Trends of Laboratory-Detected Heavy Metals in Children: Solutions for Heavy Metal Contamination in Infant Food Products

In 2019, an investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives revealed major infant food conglomerates had products with high levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, posing concerns for infants’ vulnerability to the neurotoxic effects of these metals. Trends of laboratory-detected heavy metals were analyzed in children aged zero to five from 1999-2020, providing insights on heavy metal contamination in infant food products. Utilizing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, mean heavy metal levels in children were calculated, considering gender, race, and income-to-poverty ratio as proxies for assessing associations with increasing heavy metal rates in infant food. Findings indicated an overall decrease in mean concentrations over time, though remaining elevated. Black children exhibited higher lead levels than the overall average, while the Asian subgroup displayed higher levels of total blood mercury and cadmium levels. Lack of internal standards in regulatory bodies, particularly the FDA, exacerbates the issue, with no legally enforceable guidelines or strict maximum levels for heavy metals in infant foods. Urgent FDA interventions are needed, addressing contamination at the sources of raw materials, implementing transparent and extensive product testing, and comprehensive manufacturer labeling to inform consumers about elevated heavy metal levels in infant products.

The effect of environmental contaminants on testicular function

Male reproductive health has deteriorated considerably in the last few decades. Nutritional, socioeconomic, lifestyle and environmental factors （among others） have been attributed to compromising male reproductive health. In recent years, a large volume of evidence has accumulated that suggests that the trend of decreasing male fertility （in terms of sperm count, quality and other changes in male reproductive health） might be due to exposure to environmental toxicants. These environmental contaminants can mimic natural oestrogens and target testicular spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, and the function of both Sertoli and Leydig cells. Most environmental toxicants have been shown to induce reactive oxygen species, thereby causing a state of oxidative stress in various compartments of the testes. However, the molecular mechanism（s） of action of the environmental toxicants on the testis have yet to be elucidated. This review discusses the effects of some of the more commonly used environmental contaminants on testicular function through the induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Metal–Organic Framework-Based Sensors for Environmental Contaminant Sensing

Increasing demand for timely and accurate environmental pollution monitoring and control requires new sensing techniques with outstanding performance, i.e.,high sensitivity, high selectivity, and reliability. Metal–organic frameworks(MOFs), also known as porous coordination polymers, are a fascinating class of highly ordered crystalline coordination polymers formed by the coordination of metal ions/clusters and organic bridging linkers/ligands. Owing to their unique structures and properties,i.e., high surface area, tailorable pore size, high density of active sites, and high catalytic activity, various MOF-based sensing platforms have been reported for environmental contaminant detection including anions, heavy metal ions,organic compounds, and gases. In this review, recent progress in MOF-based environmental sensors is introduced with a focus on optical, electrochemical, and field-effect transistor sensors. The sensors have shown unique and promising performance in water and gas contaminant sensing. Moreover, by incorporation with other functional materials, MOF-based composites can greatly improve the sensor performance. The current limitations and future directions of MOF-based sensors are also discussed.

Effect of an Environmental Contaminant, Diisopropyl Methylphosphonate, on the Blood Pressure of the Mallard

During a toxicological test using diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) on mallards, an anaesthesia-like response was noted after oral dosing. In order to further elucidate these effects, arterial blood pressures were determined both pre-and post-dosing on adit male and female mallards by cannulation of the left carotid artery. A significant decrease in systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure was noted after the oral administration of DIMP. There was no significant difference in response between males and females. During the first 30 min after dosing, systolic pressure fell from an average of 158 mmHg, to 94 mmHg, diastolic decreased from 127 mmHg to 63 mmHg, and mean blood pressure dropped from 138 mmHg to 75 mmHg. However, there was no significant effect on pulse pressure, heart rate, or respiratory rate. These results are compared to physiological data cited in the literature for various CNS-acting drugs on mallards.

Radiological and X-Ray Diffraction Characterization of Bauxite and Rutile Ore Contaminated Environment in Kanam and Wase Mineral Exploration Sites, Plateau State-Nigeria

