The transcriptome analysis of cleft lip/palate-related PTCH1 variants in GMSM-K cells show carcinogenic potential

Cancer progression involves the sonic hedgehog(SHH)pathway,in which the receptor PTCH1 actives the downstream pathways.Dysfunction of PTCH1 can lead to nevoid basal cell carcinoma Syndrome(NBCCs)including neoplastic disease and congenital disorder.To evaluate the relationship between PTCH1 and cancer,we applied the CRISPR/Cas9 system to knock out PTCH1 in oral nontumorous epithelial cells(GMSM-K).Then we screened six PTCH1 variants associated with cleft lip/palate(CL/P),one of the congenital disorders in NBCCs,and generated PTCH1 variant and wild-type recombinant PTCH1^(−/−)GMSM-K cell lines.Transcriptome sequencing was conducted in these cell lines.The results revealed that differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in PTCH1^(−/−)GMSM-K were enriched in extracellular compartments,contributing epithelial diseases by pathway enrichment analysis.RT-PCR confirmed that KRT34,KRT81,KRT86,PDGFB,and WNT10B genes,associated with extracellular compartments were highly expressed in PTCH1^(−/−).The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis also suggested that DEGs are closely related to focal adhesion,transcriptional misregulation,and proteoglycans in breast and gastric cancers.Comparative analysis of samples revealed that the CL/P-associated PTCH1 variants A443G and V908G are potentially carcinogenic.These findings provide new insights into the carcinogenic potential of PTCH1 dysfunction.

Dietary Intake, Carcinogenic and Non-Carcinogenic Risk Potentials of Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Arsenic Exposure via Consumption of Dried Crayfish in Calabar, Nigeria

Intense pressure from both onshore and offshore oil exploration and exploitation activities, together with the accompanying urbanization and industrialization has resulted in massive contamination of land and water resources in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Whereas crayfish is very sensitive to contaminant in the aquatic environment and constitute an important part of human diet, its quality and safety from environmental pollutant is of serious health concern. Evaluation of dietary intake, potential carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic exposure via consumption of dried crayfish purchased from major markets in Calabar, Nigeria was carried out between June and August 2021. Thirty-six composite samples of dried crayfish purchased from 180 vendors were used for the study. Heavy metals concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Model AA-6800, Japan) after wet digestion. Metals concentrations (Mg/kg) were of the ranges 0.02 - 0.24, 0.14 - 0.86, 0.32 - 0.72, 0.04 - 0.19 for Pb, Cd, Hg and As respectively. The mean content of cadmium and mercury exceeded FAO/ WHO and Commission of European Communities maximum levels for crustaceans. Average Estimated Daily Intake for each of the metals was found to be above the recommended daily intake level except for arsenic. The average estimated daily intake values for Cd and Hg were also above the tolerable upper intake level. Average Target Hazard Quotient of all the metals and Hazard Index of all the markets were below 1.00. The Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk of the metals was greater than the standard tolerable regulatory risk (10-4) for carcinogens. Consumption of crayfish purchased from major markets in Calabar could pose a range of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human health risks.

Studies on the Mutagenicity and Teratogenicity of Kuianchun and Its Potential Carcinogenicity Prediction

Kuianchun is a newly synthesized antibacterial and growth-promoting drug. This paper selected a battery of three short-term tests, including Ames test, micronucleus test and sperm abnormality test, to detect the mutagenicity of Kuianchun. The carcinogenicity prediction and battery selection method (CPBS method) was used to determine the probability of carcinogenicity of Kuianchun based upon the results of shortterm tests mentioned above. In addition, traditional teratogenic test was selected to study teratogenicity of Kuianchun. In Ames test, Kuianchun showed mutagenic for Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 in the absence and presence of microsomal metabolic activation system (S9-mix). However, the mutagenicity was reduced by the addition of S9-mix. In micronucleus test, Kuianchun was administered intra-peritoneally to male mouse 30 hours and 6 hours before they were killed respectively. The result indicated that there was no significant difference on the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) in the mouse bone marrow induced by Kuianchun compared with the negative contrast (50% DMSO) (P ＞ 0.05). In sperm abnormality test, Kuianchun was administered through a gastric incubation to male mouse as a suspension in 2% Tween-80. The dosage levels were 450, 750, 1000 and 1500mg/kg per day for 5 days. The result indicated that the percentage of abnormal sperms induced by Kuianchun was not significant compared with the negative contrast (P＞0.05). In traditional teratogenic test, Kuianchun was given orally to pregnant mouse at 1/30,1/20 and 1/15 LDs0 during 6 - 15days of pregnancy period (the LD50 = 9000mg/kg). No toxicity was found either on mother and embryo in mouse, and teratogenic effects were also not observed at all tested dosages. The probability of carcinogenicity of Kuianchun is 23.8 % (θ = 0.238). The result demonstrated that Kuianchun is a non-carcinogen.

