Evaluation of Carcinogenic Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Levels in Airborne Particulates Associated with Long-Term Exposure throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Background: The effect of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on human health differs depending on the duration and exposure path. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of PAHs on the human health risks associated with long-term exposure both before and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: PM10 sampling for 24 h was conducted at six sampling sites (Al-Haram, Aziziyah, Al Nuzhah, Muzdalifah, Arafat, and Al Awali). On-site measurements were conducted from March 2020 to February 2021. PAHs were analyzed using Perkin Elmer GC/MS, which was adjusted with standard reagents for identifying 16 PAH mixtures. Results: The 24 h average PM10 concentration showed considerable inconsistencies, exceeding the WHO standards used for median exposure (25.0 µgm−3). The PAH intensities fluctuated from 7.67 to 34.7 ng/m3 in a suburban area, near a rush-hour traffic road, and from 6.34 to 37.4 ng/m3 close to business and light manufacturing areas. The highest carcinogenic compound levels were found in the Al-Azizia, Al Muzdalifah, and Al Nuzah areas because of the high traffic density, and the lowest concentrations were found in the Al-Haram and Arafat areas throughout the year, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic health precautions that were undertaken by the government of Saudi Arabia involving border entry limits and limitations of the Umrah and Hajj seasons. Conclusion: This study period is considered extraordinary as the Saudi Arabian government has undertaken successful preventive measures that have had a great effect both on the spread of the pandemic and in reducing air pollution in Makkah. More studies are required to examine PAHs’ carcinogenic effects after the pandemic measures are eased across Makkah.

Acrylamide Content in Breast Milk: The Evaluation of the Impact of Breastfeeding Women’s Diet and the Estimation of the Exposure of Breastfed Infants to Acrylamide in Breast Milk

Acrylamide in food is formed by the Maillard reaction. Numerous studies have shown that acrylamide is a neurotoxic and carcinogenic compound. The aim of this study was to determine the level of acrylamide in breast milk at different lactation stages and to evaluate the impact of breastfeeding women’s diet on the content of this compound in breast milk. The acrylamide level in breast milk samples was determined by LC–MS/MS. Breastfeeding women’s diet was evaluated based on the 24 h dietary recall. The median acrylamide level in colostrum (n = 47) was significantly (p < 0.0005) lower than in the mature milk (n = 26)—0.05 µg/L and 0.14 µg/L, respectively. The estimated breastfeeding women’s acrylamide intake from the hospital diet was significantly (p < 0.0001) lower than that from the home diet. We found positive—although modest and borderline significant—correlation between acrylamide intake by breastfeeding women from the hospital diet µg/day) and acrylamide level in the colostrum (µg/L). Acrylamide has been detected in human milk samples, and a positive correlation between dietary acrylamide intake by breastfeeding women and its content in breast milk was observed, which suggests that the concentration can be reduced. Breastfeeding women should avoid foods that may be a source of acrylamide in their diet.

Stereospecific Response of E/Z-isomers of N-Nitrososarcosine in LC–ESI–MS/MS

The carcinogenic compound N-nitrososarcosine (NSAR) is found in foods and tobacco products, and its quantification is of great interest. Although the presence of two stereoisomers, E- and Z-NSAR, is well-known, individual investigation of the isomers has not been reported so far. The present study by liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS) reveals that (i) the mass spectrometric responses of the isomers differ by a factor of approximately two and (ii) the isomer ratio is unstable in freshly prepared standard solutions. As a consequence, NSAR concentrations determined by LC–ESI–MS/MS are biased if those facts are not taken into account. The method described here overcomes the difficulty of stereospecific response by adjusting the isomer ratio and was applied to 100 tobacco products and fully validated for moist and dry snuff reference materials showing expanded measurement uncertainties of ~20% and limits of quantification of ~20 ng/g.

Association of acrylamide hemoglobin biomarkers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in general US population: NHANES 2013-2016

Background: Acrylamide is a well-known potential carcinogenic compound formed as an intermediate in the Maillard reaction during heat treatment, mainly from high-temperature frying, baked goods, coffee, as well as from...

QuEChERS pretreatment combined with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for determination of aristolochic acids I and II in Chinese herbal patent medicines

Aristolochic acid I and II (AA I and II), a kind of nephrotoxic and carcinogenic compound, are widely added in Chinese herbal patent medicines though they have been banned due to their toxicity.