Two non-destructive analytical techniques (gamma spectrometer and X-ray diffractometer) were employed in the analysis of bauxite and rutile ore and their vicinity soil and control sourced within the Kanam and Wase mineral exploration sites. The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in the soil samples received from bauxite and rutile mineral mining vicinities revealed high concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K compared to the control soil samples sourced 500 m away from the mineral exploration vicinities. Radiological detriments RLI, AUI, Hin and Hex unveiled values exceeding the radiation standard concentration (>1) for soil. X-ray diffraction characterization of bauxite ore revealed the interlocking minerals of Bauxite (18)%, Albite (11)%, Garnet (15)%, Illite (6)% and Muscovite (43)% in various proportions obtained within the 2θ range (9.18 to 64.4) and a peak value (intensity, cps) of 3400. Pure bauxite percentage in the ore meets metallurgical grade (15 - 25)%. X-ray diffraction of rutile ore revealed the minerals of rutile (40)%, quartz (21.4)%, ilmenite (27)% and garnet (11.8)% found within the 2θ range (27.5 to 35.6) and a peak value intensity of 31.1 - 100.0 cps also meeting the metallurgical grade of 15% - 25%. The major environmental concern associated with the mineral-sands industry is the radiation hazards, pollution of ground-water sources from heavy metals, mineral transport with heavy equipment’s, dredging operations in fragile coastal area and clearing of vegetation.

Determination of the Persistence in Soil of the Herbicide Indaziflam Applied on Sugarcane Crop under Brazilian Conditions

The sugar beet,Beta vulgaris L.(cv.Early Wonder),was selected as a plant test for the herbicide indaziflam and used to determine the persistence of this herbicide under field conditions in the sugarcane crop under Brazilian conditions.A randomized block design with four treatments was used:weeded control and Indaziflam 75,100 and 200 g/ha,arranged in a randomized block design with four repetitions.For the determination of persistence,soil samples were taken at sixteen times:0,30,74,99,134,167,195,224,264,295,327,365,406,454,491 and 522 DAT(Days After Treatments).To determine the persistence,the bioassay methodology was used with sugar beet plant test.The persistence in the soil of Indaziflam,as a function of the treatments was,respectively:365 DAT,150 g/ha;454 DAT,200 g/ha and 491 DAT,400 g/ha.

Persistence of Coumarins Rodenticidas Brodifacoum and Coumatetralyl in Brazilian Urban Environment

The chemical control of Rattus norvegicus in S?o Paulo city has been done using coumarins rodenticides as paraffin block and powder contact. The brodifacoum-paraffin block is placed in culverts and similar sites being subject to the action of the weather that can change the concentration of active ingredient. Whereas coumatetralyl-powder contact is applied on the entrance of the burrows, being subject to the action of the weather, that can help in the active ingredient degradation and its transference to other environments. There is not information on the environmental persistence of these active ingredients in their formulations after placing on the environment. So this research evaluated the persistence of brodifacoum-paraffin block and coumatetralyl-powder contact after two months under environmental conditions. One hundred blocks were put in culverts and weekly, during two months, three blocks were retreated and submitted to extraction and the extract analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography for quantification of active ingredient. The coumatetralyl-powder contact was applied in experimental systems simulating the field conditions. Soil and water samples were collected weekly, for two months, submitted to the extraction and the extracts analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography for quantification of active ingredient. The results pointed the stability of brodi-facoum-paraffin block under real application environmental conditions because 100% of active ingredient was recovered after exposition of the blocks. However, there was decreased about 80% in the concentration of coumatetralyl-powder contact on top soil during two months of environmental exposition, however there was not found it in water sample.

Human biological monitoring of suspected .ndocrine-disrupting compounds

Endocrine-disrupting compounds are exogenous agents that interfere with the natural hormones of the body. Human biological monitoring is a powerful method for monitoring exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds. In this review, we describe human biological monitoring systems for different groups of endocrine disrupting compounds, polychiorinated biphenyls, brominated flame retardants, phthalates, alkylphenols, pesticides, metals, perfluronated compounds, parabens, ultraviolet filters, and organic solvents. The aspects discussed are origin to exposure, metabolism, matrices to analyse, analytical determination methods, determinants, and time trends.

Molecular Biological Detection of Biological Pollution in Water Environment

Water is contaminated mainly by chemical, physical and biological pollutants. At present, domestic reports on biological pollution of water environment are much less. Biological pollution in water environment pollution which is stable and infectious is the main part of water pollution. To fastly and accuratly detecte biological contamination of the water environment is extremely important for the control of disease outbreaks and water quality protection and public health security. This paper systematically introduces the research progress in biological water environment pollution detection methods in molecular biology aquatic environment, and explore molecular biology methods in the detection of biological contamination in water environment problems and trends.