Activation of Carcinogenic Non-aminoazo Compounds in Horseradish Peroxidase/H_2O_2 System

Eriochrome black T and Nitrosulfophenol S were advocated as the chemical models of carcinogenic non-aminoazo compounds. The main products of their oxidative cleavage in horseradish peroxidase/H2O2 system was identified as the benezenediazonium ion, the ultimate carcinogens, which could bind to DNA. The reaction conditions were investigated preliminarily. Some inhibitors and inducers of the reaction were discovered.

Pairwise comparisons in the analysis of carcinogenicity data

Analysis of carcinogenicity data generally involves a trend test across all dose groups and a pairwise comparison of the high dose group with the control. The most commonly used test for a positive trend is the Cochran-Armitage test. This test is asymptotically normal. For the pairwise comparison of the high dose group with the control group, we propose two modifications: the first modification is to apply the test on the data from high dose and control groups after dropping the data from the low and the medium dose groups;the second modification is to adjust the test conditional on data from all dose groups. We compare the power performance of these two modifications for the pairwise comparisons.

Levels of Genotoxic and Carcinogenic Ingredients in Plant Food Supplements and Associated Risk Assessment

The present study describes the selection, analysis and risk assessment of genotoxic and carcinogenic ingredients of botanicals and botanical preparations which can be found in food and plant food supplements (PFS). First an inventory was made of botanical ingredients that are of possible concern for human health because of their genotoxic and/or carcinogenic properties. In total, 30 botanical ingredients were selected and subsequently judged for their actual genotoxic and/or carcinogenic potential. Among the 30 compounds considered, 18 compounds were judged to be both genotoxic and carcinogenic. Interestingly, the majority of these compounds belong to the group of alkenylbenzenes or unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Subsequently, based on available carcinogenicity data and estimated daily human exposure that was determined focusing on the intake from PFS, the Margin of Exposure (MOE) was calculated for the alkenylbenzenes estragole, methyleugenol, safrole and β-asarone. Calculating the MOEs for intake estimates of these alkenylbenzenes from PFS resulted in MOE values that were generally lower than 10,000 and often lower than 100. In some cases the MOE was even below 10 meaning that the estimated daily intake is in the range of dose levels causing malignant tumors in experimental animals. This result indicates that the use of PFS containing the genotoxic carcinogens estragole, methyleugenol, safrole or β-asarone might raise a potential concern for human health and would be of high priority for risk management.

Relative carcinogenicity of tacrolimus vs mycophenolate after solid organ transplantation and its implications for liver transplant care

BACKGROUND De novo malignancy is a leading cause of late morbidity and mortality in liver transplant recipients.Cumulative immunosuppression has been shown to contribute to post-transplant malignancy(PTM)risk.There is emerging evidence on the differential carcinogenic risk profile of individual immunosuppressive drugs,independent of the net effect of immunosuppression.Calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus may promote tumourigenesis,whereas mycophenolic acid(MPA),the active metabolite of mycophenolate mofetil,may limit tumour progression.Liver transplantation(LT)is relatively unique among solid organ transplantation in that immunosuppression monotherapy with either tacrolimus or MPA is often achievable,which makes careful consideration of the risk-benefit profile of these immunosuppression agents particularly relevant for this cohort.However,there is limited clinical data on this subject in both LT and other solid organ transplant recipients.AIM To investigate the relative carcinogenicity of tacrolimus and MPA in solid organ transplantation.METHODS A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and Embase databases using the key terms“solid organ transplantation”,“tacrolimus”,“mycophenolic acid”,and“carcinogenicity”,in order to identify relevant articles published in English between 1st January 2002 to 11th August 2022.Related terms,synonyms and explosion of MeSH terms,Boolean operators and truncations were also utilised in the search.Reference lists of retrieved articles were also reviewed to identify any additional articles.Excluding duplicates,abstracts from 1230 records were screened by a single reviewer,whereby 31 records were reviewed in detail.Full-text articles were assessed for eligibility based on pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria.RESULTS A total of 6 studies were included in this review.All studies were large population registries or cohort studies,which varied in transplant era,type of organ transplanted and immunosuppression protocol used.Overall,there was no clear difference demonstrated between tacrolimus and MPA in de novo PTM risk following solid organ transplantation.Furthermore,no study provided a direct comparison of carcinogenic risk between tacrolimus and MPA monotherapy in solid organ transplantation recipients.CONCLUSION The contrasting carcinogenic risk profiles of tacrolimus and MPA demonstrated in previous experimental studies,and its application in solid organ transplantation,is yet to be confirmed in clinical studies.Thus,the optimal choice of immunosuppression drug to use as maintenance monotherapy in LT recipients is not supported by a strong evidence base and remains unclear.

