Comprehensive analysis of advanced glycation end-products in commonly consumed foods:presenting a database for dietary AGEs and associated exposure assessment

Advanced glycation end-products(AGEs)are a group of heterogeneous compounds formed in heatprocessed foods and are proven to be detrimental to human health.Currently,there is no comprehensive database for AGEs in foods that covers the entire range of food categories,which limits the accurate risk assessment of dietary AGEs in human diseases.In this study,we first established an isotope dilution UHPLCQq Q-MS/MS-based method for simultaneous quantification of 10 major AGEs in foods.The contents of these AGEs were detected in 334 foods covering all main groups consumed in Western and Chinese populations.Nε-Carboxymethyllysine,methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone isomers,and glyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone-1 are predominant AGEs found in most foodstuffs.Total amounts of AGEs were high in processed nuts,bakery products,and certain types of cereals and meats(>150 mg/kg),while low in dairy products,vegetables,fruits,and beverages(<40 mg/kg).Assessment of estimated daily intake implied that the contribution of food groups to daily AGE intake varied a lot under different eating patterns,and selection of high-AGE foods leads to up to a 2.7-fold higher intake of AGEs through daily meals.The presented AGE database allows accurate assessment of dietary exposure to these glycotoxins to explore their physiological impacts on human health.

Assessment on Dietary Melamine Exposure from Tainted Infant Formula

Objective To estimate the dietary melamine exposure in Chinese infants and young children from the consumption of melamine adulterated Sanlu infant formula. Methods Four age groups of infants and young children （3, 6, 12, and 24 months） were chosen as the assessed subjects and the maximum amount of infant formula consumption was estimated based on the recommended usage level in the package insert of Sanlu infant formula and other brands. Melamine was analyzed in 111 Sanlu infant fbrmula samples collected from the markets in Beijing and Gansu province using the LC-MS-MS with a limit of quantification of 0.05 mg/kg. Four levels of melamine concentration were chosen to estimate the dietary intakes, including the mean, median, 90th percentile, and maximum. Results The infants of 3 months had the highest intake of melamine, and with the increase of the age （inonth）, the intake decreased. Based on the median melamine concentration （1 000 mg/kg） as an example, the melamine intakes fur the infants of 3, 6, 12, and 24 months were 23.4, 21.4, 15.0, and 8.6 mg/kg bw/d, respectively. Conclusion Dietary melamine intakes from tainted Sanln infant formula significantly exceeded the TDI level （0.2 mg/kg bw/d） recommended by the WHO Expert Meeting in 2008. However, the present assessment has some limitations including the poor representative samples, the varied melamine concentrations in the adulterated Sanlu infant formula, and other brand infant formula possibly consumed by these infants.

Benzene and lead exposure assessment among occupational bus drivers in Bangkok traffic

Four environmental and biological monitoring sites were strategically established to evaluate benzene and lead exposure assessment at various traffic zones of Bangkok Metropolitan Region(BMR). Biological measurement of 48 non air-conditioned, male bus drivers was carried to study the relationship between individual exposure levels and exposure biomarkers. The study group was further sub-divided into four age groups(16—25, 26—35, 36—45 and 46—55 years old) to monitor the age—related exposure effects. A total of 12 unexposed persons were deliberately chosen as the control group. Measurement of unmetobolized benzene in blood and analysis of urinary tt-Muconic acid urine and urinary creatinine are recommended as biomarkers of benzene exposure. Measurement of lead in blood and urine is also recommended for the biological monitoring of lead exposure. During the monitoring period, benzene and lead levels at Yaowarat Road was C_6H_6: 42.46±3.88 μg/m 3, Pb: 0.29±0.03 μg/m 3 and decreased to C_6H_6: 33.5±1.35 μg/m 3, Pb: 0.13±0.01 μg/m 3 at Phahonyothin Road. Significant difference was established between the nonsmoking exposed group and nonsmoking control group for blood benzene concentrations ( P <0.001, two-tailed, Mann-Whiteney U test). Strong correlations were also found between trans-trans-Muconic acid concentrations in post shift samples and atmospheric benzene concentrations. Similarly, good correlation between all of biomarkers and lead level in air is established from automobile emissions.The analysis revealed that among the occupational population in the urban sites, the driver groups were found to have the highest risk of benzene and lead exposures derived from automobile emission.

