The foraging of macrofungi from forests for local consumption has not changed throughout human history and across cultures. Carpophores of B. edulis were investigated on the occurrence and association of Se, THg and o-Hg, the effects of culinary braising and compounds intake assessment in the light of exposure and risk assessment procedures used in food and environmental toxicology. The porcine carpophores were collected from a forest surrounded with a rural and agricultural landscape, mainly nearby meadows. Overall, braised and crude (fresh) porcini carpophores at various stages of maturity can be considered to be high in Se. The apparent net “enrichment” with Se in braised porcini compared to the crude product was + 55
Lead (Pb) is a neurotoxin linked to aggression, while alcohol consumption, a major public health concern in South Africa, may also increase aggressive behaviour. This study examined associations between blood Pb levels and aggression in adults, and whether alcohol modified this relationship. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 199 adults, living at varying distances from gold mine tailings in Gauteng. Blood Pb were log-transformed and examined in relation to environmental exposures (proximity to roads and mine tailings), behavioural factors (smoking, soil ingestion), and soil Pb levels. Alcohol consumption was categorised as none, 1–4 drinks and ≥ 5 drinks per occasion (heavy episodic drinking). Aggression was measured using the 29-item Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), including anger, hostility, verbal, and physical aggression. Linear regression models were estimated for each aggression outcome, adjusting for age, alcohol use, blood Pb, and interactions between blood Pb and alcohol. Mean blood Pb was 2.4 ± 1.8 µg/dL (range 0.5–12.2 µg/dL), with 9.7
Arsenic (As) pollution of agricultural soils causes adverse effects on crop development and can increase As uptake by humans. We performed a greenhouse pot experiment with maize (Zea mays L.). Three soil treatments with varying microbial disturbance were designed: native soil, sterilized soil, and sterilized soil reconditioned with soil microbes. The three soil treatments were intersected with three levels of As in soils (0, 100 and 200 mg kg− 1 spiked As). The effect of As on the microbial community was only investigated in the native soil, while the combined effect of As and microbial disturbance was investigated in all treatments. Plant height, fresh biomass, BBCH-scale, leaf numbers, leaf chlorophyll content and leaf damage were recorded. We also analyzed the microbial community composition in the soil and in maize and the activities of soil enzymes (N-β-acetylglucosaminidase, acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase and cellobiohydrolase). In the native soil, As increased soil bacterial alpha diversity but did not consistently alter microbial community composition or the activities of the five measured soil enzymes. Root, leaf and grain microbiomes were little impacted by As. High As levels alone did not reduce most maize health parameters, except for leaf damage scale. However, the combination of soil sterilization and As reduced plant height and leaf chlorophyll content, while enhancing leaf damage scale. The effect of soil sterilization was partly weekend by microbial reconditioning. In summary, soil indigenous microbes are largely resilient to high As levels and help protect maize against As stress.
Rice is not only an economically important crop in Southeast Asia, but also the primary staple food for populations in this region. However, integrated assessments of nutrient composition, dietary contribution, and potential toxicity in rice remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the variation of essential elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Fe, and Mn) in rice from Thailand, Lao PDR, and Myanmar, and to further assess dietary contribution and potential health risks, with a particular focus on Mn. Distinct regional patterns in nutrient composition were observed, with Myanmar exhibiting stronger inter-element correlations than other countries. Despite these variations, rice contributed < 10
Fluoride concentration in soil and its uptake in food crops pose a serious threat to the environment and public health. This study investigates the spatial distribution of fluoride in soil, its bioavailability and bioaccessibility, as well as the associated human health risks from soil and plants in two agriculturally important blocks (Nalhati-I: Block 1 and Rampurhat-I: Block 2) of Birbhum district, West Bengal. Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation suggested heterogeneity in fluoride distribution across the two blocks due to differences in underlying geology. Fluoride bioavailability was strongly and significantly correlated with soil pH (r = -0.8). Among the studied species, onion exhibited the highest accumulation, although none of them showed hyperaccumulation (BCF > 1). Simulated gastrointestinal digestion revealed higher bioaccessible fluoride content from coriander leaves of Block 1 compared to Block 2, with fluoride concentrations decreasing from the gastric phase to the intestinal phase. Exposure to fluoride-contaminated soils and plants posed acceptable non-carcinogenic risks across all age groups (HI < 1), with children at the highest risk because of their higher ingestion rates and lower body weight. However, the cumulative lifetime exposure assessment indicated potential non-carcinogenic health risk (HILTNR > 1). Sobol sensitivity analysis showed that fluoride concentration was the primary determinant of dietary risk across all age groups, whereas body weight dominated soil-related exposure in children and teenagers and ingestion rate in adults. These findings emphasize the necessity of site-specific mitigation techniques to reduce long-term health hazards and promote safer, more sustainable agricultural practices.
