Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part B-pesticides Food Contaminants and Agricultural Wastes最新文献

Permethrin is a pyrethroid pesticide used widely in public health for pest control to prevent people from diseases spread by mosquitoes. However, exposure to permethrin may cause adverse health effects, including possible DNA damage. Study aims to assess the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of permethrin as an active ingredient and compare it with its microencapsulated formulation. HepG2 human cell line was utilized to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity after 1 h exposure to different doses of the permethrin active ingredient and its microencapsulated formulation in vitro. We evaluated cytotoxicity using propidium iodide staining; DNA damage was detected by alkaline comet assay. Our results show that the active ingredient was cytotoxic at 2,300 µM, while the microencapsulated formulation exerted no cytotoxicity in the examined concentration range. The microencapsulated formulation induced significant DNA damage compared to the control at 100 µM for tail DNA% (p = 0.01), and at 1000 µM for tail length (p = 0.03) and tail moment (p = 0.01). Although DNA damage was also induced by the active ingredient, it did not reach statistical significance. The findings suggest that the microencapsulated formulation demonstrates genotoxic properties; however, due to the multi-component nature of the commercial product, these effects cannot be attributed to permethrin alone.

To assess the contamination of agricultural soils by heavy metals (HMs) in the Kebir-Rhumel basin of northeastern Algeria, soil samples from a depth of 0-20 cm were analyzed for metal concentration (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn). Pollution levels and ecological risks were evaluated using several indices, including the contamination factor (C_f), contamination degree (C_d), ecological risk factor (Er) and potential ecological risk index (PERI). These metrics specifically targeted soils irrigated with river water. Human health risks were assessed using the hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR) indices based on ingestion exposure pathways for adults and children. The concentration of heavy metals in the agricultural soils of the Kebir-Rhumel basin followed this order: Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Cd. The average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn were 0.84, 60.83, 39.26, 58.01, and 93.71 µg.g^-1, respectively. Notably, pollution levels of Pb, Cd, and Cu were particularly concerning with concentrations exceeding background levels at 85%, 75% and 70% of sampling sites, respectively. Health risk assessments indicated that the average hazard index (HI) and hazard quotient (HQ) values were below 1. However, the carcinogenic risk (CR) and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) for Cd, Cr, and Pb were higher for children compared to adults. TCR mean values were about 4.93E - 05 and 4.61E - 04 for both adults and children, with chromium identified as the primary contributor to carcinogenic risk. Both CR and TCR exceeded the acceptable carcinogenic risk threshold of 1.0E - 04, potentially posing carcinogenic risks through extended exposition. Overall, these findings highlight significant concerns regarding soil quality in this region. This study can guide the development of effective strategies for monitoring, mitigating and managing the levels of heavy metals in agricultural soils, thereby ensuring the safeguarding of the human health.

This study investigated the individual and combined toxicological effects of lead (Pb) and endosulfan on Labeo rohita fingerlings following a 28-day sublethal exposure. Seven experimental groups were established, including control, low and high concentrations of Pb and endosulfan, and their respective combinations. Hematological, biochemical, neurotoxic, tissue bioaccumulation, and genotoxic biomarkers were assessed. Results revealed significant hematological disturbances characterized by reductions in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, alongside elevated white blood cell counts. Biochemical analyses showed hyperglycemia, hypoproteinemia, dyslipidemia, increased creatinine and urea levels, and marked elevation of hepatic enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP). Neurotoxicity was evident through significant inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity, with the greatest suppression observed under combined high-dose exposure. Tissue analysis demonstrated substantial accumulation of Pb and endosulfan in gill, liver, and kidney tissues, with co-exposure resulting in up to 1.7-fold higher accumulation than individual treatments. Genotoxicity assessment using the comet assay revealed pronounced DNA damage, with damaged erythrocytes exceeding 65% and a threefold increase in genetic damage index in the combined high-dose group. Two-way ANOVA confirmed significant Pb × endosulfan interactions, highlighting synergistic toxicity. Overall, the findings underscore the heightened ecological and food safety risks associated with concurrent heavy metal and pesticide contamination in freshwater ecosystems.