Health risk assessment of heavy metal pollution in groundwater of a karst basin,SW China

To investigate the presence of metal elements and assess their health risk for the populace in the Nandong Underground River Basin(NURB),we conducted an analysis of eleven common heavy metals in the water body.A Health risk assessment(HRA)model was employed to analyze 84 water samples from the NURB.The detection results revealed the following order of heavy metals concentrations:Fe>Al>Mn>Zn>As>Cd>Pb>Cr>Ni>Cu>Hg.Correlation analysis indicated a certain similarity in material source and migration transformation among these eleven metal elements.Our study identified that the health risks for local residents exposed to metal elements in the water of NURB primarily stem from carcinogenic risk(10^(−6)–10^(−4)a^(−1))through the drinking water pathway.Moreover,the health risk of heavy metal exposure for children through drinking water was notably higher than for adults.The maximum health risks of Cr in both underground and surface water exceeded the recommendation standard(5.0×10^(−5)a^(−1))from ICRP,surpassing the values recommended by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency,the Dutch Ministry of Construction and Environment and the British Royal Society(5.0×10^(−6)a^(−1)).The results of the health risk assessment indicate that Cr in the water of NURB is the primary source of carcinogenic risk for local residents,followed by Cd and As.Consequently,it is imperative to control these three carcinogenic metals when the water was used as drinking water resource.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations, compositions, sources, and associated carcinogenic risks to humans in farmland soils and riverine sediments from Guiyu, China

The concentrations of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) were measured in 23 farmland soil samples and 10 riverine sediment samples from Guiyu, China, and the carcinogenic risks associated with PAHs in the samples were evaluated. Guiyu is the largest electronic waste(EW) dismantling area globally, and has been well known for the primitive and crude manner in which EWs are disposed, such as by open burning and roasting. The total PAH concentrations were 56–567 ng/g in the soils and 181–3034 ng/g in the sediments.The Shanglian and Huamei districts were found to be more contaminated with PAHs than the north of Guiyu. The soils were relatively weakly contaminated but the sediments were more contaminated, and sediments in some river sections might cause carcinogenic risks to the groundwater system. The PAHs in the soils were derived from combustion sources,but the PAHs in the sediments were derived from both combustion and petroleum sources.

Human Health Risks from Exposure to Heavy Metals of Suspended Particulate Matter around the Tongon Gold Mine, Côte d’Ivoire

The Tongon mine, the largest gold mine in C?te d’Ivoire, has been in operation since April 2010. However, to our knowledge to date, no study has been conducted on metallic contamination in suspended particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) where there is a lack of information on the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk to human health associated with the exposure of populations in the Tongon area to these pollutants. The general objective of this study is to evaluate the level of contamination of PM10;PM2.5 by heavy metals and their impact on the health of populations exposed to these pollutants in the Tongon gold mine area. The sampling and measurement of suspended particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) were done using a MiniVol TAS passive air sampler. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (Nex ION 2000 ICP-MS, USA). The results indicate that the average concentrations of suspended particles (PM2.5 and PM10) obtained are all above the recommended exposure limits. In addition, among the heavy metals contained in the suspended particles, the concentrations of arsenic and nickel are high and all above the standard limit values. The assessment of the health risks related to the inhalation of PM10 particles reveals that their inhalation over a long period could cause a carcinogenic risk.

Health Impacts and Mechanisms of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from Epidemiological to Toxicological

This research provides a comprehensive analysis of the health impacts of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) through an integration of epidemiological and toxicological studies. The study identifies significant correlations between PFAS exposure and adverse health outcomes, including thyroid dysfunction, elevated cholesterol levels, and increased risk of specific cancers. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines a systematic review and meta-analysis of recent literature with in vitro and in vivo toxicological experiments. The epidemiological analysis reveals increased risks of thyroid dysfunction, cholesterol elevation, and certain cancers among PFAS-exposed individuals. Toxicological findings further corroborate these results, showing dose-dependent cytotoxic effects in human cell lines and endocrine disruption in rodent models. The study emphasizes the importance of regulatory measures to mitigate PFAS exposure and the urgent need for more comprehensive research into their long-term effects. The integration of epidemiological and toxicological data underscores the significant health risks posed by PFAS, highlighting the necessity of immediate action to limit exposure and develop safer alternatives.