Drinking water is one of the many potential routes of human exposure to environmental contaminants, as it often originates from anthropogenically impacted sources. This two-year study monitored contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in five drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) across the Basque Country. A complementary analytical approach combining target analysis and non-target screening (NTS) was employed to assess the presence of CECs in both non-treated and treated waters. DWTPs sourcing water from surface waters exhibited the highest number of CECs, with compounds such as metformin and didecyldimethylammonium (DDAC) frequently detected (> 30
Arsenic (As) exposure through drinking water (DW) and rice remains a major public health concern in parts of India, especially West Bengal, with children being particularly vulnerable. This study aimed to assess As exposure and associated health risks among primary schoolchildren from As-affected and apparently control areas, and to identify key predictors influencing As accumulation. This cross-sectional investigation was conducted on 91 children aged 6-11 years, involving As estimation in water, raw and cooked rice (CR), and biological samples (urine, hair, and nails). Probabilistic health risk assessment using Monte Carlo simulation revealed that children, specifically boys in exposed areas faced elevated carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks (mean total CaR > 9.0 × 10−4; HI > 17), with CR identified as the primary exposure source. Among dietary predictors, daily protein intake showed a strong inverse relationship with As in all biomarkers (e.g., nail As: β = − 2.47, p < 0.001), suggesting a protective role against toxicity. Children with lower intake of energy, protein, and calcium exhibited higher As deposition in hair and nails, indicating a link between malnutrition and chronic exposure. Conversely, regression analyses found no significant association between As levels and anthropometric indicators like weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ), height-for-age Z-score (HAZ), and BMI-for-age Z-score (BAZ), suggesting that growth status alone is not predictive of internal As burden. Similarly, while children from lower socioeconomic groups showed a trend toward higher As levels, differences across socio-economic status (SES) categories were not statistically significant. Multifactorial regression models confirmed that dietary protein intake as the strongest predictor of As accumulation across all biomarkers, independent of age, sex, and SES. These findings highlight the need for integrated mitigation strategies that address both environmental exposure and nutritional vulnerability to reduce the health impacts of As among school-age children.
The persistence and accumulation of dioxins (PCDDs), furans (PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (dl-PCBs) continue to raise public health concerns. 480 serum samples from adults (18–65 years old) living in a Mediterranean Region of Spain were collected. All 29 congeners analysed were detected, with detection frequencies ranging from 3
Measuring chemical exposures during fetal development is critical to understanding the environmental influences on chronic disease risk. The placenta, in direct contact with the fetus throughout gestation, offers a vital matrix for assessing fetal chemical exposures. However, analytical challenges remain due to its heterogeneous composition and the need to detect trace levels of diverse chemical classes. This study aimed to develop and validate a robust analytical method to quantify and screen for environmental contaminants in human placental tissue using QuEChERS-based extraction that was optimized for high recovery and reproducibility while minimizing matrix interference. Analysis was performed using gas chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS) with isotope dilution for targeted quantitation of 119 semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Method performance was assessed using spiked placental samples and a NIST-certified reference material. The validated method was applied to 50 placental samples collected from a North Carolina pregnancy cohort (Project HOPE 1000). The optimized method displayed acceptable recoveries (50–150
Groundwater artificial recharge (GAR) is widely applied to restore groundwater levels; however, its potential to introduce environmental risks and the long-term evolution of groundwater pollution risk before and after implementation remain poorly understood. Herein, the Yongding River replenishment area was analyzed for the periods before (2002–2014) and after (2014–2022) GAR, considering pollution source patterns and groundwater level fluctuations. A comprehensive groundwater pollution risk assessment framework was developed by integrating pollutant load, vadose zone attenuation, and aquifer transport processes to evaluate the characteristics and spatiotemporal evolution patterns. The results demonstrated a decline in groundwater pollution risk before GAR, with high-risk areas primarily concentrated in the central part, where the combined effects of pollutant load and groundwater level fluctuations reduced the proportion of high-risk areas from 2 to 1
