Active Pharmaceutical Contaminants in Dietary Supplements: a Tier-Based Risk Assessment Approach

Different European institutions have developed mathematical models to propose maximum safe levels either for fortified foods or for dietary supplements. The objective of the present study was to compare and check the safety of these different maximum safe levels (MSL) by using a probabilistic risk assessment approach. The potential maximum nutritional intakes were estimated by taking into account all sources of intakes (base diet, fortified foods and dietary supplements) and compared with the tolerable upper intake levels for vitamins and minerals. This approach simulated the consequences of both food fortification and supplementation in terms of food safety. Different scenarios were tested. They are the result of the combination of several MSL obtained using the previous models. The study was based on the second French Individual and National Study on Food Consumption performed in 2006–7, matched with the French food nutritional composition database. The analyses were based on a sample of 1918 adults aged 18–79 years. Some MSL in fortified foods and dietary supplements obtained independently were protective enough, although some others could lead to nutritional intakes above the tolerable upper intake levels. The simulation showed that it is crucial to consider the inter-individual variability of fortified food intakes when setting MSL for foods and supplements. The risk assessment approach developed here by integrating the MSL for fortified foods and dietary supplements is useful for ensuring consumer protection. It may be subsequently used to test any other MSL for vitamins and minerals proposed in the future.

Download Full-text

Impact of changes of horse movement regulations on the risks of equine infectious anemia: A risk assessment approach

Preventive Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105319 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 190 ◽

pp. 105319

Author(s):

Gustavo Machado ◽

Luis Gustavo Corbellini ◽

Alba Frias-De-Diego ◽

Gustavo Nogueira Dieh ◽

Diego Viali dos Santos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Assessment Approach ◽

Equine Infectious Anemia

Download Full-text

COVID-19 in Dental Settings: Novel Risk Assessment Approach

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18116093 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 6093

Author(s):

Ali Alsaegh ◽

Elena Belova ◽

Yuriy Vasil’ev ◽

Nadezhda Zabroda ◽

Lyudmila Severova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Assessment ◽

Dental Care ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Oral Diseases ◽

Infectious Risk ◽

Care Workers ◽

Assessment Approach ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Novel Coronavirus

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern, and this emergency led to postponing elective dental care procedures. The postponing aimed to protect the public from an unknown risk caused by COVID-19. At the beginning of the outbreak, for public health authorities, the aerosol-generating procedures and the close proximity between dental care workers and patients in dentistry represented sufficient justification for the delay of dental visits. Dental care is a priority, and for many years, studies have proven that the lack and delay of dental care can cause severe consequences for the oral health of the general population, which can cause a high global burden of oral diseases. Safety is necessary while resuming dental activities, and risk assessment is an efficient method for understanding and preventing the COVID-19 infectious threats facing the dental industry and affecting dental care workers and patients. In this study, for safe dental care delivery, we adapted risk assessment criteria and an approach and an occupational classification system. Based on those tools, we also recommend measures that can help to minimize infectious risk in dental settings.

Download Full-text

Risk Assessment of Dental Unit Waterline Contamination

Primary Dental Care ◽

10.1308/135576103322504030 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol os10 (1) ◽

pp. 5-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Caroline L Pankhurst

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Respiratory Health ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Control Measures ◽

Respiratory Pathogens ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Colony Forming Units ◽

Assessment Approach ◽

Dental Unit Waterlines ◽

Mycobacterium Spp

Biofilms form rapidly on dental unit waterlines. The majority of the organisms in the biofilm are harmless environmental species, but some dental units may harbour opportunistic respiratory pathogens. This paper describes a risk assessment approach to analysing the hazard from biofilm organisms contaminating dental unit waterlines on the respiratory health of both the dental team and patients. The health risk from the respiratory pathogens Legionella spp, Mycobacterium spp and Pseudomonads was found to be low. Nevertheless, in order to satisfy water regulations and comply with health and safety legislation dentists should institute infection-control measures to maintain the dental unit water at the standard of less than 200 colony-forming units per ml of aerobic bacteria.

Download Full-text

Biosafety of Genome Editing Applications in Plant Breeding: Considerations for a Focused Case-Specific Risk Assessment in the EU

BioTech ◽

10.3390/biotech10030010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 10

Author(s):

Michael F. Eckerstorfer ◽

Marcin Grabowski ◽

Matteo Lener ◽

Margret Engelhard ◽

Samson Simon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Genome Editing ◽

Genetically Modified Organisms ◽

Unintended Effects ◽

The European Union ◽

Gm Plants ◽

European Court ◽

Assessment Approach ◽

Deliberate Release ◽

Specific Assessment

An intensely debated question is whether or how a mandatory environmental risk assessment (ERA) should be conducted for plants obtained through novel genomic techniques, including genome editing (GE). Some countries have already exempted certain types of GE applications from their regulations addressing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In the European Union, the European Court of Justice confirmed in 2018 that plants developed by novel genomic techniques for directed mutagenesis are regulated as GMOs. Thus, they have to undergo an ERA prior to deliberate release or being placed on the market. Recently, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published two opinions on the relevance of the current EU ERA framework for GM plants obtained through novel genomic techniques (NGTs). Regarding GE plants, the opinions confirmed that the existing ERA framework is suitable in general and that the current ERA requirements need to be applied in a case specific manner. Since EFSA did not provide further guidance, this review addresses a couple of issues relevant for the case-specific assessment of GE plants. We discuss the suitability of general denominators of risk/safety and address characteristics of GE plants which require particular assessment approaches. We suggest integrating the following two sets of considerations into the ERA: considerations related to the traits developed by GE and considerations addressing the assessment of method-related unintended effects, e.g., due to off-target modifications. In conclusion, we recommend that further specific guidance for the ERA and monitoring should be developed to facilitate a focused assessment approach for GE plants.

Download Full-text