Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “FOOD CONTAMINATION”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Environmental and food contamination with PCB's in Japan.

In Japan "yusho", i.e., poisoning caused by ingestion of rice oil contaminated with PCB's, broke out in October 1968, and produced more than 1200 officially certified cases. Nevertheless, it was only regarded as a kind of food poisoning and its connection with environmental and biological contamination was only imperfectly taken into consideration. Finally, in the autumn of 1970, two study groups, from the Ehime University and the Kyoto City Hygienic Institute, reported on the PCB contamination of salt water and fresh water fishes in Japan. Subsequently many reports about PCB's as an environmental contaminant have been published by several study groups throughout Japan, and nowadays the PCB polluted state of Japan has become rather clearly recognized. This report will present information on environmental, food and human contamination with PCB's in Japan especially also in some typically contaminated local areas, in addition to summarizing some overall aspects of the PCB problem in Japan (e.g., the production, shipment and use of PCB's).

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1983

Preliminary evaluation of high-performance liquid chromatography with photoconductivity detection for the determination of selected pesticides as potential food contaminants.

The applicability of the Tracor Model 965 photoconductivity detector to the determination of a variety of pesticide chemicals, particularly polar and/or thermally labile compounds which are troublesome in gas chromatographic analysis, has been investigated. The effects of various operating parameters (e.g., mobile phase composition, flow-rate and irradiation wavelength) on signal-to-noise output for selected compounds have been evaluated. A comparison of photoconductivity responses with those obtained from a UV detector connected in tandem was made for selected reference standards and food sample extracts. The photoconductivity detector was found to be suitable for the determination of pesticide residues at sub-parts-per-million levels. The linearity and reproducibility of response are adequate for practical quantitative applications.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed2000

Internal exposure from the ingestion of foods contaminated by 137Cs after the Chernobyl accident--report 2. Ingestion doses of the rural population of Ukraine up to 12 y after the accident (1986-1997).

Doses from the ingestion of 134Cs and 137Cs during 12 y following the Chernobyl accident have been estimated for approximately 3 million persons living in rural areas of the Zhitomir, Rivne, and Kyiv Oblasts of northern Ukraine. This assessment is based upon an extensive monitoring campaign that provided measurements of 137Cs in more than 120,000 samples of milk and in more than 100,000 persons; such measurements were made in approximately 4,500 locations. Two approaches were used for the dose assessment. In the first approach a so-called reference dose is estimated for each settlement on the basis of measured 137Cs concentration in milk, determination of the milk equivalent of diet, and consumption rates; a further assumption is that a high fraction of the food consumed is produced locally. The reference dose is used as the official dose estimate, which is the basis for any decision on possible financial compensation and economic privileges. In a second step, the so-called real age-dependent dose is estimated from the results of whole body counter measurements and the kinetics of radiocesium in the human body. Real doses above 0.5, 5, and 50 mSv were received by about 40%, 10%, and 0.2%, respectively, of the considered population. With the exception of 1986, for which the monitoring results were limited, the real individual doses derived from whole-body counting are consistently lower than the reference doses. However, this difference declined from a factor of 3-4 in 1987-1989 to a factor of approximately 1.5 in the mid 1990's. The difference between reference and real doses is attributed to the effectiveness of countermeasures implemented after the accident. The effectiveness of these countermeasures decreased with time due to increasing economic problems in Ukraine. The collective reference and real doses of the rural population due to the intake of 134Cs and 137Cs are estimated to be 13,300 and 5,300 person-Sv, respectively. Thus, about 8,000 person-Sv is estimated to have been averted by countermeasures.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Food contamination by ochratoxin A in Germany.

The results of studies reported in the literature on the occurrence of ochratoxin A in central Europe have been evaluated. Only data that were obtained from random samples were included, thus excluding those derived from samples suspected of being contaminated. Of 1100 samples of cereals (other than maize) and cereal products, 113 (10.3%) were contaminated with an average of 3.8 micrograms/kg. Of 325 samples of sausages containing porcine serum, 58 (17.8%) were contaminated, at an average of 0.15 micrograms/kg. The daily intake of ochratoxin A, calculated on the basis of information on consumption of such products, is 80 ng with cereals and 1.6 ng with sausages, corresponding to about 1 ng/kg body weight. People who consume maize products, corresponding to about 40 g maize per day, would take in a further 150 ng/day or 2 ng/kg body weight. These findings and the report that the biological half-life of ochratoxin A in Macaca mulatta is about 510 h, explain the fact that more than 50% of samples of human blood and serum tested contain ochratoxin A. As the levels of ochratoxin A in food are not subject to legal regulation in Germany, systematically collected data are not yet available.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1996

Comparisons of heavy metal concentration of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Cuv. et Val.) in a shallow eutrophic lake and a fish pond (possible effects of food contamination).

