Food hygiene with reference to public health microbiological contaminants of different foods in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
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Bacteriological Techniques↗
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EVALUATION OF CARCINOGENIC ACTIVITY OF FOOD ADDITIVES AND CONTAMINANTS.
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Animals↗
Food-associated bacteria in bioaerosols of delicatessens.
Air constituency of the delicatessen sections of a retail group was assessed for the presence and distribution of bioaerosols and the correlation with physical parameters. Total viable counts were determined and the total coliforms, Escherichia coli, other members of the Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus aureus were enumerated. These counts were relatively low, with the average total viable counts 1.34x102 cfu . m-3, Enterobacteriaceae 2.6x10 cfu . m-3 and S. aureus 2.2x10 cfu . m-3. Small numbers of total coliforms were detected and E. coli was not present at all. The distribution of Enterobacteriaceae differed significantly between three groups of visitor numbers and the total viable counts differed between two types of ventilation. The risk of infection should not be disregarded as a result of finding these organisms only in small numbers and could be a starting point in the prevention of food contamination, by regulating mechanisms to effectively minimize bioaerosols counts of enteric bacteria.
Aerosols↗
Total mercury, methylmercury and selenium in mercury polluted areas in the province Guizhou, China.
The province of Guizhou in Southwestern China is currently one of the world's most important mercury production areas. Emissions of mercury from the province to the global atmosphere have been estimated to be approximately 12% of the world total anthropogenic emissions. The main objective of this study was to assess the level of contamination with Hg in two geographical areas of Guizhou province. Mercury pollution in the areas concerned originates from mercury mining and ore processing in the area of Wanshan, while in the area of Quingzhen mercury pollution originates from the chemical industry discharging Hg through wastewaters and emissions to the atmosphere due to coal burning for electricity production. The results of this study confirmed high contamination with Hg in soil, sediments and rice in the Hg mining area in Wanshan. High levels of Hg in soil and rice were also found in the vicinity of the chemical plant in Quingzhen. The concentrations of Hg decreased with distance from the main sources of pollution considerably. The general conclusion is that Hg contamination in Wanshan is geographically more widespread, due to deposition and scavenging of Hg from contaminated air and deposition on land. In Quingzhen Hg contamination of soil is very high close to the chemical plant but the levels reach background concentrations at a distance of several km. Even though the major source of Hg in both areas is inorganic Hg, it was observed that active transformation of inorganic Hg to organic Hg species (MeHg) takes place in water, sediments and soils. The concentration of Hg in rice grains can reach up to 569 microg/kg of total Hg of which 145 microg/kg was in MeHg form. The percentage of Hg as MeHg varied from 5 to 83%. The concentrations of selenium can reach up to 16 mg/kg in soil and up to 1 mg/g in rice. A correlation exists between the concentration of Se in soil and rice, indicating that a portion of Se is bioavailable to plants. No correlation between Hg and Se in rice was found. Exposure of the local population to Hg may occur due to inhalation of Hg present in air (in particular in Hg mining area) and consumption of Hg contaminated food (in particular rice and fish) and water. Comparison of intake through these different routes showed that the values of Hg considerably exceed the USA EPA Reference Concentration (RfC) for chronic Hg exposure (RfC is 0.0004 mg/m(3)) close to the emission sources. Intake of Hg through food consumption, particularly rice and fish, is also an important route of Hg exposure in study area. In general, it can be concluded that the population mostly at risk is located in the vicinity of smelting facilities, mining activities and close to the waste disposal sites in the wider area of Wanshan. In order to assess the real level of contamination in the local population, it is recommended that biomonitoring should be performed, including Hg and MeHg measurements in hair, blood and urine samples.
Air Pollutants↗
Cancer risk assessment using blood dioxin levels and daily dietary TEQ intake in general populations of industrial and non-industrial countries.
