Exposure Assessment of Cadmium in Female Farmers in Cadmium-Polluted Areas in Northern Japan

Akita prefecture is located in the northern part of Japan and has many cadmium-polluted areas. We herein performed an exposure assessment of cadmium in 712 and 432 female farmers in two adjacent cadmium-polluted areas (A and B, respectively), who underwent local health examinations from 2001–2004. We measured cadmium concentrations in 100 food items collected from local markets in 2003. We then multiplied the intake of each food item by its cadmium concentration in each subject to assess cadmium intake from food and summed cadmium intake from all food items to obtain the total cadmium intake. Median cadmium intake levels in areas A and B were 55.7 and 47.8 µg/day, respectively, which were both higher than that of the general population and were attributed to local agricultural products, particularly rice. We also calculated weekly cadmium intake per body weight and compared it to the previous provisional tolerable weekly intake reported by the Joint FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)/WHO (World Health Organization) expert committee on food additives or current tolerable weekly intake in Japan of 7 µg/kg BW/week. Medians in areas A and B were 7.2 and 6.0 µg/kg BW/week, respectively. Similar estimated values were also obtained by the Monte Carlo simulation. These results demonstrated that the cadmium exposure levels among the farmers were high enough to be approximately the tolerable weekly intake.

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Fumonisins B1 and B2 in Agricultural Products Consumed in South Korea: An Exposure Assessment

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-72.2.436 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 72 (2) ◽

pp. 436-440 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

EUNKYOUNG SEO ◽

YOHAN YOON ◽

KYEONGYEOL KIM ◽

WON-BO SHIM ◽

NINA KUZMINA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Detection Limit ◽

South Korea ◽

Exposure Assessment ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Agricultural Products ◽

World Health ◽

Expert Committee ◽

Corn Flour ◽

Fluorescence Detector ◽

Quantification Limit

To survey fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) in agricultural products consumed in South Korea and provide an exposure assessment, ground samples were extracted (80% MeOH), filtered (0.2 μm), and cleaned up. After evaporation, dry residues were reconstituted in 50% MeOH, and a 50-μl aliquot of this sample was mixed with 200 μl of o-phthaldialdehyde for derivatization. The derivatives were analyzed with a high-performance liquid chromatography system equipped with a fluorescence detector. For validation of the detection procedure, linearity, accuracy, precision, detection limit, and quantification limit were determined. The validated detection method was then used to survey fumonisins in white rice, brown rice, barley, barley tea, beer, wheat flour, millet, dried corn, corn flour, corn tea, canned corn, popcorn, and breakfast cereal. Retention times for FB1 and FB2 standards were 7 and 18 min, respectively. Linearity (R2 = 0.99995 to 0.99998), accuracy (81.47 to 108.83%), precision (2.35 to 5.77), detection limit (25 ng/g or ng/ml), and quantification limit (37 ng/g or ng/ml) indicated that this procedure is capable of quantifying fumonisins in agricultural products. Only FB1-positive samples (5.12%, three dried corn samples and five corn flour samples) were found at 90.89 to 439.67 ng/g. According the survey results, an estimated daily intake of FB1 and FB2 in Korea was 0.087 ng/kg of body weight per day. These results indicate that continuous monitoring of these mycotoxins is necessary to establish appropriate risk assessment, and the maximum tolerable daily intake of fumonisins in Korea is lower than the 2 μg/kg set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization–World Health Organization Expert Committee.

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Contents of essential and toxic mineral elements in Swedish market-basket diets in 1987

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1079/bjn19910021 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 151-160 ◽

Cited By ~ 74

Author(s):

Wulf Becker ◽

Jorma Kumpulainen

Keyword(s):

World Health Organization ◽

Balance Sheet ◽

National Research Council ◽

Mineral Elements ◽

World Health ◽

Expert Committee ◽

Market Basket ◽

Food Items ◽

Freeze Dried ◽

Health Organization

Market baskets containing sixty food items included in the average Swedish diet were purchased from three shops in four major Swedish cities during autumn 1987. Food items were selected on the basis of food-balance-sheet data. Freeze-dried homogenates representative of each city were analysed for twelve essential or toxic mineral elements. The energy content of the market baskets (11.5 MJ) corresponded to the reference value for male adults. At this energy level the contents of calcium (1180 mg), magnesium (300 mg), iron (16 mg), zinc (12 mg) and selenium (44 μg) were above or close to the Swedish recommended daily intakes. The contents of manganese (3.7 mg) and molybdenum (150 μg) were within and that of copper (1.2 mg) was below the safe and adequate intake values given in the US recommended dietary allowance (Food and Nutrition Board, National Research Council, 1989). The content of nickel was 82 μg. The contents of lead (17 μg), cadmium (12 μg) and mercury (1.8 μg) in the daily diet were low compared with the provisional tolerable intakes set by the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (World Health Organization, 1972, 1989). The market-basket contents of Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn calculated from values in the Swedish food composition tables were close to the analysed values, indicating that the Swedish food tables provide relevant information for the estimation of the dietary supply of these elements.

