non-carcinogenic risk threshold for adults, indicating no significant risk. However, for children, the HI values for Pb, Ni, Cd, and Zn were 3.37, 1.80, 1.25, and 1.25, respectively, suggesting a higher risk. Carcinogenic risk (RI) of Cd, Ni, and Pb was significant for both children and adults, indicating that exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact is hazardous. The findings highlight the need for strategic mitigation measures for both natural and anthropogenic activities, providing essential insights for residents, policymakers, stakeholders, and urban planners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal(loid)s (HM) including Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, Co, Ni, and Pb were analyzed using ICP-MS in the groundwater of the Khyber District. Two indexical approaches were applied for the evaluation of HM contamination and toxicity in groundwater. The study also examined the health risks, sources, and spatial dependence of these HM. The results revealed that Mn, Ni, Cd, and Pb, concentrations violated drinking water guidelines in 44.26%, 52.45%, 1.63%, and 9.83% of the samples, while the rest of the HM were well within the limits. Based on the results it was observed that 18.03%, 6.55%, 6.55%, and 13.1% of the samples were classified as unfit, very poor, poor and marginal, water quality classes, presenting, very severe, excessive, strong, and moderate toxicity to consumers, respectively. Among HM, the Pb, Mn, and Ni required the highest removal rates in comparison to others. Health risk assessment suggested that 8.2% and 16.39% of samples showed non-carcinogenic risks to adults and children, respectively. Hotspots for HM were identified showing enhanced HM-enriched waters in specific regions, indicating areas of concern for future management. Source apportionment suggested that Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu originated from a mix of geogenic and anthropic sources, while the rest of the HM were attributed to natural occurrences [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human exposure to arsenic and other toxic elements such as cadmium, lead and mercury may lead to a wide range of adverse health effects. In relation to this, it is well established that the diet is the main route of exposure to both essential and toxic trace elements. In recent years, the levels of toxic elements in foodstuffs have been measured in numerous studies conducted all over the world. Scientific databases show that, in the current century, China and Spain have been the countries where the most surveys on this topic have been carried out. Regarding Spain, Catalonia is the region where most studies aimed at determining the concentrations of trace elements in food have been performed. The objective of this paper was to review the studies carried out in Catalonia on the concentrations of As and toxic metals (including Cd, Hg and Pb) in food, as well as their estimated dietary intakes (EDIs). The results of total diet studies (TDSs) and duplicate diet (DD) studies have been included. For most toxic elements, a continued reduction in the EDI has been observed. This reduction is associated with a decrease in their concentrations in food, and with certain changes in dietary habits. Fish and seafood is the food group showing the highest content of toxic elements. However, none of the adult groups exceeded—in general—the safety thresholds for As, Cd, Hg and Pb established by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human exposure to various N,N′-substituted p-phenylenediamine-derived quinones (PPDQs) has been of increasing concern. Recent studies have examined N-phenyl-N′-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-p-phenylenediamine-derived quinone (6PPDQ) in human urine to evaluate human exposure. However, other PPDQs in human urine have not been thoroughly investigated. This study analyzed six PPDQs in urine collected from 149 healthy individuals in Taizhou, China. All target PPDQs were detected, with 6PPDQ (mean 2.4 ng/mL,

Natural gas (NG) is commonly used in kitchens, powering stoves, ovens, and other appliances. While it is known for its efficiency and convenience, NG contributes to the release of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and can have significant implications for human health. In this study, the importance of the use of NG in kitchens on human exposure to NO2 was analyzed. An extensive literature review in the field was conducted, and the NO2 levels were assessed in kitchens with NG cookers in Aveiro and electric cookers in Porto, both in Portugal. Higher levels of NO2 were found in kitchens in Aveiro, where NO2 levels outdoors are lower than in Porto. This pollutant can spread to other rooms, especially when ventilation is lacking, which is particularly concerning during colder seasons and at night. As around 70% of the time is spent at home, this can have a significant impact on human exposure to NO2. Therefore, although Aveiro has low levels of NO2 outdoors, its population may be exposed to much higher levels of this pollutant than the Porto population, a city with air quality issues, but predominantly using electric cookers. This finding emphasizes the need for the stricter regulation of NG use indoors to protect human health and also suggests a shift in human health protection policies from mere monitoring/control of outdoor air quality to a comprehensive assessment of human exposure, including exposure to indoor air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an integrated overview of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons' (PAHs) ubiquity comprising environmental contamination in the air, aquatic ecosystems, and soils; characterizes the contamination in biota; and identifies main biomonitors and human exposure to PAHs and associated health risks. Urban centers and industrial areas present increased concentrations in the air (1344.4–12,300 versus 0.03–0.60 ng/m3 in industrial/urban and rural zones) and soils (0.14–1.77 × 106 versus 2.00–9.04 × 103 versus 1.59–5.87 × 103 ng/g in urban, forest, and rural soils), respectively. Increased concentrations were found in coastal zones and superficial waters as well as in sediments (7.00 × 104–1.00 × 109 ng/g). Benzo(a)pyrene, a carcinogenic PAH, was found in all environmental media. Mosses, lichens, tree leaves, bivalves, cephalopods, terrestrials' snails, and honeybees are good biomonitors of biota contamination. More studies are needed to improve characterization of PAHs' levels, distribution, and bioaccumulation in the environmental media and assess the associated risks for biota and human health. Actions and strategies to mitigate and prevent the bioaccumulation of PAHs in the environment and trophic chains toward the WHO's One-Health Perspective to promote the health of all ecosystems and human life are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The increasing production of plastics and the failure to properly manage their post use represent the primary sources of environmental and human contamination caused by plastic degradation products, namely micro- and nano-plastics (MNPLs). Accumulating evidence supports the intestinal toxicity of ingested MNPLs, and their possible role as a driver for the increased incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has also been proposed. Moreover, colonic mucus layer disruption may further facilitate MNPL passage into the bloodstream, thus promoting the toxic effects of MNPLs on different organ systems. We herein discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms impaired by MNPL oral exposure in healthy conditions and individuals with compromised intestinal barrier function, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and CRC patients, considered high-risk populations, by highlighting the potential contribution of MNPL-induced platelet activation. Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPLs) can move along the food chain to higher-level organisms including humans. Three significant routes for MNPLs have been reported: ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Accumulating evidence supports the intestinal toxicity of ingested MNPLs and their role as drivers for increased incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in high-risk populations such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, the mechanisms are largely unknown. In this review, by using the leading scientific publication databases (Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect), we explored the possible effects and related mechanisms of MNPL exposure on the gut epithelium in healthy conditions and IBD patients. The summarized evidence supports the idea that oral MNPL exposure may contribute to intestinal epithelial damage, thus promoting and sustaining the chronic development of intestinal inflammation, mainly in high-risk populations such as IBD patients. Colonic mucus layer disruption may further facilitate MNPL passage into the bloodstream, thus contributing to the toxic effects of MNPLs on different organ systems and platelet activation, which may, in turn, contribute to the chronic development of inflammation and CRC development. Further exploration of this threat to human health is warranted to reduce potential adverse effects and CRC risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urinary mercapturic acids N-acetyl-S-(2-carbamoylethyl)-L-cysteine (AAMA) and N-acetyl-S-(2-carbamoyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-L-cysteine (GAMA) are short-term biomarkers of exposure from acrylamide and its metabolite glycidamide, respectively. The medium-term exposure to acrylamide and glycidamide is monitored by the adducts N-(2-carbamoylethyl)-Val (AA-Val) and N-(2-carbamoyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-Val (GA-Val) in hemoglobin (Hb), respectively. Three questions were addressed by application of these biomarkers in two diet studies including 36 omnivores, 36 vegans and 16 strict raw food eaters (abstaining from any warmed or heated food for at least four months): first, what is the internal acrylamide exposure following a vegan or a raw food diet in comparison to that in omnivores? Second, did the exposure change between 2017 and 2021? And third, what is the stability over time of AAMA/GAMA excretion compared to that of AA-Val/GA-Val levels in Hb between both time points? Median urinary AAMA excretion per day in non-smoking omnivores, vegans and raw food eaters were 62.4, 85.4 and 15.4 µg/day, respectively; the corresponding median AA-Val levels were 27.7, 39.7 and 13.3 pmol/g Hb, respectively. Median levels in strict raw food eaters were about 25% (AAMA excretion) and 48% (AA-Val) of those in omnivores. In comparison to 2017, AAMA and GAMA excretion levels were hardly altered in 2021, however, levels of AA-Val and GA-Val in 2021 slightly increased. There was a weak correlation between AAMA excretion levels determined four years apart (rS = 0.30), and a moderate correlation between levels of AA-Val (rS = 0.55) in this timeframe. Our data in strict raw food eaters confirm a significant endogenous formation to acrylamide in a size range, which is—based on the levels of AA-Val—distinctly higher than reported previously based on levels of urinary AAMA excretion. The relatively lower AAMA excretion in raw food eaters likely represents a lower extent of glutathione conjugation due to missing hepatic first-pass metabolism in case of endogenous formation of acrylamide, which leads to a higher systemic exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal studies have pointed at the liver as a hotspot for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) accumulation and toxicity; however, these findings have not been replicated in human populations. We measured concentrations of seven PFAS in matched liver and plasma samples collected at the time of bariatric surgery from 64 adolescents in the Teen-Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) study. Liver:plasma concentration ratios were perfectly explained (r2 > 0.99) in a multilinear regression (MLR) model based on toxicokinetic (TK) descriptors consisting of binding to tissue constituents and membrane permeabilities. Of the seven matched plasma and liver PFAS concentrations compared in this study, the liver:plasma concentration ratio of perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) was considerably higher than the liver:plasma concentration ratio of other PFAS congeners. Comparing the MLR model with an equilibrium mass balance model (MBM) suggested that complex kinetic transport processes are driving the unexpectedly high liver:plasma concentration ratio of PFHpA. Intratissue MBM modeling pointed to membrane lipids as the tissue constituents that drive the liver accumulation of long-chain, hydrophobic PFAS, whereas albumin binding of hydrophobic PFAS dominated PFAS distribution in plasma. The liver:plasma concentration data set, empirical MLR model, and mechanistic MBM modeling allow the prediction of liver from plasma concentrations measured in human cohort studies. Our study demonstrates that combining biomonitoring data with mechanistic modeling can identify underlying mechanisms of internal distribution and specific target organ toxicity of PFAS in humans.

BACKGROUND: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Drug and Cosmetic (FD&C) synthetic color additives (SCAs) have been associated with attentional and behavioral problems in children. Efforts to quantify exposure have focused on foods, while the contribution of medications and supplements remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To estimate exposures to SCAs in children (2-16 years) and pregnant women from intake of common over-the-counter (OTC) medications and vitamins. METHODS: We estimated single-day exposure (mg/kg/day) to FD&C SCAs based on measurements of 25 different products and recommended dosages on product labels. Exposures were compared to SCA exposure estimates from food we previously developed and acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) established by FDA and the World Health Organization. RESULTS: The highest exposure was found for FD&C Red No. 40 in a childrens cold/cough/allergy syrup. A child aged 12-16 years consuming the maximum daily dosage would have an exposure of 0.221 mg/kg/day, which is twice this age groups typical exposure to this additive from food. No estimated exposures exceeded the ADIs. SIGNIFICANCE: Some childrens OTC medications and vitamins may cause daily SCA exposures comparable to those from foods. OTC medications and vitamins should be considered in efforts to quantify population exposure to FD&C SCAs. IMPACT: Exposure to synthetic color additives (SCAs) from foods has been associated with behavioral problems in children. Exposures from over-the-counter (OTC) medications and vitamins remain unquantified despite widespread use. We estimated exposures in children and pregnant women for 25 different OTC medication and vitamin products sold in the United States. While exposures were below acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) established by the US Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization, some were comparable to typical daily exposures from foods. This work critically informs future SCA exposure assessments and provides valuable information for parents concerned about the health effects of SCAs.

