An Estimation of the Daily Intake of Di(2-ethlhexyl) Phthalate(DEHP) among Workers in Flavoring Factories

Objective To estimate the daily intake of DEHP among workers in flavoring factories. Methods 71 workers in two flavoring manufacturers, 27 administrators in those factories and 31 laboratory technicians in a research institute were recruited and assigned to exposure group, control group 1 and control group 2 respectively. Their urinary DEHP metabolites, mono（2-ethylhexyl） phthalate （MEHP）, mono-（2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl） phthalate （MEHHP）, mono-（2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl） phthalate （MEOHP）, were detected by isotope dilution-ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry（UPLC-MS/MS）. The urinary metabolites concentrations were converted into DEHP intake levels using two pharmacokinetic models： the urine creatinine-excretion （UCE） one and the urine volume （UV） one. Results No significant differences were found among the three groups. Based on the urinary concentrations of Z3MEHP, we got a median daily DEHP intake of 3.22 or 1.85 μg/kg body-weight/day applying the UV or UCE models respectively. Depending on the UV model, three subjects （2.34%） exceeded the RfD value given by US EPA and the P50 of estimate daily DEHP intakes accounted for 16.10% of the RfD value. No subjects exceeded the limitation depending on the UCE model. Conclusion The workers in flavoring factories were not supposed to be the high DEHP exposure ones and their exposure level remained at a low risk.

Assessing the health risk of heavy metals in vegetables to the general population in Beijing,China

A systematic survey of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations in vegetables from 416 samples （involving 100 varieties） in Beijing was carried out for assessing the potential health risk to local inhabitants. The results indicated that the metal concentrations in vegetables ranged from 〈 0.001 to 0.479 μg/g fresh weight （fw） （As）, 〈 0.001 to 0.101 μg/g fw （Cd）, 〈 0.001 to 1.04 μg/g fw （Cr）, 0.024 to 8.25μg/g fw （Cu）, 0.001 to 1.689 μg/g fw （Ni）, 〈 0.001 to 0.655 μg/g fw （Pb） and 0.01 to 25.6 μg/g fw （Zn）, with average concentrations of 0.013, 0.010, 0.023, 0.51, 0.053, 0.046 and 2.55 μg/g fw, respectively. The results showed that the concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb and Ni in vegetables from open-fields were all significantly higher than those grown in greenhouses. In addition, in local-produced vegetables, all HMs except Zn were significantly higher than those in provincial vegetables. The estimated daily intake （EDI） of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn from vegetables was 0.080, 0.062, 0.142, 3.14, 0.327, 0.283 and 15.7 μg/（kg body weight （bw）.d） for adults, respectively. Arsenic was the major risk contributor for inhabitants since the target hazard quotient based on the weighted average concentration （THQw） of arsenic amounted to 44.3% of the total THQ （TTHQ） value according to average vegetable consumption. The TTHQ was lower than 1 for all age groups, indicating that it was still safe for the general population of Beijing to consume vegetables.

Residual levels and health risk assessment of trace metals in Chinese resident diet

Large-scale metal contamination across the food web is an intractable problem due to increasing pollutant emissions,atmospheric transport,and dry and wet deposition of elements.The present study focus on several trace metals that are rarely studied but have special toxicity,including tin(Sn),antimony(Sb),gold(Au),hafnium(Hf),palladium(Pd),platinum(Pt),ruthenium(Ru),tellurium(Te)and iridium(Ir).We investigated trace metals residues and distribution characteristics,and further evaluated the potential health risks from major daily food intakes in 33 cities in China.Sn,Sb,Ir,Hf,and Au were frequently detected in food samples with the concentrations ranged from ND(not detected)to 24.78μg/kg ww(wet weight).Eggs exhibited the highest residual level of all detected metals(13.70±14.70μg/kg ww in sum),while the lowest concentrations were observed in vegetables(0.53±0.17μg/kg ww in sum).Sn accounting for more than 50%of the total trace metals concentration in both terrestrial and aquatic animal origin foods.In terrestrial plant origin foods,Sn and Ir were the most abundant elements.Hf and Au were the most abundant elements in egg samples.In addition,Sb and Ir showed a clear trophic dilution effect in terrestrial environments,while in aquatic ecosystems,Sn,Hf,and Au exhibited obvious trophic amplification effects.The calculated average estimated daily intake(EDI)via food consumption in five regions of China was 0.09μg/(kg·day),implying the health risk of aforementioned elements was acceptable.