Assessment of Exposure to Polybrominated Dipheny Ethers via Inhalation and Diet in China

Objective This paper is to assess the current status of polybrominated diphenyl ethers（PBDEs） contamination in the environment in China and estimate the exposure to PBDEs in non-occupational populations.Methods A total of 80 research papers published from January 2001 to October 2013 were selected.Geographic information system（GIS） was used in mapping PBDE concentrations and distributions in environmental media.Ni＇s model was applied to calculate ∑PBDE-intake via the intakes of contaminated food,water and air in the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta.Results BDE-209 was found to be the major PBDE congener in the environmental media and food in China.PBDE concentrations varied among different areas,among which the contamination in Guangdong Province was most serious.Daily intake of ∑PBDEs was 225.1-446.0 ng/d for adults in the Pearl River Delta,which was higher than the intake for those living in the Yangtze River Delta（148.9-369.8 ng/d）.Conclusion PBDEs are ubiquitous in the environment of China.The estimated PBDEs daily dietary intake is comparable with that in European countries.

Exposure Assessment of Sb2O3 in PET Food Contact Materials

This study was conducted to do exposure assessment of the possible migration of antimony trioxide （Sb203） from Polyethylene terephthalate （PET） food contact materials （FCM）. Consumption Factor （CF） and Food-type Distribution Factor （fT） were calculated from survey data with reference to the US FDA method. The most conservative migration conditions were obtained by testing Sb migration from PET FCM based on the Chinese national standard of GB/T 5009.101-2003[1].

Degradation and Exposure Risk Assessment of Six Sulfonylurea Herbicides in Soil

[Objective] The paper was to understand the degradation tendency and carcinogenic risks of six sulfonylurea herbicides in soil, and guide the safe use. [Method] The herbicide residues were determined by UPLC-MS/MS and the degradation rates were calculated. In addition, the changing tendencies of directly exposed carcinogenic risk along with the herbicide residues were analyzed through the risk evaluation model. [Result] Significant differences were found among the degradation tendencies of the six sulfonylurea herbicides in soil, the longest theoretical half-life was 28.9 d and the shortest was 18.7 d. After application, the maximum carcinogenic risk value of the six herbicide residues in soil was 2.5×10^-8, lower than the reference value （×10^-6）. Oral intake and dermal contact were the major exposure routes, with the total contribution rate of 99.78% to the carcinogenic risk by direct exposure. When the P-value was less than 0.01, both original residue level and carcinogenic risk were significantly correlated with the dosage of herbicide, and the correlation coefficient was 0.983 1. [Conclusion] Under the condition of test, it does not have any unacceptable carcinogenic risk to human body. Moreover, selection of readily degradable herbicide with low residue level, and control of application rate are the effective approaches of reducing the carcinogenic risk of direct exposure.

Risk Assessment of Veterinary Drug Residues： The Dietary Exposure Assessment of Benzylpenicillin and Tetracycline Residues in Pork Consumed on Filipino Market

Biological, physical and chemical agents, recognized as food safety hazards, cause potential risks in modem food productions. Although the use of antibiotics in intensive animal productions is impossible to avoid the presence and remaining amount of their residues in food, it is possible to reduce them by using the principles of good veterinary, good manufacturing practices, and continuous control of food and risk assessment approach. This study was conducted to determine exposure risk to antibiotic drug residues in pork consumed in the Philippines and aimed to estimate dietary exposure of benzylpenicillin and tetracycline residues by age and gender groups. Dietary modeling, validated method used, combines food consumption data with food chemical concentration data to estimate dietary exposure to food chemicals. The results had shown that the dietary exposure of benzylpenicillin and tetracycline residues for children from 1 to 〈 3 years old had the highest exposure followed by adolescents, adults and infants while males were significantly lower than females （P 〈 0.05）. This is the initial study to determine risk assessment of dietary exposure to antibiotic residue of different population of Filipino groups.