• Various derivatives of PAHs were found in air and soil from petrochemical facility. • Generation of NPAHs during petroleum smelting should be faster than halogenated PAHs. • Petrochemical workers in this facility faced potential high cancer risk for PAHs. • Non-targeted screening found additional toxic PAHs analogs in petrochemical area. This study investigated environmental distribution and human exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives in one Chinese petroleum refinery facility. It was found that, following with high concentrations of 16 EPA PAHs (∑Parent-PAHs) in smelting subarea of studied petroleum refinery facility, total derivatives of PAHs [named as XPAHs, including nitro PAHs (NPAHs), chlorinated PAHs (Cl-PAHs), and brominated PAHs (Br-PAHs)] in gas (mean= 1.57 × 104 ng/m3), total suspended particulate (TSP) (mean= 4.33 × 103 ng/m3) and soil (mean= 4.37 × 103 ng/g) in this subarea had 1.76–6.19 times higher levels than those from other subareas of this facility, surrounding residential areas and reference areas, indicating that petroleum refining processes would lead apparent derivation of PAHs. Especially, compared with those in residential and reference areas, gas samples in the petrochemical areas had higher ∑NPAH/∑PAHs (mean=2.18), but lower ∑Cl-PAH/∑PAHs (mean=1.43 × 10−1) and ∑Br-PAH/∑PAHs ratios (mean=7.49 × 10−2), indicating the richer nitrification of PAHs than chlorination during petrochemical process. The occupational exposure to PAHs and XPAHs in this petroleum refinery facility were 24–343 times higher than non-occupational exposure, and the ILCR (1.04 × 10−4) for petrochemical workers was considered to be potential high risk. Furthermore, one expanded high-resolution screening through GC Orbitrap/MS was performed for soils from petrochemical area, and another 35 PAHs were found, including alkyl-PAHs, phenyl-PAHs and other species, indicating that profiles and risks of PAHs analogs in petrochemical areas deserve further expanded investigation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population growth, industrial development, and a massive increase in the application of resources have led to the deterioration of human environmental quality. Due to the carcinogenicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), these compounds have been considered by environmentalists. The potential hazard to human health from exposure to 16 priority PAHs in street dust was investigated using 21 street dust samples from different land uses in Masjed Soleyman. PAH concentrations were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed that the mean concentration of PAHs in residential, commercial, and busy traffic land uses was 203.82, 557.73, and 311.12 µg·kg−1 respectively. Furthermore, the maximum and minimum amounts of total PAHs were detected in commercial and residential land uses, respectively. High molecular weight PAHs consisted 58% of total PAHs in the sampling area. Based on the results of diagnostic ratios, the main source of PAHs emission was pyrogenic. Results of Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) showed that the risks were negligible although higher for children compared to adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water is one of the primary sources of microplastic exposure in humans. However, the extent to which microplastics in drinking water contribute to overall human health remains unclear. The aim of this work is to assess the characteristics of microplastic contamination in bottled and tap water, explore and explain the geographical distribution of the selected studies, evaluate the extent of human exposure to microplastics, and suggest areas for future research. Based on the latest literature from 2018 to 2023 (n = 66), we quantified the constituent profiles of microplastics in drinking water and explored their global distribution heterogeneity. The outcomes showed that microplastics in drinking water mainly comprised polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Notably, small-sized microplastic fractions (<300 μm) dominated all microplastics, often in the form of fragments and fibers. The average microplastic abundance in tap water was 62.38 particles/L, whereas in bottled water, it was 38.45 particles/L. The abundance of microplastics in drinking water varied globally from 0.0007 particles/L to 6,292 particles/L in Germany. Therefore, common consumers are estimated to ingest 175 particles/capita/day through drinking water. As expected, this review systematically provides scientific evidence for further high-quality research using standardized methods to increase the knowledge of microplastic exposure to humans through drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the sources of microplastics in the environment, the ways of human exposure to microplastics, how to deal with them, and the policies and laws of different countries in this regard are discussed. Most of the microplastic pollution comes from textiles, tires and urban dust, which make up more than 80% of the microplastics in the environment. The human body is exposed to microplastics through eating food containing microplastics, inhaling microplastics in the air, and skin contact with these particles in products, textiles, or in dust. The main route of human exposure to microplastic particles in human diet is food and drink. Microplastics can enter food during food processing, storage, transportation and packaging process. Airborne microplastics are an underestimated hazard, potentially reaching deep into human lungs because they can pass through the defensive respiratory system. Humans may also be exposed to microplastics through skin contact, following the atmospheric fallout, in this case hair follicles, sweat glands or damaged skin are all ways of entry. Some researchers have suggested burning plastics and recovering the resulting energy. Nevertheless, plastic recycling is considered a more efficient solution because this method reduces the amount of plastic waste produced as opposed to burning.

Acrolein is considered a risk factor for indoor air health problems due to its reactivity. An objective of the study was to investigate prevalence of sensory irritation in terms of time-dependent detection and perceived intensity of symptoms in human volunteers. Another objective was to investigate individual variation in sensory irritation. Participants (n=40) were exposed twice in an exposure chamber (15 min), once to heptane and once to acrolein and heptane. Symptoms and sensory irritation thresholds were rated continuously and 70% of the participants detected eye irritation from the acrolein exposure. A significant interaction between time and exposure (ƞp2=0.19) was identified, indicating time-dependent activation. This group also reported a higher level of stress and lower self-reported health (p<0.05). The results suggest that the eye is the primary system affected by exposure to acrolein, and that duration of exposure and perceived stress play important roles in symptom reactions due to acrolein exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the current situation and possible health risks due to pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) including analgesics, antibiotics, antifungals, anti-inflammatories, psychiatric and cardiovascular drugs, and metabolites, in indoor environments. To achieve this objective, a total of 85 dust samples were collected in 2022 from three different Spanish indoor environments: homes, classrooms, and offices. The analytical method was validated meeting SANTE/2020/12830 and SANTE/12682/2019 performance criteria. All indoor dust samples except one presented at least one PhAC. Although concentration levels ranged from < LOQ to 18 µg/g, only acetaminophen, thiabendazole, clotrimazole, and anhydroerythromycin showed quantification frequencies (Qf %) above 19% with median concentrations of 166 ng/g, 74 ng/g, 25 ng/g and 14 ng/g, respectively. The PhAC distribution between dust deposited on the floor and settled on elevated (> 0.5 m) surfaces was assessed but no significant differences (p > 0.05, Mann–Whitney U-test) were found. However, concentrations quantified at the three types of locations showed significant differences (p < 