Arsenic contamination in cereal crops represents a critical global food safety concern requiring systematic assessment. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of 2,895 arsenic data records from 736 publications (1979-2023) covering rice, wheat, and corn globally. Spatial distribution analysis using ArcGIS and advanced statistical modeling revealed a clear contamination hierarchy: rice (0.1 mg/kg) > wheat (0.05 mg/kg) > corn (0.03 mg/kg). Geographic patterns showed concentration of high-contamination zones in Asia, particularly China and Central Asian republics. Temporal analysis demonstrated stable rice and wheat levels over 35 years, while corn showed 62.5% improvement since 1985. Health risk assessment using updated JECFA reference points (3 μg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) identified critical exposure patterns. Bangladesh represents the extreme-risk epicenter, where adults consuming wheat/corn and children consuming corn exhibited Margin of Exposure (MOE) values below the safety threshold (MOE < 1). This indicates their estimated daily intake (EDI) of inorganic arsenic exceeded the benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL0.5), posing severe health threats. Climate change may increase rice arsenic by 25%, which could further exacerbate these risks, particularly in high-exposure regions like Bangladesh. The Asia-Pacific region bears the greatest burden, with Bangladesh alone illustrating a critical public health crisis affecting millions. Immediate priorities must include targeted interventions in high-risk regions, strengthening monitoring systems, implementing pediatric-specific standards, and integrating climate impacts into contamination management frameworks.
In this study, an enhanced probabilistic risk assessment system established on the basis of combining the conventional contamination indices and Monte Carlo simulation (50,000 iterations, with iteration count justified through a formal convergence analysis) was applied in the evaluation of Pb, Cd, and As pollution in five vegetables. The twenty samples were examined for metallurgical phase by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GF-AAS) following digestion in a microwave-assisted procedure. Species-specific accumulation trends were determined; wherein Mint and Leek proved to be the major Pb accumulators (1.95–2.45 µg/g dry weight), Basil accumulated Cd to a great extent (0.15–0.21 µg/g) and Spinach had fluctuating accumulation of As (0.01–0.30 µg/g). Augmented Monte Carlo calculation with total sensitivity monitoring identified Lead as the greatest mean Hazard Quotient (2.74 × 10−7, 95
Excessive exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy can have long-term health effects for the mother and the neonates. However, longitudinal data on EDC accumulation throughout gestation are limited. This prospective cohort study aimed to characterize the changes in paraben and phthalate exposure throughout gestation. We enrolled 641 healthy pregnant women and collected urine samples at four time points during routine antenatal visits, alongside clinical outcome data. Samples were analyzed using UPLC coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Methyl paraben was predominantly found across all time points (5.65 to 3070.87, 10.60 to 5261.46, 11.41 to 903.68 and 6.12 to 899.69 ng/ml respectively). Overall paraben concentrations peaked during the second trimester, with total parabens reaching 103.39 (IQR: 243.35–527.80). Among phthalates, monoethyl phthalate showed the highest levels throughout pregnancy (2.20 to 1541.36, 7.31 to 2530.13, 2.18 to 656.70 and 0.44 to 980.30 ng/ml respectively). In correlation analysis, certain parabens (EP, HP) and phthalate metabolites (MCPP, MMP, MiNP) showed negative correlations with birth weight, birth length, and vitamin D levels in the second trimester; however, subsequent regression analyses did not identify any statistically significant associations. This study offers a comprehensive exploration of the exposure patterns of parabens and phthalate metabolites throughout gestation emphasizing pronounced exposure during the second trimester. The elevated levels of methyl paraben observed in this Indian cohort, compared to international data, underscore the critical need for region-specific regulatory guidelines. Our findings also establish a foundational reference for EDCs in pregnant Indian women, emphasizing future public health strategies.