Impact of mycotoxins and their metabolites associated with food grains

Mycotoxins are secondary toxic metabolites synthesized by numerous filamentous fungi including members of the genus Fusarium,Penicillium,Drechslera,Aspergillus,Claviceps,Monascum,Alternaria,Cephalosporium,Nigrospora,and Trichoderma.Among them,Aspergillus and Fusarium species are major plant pathogens recognized to induce infection and produce mycotoxins in food crops.More than 400 mycotoxins have been documented and among them,aflatoxin,fumonisins,trichothecenes,zearalenone,ochratoxin A,citrinin,ergot alkaloids,and patulin are the most prominent compounds linked to a variety of human and animal health disorders.Genus Fusarium and Aspergillus belong to a saprophytic group,which can infect and contaminate many crops at pre and post-harvest stages.Mycotoxins can have a variety of negative effects on health in both humans and animals.Mycotoxins and their metabolites can cause severe acute poisoning,which can result in death,as well as long-term negative health effects,such as cancer and immune-suppressive disorders in living beings(animals and humans).Mycotoxin contamination of agricultural goods has gained global significance,due to its toxic effects on living beings,as well as its importance to international trade.Our objective is to provide a consolidated information on the potential mycotixs in food grains and their significant impact on the health of the human beings.

Health Risk Assessment on Drinking Water in Shenzhen, China

Objectives: To conduct health risk assessment on drinking water in 2012 in Shenzhen of China. Methods: The water quality monitoring data on product water and pipe water in 2012 were collected and analyzed, and the risk evaluation models recommended by the U.S. environmental protection agency (US EPA) were employed, to perform adults and children’s health risk assessments on the three kinds of genetic toxic substances such as hexavalent chromium, cadmium and arsenic and the 12 non-carcinogenic materials such as iron, manganese, lead, fluoride, volatile phenol, cyanide, mercury, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, copper, zinc and selenium. Results: The results about water quality from the 150 factory samples and 207 peripheral water samples showed that the measured indicators in other water samples were accord with the National Health Standards (GB5749-2006) released by Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China, except manganese level in one factory sample and the same index in one peripheral sample, and nitrate concentration in another water sample were out of limit, respectively. Namely, the total of 3 samples was disqualification. The adults and children’s health risks (HI) on the 12 non-carcinogenic materials were 178.04 × 10-8 and 249.96 × 10-8 in the factor water samples, and 363.02 × 10-8 and 509.66 × 10-8 in the pipe samples, respectively. Lead in factory water and fluoride in peripheral water samples were the most serious harm in the all measured non-carcinogenic indicators. The adults and children’s cancer risks (R) on the 3 genetic toxic substances were 25.60 × 10-6 and 28.51 × 10-6 in the factor water samples, and 23.47 × 10-6 and 26.08 × 10-6 in the pipe samples, respectively. Hexavalent chromium was the most damage among the three detected carcinogenic indicators. Therefore, the total adults and children’s health hazard risks including the 3 carcinogenic and 12 non-carcinogenic substances were 27.38 × 10-6 and 31.00 × 10-6 in the factor water samples, and 27.10 × 10-6 and 31.17 × 10-6 in the pipe samples, respectively. Genetic toxic matters in drinking water are the main hazard and more children’s health risk than adults’ risk. Conclusions: The health risk (R) on the 15 kinds of chemicals in Shenzhen’s municipal water supply was in the range of maximum acceptable risk levels (5.0 × 10-5/a) recommended by the International Commission of Radiation Protection (ICRP). The results in this study indicate that the carcinogenic substances are greater risk comparing with the non-carcinogenic substances, and hexavalent chromium is the biggest carcinogenic risk, and lead and fluoride are the most non-carcinogenic risk, and the rather risk of children than adults.