Nickel, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and Hg concentrations were determined in gills, liver, kidney, muscle and gut of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Cuv. et Val.) collected from Lake Balaton (Hungary) and from a fish pond of a fish farm nearby. The body weight normalised heavy metal concentrations in different organs/tissues were compared and ordered for both Lake Balaton and the fish farm. Metal concentrations, in most cases were highest in kidney or in liver, and lowest in muscle or in gut. Nickel concentration was lower in liver, muscle and gills of fish from Lake Balaton. We suppose that an earlier sewage water load resulted in the higher Ni levels in grass carp from the fish pond. Mercury concentration was also lower in the gut of grass carp from Lake Balaton, but the other organs showed higher concentrations at this location. Our results suggest that the accumulation mechanism of Hg may be different from other metals in non-predatory fish species. Mercury uptake from food may be dominant for all fish species, but 'biomagnification' becomes obvious only in the case of predatory species.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Surprising findings following a Belgian food contamination with polychlorobiphenyls and dioxins.

We found that 12.1% of Belgian export meat samples from chicken or pork, unrelated to the PCB/dioxin crisis from 1999, contained more than 50 ng polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)/g fat and that 6.5% of samples contain more than 20 ng/g fat for the sum of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) and its metabolites. Part of this background contamination stems from imported animal feed ingredients (fish flour and grains), sometimes contaminated by recent use of DDT, as can be deduced from the ratio between DDT and its main metabolite, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE). However, after comparing PCB concentrations in fish flour and grains with those found in meat, we suggest that the high concentrations stem from recycled fat. This is the first paper describing background concentrations of PCBs in animal meat from Belgium.

Animal Feed↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of food contamination by mineral oil from jute sacks using coupled LC-GC.

Jute fibers are treated with about 5-7% of a high boiling mineral oil fraction ("batching oil") to render them flexible for making fabrics. Foods transported in jute bags are contaminated by this batching oil. A method involving automated on-line LC-GC is described for determining these hydrocarbons in various foods. Complete transfer of the LC fraction to GC is presupposed for obtaining the required sensitivity. Results are given for nuts, coffee, cocoa products, and rice. Contamination ranged between about 5 and 500 ppm.

Cacao↗
PubMed1983

The possibility of food contamination with cadmium by means of coloured plastics.

By using spectrophotometric atomic absorption, the release of cadmium from some plastic materials (polyethylenes, PVC, polystyrene) used for manufacturing containers, wraps and household objects (which are coloured with pigments derived from cadmium compounds) was studied. Subchronic experiments (45 days) were carried out in white Wistar rats with extracts from cadmium-containing plastic in comparison with the pigment alone. The excreted cadmium in urine and the activity of some serum enzymes were determined. Histopathological changes of the main internal organs were observed. It was found that some pigments of the Papion type have the property of releasing cadmium in amounts exceeding the admitted sanitary levels, amounts which proved to be toxic, producing enzymic and histopathological changes in kidneys and testes.

Acetates↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Investigation of food contamination since the Chernobyl fallout in Austria.

In a large-scale investigation the decrease of the activity concentration of 137Cs in foodstuffs after the widespread Chernobyl fallout was determined. At different times after the deposition in 1986 more than 1000 samples of various foodstuffs in Austria were taken and investigated with regard to their activity concentration. The investigation showed that in the first year after deposition, the activity concentration decreased to about 6-10% (milk, fruit), and 3-6%, respectively (grain, potatoes, vegetables) of the values in the fallout maximum. The calculated effective half-lives are significantly shorter than observed after nuclear weapon test series and result in a smaller long-term exposure than estimated before. The effective ingestion dose in the 50 years following of a one-time nuclear fallout amounts to about 1.3 times of the first year ingestion dose. In 2002, the ingestion dose in Austria amounts to 2.24 microSv (adult), or 0.88 microSv (5-year infant) respectively, which is less than 0.5% of the ingestion dose of the first year and amounts to 0.7% of the ingestion dose from natural radionuclides.

Austria↗
PubMed2005

The effects of mycotoxins, fungal food contaminants, on the intestinal epithelial cell-derived innate immune response.

