scholarly journals The Romanian Consumer Among Education, Information, Health Risk, Food Quality and Ethics

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 436-442
Author(s):  
Cezara Voica ◽  
Cristina Rosu ◽  
Andreea Maria Iordache ◽  
Ioana Cristina Pistea ◽  
Marius Gheorghe Miricioiu

The food quality and the safety must be a constant concern both for consumers and for authorities. The education for quality and the active involvement, coherent and sustained by the state, through the implementation of a quality strategy at national level should be the main `forces` that can contribute to the implementation and certification of quality management systems in the agri-food sector. The meat and milk products are important components in the human diet; therefore, their contamination with heavy metals plays a significant role in the public health. The concentrations of several human essential trace elements (Mn, Cu, Zn and Ba) and toxic elements (As, Cd, Pb) were analysed in 95 animal-based foods, including meat, milk products and honey, collected from Romanian market. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique (ICP-MS) was used for the determinations. In order to evaluate the potential health risk of the consumers due to metals intake via food ingestion, three indices were calculated, namely: the potential average daily dose (ADDpot, mg/kg/day), the hazard quotient (HQ) and the hazard index (HI). In terms of food safety, the toxic element concentrations in the majority of the investigated samples were below the maximum permitted levels set by Romanian and European legislation.

Author(s):  
O. A Omotoso

This study was carried out to establish health impacts of some trace elements (Al, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in Asa-river, using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer technique for the chemical analysis. Laboratory results show that Al, Fe and Mn average concentrations are higher than prescribed limits unlike others. The Contamination Indexes reveal that the elements are heavily loaded in the water. The exposure dose in both adults and children ranges from 0.021 in As to 181 in Fe (in adults) and from 0.068 in As to 576 in Fe (in children). The average Hazard Quotient (HQ) values for adults and children are generally lower than one except Mn that has average value greater than one in both age groups. However, for children, individual HQ in Fe in some of the locations are >1. The Hazard Index (HI)for adults and children ranged from low to high. The average values of Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) are generally <1. However, in children, values for Fe in some locations are >1. The average Carcinogenic Risk (CR) of Cr and Pb computed for adults and children indicated that the values are greater than the risk limit of 10-6 and 10-4. This could result in potential health risk to the consumers. The sources of these trace elements are largely from various anthropogenic activities and slightly from weathering of rocks in the study area. It is recommended that adequate and well monitored precautions need to be taken to safeguard the health of the consumers especially the children with low immunity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-82
Author(s):  
Chukwuma Okoye ◽  
◽  
Chukwuma Okoye ◽  
Jonnie Asegbeloyin ◽  
Janefrances Ihedioha ◽  
...  

The study determined the ambient mass concentrations, chemical composition and health risks associated with PM10 around Ashaka cement factory, Gombe, Nigeria. The samples were collected for the period (2019-2020). A total of 60 PM10 samples were collected and analyzed for seventeen elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The data collected were analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics. The health risk was analyzed for hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI) and cancer risk (CR). The average annual PM10 mass concentrations were found to be higher than the annual limit value for air quality standards (40 μgm-3). The HI estimated were >1 for children, while CR values of Cd, Ni, As and Cr for children and Cr for adults were higher than the acceptable value 10-6, indicating children are more probable to develop cancer than adults.


2021 ◽  
pp. 096032712199321
Author(s):  
M Charehsaz ◽  
S Helvacıoğlu ◽  
S Çetinkaya ◽  
R Demir ◽  
O Erdem ◽  
...  

In this study, the level of arsenic (As), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) and also essential elements in beer samples consumed in Turkey were investigated using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. The heavy metal-induced non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were calculated. For essential elements, the calculated estimated daily intake of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), selenium (Se) and cobalt (Co) from beer consumption were compared with their toxicity reference values. Tukey post-hoc test showed that As was found at a significantly higher level when compared to Pb. Also, a significant correlation was found between As level and alcohol by volume percent. All samples had a hazard quotient and hazard index <1, indicating no non-carcinogenic risk from exposure to single or multiple heavy metals. Some samples exceeded the threshold limit of acceptable cancer risk for As in the high beer consumer group. This assessment showed that in addition to health implications based on the alcohol content of beer, there might be a carcinogenic risk associated with the heavy metals content of these beverages.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed E.M. Hassouna ◽  
Mohamed E. Goher ◽  
Seliem M. El-Sayed ◽  
Reda A.A.A. Hassan