Health Risk Assessment from Exposure to Heavy Metals in Surface and Groundwater Resources within Barkin Ladi, North Central Nigeria

Concentration of heavy metals from surface and groundwater within the communities were determined in order to assess the health risks linked to the use/consumption of same. Furthermore, the cancer risk for adults in surface water revealed medium to high cancer risk for arsenic (As);low to medium cancer risk for cadmium (Cd) and very high cancer risk for chromium (Cr). In addition, the cancer risk for adults in groundwater is as follows: high cancer risk for As;low cancer risk for Cd and very high cancer risk for Cr while that for children is very high cancer risk for As and Cr and then low cancer risk for Cd. The findings from this research confirm that the inhabitants within the study area are at direct health risk (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) due to the alternate use of surface and groundwater without any form of treatment.

Heavy Metals in Native Potato and Health Risk Assessment in Highland Andean Zones of Junín, Peru

Heavy metals are transferred from the abiotic environment to living organisms, accumulate in food, contaminate the food chain, and are an important route of human exposure involving a potential health risk. In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Fe, Pb, Zn and As) in agricultural soils and tubers of Solanum tuberosum spp. andigena (native potato) were evaluated. Also, an assessment of the health risk associated with the daily intake by the local population was performed in the four districts of the department of Junín, between altitudes of 3800 m to 4200 m. The heavy metals concentrations in soils with native potato cultivation followed the following decreasing order of Fe > Zn > Pb > As > Cd, with values below national standards. The heavy metals content in native potatoes was below the limits recommended by international standards with the exception of Pb. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) for the two native potato varieties in decreasing order was Zn > Cd > Pb > As > Fe, all less than 0.5. The estimated daily intake of metals (EDIM) in adults and children through the consumption of native potatoes was higher for Fe and Zn. The threshold carcinogenic risk values (TCR) for As exceeded the safety limits 1 × 10-4. It is concluded that the residents in the four high Andean localities would be exposed to carcinogenic adverse health effects associated with the intake of native potatoes. It is important to monitor the concentration of As and other heavy metals in the Andean soils and crops in order to implement a soil and crop management program to ensure food quality.

Textile dyeing industry an environmental hazard

Color is the main attraction of any fabric. No matter how excellent its constitution, if unsuitably colored it is bound to be a failure as a commercial fabric. Manufacture and use of synthetic dyes for fabric dyeing has therefore become a massive industry today. In fact the art of applying color to fabric has been known to mankind since 3500 BC. WH Perkins in 1856 discovered the use of synthetic dyes. Synthetic dyes have provided a wide range of colorfast, bright hues. However their toxic nature has become a cause of grave concern to environmentalists. Use of synthetic dyes has an adverse effect on all forms of life. Presence of sulphur, naphthol, vat dyes, nitrates, acetic acid, soaps, enzymes chromium compounds and heavy metals like copper, arsenic, lead, cad- mium, mercury, nickel, and cobalt and certain auxiliary chemicals all collectively make the textile effluent highly toxic. Other harmful chemicals present in the water may be formaldehyde based dye fixing agents, chlorinated stain removers, hydro carbon based softeners, non bio degradable dyeing chemicals. These organic materials react with many disinfectants especially chlorine and form by products (DBP’S) that are often carcinogenic and therefore undesirable. Many of these show allergic reactions. The colloidal matter present along with colors and oily scum increases the turbidity, gives the water a bad appearance and foul smell and prevents the penetration of sunlight necessary for the process of photosynthesis. This in turn interferes with the Oxygen transfer mechanism at air water interface which in turn interferes with marine life and self purification process of water. This effluent if allowed to flow in the fields’ clogs the pores of the soil resulting in loss of soil productivity. If allowed to flow in drains and rivers it effects the quality of drinking water in hand pumps making it unfit for human consumption. It is important to remove these pollutants from the waste waters before their final disposal.

Radiation Induced Bystander Effect: From in Vitro Studies to Clinical Application

In the past 20 years, the classic paradigm in radiobiology recognizing DNA as the main target for the action of radiation has changed. The new paradigm assumes that both targeted and non-targeted effects of radiation determine the final outcome of irradiation. Radiotherapy is one of the main modality treatments of neoplastic diseases with intent to cure, or sometimes to palliate only, thus radiation-induced non-targeted effect, commonly referred to as the radiation-induced bystander effect (RIBE) may have a share in cancer treatment. RIBE is mediated by molecular signaling from radiation targeted cells to their non-irradiated neighbors, and comprises such phenomena as bystander effect, genomic instability, adaptive response and abscopal effect. Whereas first three phenomena may appear both in vitro and in vivo, an abscopal effect is closely related to partial body irradiation and is a systemic effect mediated by immunologic system which synergizes with radiotherapy. From the clinical point of view abscopal effect is particularly interesting due to both its possible valuable contribution to the treatment of metastases, and the potential harmful effects as induction of genetic instability and carcinogenesis. This review summarized the main results of investigations of non-targeted effects coming from in vitro monolayer cultures, 3-dimentional models of tissues, preclinical studies on rodents and clinically observed beneficial abscopal effects with particular emphasis on participation of immunotherapy in the creation of abscopal effects.