Estimation and Removal of Hazardous Aromatic Amines by the Oxidation with NaIO4 Spectrophotometrically : A Review

Many aromatic amines are the toxic in nature and impact a harmful effect in the body. Conversion of such carcinogenic aromatic amines in to other non carcinogenic compound by the oxidation process through sodium meta periodate is a good attempt in this way. Spectrophotometric method have been used for achieve the optimum condition and the estimation of aromatic amines.

Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in some Imported Fishes

Samples of frozen fish available in Kirkuk markets Shad Tenualosa ilisha (Hamilton), Mackerel Trachurus trachurus (Linnaeus), Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) and striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophtholmus (Sauvage). They collected for the period 1st May 2015o 30th January 2016 at weights average between 650-1250 g. The results showed many of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic hydrocarbons compounds; Rainbow trout contained seven and nine of hydrocarbons compounds in the extracts of hexane and ethanol respectively, among them, there were five carcinogenic hydrocarbons in the ethanol extract and three in the hexane, their values ranged between 0.234-19.707 and 0.419-2.972 ng.g-1 dry weight respectively. Numbers of the hydrocarbons ranged between 4-6 in other fish species. This may due to the differences of nature of feeding among the fish species and the differences in their fat content. In Shad fish, the results have recorded one carcinogenic compound in the ethanol and five in the hexane, the concentration of Benzo (a) pyrene reached 24.23 ng.g-1 dry weight which is the most dangerous component among carcinogenic compound. Mackerel containsive compounds of hydrocarbons in the hexane; Four of them belong to the non-carcinogenic group and sixn ethanol, ive of them are non- carcinogenic. This study showed that differences in the numbers and concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons in the studied fish. This is due to several reasons such as occurrences of fish near to the sources of hydrocarbons pollution the nature of fish feeding and living.

2,4-Dinitrotoluene (DNT) Perturbs Yolk Absorption, Liver Development and Lipid Metabolism/Oxygen Transport Gene Expression in Zebrafish Embryos and Larvae

2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) is a common environmental pollutant, and was classified as a group 2B human carcinogenic compound by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. This study determined the toxic effects of 2,4-DNT exposure on zebrafish at the embryo-larvae stage, in terms of organ morphogenesis and the expression pattern of selected target genes related to lipid metabolism and oxygen transportation. The results showed that the 120-h post-fertilization LC50 of 2,4-DNT was 9.59 mg/L with a 95% confidence interval of 8.89–10.44 mg/L. The larvae treated with 2,4-DNT showed toxic symptoms including smaller body, less skin pigment production, yolk malabsorption, and disordered liver development. Further studies on the expression of genes related to lipid transport and metabolism, and respiration indicated that they were significantly affected by 2,4-DNT. It is concluded that 2,4-DNT exposure perturbed liver development and yolk absorption in early-life zebrafish, and disturbed the lipid metabolism /oxygen transport gene expression.

Identification of New Aflatoxin B1-Degrading Bacteria from Iran

Background: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a mutagenic and carcinogenic compound mainly produced by the Aspergillus parasiticus, A. flavus, A. nomius, A. tamari, and A. pseudotamarii. AFB1 biodegradation is the most important strategy for reducing AFB1 in plant tissues. Bacteria can deactivate and biodegrade AFB1 for effective detoxification of contaminated products. The present study investigated the efficiency of AFB1 degradation by soil bacteria from the Southern Khorasan Province in Eastern Iran by thin-layer and high-performance liquid chromatography during 2014–2015. Methods: DNA was extracted from AFB1-degrading isolates by the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide method and the 16S rRNA gene was amplified with the 27f and 1492r general bacterial primers and the sequences were used to identify the isolates based on their similarity to Gene Bank sequences of known bacterial species. Results: We isolated five strains from four species of AFB1-degrading bacteria from Birjand plain, including Bacillus pumilus, two isolates of Ochrobactrum pseudogrigonens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloace, which had AFB1-degrading activities of 88%, 78%, 61%, 58%, and 51%, respectively. Conclusion: We provide the first demonstration of AFB1 degradation by B. pumilus in from Iran and the first report identifying O. pseudogrigonens and E. cloace species as having AFB1-degrading activity.