Tetramethrin Identified in Fat Adjacent to Mammary Carcinoma in a Male Dog—Case Report

Canine mammary tumors (CMT) are very common in female dogs, representing approximately 50% of all tumors in this species, but are highly uncommon in male dogs and are primarily related to hyperestrogenism. There is considerable scientific interest in the possible role of environmental contaminants in the etiology of mammary tumors, specifically in relation to synthetic chemical substances released into the environment to which living beings are either directly or indirectly exposed. In this study, the presence of pyrethroid insecticide was observed in adipose tissue adjacent to canine mammary tumors. High Precision Liquid Chromatography—HPLC was adapted to detect and identify environmental contaminants in adipose tissue adjacent to malignant mammary tumor in one male dog, Akita, 12 years old. After surgery, the mass was carefully examined for malignant neoplastic lesions. Five grams of adipose tissue adjacent to the tumor was collected to detect environmental contaminants. The pyrethroid was identified as tetramethrin, at 0.20 μg/g. This is the first report in which the environmental contaminant level was detectable in adipose tissue of this male dog with a malignant mammary tumor, by HPLC. Results suggest the possible involvement of pyrethroid in the canine mammary tumor carcinogenesis since this animal did not present any other tumor that could cause hyperestrogenism.

An Ebola virus disease model with fear and environmental transmission dynamics

Recent Ebola virus disease(EVD)outbreaks have been limited not only to the interactions between humans but also to the complex interplay of the environment,human and socio-economic factors.Changes in human behaviour as a result of fear can also affect disease transmission dynamics.In this paper,a compartmental model is used to study the dynamics of EVD incorporating fear and environmental transmission.We formulate a fear dependent contact rate function to measure the rate of person to person,as well as pathogen to person transmissions.The epidemic threshold and the model equilibria are determined and,their stabilities are analysed.The model is validated by fitting it to data from the 2019 and 2020 EVD outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo.Our results suggest that the fear of death from EVD may reduce the transmission and aid the control of the disease,but it is not sufficient to eradicate the disease.Policymakers need to also implement other control measures such as case finding,media campaigns,Quarantine and increase in the number of beds in the Ebola treatment centers,good laboratory services,safe burials and social mobilisation,to eradicate the disease.

Atomically dispersed hierarchically ordered porous Fe-N-C single-atom nanozymes for dyes degradation

The development of novel nanozymes for environmental contamination remediation is a worthwhile research direction.However,most of the reported nanozymes cannot degrade efficiently due to the limitation of the internal active sites not being able to come into direct contact with contaminants.Therefore,we reported Fe-N-C single-atom nanozymes(SAzymes)with atomically dispersed FeN4 active sites anchored on a three-dimensional hierarchically ordered microporous-mesoporous-macroporous nitrogen doped carbon matrix(3DOM Fe-N-C)for the degradation of a targeted environmental pollutant(rhodamine B(RhB)).The three-dimensional(3D)hierarchically ordered porous structure may accelerate mass transfer and improve the accessibility of active sites.This structure and high metal atom utilization endow Fe-N-C SAzyme with enhanced tri-enzyme-mimic activities,comprising oxidase-mimic,peroxidase-mimic,and catalase-mimic activities.Based on its excellent peroxidase-mimic activity,3DOM Fe-N-C can degrade RhB by hydroxyl radicals(·OH)generated in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.This study provides a new idea for designing porous Fe-N-C SAzymes for environmental contamination remediation.

Chromium Adsorption in Different Mineralogical Fractions from Subtropical Soils

Safe application of chromium （Cr）-containing organic industrial wastes to soil requires considering the ability of the soil to adsorb Cr. In this study, the maximum Cr adsorption capacity was assessed for the bulk samples and their clay and iron-free clay fractions of four subtropical soils differing in mineralogy. To this end, the samples were supplied with Cr（Ⅲ） nitrate solutions at pH 4.5 or 5.5. The results of Cr（Ⅲ） adsorption fitted to a Freundlich equation and the adsorption capacity was positively correlated with soil organic matter and iron oxide contents. The clay fractions adsorbed more Cr per unit mass than the bulk soils and the iron-free clay fractions. The Cr（Ⅲ） adsorption capacity increased with increasing soil pH due to more charges on adsorbing surfaces. Our results suggest that the soils rich in organic matter and iron oxides and having a pH above 4.5 are suitable for application of Cr（Ⅲ）-loaded industrial wastes.