Exposure Assessment of Ambient Sulfur Dioxide Downwind of an Oil Refinery in Curacao

Primary sources of atmospheric sulfur dioxide are anthropogenic activities associated with the burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes that may have associations with various morbidities and mortalities. As such, several regional and global regulatory agencies have recommended ambient air limits to reduce environmental exposures. The objectives of this study were to evaluate ambient levels of sulfur dioxide surrounding an oil refinery on the island of Cura?ao. Levels which were then compared to literature values and recommended public health guidelines to determine potential public health risks. Concentrations of sulfur dioxide in Curacao were found to be among the highest globally with an increasing trend over time. While the epidemiological evidence does not conclusively suggest there is a health risk from these levels of exposure, SO2 concentrations greatly exceed regulatory and guidance levels and suggest that further emissions control is warranted. Future recommendations include a more rigorous epidemiological study in Cura?ao and expand the air monitoring efforts to include areas upwind of the refinery as well as additional petrochemical emissions.

Bisphenol A in Fluid and Powdered Milk Samples and Associated Child Dietary Exposures

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical found in a wide range of consumer products and consumables that humans are exposed to. The aim of this study was to determine BPA contamination levels in 51 milk samples sold in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region, Brazil. Bisphenol A was detected (≥limit of detection, LOD) in five of the analyzed samples (9.8%) and quantified (≥limit of quantification, LOQ) in two (3.8%). The estimated daily intake (EDI) for children aged up to 12 months ranged from 24.95 to 97.72 ng/kg body weight/day, lower than the established European Union tolerable daily intake value. Recent evidence, however, suggests that even low doses of endocrine disruptors such as BPA may pose potential health risks, even more so when exposure occurs at such an early life stage.

Association between Phthalate Exposure and the Use of Plastic Containers in Shanghai Adults

Objective Consuming phthalates may be due to the presence of food contact materials, such as plastic containers. In this study, we investigated the association between plastic container use and phthalate exposure in 2,140 Shanghai adults. Methods Participants completed a questionnaire on the frequency of using plastic containers in different scenarios in the previous year （e.g., daily, weekly） and on the consumption of plastic-packaged foods in the previous three days （yes or no）. Urinary phthalate metabolites were used to assess the association between phthalate exposure and the use of plastic containers. Results The metabolites of di-（2-ethylhexyl） phthalate （DEHP） were the most frequently detected in urine. The results revealed that phthalate exposure was associated with consumption of plastic-packaged breakfast or processed food items in the previous three days. The consumption of these two food items had strong synergistic effects on increasing urinary concentrations of most phthalate metabolites. Conclusion Our results of plastic-packaged breakfast and processed food may be explained by the use of flexible plastic containers, indicating the importance of risk assessment for the application of flexible plastic containers.

Dietary exposure assessment of perchlorate and chlorate in infant formulas marketed in Shanghai,China

Perchlorate and chlorate are ubiquitous pollutants that can adversely affect the thyroid function in humans.This study assessed the potential health risks associated with the dietary exposure of infants and young children to perchlorate and chlorate present in infant formulas available in Shanghai.The assessment was based on risk monitoring data from 150 samples of infant formulas in Shanghai between 2020 and 2022,along with the dietary consumption data of infants and young children.The detection rates of perchlorate and chlorate in infant formulas were 46.0%and 98.7%,with mean contents of 9.98μg/kg and 112.01μg/kg,and the maximum values of 151.00μg/kg and 1475.00μg/kg,respectively.The mean and 95th percentile(P95)values of daily perchlorate exposure of 0-36-month-old infant and young children via infant formulas were 0.07 and 0.17μg/kg body weight(bw)per day,respectively,which were lower than the tolerable daily intake(TDI)of perchlorate(0.3μg/kg bw per day).The mean and P95 values of chlorate exposure via infant formulas in 0-36-month-old infants and young children were 0.83 and 1.89μg/kg bw per day,which were lower than the TDI of chlorate(3μg/kg bw per day).The P95 exposure of different age groups(0-6 months,7-12 months and 13-36 months)of infants and young children to perchlorate and chlorate in infant formulas was below the TDI.Therefore,the risk associated with the exposure of 0-36-month-old infants and young children to perchlorate and chlorate from infant formulas in Shanghai is considered acceptable.Prioritizing environmental pollution control efforts to reduce the levels of perchlorate and chlorate in food products is important to safeguard the health of the infants and children under the One Health concept.