Organic pollutants (OPs) have been associated with increasing rates of cancer, metabolic disorders, and obesity, and may accumulate in human breast milk, creating potential risks for breastfeeding infants. This study assessed the presence and concentrations of OPs in breast milk, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and selected non-POPs, and examined associations between pollutant levels and socio-demographic/lifestyle factors, as well as DNA damage in exfoliated mammary epithelial cells among lactating mothers living in Istanbul, Türkiye. In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, breast milk samples were collected and participants completed face-to-face questionnaires on sociodemographic and lifestyle determinants. Genotoxicity in exfoliated mammary epithelial cells was evaluated using the Comet assay. OPs in milk were quantified by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. PCBs were the predominant contaminants and PCB 153, PCB 101, and PCB 180 showed the highest concentrations. Among DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) metabolites, p,p′-DDT was highest, while γ-HCH was the dominant HCH congener. Several non-POPs (propiconazole, pyriproxyfen, acetochlor, and propargite) were detected. Regular poultry consumption was associated with higher PCB 153 levels. Passive smoking correlated positively with total HCHs and γ-HCH, while active smoking was positively associated with PCB 153. Living in Istanbul for > 5 years was linked to higher propiconazole but lower PCB 28, o, p′-DDE, and p, p′-DDE. Comet tail intensity and tail moment were moderately positively associated with PCB 202, o, p′-DDE, and propiconazole. Detectable OP residues were present in breast milk, underscoring potential exposure risks for mothers and infants and supporting ongoing monitoring in urban populations to inform public health strategies.
The liver is a vital organ for detoxification, and its health can be evaluated using biomarkers such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), along with indices like the AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4). Although hepatotoxic effects of lead (Pb) or arsenic (As) exposure have been widely studied, evidence on co-exposure or specific Asspecies is limited. This study assessed the association of individual and combined exposure to Pb and urinary As species (arsenite [As3+], arsenate [As5+], monomethylarsonic acid [MMA], dimethylarsinic acid [DMA]) with liver function and fibrosis in 199 young adults (aged 20–29 years) in Taiwan. The median blood Pb concentration was 8.14 µg/L, while median urinary As concentrations (µg/g-creatinine) were: As3+: 1.35, As5+: 0.99, MMA: 3.76, DMA: 31.85, inorganic As: 2.74, and SumAs: 41.91. Median AST, ALT, APRI, and FIB-4 were 18 IU/L, 14 IU/L, 0.219, and 0.410, respectively. Adjusted models showed blood Pb was significantly associated with AST and FIB-4, while DMA and SumAs were positively associated with APRI. Generalized additive models indicated nonlinear associations of As3+ and Pb with AST, DMA with APRI, and Pb with FIB-4. Logistic regression showed Pb alone significantly increased the risk of elevated AST, ALT, and FIB-4. Combined exposure to high Pb and high DMA or SumAs levels increased the risk of elevated AST, while high Pb exposure increased ALT risk regardless of As species levels. High Pb with DMA or MMA conferred the greatest risks for APRI ≥ 0.284 and FIB-4 ≥ 0.511. These findings suggest that even low-level Pb and As exposure, alone or combined, may contribute to impaired liver function and increased fibrosis risk in young adults.