In situ stabilization of arsenic in soil with organoclay,organozeolite,birnessite,goethite and lanthanum-doped magnetic biochar

Arsenic(As)is a known carcinogen and naturally occurring semi-metal in soils and in the Earth's crust.Contamination of soils and water with As poses a serious threat to millions of people worldwide due to its health hazards and toxicological properties.Hence,devising novel and efficient methods for remediation of contaminated areas has attracted a great deal of interest across the globe.In this study,we investigated the usefulness of synthetic birnessite,goethite,hexadecylpyridinium chloride-modified montmorillonite(HDPC-M),hexadecylpyridinium bromide-modified zeolite(HDPB-Z),and lanthanum(La)-doped magnetic biochar produced from eucalyptus bark(La-Euchar)as adsorbents at 10%dosage for As stabilization in a soil spiked with 1000 mg kg^(-1)As.The effectiveness of the above adsorbents in As immobilization in soil was assessed using single-step extractions with 2 mol L^(-1)HNO_(3)and deionized water,the simplified bioaccessibility extraction test(SBET)method,and sequential extraction with the modified Community Bureau of Reference(BCR)method.Application of the adsorbents shifted the exchangeable fraction of As to more recalcitrant fractions and dramatically reduced the exchangeable fraction by 6%-99%and the extractable amounts with HNO_(3),deionized water,and SBET method by 30%-92%,17%-95%,and 12%-90%,respectively,compared to the unamended control.The immobilizing effects of adsorbents on As decreased in the sequence of birnessite>La-Euchar>goethite>HDPB-Z>HDPC-M.Birnessite exhibited great affinity for As and drastically reduced As extractability by more than 90%in all single extractions.The results revealed that HDPC-M,HDPB-Z,La-Euchar,birnessite,and goethite are promising immobilizing agents for in situ stabilization of As in terrestrial environments.

Risk factors for avian influenza virus in backyard poultry flocks and environments in Zhejiang Province,China:a crosssectional study

Background:Human infection of avian influenza virus(AIV)remains a great concern.Although live poultry markets are believed to be associated with human infections,ever more infections have been reported in rural areas with backyard poultry,especially in the fifth epidemic of H7N9.However,limited information is available on backyard poultry infection and surrounding environmental contamination.Methods:Two surveillance systems and a field survey were used to collect data and samples in Zhejiang Province.In total,4538 samples were collected by surveillance systems and 3171 from the field survey between May 2015 and May 2017,while 352 backyard poultry owners were interviewed in May 2017 by questionnaire to investigate factors influencing the prevalence of avian influenza A virus and other AIV subtypes.RT-PCR was used to test the nucleic acids of viruses.ArcGIS 10.1 software was used to generate maps.Univariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for AIV infection.Results:Of the 428 poultry premises observed by the surveillance system,53(12.38%)were positive for influenza A virus.Of the 352 samples from poultry premises observed by field survey,13(3.39%)were positive for influenza A virus.The prevalence of AIV was unevenly distributed and the dominant subtype differed among cities.Eastern(Shaoxing and Ningbo)and southern(Wenzhou)cities exhibited a higher prevalence of AIV(16.33,8.94,and 7.30%respectively).Contamination of AIV subtypes was most severe in January,especially in 2016(23.26%,70/301).The positive rate of subtype H5/H7/H9 was 2.53%(115/4538).Subtype H5 was the least prevalent,while subtypes H7 and H9 had similar positivity rates(1.50 and 1.32%respectively).Poultry flocks and environmental samples had a similar prevalence of AIV(4.46%vs 5.06%).The type of live birds was a risk factor and the sanitary condition of the setting was a protective factor against influenza A contamination.Conclusions:AIV subtypes were prevalent in backyard poultry flocks and surrounding environments in Zhejiang Province.The types of live birds and sanitary conditions of the environment were associated with influenza A contamination.These findings shine a light on the characteristics of contamination of AIV subtypes and emphasize the importance of reducing AIV circulation in backyard poultry settings.

Biochar produced from Amazonian agro-industrial wastes:properties and adsorbent potential of Cd^(2+) and Cu^(2+)

In the Amazon region,several residues that have been misused can serve as feedstocks for biochar production with the aim of recovering soils contaminated by heavy metals.However,these biochars need to be firstly tested for their adsorption capacity as well as their physicochemical attributes prior to field application.Therefore,this study aimed to characterize and evaluate the adsorption capacities of Cd^(2+) and Cu^(2+) of biochars produced from acai(BA),Brazil nut(BN),and palm kernel cake(BK)residues.Biochars were produced by slow pyrolysis at four different temperatures(400,500,600,and 700℃).The physicochemical properties of the biochars,such as cation exchange capacity,ash,recalcitrance index,and aromaticity were enhanced with increased pyrolysis temperature.The adsorption capacities of Cd^(2+) and Cu^(2+) showed high correlations with the physicochemical properties of biochar,indicating the importance of these characteristics in the adsorption process.Furthermore,the adsorption of Cd^(2+) and Cu^(2+) also increased with the increase in the pyrolysis temperature.In a competitive system,Cd^(2+)exhibited higher adsorption capacity than Cu^(2+) for all biochars.In general,BN showed the highest adsorption capacity,followed by BK and BA.Biochars produced from the Amazonian residues have the potential to improve soil quality when used as amendments in the recovery of soils contaminated with Cd and Cu,representing an environmentally sound technology for the reuse of these residues.