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis H-test). Homes turned out to be the indoor environment with higher pharmaceutical concentrations, especially acetaminophen (678 ng/g, median). The use of these medicines and their subsequent removal from the body were identified as the main PhAC sources in indoor dust. Relationships between occupant habits, building characteristics, and/or medicine consumption and PhAC concentrations were studied. Finally, on account of concentration differences, estimated daily intakes (EDIs) for inhalation, ingestion and dermal adsorption exposure pathways were calculated for toddlers, adolescents and adults in homes, classrooms and offices separately. Results proved that dust ingestion is the main route of exposure, contributing more than 99% in all indoor environments. Moreover, PhAC intakes for all studied groups, at occupational locations (classrooms and offices) are much lower than that obtained for homes, where hazard indexes (HIs) obtained for acetaminophen (7%—12%) and clotrimazole (4%-7%) at the worst scenario (P95) highlight the need for continuous monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing evidence that the imbalance of metals as cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) may increase the risk of development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). The human exposure to Co and Cr is derived mostly from industry, orthopedic implants, and polluted environments. Neurological effects of Co and Cr include memory deficit, olfactory dysfunction, spatial disorientation, motor neuron disease, and brain cancer. Mechanisms of Co and Cr neurotoxicity included DNA damage and genomic instability, epigenetic changes, mitochondrial disturbance, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. This paper seeks to overview the Co and Cr sources, the mechanisms by which these metals induce NDDs, and their levels in fluids of the general population and patients affected by NDDs. To this end, evidence of Co and Cr unbalance in the human body, mechanistic data, and neurological symptoms were collected using in vivo mammalian studies and human samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents issues related to electromagnetic pollution and the level of magnetic field radiation occurring around conductors used for electricity transmission and distribution. The fact that modeling and simulation are the most efficient methods of optimization, considering the cost–benefit ratio, was the premise of this work. This paper proposes the performance of a complex analysis, carried out in a comparative manner, which includes physical tests and simulations in the existing field around transmission and distribution cables used in transformer substations. In the first stage, the level of the magnetic field existing near the conductor carried by an electric current was tested (measured), and a virtual model was then designed to simulate the field in conditions similar to those of the test. The results obtained from the simulation were analyzed in comparison with those obtained by testing. The maximum permissible limits of exposure to an electromagnetic field, which are regulated by Government Decision HG 520/2016 of 20 July 2016 and Directive 2013/35/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013, were used as the reference to formulate conclusions for both situations considered. These comparisons were intended to determine the level of exposure to electromagnetic fields existing in places where electricity transmission/distribution conductors are located. Energy sustainability exists due to the versatile properties of the conductors, with the energy transmission and distribution network being functional regardless of the source of energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2011 risk assessment on tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and five derivatives in food. Neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity were considered as the critical effects of TBBPA in rodent studies. The available evidence indicates that the carcinogenicity of TBBPA occurs via non‐genotoxic mechanisms. Taking into account the new data, the CONTAM Panel considered it appropriate to set a tolerable daily intake (TDI). Based on decreased interest in social interaction in male mice, a lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of 0.2 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day was identified and selected as the reference point for the risk characterisation. Applying the default uncertainty factor of 100 for inter‐ and intraspecies variability, and a factor of 3 to extrapolate from the LOAEL to NOAEL, a TDI for TBBPA of 0.7 μg/kg bw per day was established. Around 2100 analytical results for TBBPA in food were used to estimate dietary exposure for the European population. The most important contributors to the chronic dietary LB exposure to TBBPA were fish and seafood, meat and meat products and milk and dairy products. The exposure estimates to TBBPA were all below the TDI, including those estimated for breastfed and formula‐fed infants. Accounting for the uncertainties affecting the assessment, the CONTAM Panel concluded with 90%–95% certainty that the current dietary exposure to TBBPA does not raise a health concern for any of the population groups considered. There were insufficient data on the toxicity of any of the TBBPA derivatives to derive reference points, or to allow a comparison with TBBPA that would support assignment to an assessment group for the purposes of combined risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biota and associated sediment samples were collected from the Ibeno river catchment and analyzed using the standard methods for investigation of the sources and the distribution of heterocyclic compounds in the area. The lipid content values of the biota varied from 10-29% dry weight (dw; mean = 15.8 + 7.79) in Large crab (LC) and ranged from 5-10% dw (mean = 7.6 + 1.82) in small crab (SC). Also, it ranged from 6-10% dw (mean= 7.6 + 1.52) in small shrimp (SS) and varied from 7-40% dw (mean = 23.6 + 1.47) in large shrimp (LS). High TOC (4.5%) and TIC (2.53%) were found for the associated sediment, and this was because of the silty nature of the sediment, having high adsorption capacity for organic matter. The high extractible organic matter (EOM) value recorded for the associated sediment may be linked to petroleum hydrocarbon discharge into the environment by Exxon Mobil. The biota-sediment accumulation factor (BSAF) values ranged from 0.0029-0.0059 (mean = 0.0047 + 0.00128) for LC and 0.0059-0.0085 (mean = 0.00724+0.001276) for SC. On the other hand, the values ranged from 0.0060-0.0160 (mean = 0.0037 + 0.002787) and 0.0018-0.0084 (mean = 0.0096 + 0.004079) for LS and SS respectively. This low result reviews that the contaminant uptake from the associated sediment by the biota was negligible, hence, the consumers exposed to this biota might not have experienced any serious health risk associated with the consumption of heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The aromatic fractions from column chromatography would subsequently be subjected to gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis to identify and quantify the individual heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are considered a class of pollutants with a significant presence in indoor and outdoor air and serious health effects. The aim of this study was to measure and evaluate the levels of outdoor and indoor VOCs at selected sites on Rhodes Island, Greece, during the cold and warm periods of 2023. Spatial and seasonal variations were evaluated; moreover, cancer and non-cancer inhalation risks were assessed. For this purpose, simultaneous indoor-outdoor air sampling was carried out on the island of Rhodes. VOCs were determined by Thermal Desorption—Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (TD-GC/MS). Fifty-six VOCs with frequencies ≥ 50% were further considered. VOC concentrations (∑56VOCs) at all sites were found to be higher in the warm period. In the warm and cold sampling periods, the highest concentrations were found at the port of Rhodes City, while total VOC concentrations were dominated by alkanes. The Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model