Previous studies have investigated association between metal exposure and colorectal cancer (CRC) and mainly focus on individual heavy metal or a limited combination of heavy metals. The potential effects of heavy metal mixture, as well as the joint influence of metals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in blood on CRC prognosis remain insufficiently understood. The present study aims to identify the association of co-exposure to heavy metals and PFAS mixtures in blood samples from CRC patients. This cross-sectional study analyzed 309 plasma samples from CRC patients to measure 14 heavy metals and integrated serum PFAS data from a prior cohort. Copper and selenium levels in plasma exhibited a positive correlation with age and demonstrated statistically significant gender-based differences (Mann-Whitney U; P < 0.01). Poisson regression analysis revealed that underweight CRC patients had higher selenium exposure compared to those with a normal body mass index (95
Dental caries (DC) is the most prevalent chronic disease. Previous studies have revealed negative associations between DC prevalence and both drinking water fluoride concentration (F) and socioeconomic status but further predictors, notably drinking water calcium, have been little explored, particularly in the UK. Therefore, this study employed multiple linear regression (MLR) to model the dependency of children’s DC on all three of these predictors, namely (i) F, (ii) IMD: index of multiple deprivation, and (iii) WH: water hardness—as a proxy for calcium concentration; in England. The results showed that all three predictors are statistically significantly (p < 0.05) associated with DC, with, separately, increased fluoride, increased water hardness, and decreased deprivation being associated with lower DC. A key novel finding is that the DC F relationship is quantitatively less pronounced (by about 24
The Upper Atoyac River Basin (UARB), located in Puebla and Tlaxcala, Mexico, is one of the most environmentally and health-impacted regions in the country. Over recent decades, chronic non-communicable diseases—particularly childhood leukemia and chronic kidney disease—have increased markedly, in association with exposure to complex mixtures of industrial and agricultural contaminants. This cross-sectional study assessed environmental exposures and associated biological effects in adolescents from five UARB communities representing different levels of industrialization. Blood, urine, and urban dust samples were analyzed for metals and metalloids (ICP-MS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine (OC) and organophosphate (OP) pesticides (GC-MS). In a subgroup, inflammatory cytokines were quantified by flow cytometry. Data were integrated using principal component analysis (PCA) and generalized linear models (GLMs) adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and community. Results showed widespread exposure to PCBs, OCs, and metals, with heterogeneous patterns across sites. Enrichment factors in urban dust identified As, Sb, and Pb as clear markers of anthropogenic origin. Exposure components dominated by PCBs and OCs were associated with elevated hepatic and hormonal markers, whereas those dominated by metals were correlated with lipid and endocrine alterations. Cytokine profiles revealed a proinflammatory pattern (IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23) associated with dioxin-like PCBs and OCs, and a modulatory/epithelial pattern (IL-33, IL-18, IL-10) negatively correlated with metals, suggesting immunosuppression. These findings support a territorial exposure framework, in which adolescents in the UARB are continuously exposed to complex contaminant mixtures arising from industrial, environmental, and everyday settings, resulting in early systemic biological alterations despite being apparently healthy.
Fish consumption is associated with both health benefits and potential health risks from chemical contaminants. Given Singapore’s high fish consumption levels, a risk-benefit assessment was conducted to evaluate the net health impact of fish consumption in the population. This study utilised a probabilistic quantitative approach to analyse three alternative fish consumption scenarios derived from local consumption patterns at 0.5 times, 1.5 times and 2 times of current average daily fish consumption levels. The net health effect was quantified using disability-adjusted life years, utilising data from Singapore’s Total Diet Study. Benefits from fish consumption were weighed against the health risks arising from four chemical contaminants in commonly consumed fish in Singapore: inorganic arsenic, cadmium, lead, and methylmercury. Results demonstrated that benefits outweighed toxicological risks, whereby increasing fish consumption to twice the current levels had an annual net gain of 503 healthy life years/100,000 individuals, translating to an estimated 20,473 healthy life years gained annually in the Singapore Resident population. However, risks from potential exceedance of chemical contaminant exposure in children and pregnant women due to lead and methylmercury respectively, warrants provision of differentiated evidence-based dietary guidance for vulnerable populations. Based on current consumption patterns and measured levels of the four chemical contaminants in commonly consumed fish in Singapore, these findings support increased fish consumption of commonly consumed fish in the general Singapore Resident population, while providing targeted guidance to vulnerable populations to consume a diverse variety of lower contaminant fish, in order to maximise population health benefits while minimising toxicological risks.
This study investigated the long-term exposure of residents in proximity to Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators (MSWIs) in Seoul, South Korea, to dioxins and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, and mercury), emphasizing environmental and public health implications. The researchers analyzed the temporal trends in blood concentrations of these contaminants, considering demographic factors such as age and gender, using data collected over six survey rounds from 2002 to 2021. The results revealed a significant decline in blood lead levels, particularly among females, with greater reductions in individuals with initially elevated blood lead levels. Cadmium concentrations remained relatively stable, whereas mercury levels exhibited minor fluctuations, with females demonstrating higher levels than males. Dioxins were slightly reduced, although their persistence in the environment and human bloodstream remains a concern. Age-specific analysis showed that younger women experienced the greatest decline in lead and dioxin levels. These findings highlight the efficacy of public health interventions in reducing environmental exposure, particularly among vulnerable populations, and underscore the need for continued monitoring and mitigation efforts to address the long-term environmental and health risks associated with exposure to these substances.