Occupational exposure assessment of phthalate esters in indoor and outdoor microenvironments

Phthalate esters（PAEs） are widely used as plasticizers in consumer products. PAEs are a group of environmental hormone which disrupts human and animals＇ endocrine systems. Different occupational groups are exposed to various levels of PAEs. In the present study, four typical occupational groups were chosen, including doctors, college teachers, college students, and drivers who worked in public traffic system. In order to understand the exposure levels to PAEs via inhalation, air samples were collected from multiple microenvironments including indoor and outdoor in Hangzhou to measure the gas and particle concentrations of six PAEs, together with time spent in different microenvironments of these four groups. A comprehensive PAEs exposure model was built to estimate the daily PAEs exposure through inhalation, oral and dermal pathways. The Monte Carlo simulation results show that doctors were exposed to the highest level of PAEs, and consequently had the highest health risk among these four occupational groups. In contrast, college students had the lowest health risk. By setting the exposure level of staying in residences as the baseline, doctors and drivers were two occupations exposed to high PAEs health risk. Di-（2-ethylhexyl） phthalate（DEHP） was the largest contributor among the six phthalates, posing moderate health risk（10-5–10-6） to every occupation. For traffic microenvironments alone, the total exposure levels for different transportation modes were in the descending order of busses, cars, cabs, tubes, motor bikes, and walking.

Noise exposure assessment with task-based measurement in complex noise environment

Background Task-based measurement （TBM） is a method to assess the eight-hour A-weighted equivalent noise exposure level （LAeq. 8h） besides dosimeter. TBM can be better used in factories by non-professional workers and staffs.However, it is still not clear if TBM is equal or similar with dosimeter for LAeq.8h measurement in general. This study considered the measurement with dosimeter as real personal noise exposure level （PNEL） and assessed the accuracy of TBM by comparing the consistencies of TBM and dosimeter in LAeq.8h measurement.Methods The study was conducted in one automobile firm among 387 workers who are exposed to unstable noise.Dosimeters and TBM were used to compare the two strategies and assess the degree of agreement and causes of disagreement. Worker＇s PNEL was measured via TBM for noise; the real PNEL was also recorded. The TBM for noise was computed with task/position noise levels measured via sound level meter and workers＇ exposure information collected via working diary forms （WDF） filled by participants themselves. Full-shift noise exposure measurement via personal noise dosimeters were taken as the real PNEL. General linear model （GLM） was built to analyze the accuracy of TBM for noise and the source of difference between TBM for noise and real PNEL.Results The LAeq.8h with TBM were slightly higher than the real PNELs, except the electricians. Differences of the two values had statistical significance in stamping workers （P ＜0.001）, assembly workers （P=0.015） and welding workers （P=0.001）. The correlation coefficient of LAeq.8h with TBM and real PNELs was 0.841. Differences of the two results were mainly affected by real PNEL （F=11.27, P=0.001）; and work groups （F=3.11, P ＜0.001） divided by jobs and workshops were also independent factors. PNEL of workers with fixed task/position （（86.53±8.82） dB（A）） was higher than those without （（75.76±9.92） dB（A）） （t=8.84, P ＜0.01）. Whether workers had fixed task/position was another factor on the accuracy of TBM for noise （F=4.36,P=0.038）.Conclusion TBM for noise has acceptable accuracy on workers＇ PNEL measurement. The accuracy is affected by job categories, workshops and variability of task/position. TBM for noise can yield a relatively conservative result of worker＇s PNEL in most cases, so it can be used to measure and assess workers＇ real PNEL.

Assessment of personal noise exposure of overhead-traveling crane drivers in steel-rolling mills

