Quantitative risk assessment of environmental and occupational health, William H. Hallenbeck and Kathleen M. Cunningham, Lewis publishers, inc., 121 south main street, chelsea, Michigan, 1986, $35.95, 202 p.p.

1987 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. F10-F10
Author(s):  
Alfred Bernard

In January 2019, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) published an opinion on risks related to the presence of hazardous chemicals in infant diapers. ANSES found that health reference values were largely exceeded for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins (PCCD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (DL-PCBs). The levels of formaldehyde and of some fragrances were also considered potentially unsafe. Therefore, ANSES concluded that actions have to be taken to restrict levels of these contaminants in diapers. Under the exposure scenario deemed the most reliable by ANSES, estimates of cancer risks of the most potent PAHs detected in diapers exceeded 10-3 and hazard quotients for neurobehavioral effects attained values up to 66. Regarding dioxins and DL-PCBs, ANSES derived a hazard quotient of 12 for the risk of decreased sperm count at adult age. The aim of this critical review was to examine whether the exposure and risk assessment conducted by ANSES contained potential flaws that could explain such a high exceedance of health reference values. The review will also put into perspective the exposure from diapers with that from breast milk whose benefits for child’s health are undisputable despite contamination by PAHs, dioxins and DL-PCBS.


Biomonitoring ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Ladeira ◽  
Susana Viegas

Abstract Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a scientificallydeveloped approach for assessing human exposures to natural and synthetic compounds from environment, occupation, and lifestyle. It relies on the measurement of particular substances or biological breakdown products, known as metabolites, in human tissues and/or fluids, and also includes the study of their effects and the possible influence of individual susceptibility as response modulators. HBM is a growing area of knowledge used for exposure and risk assessment in environmental and occupational health, and its importance has been increasing as a result of advancements in the ability to measure greater numbers of chemicals in the human body and tissues. In order to achieve this purpose, HBM focuses on the use of biomarkers as measurable indicators of early changes in biological systems. However, because data interpretation requires caution, it is strongly recommended that the interpretation of HBM results be combined with air monitoring data or pharmacokinetic modelling in order to better understand exposure sources and the metabolism of chemicals.


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 521-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Song YANG ◽  
Shuqin WU ◽  
Ningqiu LI ◽  
Cunbin SHI ◽  
Guocheng DENG ◽  
...  

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 29-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Teunis ◽  
A. Havelaar ◽  
J. Vliegenthart ◽  
G. Roessink

Shellfish are frequently contaminated by Campylobacter spp, presumably originating from faeces from gulls feeding in the growing or relaying waters. The possible health effects of eating contaminated shellfish were estimated by quantitative risk assessment. A paucity of data was encountered necessitating many assumptions to complete the risk estimate. The level of Campylobacter spp in shellfish meat was calculated on the basis of a five-tube, single dilution MPN and was strongly season-dependent. The contamination level of mussels (<1/g) appeared to be higher than in oysters. The usual steaming process of mussels was found to completely inactivate Campylobacter spp so that risks are restricted to raw/undercooked shellfish. Consumption data were estimated on the basis of the usual size of a portion of raw shellfish and the weight of meat/individual animal. Using these data, season-dependent dose-distributions could be estimated. The dominant species in Dutch shellfish is C. lari but little is known on its infectivity for man. As a worst case assumption, it was assumed that the infectivity was similar to C. jejuni. A published dose-response model for Campylobacter-infection of volunteers is available but with considerable uncertainty in the low dose region. Using Monte Carlo simulation, risk estimates were constructed. The consumption of a single portion of raw shellfish resulted in a risk of infection of 5–20% for mussels (depending on season; 95% CI 0.01–60%). Repeated (e.g. monthly) exposures throughout a year resulted in an infection risk of 60% (95% CI 7–99%). Risks for oysters were slightly lower than for mussels. It can be concluded that, under the assumptions made, the risk of infection with Campylobacter spp by eating of raw shellfish is substantial. Quantitative risk estimates are highly demanding for the availability and quality of experimental data, and many research needs were identified.


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