was applied to identify the VOC emission sources. Non-cancer and cancer risks for adults were within the safe levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exposure of humans to microplastics through food is a topic of great interest. Foods of marine origin, such as fish and salt, have been the most extensively studied in this regard. Conversely, foods considered less likely to be contaminated (such as dairy products) have been investigated to a lesser extent. This is the first study addressing the occurrence of microplastics in cheese. In this paper, we report the first analytical approach for cheese preparation, before a chemical analysis of microplastics in cheese was performed. Therefore, the most suitable digestion methods were investigated. Alkaline digestion (i.e., KOH 5 M, 50 °C, 48 h) achieved a digestion efficiency of 97.5 ± 0.8%. To assess the feasibility of the preparative method proposed, a recovery rate of spiked polystyrene microbeads (~10 µm) of 98.5 ± 0.4% was determined. Further, the effects of the digestion agent on the microbeads were also investigated. To confirm whether the preparative method allows for the confirmation of the plastic-nature of microparticles, a qualification of spiked microplastics (polystyrene, 150 µm, and polyethylene terephthalate, 300 µm) was performed using pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-Phenoxyethanol (PhE) is an aromatic glycol ether and is used in a variety of functions and applications, e.g., as preservative in pharmaceuticals, cosmetic and personal care products, as biocide in disinfectants (e.g. human hygiene), or as a solvent in formulations (e.g. coatings, functional fluids). Despite its widespread use, little is yet known on its biotransformation and toxicokinetics in humans. Therefore, a pilot study was conducted with oral administration of PhE (5 mg/kg body weight) to five volunteers. Blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed for PhE and three of its presumed metabolites up to 48 h post-exposure. Additionally, one volunteer was dermally exposed to PhE and monitored until 72 h post-exposure. PhE was rapidly resorbed following both oral and dermal application with tmax-levels in blood of about 1 h and 3 h, respectively. Metabolism of PhE was observed to be rather extensive with phenoxyacetic acid (PhAA) and 4-hydroxyphenoxyacetic acid (4-OH-PhAA) as the main metabolites found in blood and urine following oral and dermal exposure. PhE was excreted rapidly and efficiently via urine mostly in metabolized form: following oral exposure, on average 77% and 12% of the applied dose was excreted within 48 h as PhAA and 4-OH-PhAA, respectively. A similar metabolism pattern was observed following the single dermal exposure experiment. The obtained data on biotransformation and toxicokinetics of PhE in humans provide valuable information on this important chemical and will be highly useful for pharmacokinetic modelling and evaluation of human PhE exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Veterinary medications are necessary for both contemporary animal husbandry and food production, but their residues can linger in foods obtained from animals and pose a dangerous human risk. In this review, we aim to highlight the sources, occurrence, human exposure pathways, and human health effects of drug residues in food-animal products. Following the usage of veterinary medications, pharmacologically active compounds known as drug residues can be found in food, the environment, or animals. They can cause major health concerns to people, including antibiotic resistance development, the development of cancer, teratogenic effects, hypersensitivity, and disruption of normal intestinal flora. Drug residues in animal products can originate from variety of sources, including water or food contamination, extra-label drug use, and ignoring drug withdrawal periods. This review also examines how humans can be exposed to drug residues through drinking water, food, air, and dust, and discusses various analytical techniques for identifying these residues in food. Furthermore, we suggest some potential solutions to prevent or reduce drug residues in animal products and human exposure pathways, such as implementing withdrawal periods, monitoring programs, education campaigns, and new technologies that are crucial for safeguarding public health. This review underscores the urgency of addressing veterinary drug residues as a significant and emerging public health threat, calling for collaborative efforts from researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions that ensure the safety of the global food supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human exposure to microplastics (MPs) has led to global health concerns, but our knowledge of the characteristics and human exposure of airborne MPs is limited. Adults may have different exposure patterns and lifestyles from other age groups. Therefore, this study aims to determine the MPs exposure among adults at various locations and during different time periods. MPs were collected and detected through passive sampling and laser direct infrared (LDIR) imaging (Agilent 8700) at five locations including: dormitory, dining hall, office, library, and outdoor; the sampling lasted for 3 months. The highest concentration of indoor MPs was detected in the dining hall (193 ± 8 MPs/m2/day), whereas the lowest was detected in the library (113 ± 4 MPs/m2/day). Among all sampling points, the outdoor locations had the lowest MPs concentrations (92 ± 4 MPs/m2/day). The length of the MPs ranged from 10 μm－760 μm. Pellets (54.6 %), fibres (21.6 %), and fragments (23.8 %) were the shapes identified in this research. Polyamide (51.7 %) was the most prevalent polymer type at all sampling points. This article conducted respiratory exposure assessments of MPs for males and females of different ages (age ranges: 18－21; 21－30; 31－40; 41－60) in different environments and at different times. For both weekends and weekdays, dormitories contributed the most to MPs respiratory exposure. Males aged 31－40 years had the highest exposure with an average of 266 particles/day, whereas females aged 18－21 (157 particles/day) had the lowest exposure. Differences in respiratory rate according to age and gender may be the main reason for these results. These findings indicate that further research into the adult MPs inhalation exposure under indoor and outdoor conditions is crucial.

Abstract The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2012 risk assessment on brominated phenols and their derivatives in food, focusing on five bromophenols and one derivative: 2,4,6‐tribromophenol (2,4,6‐TBP), 2,4‐dibromophenol (2,4‐DBP), 4‐bromophenol (4‐BP), 2,6‐dibromophenol (2,6‐DBP), tetrabrominated bisphenol S (TBBPS), tetrabromobisphenol S bismethyl ether (TBBPS‐BME). Based on the overall evidence, the CONTAM Panel considered in vivo genotoxicity of 2,4,6‐TBP to be unlikely. Effects in liver and kidney were considered as the critical effects of 2,4,6‐tribromophenol (2,4,6‐TBP) in studies in rats. A BMDL10 of 353 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day for kidney papillary necrosis in male rats was identified and was selected as the reference point for the risk characterisation. The derivation of a health‐based guidance value was not considered appropriate due to major limitations in the toxicological database. Instead, the margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied to assess possible health concerns. Around 78,200 analytical results for 2,4,6‐TBP in food were used to estimate dietary exposure for the European population. Considering the resulting MOE values, all far above an MOE of 6000 that does not raise a health concern, and accounting for the uncertainties affecting the exposure and hazard assessments, the CONTAM Panel concluded with at least 95% probability that the current dietary exposure to 2,4,6‐TBP does not raise a health concern. Due to lack of occurrence data, no risk assessment could be performed for breastfed or formula‐fed infants. No risk characterisation could be performed for any of the other brominated phenols and derivatives included in the assessment, due to lack of data both on the toxicity and occurrence.

Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) are a group of chemicals applied mainly as alternatives to the phased-out polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). However, toxicological studies show that NBFRs may pose health risks similar to PBDEs.The present study reviews available information on the biomonitoring of NBFRs and their metabolites in humans through invasive and non-invasive biomarkers, as well as the toxicological effects of these chemicals both in vivo and in vitro. In general, higher concentrations of NBFRs were reported in tissues of occupationally exposed adults from NBFR production facilities, e-waste recycling facilities and inhabitants living close to these areas, compared to the general population. It is worth noting that NBFR human biomonitoring data are limited to few countries located in North America, Europe and Asia, while data from developing countries are scarce. Evidence from in vivo and in vitro toxicity studies show that several NBFRs can cause adverse health effects through various modes of action, mainly: hormone disruption, genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and behavioural changes. Although few studies have investigated the biotransformation of NBFRs in humans, evidence suggests that the toxicity of some NBFRs may be augmented through their metabolites, as in the case of 2,3,4,5- tetrabromobenzoic acid (TBBA), which may exhibit higher toxicity than its parent compound 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB). More research is required to assess toxicity thresholds, toxic endpoints, and tolerable intakes for various NBFRs, and their metabolites in human. Comprehensive epidemiological studies are highly recommended to further understand the risk arising from human exposure to different NBFRs, particularly in occupational settings.

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NEOs) have been extensively approved for application in agricultural production both in China and globally. Previous studies indicated that human exposure to NEOs would have adverse health effects. However, studies on occurrences of NEOs in kidney injury patients and their association with nephrotoxicity are limited. This study investigates the potential correlation between exposure to NEOs and kidney injury within a subset (n = 224) of the population residing in South China. Levels of 8 NEOs and 5 metabolites were quantified in blood samples obtained from both the 110 healthy and 114 kidney injury cohorts in South China. We found that target analytes were frequently detected in samples from the healthy and kidney injury cohorts (61%–100 %). Dinotefuran is the predominant NEO in the healthy (42.3 %) and kidney injury cohort (49.6 %). Significantly positive (p

The occurrence of emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) was investigated in vulnerable Dinaric karst catchment of Jadro and Žrnovnica springs in Croatia, under varying flow conditions and across three different water resource types (groundwater, springs, and surface water). The maximal EOCs concentration in both springs were observed following autumn recharge events, while during peak discharge no detection above the limits of detection (LOD) was recorded due to dilution process. Contrarily to springs, groundwater from deep borehole exhibited highest total EOCs concentration under low flow conditions, underscoring the considerable karst aquifer vulnerability and its oligotrophic nature. The peak EOCs concentration in karstic Cetina River coincided with the river's lowest discharge. The highest mass flux of 1013 g/day was determined for very mobile pharmaceutical metformin detected in Cetina. The presence of potentially persistent to very persistent compounds, like DEET and 1H-benzotriazole, which exhibited highest detection frequencies across all sampling sites, was observed in association with varying hydrological conditions. Hypotheses regarding the occurrence of identified EOCs include surface contamination infiltrating directly through ponors and highly karstified areas, potential persistence in the epikarst and aquifer matrix, and site-specific contamination sources for compounds such as 1H-benzotriazole, gabapentin, and ketoprofen found in groundwater. To evaluate the risk of inadvertent human exposure to EOCs across various age groups, we utilized measured spring concentrations and calculated drinking water equivalent levels (DWEL), which ranged from 1.4 μg/L for cotinine to 503 mg/L for sucralose, both detected in Jadro spring. Although EOCs concentrations in ng/L are unlikely to pose a significant risk to healthy population, long-term exposure to EOCs mixture remains unknown. Given scarcity of research on EOCs in karst environments on both global and national levels, our study enhances comprehension of their occurrence and behaviour across different karst water resources that hold crucial importance for drinking water supply in regions like Dinarides.

The paper deals with an efficient procedure to study human exposure to vertical dipole antenna above a flat lossy half space. The closed form expressions for the corresponding irradiated electrical field are obtained assuming the sinusoidal and triangular current distribution along the antenna, respectively. The corresponding integral field expressions are evaluated by means of numerical integration and analytical procedures. The computations have been undertaken in the far field zone for various antenna parameters and compared to rigorous numerical model. Provided the field radiated from the vertical dipole is determined, whole body average Specific Absorption Rate (SARWB) is computed in a simple parallelepiped model of the human body and cylindrical model of the human body, respectively.

Benzophenone ultraviolet light filters (BPs) are high-production-volume chemicals extensively used in personal care products, leading to widespread human exposure. Given their estrogenic properties, the potential health risks associated with exposure to BPs have become a public health concern. This review aims to summarize sources and pathways of exposure to BPs and associated health risks. Dermal exposure, primarily through the use of sunscreens, constitutes a major pathway for BP exposure. At a recommended application rate, dermal exposure of BP-3 via the application of sunscreens may reach or exceed the suggested reference dose. Other exposure pathways to BPs, such as drinking water, seafood, and packaged foods, contribute minimal to the overall dose. Inhalation is a minor pathway of exposure; however, its contribution cannot be ignored. Human exposure to BPs is an order of magnitude higher in North America than in Asia and Europe. Studies conducted on laboratory animals and cells have consistently demonstrated the toxic effects of BP exposure. BPs are estrogenic and elicit reproductive and developmental toxicities. Furthermore, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and carcinogenicity have been reported from chronic BP exposure. In addition to animal and cell studies, epidemiological investigations have identified associations between BPs and couples' fecundity and other reproductive disorders, as well as adverse birth outcomes. Further studies are urgently needed to understand the risks posed by BPs on human health.