Background Noise is widespread occupational hazard in iron and steel industry. Overhead-traveling cranes are widely used in this industry, but few studies characterized the overhead-traveling crane drivers＇ noise exposure level so far. In this study, we assessed and characterized personal noise exposure levels of overhead-traveling crane drivers in two steel-rolling mills.Methods One hundred and twenty-four overhead-traveling crane drivers, 76 in the cold steel-rolling mill and 48 in the hot steel-rolling mill, were enrolled in the study. Personal noise dosimeters （AIHUA Instruments Model AWA5610e, Hangzhou, China） were used to collect full-shift noise exposure data from all the participants. Crane drivers carried dosimeters with microphones placed near their collars during the work shifts. Work logs had been taken by the drivers simultaneously. Personal noise exposure data were divided into segments based on lines in which they worked. All statistical analyses were done using SPSS 13.0.Results The average personal noise exposure （LAeq.8h） of overhead-traveling crane drivers in the hot steel-rolling mills （（85.03±2.25） dB（A）） was higher than that in the cold one （（83.05±2.93） dB（A）, P〈0.001）. There were 17 overhead traveling cranes in the hot steel-rolling mill and 24 cranes in the cold one, of which carrying capacities varied from 15 tons to 100 tons. The average noise exposure level based on different lines in the hot and cold steel-rolling mills were （85.2±2.61） dB（A） and （83.3±3.10） dB（A） respectively （P=-0.001）, which were similar to the average personal noise exposure in both mills. The noise exposure levels were different among different lines （P=-0.021）. Conclusion Noise exposure levels, depending upon background noise levels and the noise levels on the ground, are inconstant. As the noise exposure levels are above the 85 dB（A） criteria, these drivers should be involved in the Hearing Conservation Program to protect their hearing.

Exposure measurement, risk assessment and source identification for exposure of traffic assistants to particle-bound PAHs in Tianjin, China

To investigate the levels of exposure to particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon （PAH） and to estimate the risk these levels pose to traffic assistants （TAs） in Tianjin （a rnegacity in North China）, a measurement campaign （33 all-day exposure samples, 25 occupational-exposure samples and 10 indoor samples） was conducted to characterize the TAs＇ exposure to PAHs, assess the cancer risk and identify the potential sources of exposure. The average total exposure concentration of 14 PAHs was approximately 2871 ＋ 928 ng/rn3 （on-duty）, and 1622 ＋ 457 ng/m3 （all-day）. The indoor PAHs level was 1257 ＋ 107 ng/m3. After 8000 Monte Carlo simulations, the cancer risk resulting from exposure to PAHs was found to be approximately 1.05 x 10-4. A multivariate analysis was applied to identify the potential sources, and the results showed that, in addition to vehicle exhaust, coal combustion and cooking fumes were also another two important contributors to personal PAH exposure. The diagnostic ratios of PAH compounds agree with the source apportionment results derived from principal component analysis.

Dietary Iodine Intake in the Chinese Population

Objective To evaluate dietary iodine intake and its potential risks among the Chinese population Methods Individual dietary iodine intake was calculated using food consumption data multiplying by iodine concentration in foods, table salt and drinking water, followed by summing, and then compared with the corresponding age-specific reference values, including Upper Intake Level （UL） and Recommended Nutrient Intake （RNI）. Results In areas with water iodine concentration （Wl） lower than 150 ug/L, 80.8% of residents had iodine intake between the RNI and UL, 5.8% higher than UL, and the remaining （13.4%） lower than RNI if iodized salt was consumed. However, in the uniodized salt consumption scenario, only 1.0% of residents between RNI and UL, 1.4% higher than UL, and a large part of residents （97.6%） lower than RNI. In areas with Wl higher than 150 ug/L ,all residents had iodine intake between RNI and UL if iodized salt was consumed, except 10.5% and 24.9% of residents higher than UL in areas with Wl at 150-300 ug/L and higher than 300 ug/L respectively. However, in the uniodized salt consumption scenario, only 1.5% and 1.7% of residents had higher iodine intake than UL respectively. Conclusion The findings suggested that in general, the dietary iodine intake by the Chinese population was appropriate and safe at the present stage. People in areas with WI lower than 150 ug/L were more likely to have iodine deficiency. While people in areas with WI higher than 150 ug/L were more likely to have excessive iodine intake if iodized salt was consumed.