Abstract The Bahr Yusuf Canal is the life artery of the Fayoum Province, which provides the province with two thirds of the freshwater quota from the Nile River. The present work was carried out to assess the suitability of water in the Bahr Yusuf Canal for various purposes and to assess the potential health risk associated with metal content. The results showed that the water quality of Bahr Yusuf was classified as poor and very poor for recreational use according to the Oregon WQI. On the other hand, the Aquatic Toxicity Index indicated the suitability of water for all fish species. The Canadian WQI and the Weighted Arithmetic WQI classified the canal water as good (WQI = 92), fair (WQI = 73) & marginal (WQI = 64) and excellent, poor to good & good to excellent for irrigation, drinking and aquatic life, respectively. Despite the significant contamination of water with heavy metals (as indicated by the Heavy Pollution Index, ranging from 104.44 to 206.32, from 16.81 to 38.48 and from 219.07 to 472.24 μg l−1), the Hazard Quotient (HQ) and the Hazard Index (HI) data indicate that water of Bahr Yusuf does not pose a human health risk through ingestion or dermal contact. In general, the study showed that water in the Bahr Yusuf Canal is characterized by different levels of pollution, which requires rapid and critical intervention by responsible authorities to prevent the discharge of different types of waste and further deterioration of the water quality during the lifetime of the channel and its subsequent rehabilitation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. C. Ekhator ◽  
N. A. Udowelle ◽  
S. Igbiri ◽  
R. N. Asomugha ◽  
Z. N. Igweze ◽  
...  

Objective. Street-vended foods offer numerous advantages to food security; nevertheless, the safety of street food should be considered. This study has investigated the level of potential toxic metal (Pb, Cd, Hg, Sb, Mn, and Al) contamination among street-vended foods in Benin City and Umunede. Methods. Twenty street food samples were purchased from vendors at bus stops. Metals were analyzed with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The methods developed by the US EPA were employed to evaluate the potential health risk of toxic metals. Results. The concentrations of the toxic metals in mg/kg were in the range of Pb (0.014–1.37), Cd (0.00–0.00017), Hg (0.00–0.00014), Sb (0.00–0.021), Mn (0.00–0.012), and Al (0.00–0.22). All the toxic metals except Pb were below permissible limit set by WHO, EU, and USEPA. The daily intake, hazard quotient, and hazard index of all toxic metals except for Pb in some street foods were below the tolerable daily intake and threshold value of 1, indicating an insignificant health risk. Total cancer risk was within the priority risk level of 1.0E-04 but higher than the acceptable risk level of 1E-06. Conclusion. Consumption of some of these street foods is of public health concern.


Author(s):  
O. A Omotoso

Ogunpa River receives municipal and industrial waste discharge from its catchments and these have depleted the quality of the water. Hence, this research examines the preliminary environmental impacts and health implications of some trace elements in the water using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) laboratory technique. Average values of Al, Ba, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb are above the recommended limits of WHO. The CF showed that the trace elements varied from considerable contamination factor to very high contamination factor and the degree of contamination varied from 1023 to 11640. The hazard quotient computed for the adults is generally less than unity except Pb that has average value of 1.27. In children, the computed hazard quotient on the average ranges from 0.000572 to 4.04. Al, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn and Cd have their average values less than unity respectively, while Fe, Mn and Pb has their average values greater than one. The Hazard Index (HI) in adults and children are greater than one. Carcinogenic risk assessment was computed for Cr, Pb and Cd which was greater than 10-6 in children and adult. Only Cd in adult was less than the prescribed limit of 10-6. Effort should be made to checkmate indiscriminate dumping of refuse and sewages into the water body as these could serve as pollutants to other adjourning rivers and main water bodies. In conclusion, the water is not fit for domestic, agricultural and probably industrial uses because of its health implications on consumption


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 1587-1594
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Tomczyk ◽  
Grzegorz Dziubanek ◽  
Anna Kowalska ◽  
Iwona Szymala ◽  
Beata Łabuz-Roszak