We previously measured polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in U.S. foods and estimated the daily dioxin toxic equivalent (TEQ) intake to be from 0.3 to 3.0 pg 1-TEQ/kg body weight for adults. These values are similar to values reported in Canada, Germany, England, and the Netherlands. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dioxin Reassessment Draft Documents currently propose a cancer risk-specific dose estimate of 0.01 pg TEQ/kg body weight/day (U.S. EPA, 1994). This risk-specific dose estimate represents a lifetime (70 years) dose which results in a plausible upper bound cancer risk of 1 x 10(-6) (the probability of one additional cancer per one million exposed population over a lifetime). The proximate source of almost all dioxin intake in the general population is from food. Using our data for daily dietary dioxin exposure and the EPA's proposed risk specific dose, we estimate that over a lifetime a maximum of 30 to 300 excess cancers per million could result from the ingestion of dioxin containing food products. In the U.S. population of 260 million, a maximum range of 7,800 to 78,000 excess cancers over a lifetime (70 years) or 111 to 1,114 cases/year might be directly linked to dioxin exposure from food. Because these calculations are based on conservative approaches to setting an upper bound, "true" risk is not likely to exceed this value. At present, one-third of all Americans will develop cancer over a lifetime and one in four Americans are likely to die from cancer. For 1995, it was estimated that there would be 1,252,000 new cancer cases in the U.S. From this, we calculate that a maximum between 0.009% and 0.09% (111-1,114 cases/year) of all cancer cases in the U.S. might be directly linked to dioxin intake in food, assuming intakes have remained constant over a lifetime. Previous studies have suggested that as much as 70% of the total cancer risk in humans may be attributable to diet, primarily as a function of caloric and synthetic chemicals in the diet. (NAS, 1996) These figures do not take into account the ingestion of more contaminated food products, other sources of exposure, possible interactions of PCDDs and PCDFs with other chemicals, or increased incidence of cancer from the cancer promoting actions of dioxins. In addition, we reviewed average U.S. general population blood TEQ (ppt, lipid) levels, which reflect body burden, with levels of persons living in less industrialized countries. These data were used to compare the cancer risk of individuals living in the U.S., an industrial country, to those living in selected less industrialized countries. With the assumption that similar populations were being compared, it is estimated that in the non-industrial region of north Vietnam there is one-third the risk of dioxin-related cancer compared with the United States, while Cambodians have a dioxin-related cancer risk that is 14 fold less than the U.S. at this time.
Adult↗
Serum PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in Slovakia: age, gender, and residence as determinants of organochlorine concentrations.
We measured organochlorine concentrations of 15 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners and six organochlorine pesticides (PCB28, 52, 101, 123(+149), 118, 114, 153, 105, 138(+163), 167, 156(+171), 157, 180, 170, 189, alpha-, beta-, gamma-HCH, HCB, p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE) in 2047 subjects from contaminated and background areas of eastern Slovakia. Data were collected in 2001 and analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography with electron capture detection in 2002-2003. Elevated levels persist in subjects from Michalovce district, site of former production facility, after almost 20-years since the end of the PCB manufacturing. Sum of 15 PCB congeners was 3105 ng/g of lipid in the Michalovce district versus 871 ng/g of lipid for subjects from the background districts of Svidnik and Stropkov. Relatively high concentration in children from the Michalovce district, sum PCB = 766 ng/g of lipid versus 372 ng/g of lipid in children from background area suggest ongoing exposure from environmental reservoirs and contaminated food. Consistent differences between genders in both contaminated and background areas are reported here. Levels in males are about 20% higher in both districts. Levels of organochlorine pesticides, particularly of DDT metabolite DDE and hexachlorobenzene are also elevated in the Michalovce district, reflecting intensive use of pesticides in agriculture in the past. About 30% decrease in serum organochlorine levels was observed in comparison with our earlier samples collected in 1998. These results suggest that contamination with PCBs still remains a source of relatively high environmental exposure for subjects in the Michalovce district.
Adult↗
The epidemiology of enteric caliciviruses from humans: a reassessment using new diagnostics.
In the United States, acute gastroenteritis is one of the most commonly noted illnesses on hospital discharge records and death certificates, yet few of these cases have an etiologic diagnosis. The application of new molecular diagnostic methods has shown caliciviruses (previously referred to as the Norwalk family of viruses or small round structured viruses) to be the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks in the United States, and they may emerge as a common cause of sporadic cases of AGE among both children and adults. Novel molecular methods have permitted outbreak strains to be traced back to their common source and have led to the first identification of virus in implicated vehicles of infection-water, shellfish, and foods contaminated both at their source and by food handlers. The broad application of these methods to routine diagnosis in hospitals and public health laboratories is advancing our appreciation of the full burden of calicivirus-associated diarrhea, and it is opening new avenues for its prevention and control.
Acute Disease↗
Epidemiologic and molecular trends of "Norwalk-like viruses" associated with outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the United States.