In the burndown of Conyza spp., non selective herbicides are recurrent in soybean pre-sowing, and it is necessary to respect the time interval between the application of these products and the sowing of the crop, known as the plant back. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate soybean phytotoxicity resulting from the application of postemergence herbicides commonly used for the control of Conyza spp., applied at different intervals between herbicide application and soybean sowing. A field experiment was conducted in randomized blocks, with four replicates, in a 6 × 4  +  2 factorial design, with the following herbicides applied: halauxifen + diclosulam (6.3 g ae ha ^-1 + 31.9 g ai ha ^-1); triclopyr (960 ae ha ^-1); fluroxypyr + clethodim (300 ae ha ^-1 + 210 g ai ha ^-1); atrazine + mesotrione (500  + 50 g ai ha ^-1); dicamba (480 ae ha ^-1); and imazapic + imazapir (78.75 + 26.25 g ai ha ^-1) at 0, 15, 30 and 45 days before soybean sowing (DBS). At 0 DBS, soybean phytotoxicities close to 70, 40 and 10% were observed for dicamba, atrazine + mesotrione and imazapic + imazapyr, respectively. For the intervals of 15, 30 and 45 DBS, percentages close to 50, 15 and 6% phytotoxicity were observed in soybean after the application of dicamba. For the other treatments and time intervals between herbicide application and soybean sowing, no significant phytotoxic effects were observed. However, notably, the herbicides dicamba and imazapic + imazapyr resulted in a significant reduction in soybean yield at the tested intervals. In this sense, dicamba was the herbicide that caused the most damage to the crop, regardless of the period, and the safest herbicide for the crop was fluroxypyr + clethodim, with a low phytotoxicity index at 0 days.

This study evaluated the efficiency of herbicides used in pre and post-emergence to control Tithonia diversifolia. The first study tested atrazine, oxyfluorfen, fomesafen, and nicosulfuron in pre and initial post-emergence applications. Post-emergence applications of glyphosate, glufosinate ammonium, 2,4-D, and picloram targeted young plants of seminiferous and vegetative origin. In the field, glyphosate, 2,4-D, and picloram were tested for adult plants. A control treatment without herbicide application was included for comparison. Atrazine, oxyfluorfen, and fomesafen achieved 100% control in pre and initial post-emergence, whereas nicosulfuron was ineffective against the species. Picloram provided excellent post-emergence control (>99%) of adult plants in the field and young plants from seeds and cuttings, even at doses lower than those recommended for other species. Glyphosate effectively controlled young plants, but doses above 2400 g a.e. ha^-1 were necessary for adult plants. Ammonium glufosinate at a dose of 800 g a.e. ha^-1 promoted control of over 80% in seedlings from seeds and cuttings. Higher doses of 2,4-D effectively controlled both adult and young plants. Glyphosate, 2,4-D, and picloram effectively controlled both young and adult plants. The study provides an alternative to control T. diversifolia, this important invader of natural and agricultural systems in tropical and subtropical regions.

Disposable paper cups are widely used for consuming beverages, particularly hot drinks, in daily life. However, concerns regarding the migration of hazardous chemicals from these cups into beverages have been largely overlooked. This study investigates the presence of phthalates, bisphenols, photoinitiators (PIs), and two perfluorinated compounds (PFC) in polyethylene and polystyrene based beverage cups from Turkey. Potential migrants were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in a total of 40 cup samples. Among the phthalates analyzed, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the most prevalent, with concentrations reaching up to 0.95 mg/kg. Bisphenol A (BPA) was the dominant bisphenol, detected at levels between 0.01 and 0.02 mg/kg. Five photoinitiators-benzophenone, 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, 4-methylbenzophenone, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, and ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate-were frequently identified, indicating the contribution of printing inks and surface coatings as contamination sources. In addition, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was detected in two samples, highlighting the potential presence of PFOA in disposable food-contact materials. The results underscore the need for continued surveillance of food-contact materials and the implementation of stricter regulatory controls to reduce long-term consumer health risks.

