Study of heavy metal levels in indoor dust and their health risk assessment in children of Ahvaz city,Iran

The concentration of heavy metals in household dust and their health risks on children living in different areas of Ahvaz city was investigated during November 2013 to October 2014 in Iran. Totally, 108 dust samples were taken from their houses in three different areas including S₁ (industrial), S₂ (heavy traffic) and S₃ (residential zone far away from industrial and traffic emission sources). The samples were analyzed for eight selected heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Co and Cd) using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES, Spectro Arcos Model, Germany). Exposure and risk assessment of these metals were estimated using USEPA’s exposure parameters. Results showed that the mean values of all heavy metals in tempered months were significantly higher than the other months (p?<?0.05). Cancer risk and non-carcinogenic risk (hazard index) of Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb from indoor dust exposure were estimated for children via three exposure pathways (ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact). The non-cancer risks to children in all samples were lower than acceptable level of 1, while the potential cancer risks from Ni intake in S₁ and S₂ were 1.57E???06 and 1.19E???06, respectively, and for Cr in S₁ and S₂, it was 1.43E???06 and 1.15E???06, respectively, which these values were slightly higher than the acceptable level (1?×?10^?6). In conclusion, household dust of Ahvaz city would probably have a significant potential to cause cancer in most exposed children.     

Potential human health risks from metals (Hg, Cd, and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) via seafood consumption: Estimation of target hazard quotients (THQs) and toxic equivalents (TEQs)

Edible marine species (fish, cephalopod molluscs, crustaceans) from the Adriatic Sea were analyzed for content in heavy metals (Hg, Cd and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Health risks to human via dietary intake of seafood were assessed by the target hazard quotients (THQs) and the toxic equivalent factors (TEFs). Mercury maximum concentrations corresponded to fish (0.07-1.56 microg g(-1)w.w.), followed by cephalopod molluscs (0.10-0.55 microg g(-1)w.w.), and crustaceans (0.27-0.33 microg g(-1)w.w.). Cadmium levels in cephalopods (0.18-0.59 microg g(-1)w.w.) were higher than those in fish (0.01-0.05 microg g(-1)w.w.) and crustaceans (0.02-0.04 microg g(-1)w.w.), while for Pb the concentrations were generally low (fish: ND-1.18 microg g(-1)w.w., cephalopods: ND-0.17 microg g(-1)w.w., crustaceans: ND-0.03 microg g(-1)w.w.). For PCBs, concentrations in fish, cephalopods and crustaceans ranged between 141 and 3,406 ng g(-1)l.w., 190 and 542 ng g(-1)l.w., and 202 and 429 ng g(-1)l.w., respectively. Cd and Pb THQ values as well as estimates of PCB TEQ exposure indicated the absence of health risks through consumption of the various seafood. In contrast, mercury TEQs values due to consumption of certain fish species (albacore, rosefish and thornback ray) indicated that human health risk might be of concern.     

Effects of salinity,heavy metals and pesticides on health and physiology of oysters in the Caloosahatchee Estuary,Florida

The Caloosahatchee Estuary has been exhibiting signs of impaired ecological health due to the extensive hydrological alteration, agricultural land use, and increasing watershed development. This project investigated the responses of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica at five locations in the Caloosahatchee River in relation to salinity changes, levels of heavy metals, pesticides, and PCBs in the water as well as in the oyster tissue. Individual heavy metal and organochlorine pesticide concentrations in oysters varied significantly between sampling locations and sampling months. PCB concentrations in oyster tissues were below detection limits as were the metal, pesticide and PCB concentrations in water at all the sampling locations. Both heavy metal and pesticide concentrations decreased with increasing distance downstream indicating upstream source of contaminants. The highly pathogenic oyster parasite Perkinsus marinus infection intensity (level) and prevalence (% infected oysters), condition index, spat recruitment, and gonadal index showed a seasonal trend varying with spawning activity and increased downstream. However, juvenile oyster growth was higher at upstream estuarine locations. Oyster responses varied more with seasonal programming (salinity), rather than due to contaminant levels. While significant correlations were noted between some oyster responses and metal concentrations in oyster tissues, overall metal concentrations were low compared to national averages. It appears that oyster health in the Caloosahatchee River is influenced more by freshwater inflow and resulting salinity fluctuations, rather than due to the measured contaminants.     

不良妊娠胎儿和母亲体内必需营养素及重金属含量的关系

目的 探讨不良妊娠胎儿的发生与其母亲体内部分必需营养素及重金属含量的关系.方法 分析5～8个月龄先天性畸形胎儿和难免流产胎儿大脑、臀肌、胸腺、枕骨、肝脏组织及与其相关的母亲血、脐血、胎盘中钙、锌、铜、铁、硒、铅、镉、汞以及其母亲血、脐血中维生素A的含量,并与正常对照组比较.结果 除先天性畸形胎儿组中的铁偏高外,其余血液及各组织中必需营养元素钙、锌、铜、铁、硒和维生素A含量普遍偏低,在母血、脐血和胎盘及胎儿肝脏中差异显著(P＜0.05);重金属铅、镉、汞含量普遍较高,在胎盘、胎儿肝脏和枕骨等组织中差异显著(P＜0.05).结论 不良妊娠胎儿的发生与部分必需营养素的缺乏及重金属的积蓄有关.     

中、美、英、日和欧洲药典中植物药重金属和农药残留量的限量规定及分析

目的了解中、美、英、日和欧洲药典对植物药中重金属和农药残留量的有关规定,为中药材和中成药的质量控制提供参考。方法系统查阅药典正文、附录和历年的补正本中的有关内容。结果与结论《中国药典》对重金属和农药残留量的限量要求与《美国药典》相比还有较大差距。