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Fish consumption is a safe solution to increase the intake of long-chainn-3 fatty acids

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007001450 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 1107-1116 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Isabelle Sioen ◽

Stefaan De Henauw ◽

Wim Verbeke ◽

Frederik Verdonck ◽

Jan L Willems ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fish Consumption ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake ◽

Fatty Fish ◽

Food Items ◽

Weekly Intake ◽

Tolerable Weekly Intake ◽

Regular Consumption ◽

Toxicological Risk ◽

Long Chain

AbstractObjectivesDietary intake of long-chain (LC)n-3 PUFA in developed countries is low compared with recommendations. Fish is naturally rich in LCn-3 PUFA, but is also a dietary source of heavy metals and organic pollutants. We investigated whether the recommendation for LCn-3 PUFA could be reached through fish consumption, without exceeding the provisional tolerable weekly intake of methylmercury (MeHg) and the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of dioxin-like compounds. Also, the contribution of margarines enriched with LCn-3 PUFA was assessed.DesignPublished nutrient and contaminant data were used in a probabilistic model to calculate the simultaneous nutrient and contaminant intake for different fish consumption scenarios.ResultsThe Belgian recommendation for EPA + DHA (0·3 % of total energy intake) can be reached by consuming fatty fish a minimum of twice a week, or by varying between lean and fatty fish a minimum of three times a week. At this fish consumption level, MeHg intake is not an issue of toxicological concern. The intake of dioxin-like compounds approximates the TWI when consuming fatty fish more than twice a week, this being a potential toxicological risk because other food items also contribute to the weekly intake of dioxin-like compounds. Use of margarine enriched with LCn-3 PUFA can help to increase LCn-3 intake, on average by 159 mg/d.ConclusionsCombination of regular fish consumption (twice a week) with important contribution of fatty fish species, in combination with regular consumption of margarine enriched with EPA + DHA, can be advised to achieve the recommendation for LCn-3 intake.

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Cadmium in Cephalopod Molluscs: Implications for Public Health

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-68.3.577 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 68 (3) ◽

pp. 577-580 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

M. M. STORELLI ◽

G. BARONE ◽

G. O. MARCOTRIGIANO

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

World Health Organization ◽

European Commission ◽

The Other ◽

World Health ◽

Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake ◽

Weekly Intake ◽

Tolerable Weekly Intake ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization

Cadmium concentrations were measured in the flesh and hepatopancreas (digestive gland) of 1,392 specimens of different species of cephalopod molluscs (broadtail squid, spider octopus, curled octopus, horned octopus, elegant cuttlefish, and pink cuttlefish) to determine whether maximum levels fixed by the European Commission were exceeded. In all species, mean cadmium concentrations were higher in hepatopancreas than in flesh. Large differences among the different species were also observed. Pink cuttlefish and spider octopus had the highest concentrations for both flesh (spider octopus, 0.77 μg g−1; pink cuttlefish, 0.87 μg g−1) and hepatopancreas (spider octopus, 9.65 μg g−1; pink cuttlefish, 18.03 μg g−1), and the lowest concentrations were encountered in broadtail squid (flesh, 0.13 μg g−1; hepatopancreas, 2.48 μg g−1). The other species had intermediate concentrations of 0.20 to 0.30 μg g−1 in flesh and 5.46 to 8.01 μg g−1 in hepatopancreas. Concentrations exceeding the limit proposed by the European Commission (1.00 μg g−1) were observed in 44.4 and 40.0% of flesh samples of spider octopus and pink cuttlefish, respectively. The estimated weekly intake, 0.09 to 0.66 μg/kg body weigh, was below the provisional tolerable weekly intake set by the World Health Organization.

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A Collaborative Study to Establish the 2nd International Standard for Tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA)

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1646067 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 58 (04) ◽

pp. 1085-1087 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

P J Gaffney ◽

A D Curtis

Keyword(s):