Effective and sustainable management of low-fertility reclaimed soils via reed-based carbon amendments is crucial for environmental nutrient cycling, yet their effects on soil microenvironments and microbial function warrant further exploration. A 60-day incubation experiment evaluated four amendments (reed straw-RS; biochar-RB; biochar-conditioned compost RC1; sediment-biochar co-conditioned compost RC2) at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% rates on soil properties, organic carbon (C) mineralization, and microbial structure. Results showed that the exogenous carbon addition significantly altered soil physicochemical properties, initially elevating TOC and TN stocks. Following a 60-day incubation, the RC2 treatment exhibited the most pronounced TOC depletion (23.8%, p < 0.05), significantly surpassing losses observed in the RB and RS treatments. Correlation analysis revealed that β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase activities were strongly associated with soil bulk density, TOC, and TN levels. Soil potentially mineralizable C (C₀) differed significantly (p < 0.05), with RC2 exerting the strongest influence on both carbon mineralization kinetics and enzymatic activity. The exogenous carbon inputs generally constrained bacterial diversity, they catalyzed the selective enrichment of specific functional taxa; notably, the RS treatment boosted the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria by 26.1% and 4.98%, respectively. Redundancy analysis linked microbial variations to compost treatments, and Cluster of Orthologous Groups (COG) analysis revealed high sensitivity of amino acid transport and metabolism to exogenous C. In conclusion, reed-based amendments improved soil properties and enzyme activities; RS showed a stronger priming effect on C mineralization than RB and composts, with 10% RC2 emerging as a promising amendment.

This study aimed to compare lung function between farmers with and without post-COVID-19 and to examine the correlations between lung function parameters and participant characteristics. Eighty-four farmers were recruited and divided into two groups: those without a history of COVID-19 and those with post-COVID-19. Lung function, upper limb muscle strength, and muscular endurance were assessed using spirometry, hand grip strength, and the 1-min sit to stand test (1STS), respectively. There were no significant differences in demographic data between groups (P > 0.05). Farmers without post-COVID-19 showed significantly higher handgrip strength, better 1STS performance, and higher FEV1% predicted compared to those with post-COVID-19 (P < 0.05). Exercise behavior was positively correlated with FVC% predicted and PEFR% predicted, while 1STS performance was also significantly associated with PEFR% predicted (P < 0.05). Farmers with post-COVID-19 showed reduced muscle strength, lower limb endurance, and decreased FEV1% predicted compared to those without post-COVID-19, indicating persistent impacts on lung function and physical performance. Exercise behavior and lower limb endurance were positively associated with lung function, highlighting the importance of regular physical activity in maintaining respiratory health, especially in individuals recovering from COVID-19.

Heavy metal contamination in foods is a global concern as mechanized processing increasingly replaces traditional methods. This study assessed the contribution of mechanical disk grinding process to heavy metal contamination in kokonte flour, a cassava-based staple in Navrongo, Ghana, and evaluated the associated chronic non-carcinogenic health risks. Flours produced using mortar and pestle (control) and mechanical disk grinders were analyzed for Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Ni using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry after aqua regia digestion. Process-related heavy metal enrichment was evaluated using the contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI), while chronic non-carcinogenic risk was assessed using the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). Concentrations of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Ni were higher (P < 0.05) in mechanically ground samples (0.00752-50.63 mg/kg) compared with control (0.003935-37.17 mg/kg). CF values (1.36-1.91) indicated moderate contamination, and a PLI of 1.6 confirmed cumulative effects from disk grinding. All HQ values and the overall HI (0.380) were below 1, suggesting no significant chronic non-carcinogenic health risk. Findings show that the mechanical disk grinding process moderately increases heavy metal levels in kokonte flour and highlight the need for food-grade grinder components, proper maintenance, and monitoring to enhance food safety.

A GC-MS method in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode was optimized and validated for the determination of twelve polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Barbus carpathicus tissues (muscle and hepatopancreas). Two chromatographic columns (HP-5ms and DB-EUPAH) were evaluated with multiple temperature programs, and the DB-EUPAH column proved superior for separating critical PAH isomers within a 25-minute runtime. Method validation demonstrated excellent linearity (R² ≥ 0.995), with deviation from linearity <20%, precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD ≤ 10%), and detection limits (LOD) ranging from 0.3 to 2.2 ng/mL and quantification limits (LOQ) from 0.95 to 6.85 ng/mL across the twelve validated analytes. Sample preparation optimization comparing ultrasonic and shaker-assisted extraction revealed that mechanical shaker extraction yielded superior results, particularly in the 12-16 min retention time window. Subsequent solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification using dichloromethane as the eluent significantly reduced matrix interference. Overall recovery rates ranged from 63.1% to 146.0%, with eight PAHs meeting acceptable criteria (70-120% recovery) for B.carpathicus tissue analysis. The developed method provides a reliable, validated analytical tool suitable for routine monitoring and risk assessment of PAH contamination in B.carpathicus, supporting environmental monitoring and food safety protocols.