Mycotoxins are structurally diverse fungal metabolites that can contaminate a variety of dietary components consumed by animals and humans. It is considered that 25% of the world crop production is contaminated by mycotoxins. The clinical toxicological syndromes caused by ingestion of moderate to high amounts of mycotoxins and their effect on the immune system have been well characterized. However, no particular attention has been focused on the effects of mycotoxins on the local intestinal immune response. Because of their location, intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) could be exposed to high doses of mycotoxins. As a component of the innate local immune response, intestinal epithelial cells have developed a variety of mechanisms which act to reduce the risk of infection by microorganisms or intoxication by toxic compounds. This review summarises the innate immune response developed by intestinal epithelial cells and reports the literature concerning the effects of mycotoxins on them. Particularly, the effects of mycotoxins on the maintenance of a physical barrier by epithelial cells will be discussed together with their effect on extrinsic protective components of the innate intestinal immunity: mucus secretion, antimicrobial peptide generation, IgA and pro-inflammatory cytokine release.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Food contamination by metals and pesticides in the European Union. Should we worry?

The estimation of the risk associated with dietary intakes of heavy metals and pesticide residues by the consumer is a vital and integral part of regulatory processes. The exposure of the consumer is compared directly to the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for pesticides and to the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for heavy metals. The exposure is obtained using the basic equation: Exposure (mg/kg b.w./day)=Consumption (mg/kg b.w./day) x Residue (mg/kg). The establishment of the ADI and the TDI is based on the results of toxicological studies that involve the determination of the lowest-no-observed-adverse-effect level/10 (SF1) x10 (SF2), where SF corresponds to 'Safety Factor'. SF1 and SF2 account for interspecies and intraspecies variability, respectively. In order to evaluate the risk for the consumer, that is associated to the presence of heavy metals and pesticides in food, a review of the level of contamination in European countries has been made. The exposure of European consumers to lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury is superior to the TDI. For pesticides, the first step is to compare the detected amount of residues of a specific pesticide to the maximum residue level (MRL) authorized in foodstuffs. If the residue level in food exceeds the MRL, the theoretical maximum daily intakes and the ADI have to be taken into account in order to assess the risk for the consumer.

Cadmium↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effects on health of water and food contamination by emergent human viruses].

The development of molecular technologies applied to environmental studies has shown that even in highly industrialized countries there is a high prevalence of viruses in the environment that represents an important impact on public health and substantial economic losses mainly related to the transmission of viruses through water and food. Significant concentrations of viruses are detected in the water flowed to the environment and in the biosolids generated in wastewater treatment plants. This work describes the general characteristics of the environmental contamination by viruses principally by emergent viruses, with a special emphasis on the hepatitis E virus (HEV) and the human polyomaviruses as the environmental contaminants more recently identified in industrialized countries. It has been shown that there is a high prevalence of the human polyomaviruses BKV and JCV in urban sewage in all studied countries, implying a potential transmission of these viruses and their potential oncogenic genes through the oral route. Recent studies have shown that the epidemiological pattern of the HEV infection in industrialized countries is complex and that a diversity of HEV strains simultaneously infects the population. The control of the viral contamination requires the standardization of molecular techniques and the development of a surveillance program for the evaluation of the viral parameters and to reduce the dissemination of already established diseases and emergent viral infections.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed1997

An outbreak of Shigella dysenteriae type 2 among laboratory workers due to intentional food contamination.

CONTEXT: Shigella dysenteriae type 2 is rare in the United States, and outbreaks associated with this pathogen are uncommon. OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude and source of an outbreak of S dysenteriae type 2. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Laboratory of a large medical center. PATIENTS: Case patients were identified as laboratory workers who had diarrhea on or after October 28 and a positive stool culture or temperature greater than 37.8 degrees C. Laboratory workers with diarrhea only were probable case patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We interviewed laboratory staff and performed identification, serotyping, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis on isolates from case patients, implicated food, and laboratory stock culture. RESULTS: From October 29 through November 1, a total of 12 (27%) of 45 laboratory staff developed severe, acute diarrheal illness; 8 had S dysenteriae isolated from stool and 4 were hospitalized. All case patients reported having eaten muffins or doughnuts placed in the staff break room on October 29. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed stool isolates from 9 case patients were indistinguishable from S dysenteriae type 2 recovered from an uneaten muffin and from the laboratory's stock strain, a portion of which was missing. CONCLUSIONS: The source of the outbreak was most likely the laboratory's stock culture, which was used to contaminate the pastries. Results of this investigation underscore the need for adequate precautions to prevent inadvertent or intentional contamination from highly pathogenic laboratory specimens.

Adult↗