Plasminogen Activator ◽

Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Collaborative Study ◽

Chinese Hamster ◽

World Health ◽

Clot Lysis ◽

Expert Committee ◽

Single Chain ◽

International Standard ◽

Tissue Plasminogen

SummaryAn international collaborative study involving ten laboratories located in eight different countries was undertaken in order to replace the current International Standard (I.S.) for tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). Two lyophilised candidate preparations of high purity were assessed in comparison with the current I.S. for t-PA using only a clot lysis assay. One preparation (coded 861670) was purified from a cultured melanoma cell supernatant and was about 98% single chain t-PA while the other preparation (coded 861624) was derived from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells following DNA recombinant procedures and was 75% single chain t-PA.Both candidate preparations of t-PA compared in quite a satisfactory manner with the current I.S. from the viewpoint of the biometrics of parallel line bioassays and both preparations were quite stable for long periods at low temperatures and stable from up to 1 month at temperatures of 20° and 38° C. Both fultil the criteria to serve as a satisfactory Znd International Standard for t-PA. The Fibrinolysis Subcommittee of the International Committee for Thrombosis and Haemostasis recommended the melanoma source t-PA (861670) as the next I.S. in order to maintain continuity with the 1st I.S. which was also a melanomatype preparation. The data from the ten laboratories indicated that each ampoule of the new proposed standard contains 850 international units of t-PA activity by the clot lysis assay. It is planned to present the results of this study to the Expert Committee on Biological Standardization of the World Health Organization at its next meeting and to request that the preparation of t-PA, coded 861670, be established as the 2ndlnternational Standard for t-PA.

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A Collaborative Study to Establish an International Standard for Alpha-Thrombin

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1648464 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 67 (04) ◽

pp. 424-427 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

P J Gaffney ◽

A B Heath ◽

J W Fenton II

Keyword(s):

Elevated Temperatures ◽

Collaborative Study ◽

World Health Organisation ◽

Significant Loss ◽

Thrombin Inhibitors ◽

World Health ◽

Expert Committee ◽

International Standard ◽

Assay Procedure ◽

And Control

SummarySince 1975 an International Standard for Thrombin of low purity has been used. While this standard was stable and of value for calibrating thrombins of unknown potency the need for a pure a-thrombin standard arose both for accurate calibration and for precise measurement of thrombin inhibitors, notably hirudin. An international collaborative study was undertaken to establish the potency and stability of an ampouled pure a-thrombin preparation. A potency of 97.5 international units (95% confidence limits 86.5-98.5) was established for the new a-thrombin standard (89/ 588) using a clotting-assay procedure. Stability data at various elevated temperatures indicated that the standard could be transported and stored with no significant loss of potency.Ampoules of lyophilised a-thrombin (coded 89/588) have been recommended as an International Standard for a-thrombin with an assigned potency of 100 international units per ampoule by the International Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis (Thrombin and its Inhibitors Sub-Committee) in Barcelona, Spain in July 1990 while the Expert Committee on Biological Standardisation and Control of the World Health Organisation will consider its status at its next meeting in Geneva in 1991.

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A Collaborative Study of a Proposed International Standard for Tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA)

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1661253 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 53 (01) ◽

pp. 134-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 70

Author(s):

P J Gaffney ◽

A D Curtis

Keyword(s):

Plasminogen Activator ◽

Tissue Plasminogen Activator ◽

Collaborative Study ◽

International Committee ◽

World Health ◽

Clot Lysis ◽

Expert Committee ◽

International Standard ◽

Tissue Plasminogen ◽

Health Organization

SummaryAn international collaborative study involving seven laboratories was undertaken to assess which of three lyophilised preparations might serve as an International Standard (I.S.) for tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). Two of the preparations were isolates from human melanoma cell cultures while one was of pig heart origin. A clot lysis assay was used by all participants in the study.The data suggested that both preparations of human cell origin were comparable, in that their log dose-response lines were parallel, while that of the porcine preparation was not. Accelerated degradation studies indicated that one melanoma extract (denoted 83/517) was more stable than the other and it was decided to recommend preparation 83/517 as the standard for t-PA. The International Committee for Thrombosis and Haemostasis (Stockholm 1983) has recommended the use of this material as a standard and it has been established by the Expert Committee on Biological Standardization of the World Health Organization as the International, Standard for tissue plasminogen activator, with an assigned potency of 1000 International Units per ampoule.

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Risk and the Republican National Convention: Application of the Novel COVID-19 Operational Risk Assessment

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2020.499 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

David Callaway ◽

Jeff Runge ◽

Lucia Mullen ◽

Lisa Rentz ◽

Kevin Staley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Health Care ◽

Care Delivery ◽

The United States ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

World Health ◽

Local Health ◽

Mass Gathering ◽

Wide Range ◽

National Convention

Abstract The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization broadly categorize mass gathering events as high risk for amplification of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread in a community due to the nature of respiratory diseases and the transmission dynamics. However, various measures and modifications can be put in place to limit or reduce the risk of further spread of COVID-19 for the mass gathering. During this pandemic, the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security produced a risk assessment and mitigation tool for decision-makers to assess SARS-CoV-2 transmission risks that may arise as organizations and businesses hold mass gatherings or increase business operations: The JHU Operational Toolkit for Businesses Considering Reopening or Expanding Operations in COVID-19 (Toolkit). This article describes the deployment of a data-informed, risk-reduction strategy that protects local communities, preserves local health-care capacity, and supports democratic processes through the safe execution of the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. The successful use of the Toolkit and the lessons learned from this experience are applicable in a wide range of public health settings, including school reopening, expansion of public services, and even resumption of health-care delivery.

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