The aim: The study aimed to assess the content of selected toxic compounds in mineral and spring waters available on the Polish market regarding potential health risks to consumers. Materials and methods: Selected mineral and spring waters available on the Polish market were the study’s objects. The content of such chemical compounds as arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper, and mercury in selected mineral and spring waters was analyzed. The content of metals in the samples was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Additionally, a literature review was performed to determine nitrates contamination of bottled waters available on the Polish market. Based on the collected data, an assessment of exposure and health risk to consumers was performed. Results: Arsenic had the highest mean concentration in the analyzed water samples. Consumption of such contaminated waters may be a significant health risk factor for consumers. Literature data indicate a relatively low content of nitrates in bottled waters available on the Polish market. Consumption of such mineral waters is not a significant source of exposure and does not translate into a significant health risk for consumers. Conclusions: To ensure consumers’ health safety, there is a need to monitor the content of potentially harmful compounds in mineral and spring waters available on the Polish market.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aijie Mo ◽  
Yangyang Huang ◽  
Zemao Gu ◽  
Chunsheng Liu ◽  
Jianghua Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Contamination with heavy metals in wild red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) from 7 different geographical areas in six provinces of China (Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Shandong) was evaluated. Concentrations of chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) in the abdominal muscle, gonad, and hepatopancreas were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer (AFS). Except for the Cd content in hepatopancreas, the contents of selected heavy metals in three different tissues were significantly lower than the proposed limits provided by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The maximum accumulations of Cd and Pb were in hepatopancreas, while the maximum accumulation of As was in gonad, and the maximum accumulations of Hg and Cr were in abdominal muscle. The highest contents of Cr, Hg, and Pb were all detected in Dongting Lake, Hunan, which was consistent with the trend of the metal pollution index (MPI). Risk value of the target hazard quotient (THQ) was below 1.0, suggesting that the intake of selected heavy metals through crayfish consumption would not pose a significant health risk to consumers.


Author(s):  
Ana C. Gomes Rosa ◽  
Elaine S. de Pádua Melo ◽  
Ademir S. A. Junior ◽  
Jacqueline M. S. Gondim ◽  
Alexsandro G. de Sousa ◽  
...  

The objective of the present study was to investigate metal(loid)s in soils, in the trunk xylem sap and in the leaves of the Dipteryx alata plant located near the highway with high vehicle traffic in agricultural regions and near landfills, and to assess the transfer of metal(loid)s from soil to plant and possible health risk assessment. Trunk xylem sap, leaves and soil samples were collected at three sites near the highway. The analysis of trace elements was carried out using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES). In the three soil sampling sites far from the highway edge, 15 elements were quantified. The concentrations of elements in the soil presented in greater proportions in the distance of 5 m in relation to 20 and 35 m. The metal(loid)s content in the study soil was higher than in other countries. The concentrations of Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, Se and Zn in the xylem sap were much higher than the leaves. The values of transfer factor of P, Mg and Mn from soil to the xylem sap and transfer factor of P from soil to leaf were greater than 1, indicating that the specie have a significant phytoremediation and phytoextraction potential. This plant has a tendency to accumulate As, Cd and Cr in its leaf tissues. The chronic hazard index (HI) values recorded in this study were above 1 for adults and adolescents. It is concluded that the soil, the trunk xylem sap and leaves of this plant are contaminated by heavy metals. Ingestion of the trunk xylem sap of this plant can cause toxicity in humans if ingested in large quantities and in the long term; therefore, its consumption should be avoided.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hexing Wang ◽  
Dongjian Yang ◽  
Hongji Fang ◽  
Minghui Han ◽  
Chuanxi Tang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Recent studies have suggested an extensive exposure to neonicotinoids in human, but the sources and health risk of exposure to neonicotinoids remains little known in children. Methods After 309 school children were selected in 2019 from a dynamic child cohort established in Shanghai, East China, detailed data about basic information, intake of drinking water, and food consumption were collected and 12 typical neonicotinoids and metabolites were determined in morning urine. Sources of exposure to neonicotinoids were explored by binary/ordinal logistic regression model. Health risk was assessed by hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). Results Except for imidaclothiz, thiacloprid, and 5-OH-imidacloprid, other six neonicotinoids and three metabolites were detected in 81.3% of urine samples overall. After adjusted for potential confounders, Thiamethoxam was more detected in children consuming more fresh vegetables (odds ratio (OR): 2.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21,7.14) and its subgroup (Chinese cabbage (OR: 2.00, 95%CI: 0.89,4.46) and nori and kelp (OR: 2.25, 95%CI:1.21,4.17)). Clothianidin showed a similar association with fresh vegetables and its subgroup to thiamethoxam. N-desmethyl-acetamiprid were detected in children drinking type water more (OR: 1.84, 95%CI: 1.10,3.06). The maximum HQ and HI were 0.3522 and 0.5187, respectively, and 2.8% of children had HIs between 0.1 and 1. Conclusions Tap water and fresh vegetables were potential exposure sources. A low health risk was posed on Chinese children by neonicotinoids. Given limited data about the adverse effects of neonicotinoids on human, sufficient attention should be paid to the exposure to these compounds and potential health effects. Key messages Tap water and fresh vegetables were exposure sources and a low health risk was posed on Chinese children by neonicotinoids.


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