Between July 1997 and June 2000, fecal specimens from 284 outbreaks of nonbacterial gastroenteritis were submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for testing for "Norwalk-like viruses" (NLVs). Specimens were examined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and direct electron microscopy for the presence of NLVs. Adequate descriptive data were available from 233 of the outbreaks, and, of these, 217 (93%) were positive for NLVs. Restaurants and events with catered food were the most common settings, and contaminated food was the most common mode of transmission. Genogroup II (GII) strains were the predominant type (73%), with genogroup I strains causing 26% of all NLV-positive outbreaks. Certain GII clusters (GII/1,4,j) were more commonly associated with outbreaks in nursing home settings than with outbreaks in other settings. Strain diversity was great: one potential new sequence cluster was implicated in multiple outbreaks, and strains belonging to a tentative new genogroup were identified.
Adolescent↗
A pathway analysis approach for determining acceptable levels of contamination of radionuclides in soil.
A methodology for determining acceptable levels for decontamination of soil containing radionuclides at waste sites is described. This methodology calculates the annual radiation dose that an individual receives while living on property that has been decommissioned and decontaminated. Pathways of exposure include direct radiation from ground surfaces, ingestion of contaminated food, inhalation of resuspended radionuclides and drinking contaminated water. Results calculated using this methodology were compared with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) guidelines for a southeastern U.S. site. There is good agreement between the two methods provided similar assumptions are used.
Animals↗
Ingestion of ammonium nitrate as a possible cause of erythema dyschromicum perstans (ashy dermatosis).
Clinically and histologically typical erythema dyschromicum perstans has been provoked by repeated ingestion of very small amounts of a fertilizer, ammonium nitrate. It has been used by a boy who has noticed accidentally that after licking the fertilizer he developed hyperpigmentations. His main purpose was to avoid school attendance, and he developed a very ingenious method of licking the fertilizer once in several weeks in such a way that it did not produce any digestive or other troubles. His brother, an uniovular twin who had no contact with ammonium nitrate, was healthy. The case supports Pinkus' hypothesis that this type of lesions may be related to some environmental contaminant. Attention is called to a possible food contamination by ammonium nitrate.
Adolescent↗
[Food poisoning-infections in metropolitan France].
Food-borne diseases result from ingestion of contaminated foods, especially with pathogenic bacteria. It is considered as an outbreak as soon as 2 cases are diagnosed following a common food exposure; in France, declaration to health authorities is mandatory. Salmonella is the most frequently identified aetiologic agent. The incidence of Campylobacter induced food-borne infection is understated. Infections due to Staphylococcus or Clostridium perfringens represent almost 30% of all outbreaks. Listeriosis has to be included in food-borne disease because of its severity, and since it determines outbreaks for which mandatory epidemiological survey is especially important.
Bacterial Infections↗
[Flies--reservoirs and vectors of Helicobacter pylori].
The route by which humans get infected with H.p. is unknown. Viable bacteria have been shown to be excreted in human feces from infected individuals. We have recently shown that flies are able to carry and disseminate viable H. p. with their excreta, when they have fed on H.p. We propose a hypothesis that H. p. is acquired from human feces by flies, which then, while crawling on human food, contaminate it with their intestinal excreta. The food, swallowed by a susceptible individual then leads to a new infection. Flies should be considered prime suspects for the transmission of H. p., particularly in developing countries, where sanitary and domestic facilities are poor.
Animals↗
Primary liver cancer: global epidemiology and main aetiological factors.
Liver cell cancer is the most frequent primary liver cancer worldwide and it is among the most malignant of cancers whether judged by clinical development, prognosis or response to treatment. The high frequency of this cancer in countries with large populations, in sub-Saharan Africa, South East Asia and China, makes it globally one of the most common cancers. Recent research has incriminated aetiological factors which offer good possibilities for prevention. The most important of these is a relationship with Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV). The cancer is associated with the chronic carrier state of this infection acquired in the perinatal period or early infancy rather than in adult life. Vaccines against HBV have been developed and are widely available although expensive at the present time. The evidence justifying intervention is presented. The vaccines have been found effective and safe and strategies for prevention are being developed in many areas. As chemical carcinogens so frequently produce liver cell cancers in animal models, possible associations with the human disease have been sought for many years. Naturally occurring mucotoxins, the aflatoxins found on many staple foods in areas of high frequency of the cancer, are suspect and the evidence justifying preventive measures against food contamination is also presented. The prospects for prevention of this cancer are encouraging but will require careful evaluation over many years.