Differentiated emission control strategy based on comprehensive evaluation of multi-media pollution:Case of mercury emission control

In order to comprehensively evaluate the environmental impact of multi-media mercury pollution under differentiated emission control strategies in China,a literature review and case studies were carried out.Increased human exposure to methylmercury was assessed through the dietary intake of residents in areas surrounding a typical coal-fired power plant and a zinc(Zn)smelter,located either on acid soil with paddy growth in southern China,or on alkaline soil with wheat growth in northern China.Combined with knowledge on speciated mercury in flue gas and the fate of mercury in the wastewater or solid waste of the typical emitters applying different air pollution control devices,a simplified model was developed by estimating the incremental daily intake of methylmercury from both local and global pollution.Results indicated that air pollution control for coal-fired power plants and Zn smelters can greatly reduce health risks from mercury pollution,mainly through a reduction in global methylmercury exposure,but could unfortunately induce local methylmercury exposure by transferring more mercury from flue gas to wastewater or solid waste,then contaminating surrounding soil,and thus increasing dietary intake via crops.Therefore,tightening air emission control is conducive to reducing the comprehensive health risk,while the environmental equity between local and global pollution control should be fully considered.Rice in the south tends to have higher bioconcentration factors than wheat in the north,implying the great importance of strengthening local pollution control in the south,especially for Zn smelters with higher contribution to local pollution.

Characteristics and health risks of population exposure to phthalates via the use of face towels

The production of face towels is growing at an annual rate of about 4%in China,reaching 1.13 million tons by 2021.Phthalates(PAEs)are widely used in textiles,and face towels,as an important household textile,may expose people to PAEs via the skin,further leading to health risks.We collected new face towels and analyzed the distribution characterization of PAEs in them.The changes of PAEs were explored in a face towel use experiment and a simulated laundry experiment.Based on the use of face towels by 24 volunteers,we calculated the estimated daily intake(EDI)and comprehensively assessed the hazard quotient(HQ),hazard index(HI),and dermal cancer risk(DCR)of PAEs exposure in the population.PAEs were present in new face towels at total concentrations of<MDL–2388 ng/g,with a median of 173.2 ng/g,which was a lower contamination level compared with other textiles.PAE contents in used face towels were significantly higher than in new face towels.The concentrations of PAEs in coral velvet were significantly higher than those in cotton.Water washing removed some PAEs,while detergent washing increased the PAE content on face towels.Gender,weight,use time,and material were the main factors affecting EDI.The HQ and HIwere less than 1,which proved PAEs had no significant non-carcinogenic health risks.Among the five target PAEs studied,DEHPwas the only carcinogenic PAE andmay cause potential health risks after long-term exposure.Therefore,we should pay more attention to DEHP.

A review of sources,fate,levels,toxicity,exposure and transformations of organophosphorus flame-retardants and plasticizers in the environment

Organophosphate esters(OPEs)are esters of phosphoric acid that are increasingly used as plasticizers and by the flame-retardants industries as replacement for the regulated polybrominated diphenyl ethers.The most commonly classes of these pollutants are the chlorinated-and non-chlorinated-OPEs.The extent and magnitude of OPEs occurrence in the environment,combined with striking structural similarities to toxic organophosphorus pesticides has led to public concern over risk posed by these compounds.Using peer-reviewed literature published from the last decade(2010e2019),concentrations and distributions of commonly studied OPEs based on their occurrence in different matrices around the globe were evaluated and reported.These pollutants have a wide range of physicochemical properties such as their water solubility’s,logKow value,vapour pressure and bioconcentration factors(BCFs)which are very important factors in assessing their behaviour in different environmental matrices.Despite progress in research on OPEs over the years,full understanding of the environmental behaviour and fate of these pollutants are still elusive.Sources by which these pollutants enter the environment in conjunction with their concentrations together with their toxicities,estimated daily intakes,transformation products and fates are reviewed.It is envisaged that this review will heighten the importance of identifying emerging issues,data gaps and provide a future research agenda for OPEs.