Indoor Electromagnetic Radiation Intensity Relationship to Total Energy of Household Appliances

The rapid technological developments in the modern era have led to increased electrical equipment in our daily lives,work,and homes.From this standpoint,the main objective of this study is to evaluate the potential relationship between the intensity of electromagnetic radiation and the total energy of household appliances in the living environment within the building by measuring and analyzing the strength of the electric field and the entire electromagnetic radiation flux density of electrical devices operating at frequencies(5 Hz to 1 kHz).The living room was chosen as a center for measurement at 15 homes in three different environmental regions(urban,suburbs,and open areas).The three measurement methods are(Mode 1:people in a sitting position with electrical appliances on.Mode 2:People in a standing position with electrical appliances on.Mode 3:People are in the upright positionwhile turning off the electrical devices)in the living room.These measurement methods and their results reinforce the importance of this research.The results showed that the average electric field strengthmeasured inMode 2 ismuch greater than the two methods,and we also found less electromagnetic radiation in Mode 3 than in the two modes.All results remain within the recommended overall exposure developed by the International Committee for the Prevention of Non-Ionizing Radiation and the International Electrotechnical Commission.

Pesticide Concentrations in Drinking Water from Farm Homes： Variation between Community Water Supply and Well-Water

Atrazine, one of the most commonly used herbicides in the United States, has been found to contaminate groundwater. Atrazine is an endocrine disrupter in animals, and could possibly have carcinogenic effects in humans. A study involving farm families in four Kentucky Counties has been designed to assess exposure to atrazine through drinking water by a quick, reliable, and effective assay that could be performed in non-specialized laboratories. Data were obtained on farming practices and pesticide applications; and drinking water samples were collected from each household. Water consumption for the participants showed that 72% of the households consumed municipal water, 24% had private wells, and 4% used spring water as their source of drinking water. The analytical method used was based on Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay. The results were obtained using a magnetic-particle-based analysis with spectrophotometric reading and showed presence of atrazine in more than 90% of the samples. Results showed that community drinking water sources had significantly higher atrazine concentrations compared to non-community sources （p-value 〈 0.01）. The results of this study may be used to conduct further exposure assessments for drinking water protection from pesticide contamination.

Carbendazim residue in plant-based foods in China:Consecutive surveys from 2011 to 2020

Carbendazim,a widely used fungicide in China,has been found to have reproductive toxicity and mutagenic effects.However,information on the spatial-temporal variations of carbendazim residues in food in China is limited.Here,we investigated the presence of carbendazim in China's plant-based foods from 2011 to 2020,evaluated the spatial-temporal characteristics,and assessed the associated exposure risks in the Chinese diet.The results revealed a high detection frequency of carbendazim in fruits(26.4%)and high concentrations in vegetables(~110 mg kg^(-1)),indicating widespread misuse of the fungicide.The acute risks of consuming certain vegetables and cereals exceeded the recommended limits by up to 12 and 5 times,respectively.Although there has been a decline in carbendazim residue levels in food since the implementation of the Chinese government's action plan for zero growth of pesticide use in 2015,some provinces still exhibited high levels of carbendazim in multiple food categories,which were positively correlated with annual pesticide application.We highlight that carbendazim contamination reflects the broader issue of pesticide use in China.It emphasizes the need for committed and targeted national policies to reduce carbendazim residues in food and suggests that such measures could also regulate the use of other pesticides,given that pesticide abuse in China is not limited to specific types.We call for the re-evaluation of maximum residue limits of carbendazim,particularly in highly consumed foods such as cereals.

Urinary analysis reveals high Alternaria mycotoxins exposure in the general population from Beijing, China

Alternaria mycotoxins are of concern due to its adverse health effect, they affect various cereal crops and grain-based food along with modified forms that contribute to overall exposure. This study aimed to determine the frequency and level of exposure to Alternaria mycotoxins(tenuazonic acid, TeA;alternariol, AOH;alternariol monomethyl ether, AME;tentoxin, TEN;and altenuene, ALT) in human urine from Beijing adults. A total of 2212 urine samples were collected and analyzed for five mycotoxins using LC–ESI–MS/MS. More than98% of the samples had at least one Alternaria mycotoxin detected. Among the mycotoxins,AME had the highest detection rate(96.0%), followed by TeA(70.5%). The calculated average daily intake values of AME(12.5 ng/kg b.w.) was 5 times the TTC value(2.5 ng/kg b.w.) set by the EFSA, indicating the potential health risks associated with mycotoxins. Immediate attention and subsequent actions should be taken to identify the sources of mycotoxins and the corresponding exposure pathways to humans in the investigated regions.