Health Risks due to Consumption of <i>Malus domestica</i>Golden Delicious Containing Heavy Metals

The intake of heavy metals through food consumption is a food safety problem that severely impacts the health of consumers, so information about food intake and heavy metal concentrations in food products is required to estimate the potential risk to the health of the population. The main purpose of this study was to estimate the potential risks to human health from exposure to Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn through the intake of Malus domestica Golden Delicious consumed in the Mexican southeast, considering the age group and gender. The concentration of each of the metals was quantified by spectrometry of atomic absorption (AAE) and the daily intake of metals (DIM) and health risk indices through the consumption of apple: health risk index (HRI), total health risk index (THRI), target hazard coefficient (THQ) and the probability of carcinogenic risk (CR) were estimated. The concentrations of the metals analyzed in the apple samples showed the following decreasing order: Zn ≥ Ni ≥ Cu ≥ Pb ≥ Cd. The DIM values showed the following decreasing order: child > young adult > adoescent > elders. The health risk assessments (HRI, THRI, THQ and CR) obtained from the samples of Golden Delicious apples are located within the acceptable and/or tolerable limits, however, the increase in the intake of heavy metals through consumption of apples from establishments in the study area or the consumption of various foods contaminated with heavy metals may increase the health risk potential of consumers. For this reason, it is recommended to carry out studies on the concentration of heavy metals in food products, mainly those of greater popular consumption, to guarantee food security of the population.

Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Fish and Sediments from Vea Irrigation Reservoir

The low yield of food production ascribed to harm caused by pests has led to the application of pesticides to food crops. Pesticide residues from the application on crops are mostly found in foods that can cause diseases for consumers of such products. A total of 37 pesticide residues consisting of 15 organochlorines (OC), 13 organophosphorus (OP) and 9 synthetic pyrethroids (SP) were determined. The QuEChERS method was exploited for extraction and clean-up. Gas Chromatograph was used for detection and quantification which was equipped with an electron capture detector and pulse flame photometric detector. The results showed that the mean concentrations of pesticides in fish ranged from 0.007 mg·kg-1 to 1.026 mg·kg-1 for OCs, 0.002 mg·kg-1 to 0.190 mg·kg-1 for OPs and 0.004 mg·kg-1 to 0.032 mg·kg-1 for SP. Sediments have mean concentrations ranged from 0.005 mg·kg-1 to 1.207 mg·kg-1 for OCs. OP ranges from 0.002 mg·kg-1 to 0.399 mg·kg-1 and 0.003 mg·kg-1 to 0.202 mg·kg-1 for synthetic pyrethroids. Maximum Residue Limits were exceeded in both fish and sediment samples except for malathion, fenitrothion, profenofos, gamma-chlordane, and deltamethrin. Exposure in children ranged from 4.60 × 10-6 mg·kg-1·d-1 to 2.36 × 10-3 mg·kg-1·d-1 and in adults it is from 1.97 × 10-6 mg·kg-1·d-1 to 1.01 × 10-3 mg·kg-1·d-1. Health risk estimation revealed a non-cancer risk potential of β-HCH in sediment and aldrin and p,p'-DDE in fish. Carcinogenic risk assessed for organochlorine pesticide residues indicates cancer benchmark concentrations greater than 10-4 to 10-6 threshold for acceptance.

Synoptic Analysis of Epidemiologic Evidence of Brain Cancer Risks from Mobile Communication

In the radio frequency (RF) range concern about long-term health risks from electromagnetic fields (EMF) is enhanced by contradictory results and conclusions from epidemiologic studies. A new approach of a synoptic analysis of all available data from epidemiological studies published since 2001 was performed. This approach provided new insight with regard to a potential link between mobile phone use and brain cancer. Two quite different data pools could be identified with numerous studies from one research group opposing all other studies. However, it could be shown that with the number of exposed cases both data pools exhibit a clear trend of risk estimates (odds ratios) towards the final result, namely a reduced cancer risk of OR = 0.8, though from either side of the zero-risk line. The analysis of potential long-term effects indicated by a dosedependence revealed diverging results with different dose metrics. Overall, the synoptic analysis supports reassuring rather than alarming conclusions on RF EMF health risks from mobile telecommunication.