scholarly journals Short communication: Detection of selected agricultural pesticides in river and tap water in Letsitele, Lomati and Vals–Renoster catchments, South Africa

Water SA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (4 October) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Machete ◽  
JM Shadung
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Health And Environmental Effects ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Agricultural Pesticides ◽  
Catchment Areas

This paper presents the levels of detection of selected agricultural pesticides in river and tap water in the Letsitele, Lomati and Vals–Renoster catchments, South Africa. Agriculture plays a major role in the development of communities through job creation and poverty eradication. However, exposure to agricultural pesticides can result in serious human health and environmental effects. This study, therefore, identified critical areas where specific pesticides might result in high environmental and human health risks. Three water catchment areas, namely, Letsitele, Lomati and Vals–Renoster, were identified for raw and tap water analysis. The results confirmed the presence of selected agricultural pesticides:  atrazine, terbuthylazine, imidacloprid, metolachlor, simazine and alachlor. Although low concentrations of most of these pesticides were detected, pesticides such as atrazine, alachlor and simazine are known for endocrine disruption. A critical finding of this study is the detection of these pesticides in tap water (drinking water) of a primary school in the Lomati catchment. This reveals a high exposure potential for human health. It is thus recommended that further research be conducted to determine the potential health risks associated with these pesticides among vulnerable communities, through epidemiological studies.

scholarly journals Impact of Bacillus in fermented soybean foods on human health

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trishala Gopikrishna ◽  
Harini Keerthana Suresh Kumar ◽  
Kumar Perumal ◽  
Elavarashi Elangovan
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Fermented Soybean ◽  
Food Pathogens ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Fermented Soybean Foods

Abstract Purpose Fermented soybean foods (FSF) is popularly consumed in the South-East Asian countries. Bacillus species, a predominant microorganism present in these foods, have demonstrated beneficial and deleterious impacts on human health. These microorganisms produce bioactive compounds during fermentation that have beneficial impacts in improving human health. However, the health risks associated with FSF, food pathogens, biogenic amines (BAs) production, and late-onset anaphylaxis, remain a concern. The purpose of this review is to present an in-depth analysis of positive and negative impacts as a result of consumption of FSF along with the measures to alleviate health risks for human consumption. Methods This review was composed by scrutinizing contemporary literature of peer-reviewed publications related to Bacillus and FSF. Based on the results from academic journals, this review paper was categorized into FSF, role of Bacillus species in these foods, process of fermentation, beneficial, and adverse influence of these foods along with methods to improve food safety. Special emphasis was given to the potential benefits of bioactive compounds released during fermentation of soybean by Bacillus species. Results The nutritional and functional properties of FSF are well-appreciated, due to the release of peptides and mucilage, which have shown health benefits: in managing cardiac disease, gastric disease, cancer, allergies, hepatic disease, obesity, immune disorders, and especially microbial infections due to the presence of probiotic property, which is a potential alternative to antibiotics. Efficient interventions were established to mitigate pitfalls like the techniques to reduce BAs and food pathogens and by using a defined starter culture to improve the safety and quality of these foods. Conclusion Despite some of the detrimental effects produced by these foods, potential health benefits have been observed. Therefore, soybean foods fermented by Bacillus can be a promising food by integrating effective measures for maintaining safety and quality for human consumption. Further, in vivo analysis on the activity and dietary interventions of bioactive compounds among animal models and human volunteers are yet to be achieved which is essential to commercialize them for safe consumption by humans, especially immunocompromised patients.

Risk Assessment of Some Heavy Metals in Two Fish Species Oreochromis Niloticus and Clarias Gariepinus from Sharqia Province, Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Nahla S El-Shenawy ◽  
Heba N Gad EL-Hak ◽  
Mahi A Ghobashy ◽  
Maha FM Soliman ◽  
Farida A Mansour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Oreochromis Niloticus ◽  
Clarias Gariepinus ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Critical Problem ◽  
Potential Health

Accumulation of heavy metals in fish is considered a critical problem for human health. Therefore, the study aimed to quantify the concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) in Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus from two areas in Al Sharqia governorate, Egypt, from September 2017 to August 2018. A human health risk assessment was conducted to evaluate the potential hazards associated with fish consumption. Metals concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) in muscles of catfish ranged 1.88-221.26 for Fe; 1.78-19.77 for Zn; BDL-238.51 for Mn; BDL-22.75 for Pb. In muscles of tilapia fish metals concentrations ranged 7.96-149.10 for Fe; 1.20-19.77 for Zn; BDL-230.82 for Mn; BDL-25.93 for Pb. Pb had Hazard quotients (HQs) which indicated potential health risks to tilapia consumers at both study areas and catfish consumers at the Faqous area. Fishermen were at higher risk compared to the other consumers.