Soil-transmitted helminths and plasmodium falciparum malaria among individuals living in different agroecosystems in two rural communities in the mount Cameroon area:a cross-sectional study

Background:Soil-transmitted helminths(STHs)and Plasmodium falciparum infections remain public health problems in Cameroon.A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Mount Cameroon area to determine the prevalence and intensity of STHs and P.falciparum infections in individuals living in different agroecosystems;to assess the influence of these infections on haematological parameters;and to identify the risk factors associated with STH infections.Methods:STH and malaria parasites were detected using the Kato-Katz method and Giemsa staining of blood films,respectively.Complete blood count values were obtained using an automatic haematology analyser.Soil samples were analysed using the sucrose floatation sedimentation method.Categorical and continuous variables were compared as required and logistic regression models were used to assess the risk factors for STH infections and anaemia.Results:Of the 450 participants examined,STHs,P.falciparum and mixed co-infections were detected in 14.0,33.3 and 5.6%of participants,respectively.Significantly higher prevalences of Ascaris(18.8%)and Trichuris(7.9%)infections were observed in participants from tea plantation areas compared to those from banana and palm plantation areas,with similar trends in egg density.P.falciparum prevalence and parasite density were comparable between the different agroecosystems.The overall prevalence of anaemia was 64.2%.The prevalence of haematological manifestations such as moderate(48.0%)and severe(8.0%)anaemia,leucopenia(26.9%)and microcytosis(30.8%)was significantly higher among Plasmodium-STH co-infected participants.Soil samples from plantations showed the highest prevalences of STH eggs compared to soil samples from areas around pit toilets and public water taps.Living in a tea plantation area(OR=3.07),age(AOR=1.49)and lack of access to potable water(OR=2.25)were identified as risk factors for STH infections,while the age groups 15-25 years(OR=2.928)and 26-35 years(OR=2.832),and being female(OR=2.671)were significant risk factors for anaemia.Conclusions:STHs,malaria and anaemia are still of public health concern in plantation communities.Co-infections negatively influence haematological parameters.The tea farming agroecosystem,age and lack of access to potable water were identified as significant risk factors for STH infections.Trial registration:Not applicable.

Photocatalytic remediation of ionic pollutant

Recently, the photocatalysts have attracted lots of attention and efforts due to their great potential for environmental remediation application. Toxic ions in water are an increasing environmental pollutant with the fast development. Numerous researches have been made to develop photocatalysts to treat ionic pollutants under the illumination of ultraviolet light and visible light. Here, photocatalytic remediation of toxic ionic pollutants has been reviewed. This review summarized and discussed various photocatalysts including TiO〉 modified TiO2, metal oxides, metalsulfides, and nitrides and their recent progress in removing ionic pollutants such as heavy metal ion. The latest achievements and their future prospects of photocatalytic remediation of ion pollutant have also been reviewed.

Health hazards related to conidia of Cladosporium—biological air pollutants in Poland, central Europe

The spores of Cladosporium Link. are often present in the air in high quantities and produce many allergenic proteins, which may lead to asthma. An aerobiological spore monitoring program can inform patients about the current spore concentration in air and help their physicians determine the spore dose that is harmful for a given individual. This makes it possible to develop optimized responses and propose personalized therapy for a particular sensitive patient. The aim of this study was to assess the extent of the human health hazard posed by the fungal genus Cladosporium. For the first time, we have determined the number of days on which air samples in Poland exceeded the concentrations linked to allergic responses of sensitive patients, according to thresholds established by three different groups（2800/3000/4000 spores per 1 m^3 of the air）. The survey was conducted over three consecutive growing seasons（April–September, 2010–2012） in three cities located in different climate zones of Poland（Poznan, Lublin and Rzeszow）. The average number of days exceeding 2800 spores per cubic meter（the lowest threshold） ranged from 61（2010） through 76（2011） to 93（2012）, though there was significant variation between cities. In each year the highest concentration of spores in the air was detected in either Poznan or Lublin, both located on large plains with intensive agriculture. We have proposed that an effective, science-based software platform to support policy-making on air quality should incorporate biological air pollutant data,such as allergenic fungal spores and pollen grains.