Adult↗
[War and medicine in a culture of peace. 3. Synopsis of chemical warfare agents].
A variety of chemical components can be used as warfare threats directly targeting humans. They can be classified according to their main biological effects as nerve agents, vesicants, lung damaging agents, cyanogen agents and incapacitants. Other chemical agents are water and food contaminants. Still other less aggressive compounds are mainly used to control riots. Smokes, flame materials and herbicides belong to other classes of chemical agents of the warlike armamentum exhibiting a direct effect on man.
Chemical Warfare Agents↗
Health effects of indoor fluoride pollution from coal burning in China.
The combustion of high fluoride-content coal as an energy resource for heating, cooking, and food drying is a major exhaust emission source of suspended particulate matter and fluoride. High concentrations of these pollutants have been observed in indoor air of coal-burning families in some rural areas in China. Because airborne fluoride has serious toxicological properties, fluoride pollution in indoor air and the prevalence of fluorosis have been analyzed in a fluorosis area and a healthy nonfluorosis area in China and in a rural area in Japan. For human health, fluoride in indoor air has not only been directly inhaled by residents but also has been absorbed in stored food such as corn, chilies, and potatoes. In the fluorosis area in China, concentrations of urinary fluoride in the residents have been much higher than in the nonfluorosis area in China and in the rural area in Japan. In the fluorosis area, almost all elementary and junior high school students 10-15 years of age had dental fluorosis. Osteosclerosis in the skeletal fluorosis patients was very serious. Urinary deoxypyridinoline in rural residents in China was much higher than in rural residents in Japan. Data suggest that bone resorption was extremely stimulated in the residents in China and that fluoride may stimulate both bone resorption and bone formation. Because indoor fluoride from combustion of coal is easily absorbed in stored food and because food consumption is a main source of fluoride exposure, it is necessary to reduce airborne fluoride and food contamination to prevent serious fluorosis in China.
Adolescent↗
The ADI as a basis to establish standards for pesticide residues in food products for infants and children.
Pesticides are widely used in agriculture to control a variety of detrimental organisms. As a consequence, low but measurable amounts of residues may be found in the food supply including food intended for infants and young children. This has been the cause of some alarm since it is difficult for the general public to understand the magnitude of health risk associated with the consumption of food contaminated with low levels of potentially toxic chemicals. In this context safety-based regulations for pesticide residues that ensure the protection of infants and young children are of crucial importance. In this article we discuss the applicability of the ADI to infants and children with regards to pesticides and outline a proposal which has been devised to establish residue limits for finished baby food products.
Age Factors↗
[Allergenic residues of veterinary drugs in food (author's transl)].
Residues of veterinary drugs can be found in human food and be involved in allergic untoward reactions in consumers. The current french law on veterinary pharmacy allows to control this risk. Therefore, to evaluate this risk the following topics are considered: 1) origin of food contamination by allergenic compounds and characteristics of residues, 2) effects of these residues. Observations demonstrate that residues may elicit clinical reactions in sensitized individuals; on the contrary, an sensitizing effect is probably minor in pratice.
Anaphylaxis↗
Evaluation of immunotoxicity in a subchronic feeding study of triphenyl phosphate.
Triphenyl phosphate (TPP), a potential food contaminant, was fed to weanling Spartan Sprague-Dawley rats at dose levels of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0% for 120 days. The immunotoxicity evaluation, planned as a minimum testing model in a subchronic study design as well as to provide information on TPP, was performed along with the routine testing of a separate group of animals. Traditional measures were made of growth and food consumption, total protein analysis, electrophoretic analyses of serum proteins, lymphoid organ weights in relation to growth, and histopathology, with expanded immunohistochemical evaluation of B- and T- lymphocyte regions in spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes, using immunoperoxidase staining. Assessment was made of the humoral response to a T-lymphocyte-dependent antigen, sheep red blood cells, and was begun at midterm of the feeding period for the primary response followed by secondary and tertiary booster immunizations at 3-week intervals. The kinetics of the responses were measured by hemolysin assay of relative antibody titers at days 3, 4, 5, and 6 postinjection. No significant effects on the responses were noted for either sex at any of the dose levels tested. The only effects noted were a decreased rate of growth at high levels of TPP and increases in the levels of alpha- and beta-globulins suggestive of increased hepatic activity.
Animals↗