Estimating health risks to water users: Marrying hydrodynamic models and risk models

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. B. McBride ◽  
R. Stott ◽  
D. Papps ◽  
C. Palliser ◽  
G. Jenner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Risks ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment ◽  
Hydrodynamic Models ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Microbial Risk Assessment ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Information Research ◽  
Receiving Waters

Epidemiological studies show that discharges of treated human and animal wastes to receiving waters are associated with elevated health risks both to recreational water users and to consumers of raw shellfish. Those studies have relied almost exclusively on faecal indicator bacteria, indicating the potential degree of pathogenicity of the affected waters. However, many receiving waters are substantially different in character from those covered by epidemiological studies. To account for that, QMRA (Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment) techniques, based on particular pathogens and their dose-response characteristics, are increasingly being used in New Zealand to directly assess the health impacts of wastewater schemes. They have been used to study not only existing infrastructure but also a number of possible alternatives and so are now well-regarded by commissioners hearing permit applications. For coastal discharges QMRA models must generally be married with hydrodynamic models. We present case studies from several outfalls to demonstrate the uses of QMRA, how these can inform understanding of potential health risk to water users, and discuss information/research gaps. Given that coastal QMRA exercises focus on the sources of contamination (and use hydrodynamic models to convey the contaminants to points of exposure), the need for source load minimisation is a natural outcome of the assessment.

scholarly journals Organochlorine pesticide levels in Clarias gariepinus from polluted freshwater impoundments in South Africa and associated human health risks

Chemosphere ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 120 ◽  
pp. 391-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.E.J. Barnhoorn ◽  
J.C. van Dyk ◽  
B. Genthe ◽  
W.R. Harding ◽  
G.M. Wagenaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Organochlorine Pesticide ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Clarias Gariepinus ◽  
Human Health Risks

scholarly journals RetractedHuman Health Risk of Chromium Intake From Consumption of Poultry Meat and Eggs in Dhaka, Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (14) ◽  
pp. 30-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Shakhaoat Hossain ◽  
Prantik Roy ◽  
Monira Islam ◽  
Md. Alamgir Zaman Chowdhury ◽  
Zeenath Fardous ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Poultry Meat ◽  
Poultry Feed ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Meat And Eggs ◽  
Target Hazard Quotients

Background. Heavy metals contamination of food is a serious threat. Long term exposure may lead to human health risks. Poultry and eggs are a major source of protein, but if contaminated by heavy metals, have the potential to lead to detrimental effects on human health. Objectives. The objective of this study is to determine chromium concentrations in poultry meat (flesh and liver) and eggs collected from poultry farms in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to calculate the daily intake of chromium from the consumption of poultry meat and eggs for adults, and to evaluate their potential health risk by calculating the target hazard quotients (THQ). Methods. All samples of poultry feed, meat (flesh and liver) and eggs were analyzed by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) (GFA- EX- 7i Shimadju, Japan). Results. Chromium concentrations were recorded in the range of not detected (ND) to 1.3926±0.0010 mg kg−1 and 0.0678±0.0001 mg kg−1 to 1.3764±0.0009 mg kg−1 in the liver of broiler and layer chickens, respectively. Chromium concentrations were determined in the range of 0.069±1.0004 mgkg−1 to 2.0746±0.0021 mg kg−1 and 0.0362±0.0002 mg kg−1 to 1.2752±0.0014 mg kg−1 in the flesh of broiler and layer chicken, respectively. The mean concentration of chromium in eggs was 0.2174−1.08 mg kg.−1 The highest concentration of chromium 2.4196±0.0019 mg kg−1 was found in egg yolk. Target hazard quotients values in all poultry flesh, liver and eggs samples were less than one, indicating no potential health risks to consumers. Conclusions. The estimated daily intake values of chromium were below the threshold limit. Thus, our results indicate that no adverse health effects are expected as a resultof ingestion of chicken fed with tannery waste. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests. Ethics Approval: This study was approved by the Biosafety, Biosecurity & Ethical Committee of Jahangirnagar University.

scholarly journals Estrogenic activity, selected plasticizers and potential health risks associated with bottled water in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie H. Aneck-Hahn ◽  
Magdalena C. Van Zijl ◽  
Pieter Swart ◽  
Barry Truebody ◽  
Bettina Genthe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Estrogenic Activity ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Bottled Water ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Gene Assay ◽  
17Β Estradiol