There is increasing concern for public health over inadvertent human exposure to MPs due to potential adverse health effects linked to MPs polymeric composition, toxic chemical additives, and/or harmful microorganisms adsorbing onto their surfaces. While numerous studies have reported MPs occurrence and risk in the freshwater aquatic environment and drinking water sources (e.g., rivers, lakes, and reservoirs), the current state-of-knowledge on MPs pollution in drinking water (i.e., tap water and bottled water) remains limited at a global level. This paper provides the first comprehensive study of the occurrence, concentrations, size distribution, shape, and polymer type of MPs in 177 tap water samples from 13 cities in the United Kingdom, as well as 85 samples of bottled water from 17 popular brands, with various packaging materials, on the UK market.MPs were detected in all tap water samples (range 6–100 MP/L) and bottled water samples (range 12–62 MP/L). Average MPs concentration in tap water (40 ± 16 MP/L) was statistically indistinguishable from that in bottled water (37 ± 11 MP/L). However, the average MPs particle size in tap water (32.4 μm) exceeded significantly (p

Background: Arsenic, a widely recognized and highly toxic carcinogen, is regarded as one of the most hazardous metalloids globally. However, the precise assessment of acute and chronic human exposure to arsenic and its contributing factors remains unclear in Ethiopia. Objective: The primary goal of this study was to assess the levels of acute and chronic arsenic exposure, as well as the contributing factors, using urine and nail biomarkers. Methods: A community-based analytical cross-sectional study design was employed for this study. Agilent 7900 series inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to measure the concentrations of arsenic in urine and nail samples. We performed a multiple linear regression analysis to assess the relationships between multiple predictors and outcome variables. Results: The concentration of arsenic in the urine samples ranged from undetectable (<0.01) to 126.13, with a mean and median concentration of 16.02 and 13.5 μg/L, respectively. However, the mean and median concentration of arsenic in the nails was 1.01, ranging from undetectable (<0.01 μg/g) to 2.54 μg/g. Furthermore, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis showed a significant positive correlation between arsenic concentrations in urine and nail samples (r = 0.432, P <.001). Also, a positive correlation was observed between urinary (r = 0.21, P =.007) and nail (r = 0.14, P =.044) arsenic concentrations and the arsenic concentration in groundwater. Groundwater sources and smoking cigarettes were significantly associated with acute arsenic exposure. In contrast, groundwater sources, cigarette smoking, and the frequency of showers were significantly associated with chronic arsenic exposure. Conclusions: The study's findings unveiled the widespread occurrence of both acute and chronic arsenic exposure in the study area. Consequently, it is crucial to prioritize the residents in the study area and take further measures to prevent both acute and chronic arsenic exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) have attracted considerable attention as one of the most remarkable food and drink pollutants in recent years. Disposable cups, which are widely used as single-use containers, have been suspected as the primary sources of MPs found in cold and hot beverages. In this study, the effect of different exposure times (0, 5, 10 and 20 min) and temperatures (4 °C, 50 °C and 80 °C) on MP release from the single-use cups made of four different materials [polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE) coated paper cups and expanded polystyrene (EPS)] into the water was investigated. The number of MPs ranged from 126 p/L to 1420 p/L, while the highest and lowest counts were observed in the PP (50 °C for 20 min) and PE-coated paper cups (4 °C 0 min), respectively. Washing the cups with ultrapure water prior to use reduced the MP release by 52–65%. SEM images demonstrated the abrasion on the surface of the disposable cups as a result of hot water exposure. Intensities of FTIR absorbance levels at some wavelengths were decreased by the water treatment, which could be evidence of surface abrasion. The annual MP exposure of consumers was calculated as 18,720–73,840 by the consumption of hot and cold beverages in disposable cups. In conclusion, as the level and potential toxicity of MP exposure in humans are not yet fully known, this study sheds light on the number of MPs transferred to cold and hot beverages from single-use disposable cups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On a global scale, the urban design of city centers is a topic of discussion concerning various aspects such development and its impact on public health. This research examines the health effects of urban agglomeration in city centers with compact, close development. In this work, the potentially toxic metals in street dust were studied by collecting and measuring street dust samples, measuring trace metal concentrations, and using index assessment, spatial analysis, correlation analysis, and health risk assessment models. Eskişehir, located in the part of Central Anatolia close to the Aegean region, west Türkiye, has been widely recognized as one of the most popular, known for having many narrow and old buildings in urban environments. The present paper investigates the atmospheric dust-related chemical speciation, urban environmental pollution, and human health risks in Eskişehir City by studying 66 dust samples collected at 11 points in the selected streets in August 2023. the study found that the concentrations of trace elements followed the order Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd > Cu. The primary source of these high levels is believed to be traffic-related contamination involving Cd, Pb, and Ni. The assessment of non-carcinogenic health risks has shown that the significant sources of potential toxic metals exposure for both children and adults are i) through ingestion and ii) dermal contact. The Hazard index (HI) for selected metals decreased in the order Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd > Cu for both children and adults without imposing possible non-carcinogenic risk (HI<1). On the contrary, Cr posed cancer risks above the safety threshold (> 10-4) through ingestion. Based on the available findings, Eskişehir still suffers from considerable environmental and ecological degradation and severe health risks due to street dust contamination. However, while high pollution was detected in the city center, where there is commercial land use, low values were observed in the region, rich with the water surface, bicycle paths, landscape design, and where traffic is slowed down. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) in blood, hair, and nails of 18 brick kiln workers from three brick kiln units located around a metropolitan city, Lahore, Pakistan. All the trace elements except Hg and As were detected in the studied matrices of Brick kiln workers. In general, brick kiln workers reflect the highest concentration of Pb, followed by Cd, Cr, and Cu. Of the pollutants analyzed, Pb has the highest mean (min–max) concentrations at 0.35 (0.09–0.65) in blood (μg/mL), 0.34 (0.14–0.71) in hairs (μg/g), and 0.44 (0.32–0.59) in nails (μg/g) of brick kiln workers. Following Pb, the trend was Cd 0.17 (0.10–0.24), Cu 0.11(0.03–0.27), and Cr 0.07 (0.04–0.08) in blood (μg/mL), followed by Cr 0.11(0.05–0.20), Cd 0.09 (0.03–0.13), and Cu 0.08 (0.04–0.16) in hairs (μg/g) and Cu 0.16 (0.05–0.36), Cd 0.13 (0.11–0.17), and Cr 0.10 (0.05–0.14) in nails (μg/g) respectively. Relatively higher concentrations of metals and other trace elements in blood depicts recent dietary exposure. The difference of trace elements except Pb was non-significant (P > 0.05) among studied matrices of workers as well as between Zigzag and traditional exhaust-based brick kilns. The concentrations of Pb, Cd and Cr in blood of brick kilns workers are higher than the values reported to cause health problems in human populations. It is concluded that chronic exposure to metals and other trace elements may pose some serious health risks to brick kiln workers which needs to be addressed immediately to avoid future worst-case scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are widely used in electronic devices and emerging as an environmental pollutant, while their occurrence in indoor environments is still less studied. In this study, 32 out of 37 target LCMs were detected in indoor residential dust samples (n = 112) from Beijing, China. Concentrations of Σ32LCMs ranged from 17.8 to 197 ng/g, with a median value of 54.7 ng/g. Fluorinated biphenyls and analogs (FBAs) and cyanobiphenyls and analogs (CBAs), with median concentrations of 22.8 and 15.9 ng/g, respectively, were the main kinds of LCMs. Although 32 LCMs can be detected, four monomers with the highest contamination levels contributed to almost 70% of the total LCMs. Spearman correlation analysis found significant correlations among some monomers, which indicated that they might share similar sources in the residential environment. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of LCMs via indoor dust for Beijing residents were calculated, and the results showed that dust ingestion and dermal contact were both main intake pathways to LCMs, and younger people may face higher exposure to LCMs. A comparison to the results of China's total diet study showed that EDIs of LCMs via food consumption might be higher than that via dust intake, while health risks caused by exposure of LCMs for the general population, both through food and dust, were insignificant at present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean is a pulse which has considerable nutritional value due to its high protein, fibers and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents. It also contains phytoestrogenic compounds that definitely hinder its recommendation for general consumption. Contrary to ancient times, when soybeans were boiled, modern commercial soy foods can contain up to 150 mg/100g of estrogenic isoflavones. Interestingly, current estimations of isoflavone intake in the literature do not distinguish between the origins of soy food, i.e., whether it is homemade or commercial. As a result, the isoflavone exposure in Asian countries may well be overestimated. This study aims to demonstrate, based on step-by-step monitoring of isoflavones, that traditional and domestic treatments, leveraging isoflavones water-solubility, can indeed significantly reduce their content in soy foods. Indeed, when compared to commercial foods, the isoflavone content was found to be 20, 2.6, 4.5 and 9.8 times lower in "homemade" soy juice, tofu, tempeh and miso, respectively. Additionally, water soaking was found to reduce the isoflavones levels in soy-textured proteins by more than 70%. Hence, this simple process has the potential to help drastically reduce overall xenoestrogens exposure. This study could serve as a basis for establishing the isoflavones Reference Dose and issuing food safety guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a replacement for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) have been widely used and detected in different indoor environments all over the world. This paper comprehensively describes the concentration levels and distribution information of 11 kinds of OPFRs from 33 indoor dust and 10 air environments, from which TBOEP, TCIPP, and TDCIPP were observed to have higher concentrations in indoor environments. The ΣOPFRs displayed higher concentrations in indoor dust than in indoor air due to the higher molecular weight and vapor pressure of ΣOPFRs in building decoration materials, specifically for TCIPP and TDCIPP compounds. Considering that it is inevitable that people will be exposed to these chemicals in the indoor environments in which they work and live, we estimated their potential health risks through three human exposure pathways and found that the ingestion exposure to TBOEP for toddlers in Japan may reach up to 1270.80 ng/kg/day, which comprises a significant pathway compared to dermal contact and indoor air inhalation. Specifically, the combined total exposure to OPFRs by air inhalation, dust ingestion, and dermal contact was generally below the RfD values for both adults and toddlers, with a few notable higher exposures of some typical OPFRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with an efficient procedure to study human exposure to vertical dipole antenna above a flat lossy half space. The closed form expressions for the corresponding irradiated electrical field are obtained assuming the sinusoidal and triangular current distribution along the antenna, respectively. The corresponding integral field expressions are evaluated by means of numerical integration and analytical procedures. The computations have been undertaken in the far field zone for various antenna parameters and compared to rigorous numerical model. Provided the field radiated from the vertical dipole is determined, whole body average Specific Absorption Rate (SARWB) is computed in a simple parallelepiped model of the human body and cylindrical model of the human body, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA; or 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol) is an endocrine disrupting chemical. It was widely used in a variety of plastic-based manufactured products for several years. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently reduced the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for BPA by 20,000 times due to concerns about immune-toxicity. Objective: We used human biomonitoring (HBM) data to investigate the general level of BPA exposure from 2007 to 2014 of European women aged 18–73 years (n = 4,226) and its determinants. Methods: Fifteen studies from 12 countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) were included in the BPA Study protocol developed within the European Joint Programme HBM4EU. Seventy variables related to the BPA exposure were collected through a rigorous post-harmonization process. Linear mixed regression models were used to investigate the determinants of total urine BPA in the combined population. Results: Total BPA was quantified in 85–100 % of women in 14 out of 15 contributing studies. Only the Austrian PBAT study (Western Europe), which had a limit of quantification 2.5 to 25-fold higher than the other studies (LOQ=2.5 µg/L), found total BPA in less than 5 % of the urine samples analyzed. The geometric mean (GM) of total urine BPA ranged from 0.77 to 2.47 µg/L among the contributing studies. The lowest GM of total BPA was observed in France (Western Europe) from the ELFE subset (GM=0.77 µg/L (0.98 µg/g creatinine), n = 1741), and the highest levels were found in Belgium (Western Europe) and Greece (Southern Europe), from DEMOCOPHES (GM=2.47 µg/L (2.26 µg/g creatinine), n = 129) and HELIX-RHEA (GM=2.47 µg/L (2.44 µg/g creatinine), n = 194) subsets, respectively. One hundred percent of women in 14 out of 15 data collections in this study exceeded the health-based human biomonitoring guidance value for the general population (HBM-GVGenPop) of 0.0115 µg total BPA/L urine derived from the updated EFSA’s BPA TDI. Variables related to the measurement of total urine BPA and those related to the main socio-demographic characteristics (age, height, weight, education, smoking status) were collected in almost all studies, while several variables related to BPA exposure factors were not gathered in most of the original studies (consumption of beverages contained in plastic bottles, consumption of canned food or beverages, consumption of food in contact with plastic packaging, use of plastic film or plastic containers for food, having a plastic floor covering in the house, use of thermal paper…). No clear determinants of total urine BPA concentrations among European women were found. A broader range of data planned for collection in the original questionnaires of the contributing studies would have resulted in a more thorough investigation of the determinants of BPA exposure in European women. Conclusion: This study highlights the urgent need for action to further reduce exposure to BPA to protect the population, as is already the case in the European Union. The study also underscores the importance of pre-harmonizing HBM design and data for producing comparable data and interpretable results at a European-wide level, and to increase HBM uptake by regulatory agencies.