Abstract Potential endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are present in bottled water from various countries. In South Africa (SA), increased bottled water consumption and concomitant increases in plastic packaging create important consequences for public health. This study aimed to screen SA bottled water for estrogenic activity, selected target chemicals and assessing potential health risks. Ten bottled water brands were exposed to 20 °C and 40 °C over 10 days. Estrogenic activity was assessed using the recombinant yeast estrogen screen (YES) and the T47D-KBluc reporter gene assay. Solid phase extracts of samples were analyzed for bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), selected phthalates, bisphenol-A (BPA), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), 17β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1), and ethynylestradiol (EE2) using gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometry. Using a scenario-based health risk assessment, human health risks associated with bottled water consumption were evaluated. Estrogenic activity was detected at 20 °C (n = 2) and at 40 °C (n = 8). Estradiol equivalent (EEq) values ranged from 0.001 to 0.003 ng/L. BPA concentrations ranged from 0.9 ng/L to 10.06 ng/L. Although EEqs and BPA concentrations were higher in bottled water stored at 40 °C compared to 20 °C, samples posed an acceptable risk for a lifetime of exposure. Irrespective of temperature, bottled water from SA contained chemicals with acceptable health risks.

scholarly journals Plant Polyphenols as Dietary Antioxidants in Human Health and Disease

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 270-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanti Bhooshan Pandey ◽  
Syed Ibrahim Rizvi
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Present Knowledge ◽  
Plant Polyphenols ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Meta Analyses

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites of plants and are generally involved in defense against ultraviolet radiation or aggression by pathogens. In the last decade, there has been much interest in the potential health benefits of dietary plant polyphenols as antioxidant. Epidemiological studies and associated meta-analyses strongly suggest that long term consumption of diets rich in plant polyphenols offer protection against development of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases. Here we present knowledge about the biological effects of plant polyphenols in the context of relevance to human health.

scholarly journals Assessment of Potential Health Risks Associated with the Intake of Heavy Metals in Fish Harvested from the Largest Estuary in Colombia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 2921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos H. Pinzón-Bedoya ◽  
Martha L. Pinzón-Bedoya ◽  
José Pinedo-Hernández ◽  
Iván Urango-Cardenas ◽  
José Marrugo-Negrete
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Centropomus Undecimalis ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Reference Doses ◽  
High Fish

This study assesses the potential human health risks posed by six heavy metals (Hg, As, Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn) found in five of the most consumed fish species (Mugil incilis, Centropomus undecimalis, Cathorops mapale, Eugerres plumieri, and Elops smithi) collected by the riverine population living in Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM), the largest estuary in Colombia. Metal concentrations were low compared with those reported in other regions around the world and the maximum value established by international monitoring organizations. The estimation of the potential risk (HQ) indicated that Cu and Hg could generate negative effects in groups of women of childbearing age (WCA) and the remaining population (RP), because they exceeded their related reference doses, with HQ values > 1; however, Cu and Hg concentrations were not high in fish and EWI, MFW, or MeHgPSL values shows that there is no evidence of a potential health risk from MeHg exposure in the study population. Therefore, the recommendations are to establish continuous monitoring of heavy metals together with strategies that address the high fish consumption, as well as to implement mechanisms for the mitigation of contamination of the watershed, to ensure the safety of organisms in the ecosystem and human health, not only of populations who depend on aquatic resources in the area but also of those that market and consume these resources in the Colombian Caribbean.

Health risk assessment of nitrate pollution in shallow groundwater: a case study in Changchun New District, China

2019 ◽  
pp. 45-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Tian ◽  
Xiujuan Liang ◽  
Yan Gong ◽  
Zhuang Kang ◽  
Hongtao Jin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risk Assessment ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Human Health Risk ◽  
Nitrate Pollution ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Skin Contact

High concentrations of nitrate in groundwater pose a threat to human health. To quantify groundwater nitrate pollution in China's Changchun New District and evaluate its human health risks, 98 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed. The spatial distribution of groundwater chemical components was variable with concentrations descending from TDS > HCO3− > Ca2+ > NO3− > SO42- > Na+ > Cl− > Mg2+ > K+ > NO2− > NH4+. Notably, NO3− concentrations ranged from 0.02–492.72 mg/L and averaged 98.62 mg/L. Over 50% of samples exceeded the Quality Standard for Groundwater of China Class III N threshold (20 mg/L). Principal component analysis determined that NO3 contamination was primarily due to the excessive use of fertilizers in agriculture. A human health risk assessment model was used to assess the potential health risks of groundwater NO3− via drinking water and skin contact pathways. Approximately 90% of adults, 66% of children, and 45% of infants had acceptable health risks in the study area. NO3− exposure risk in the towns of Longjia and Xiyingcheng was the highest, while urban areas tended to have lower exposures. The health risks of residents, especially minors and infants, were concerned.

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