Avaliação da exposição ocupacional ao mercúrio num grupo de cirurgiões-dentistas da unidade sede do Sesc de Porto Alegre

The aim of this study was to analyse the data obtained from a structured questionaire, and the mercury levels found in the urine of 5 1 dental-surgeons at the SESC headquarters in Porto Alegre in 1997. The analysis of data showed that dental-surgeons had occupational exposition to mercury, whereas most of them showed levels of mercury above the reference value of normality, which is 5ug/g creatinine, despite of this, it is still lower than the maximum allowable level which is 35ug/g creatinine.

QUALITY INDICATORS AND VETERINARY ANALYSIS OF CATFISH MEAT WHEN USING THE FOOD ADDITIVE «RIZOSTIM»

The article presents research data on the chemical composition and content of toxic elements in the meat of fish grown in the pools of «ASYL TAS ENGINEERING» LLP, Almaty region, when using «Risostim» feed additive. Researches with comparison of the samples taken from fish - catfish at use of a food additive «Risostim» and a carp in a comparative aspect were carried out. In the course of the study it was found that the fat and moisture content of catfish meat was higher, while the protein and ash content was lower. It was also found that the amount of toxic elements did not exceed the maximum allowable level. It follows from this that catfish meat grown in pools of «ASYL TAS ENGINEERING» LLP of Almaty region, when using feed additives «Risostim» is a benign and safe food product.

Analysis of Stoppages in the Process of Roadway Drivage Caused by Exceeding the Maximum Allowable Level of Methane Concentration

Methane is one of the most dangerous gases occurring in mining production. Being inseparably connected with the rock mass, it presents a serious risk to occupational safety and reduces the effectiveness of mining production. A particularly high methane hazard occurs directly during exploitation in longwall headings and the drivage of roadways. Exceeding the maximum allowable level of its concentration in these headings makes it necessary to disconnect all machines until this concentration level is reduced. This leads to unscheduled downtimes of such machines, thus increasing the costs of their operation and decreasing their effectiveness. The paper demonstrates the results from the analysis of machine downtimes in the drivage of roadways, caused by excessive methane concentration levels. The analyses were based on the indications from the system for automatic monitoring of the ventilation parameters in this heading. The results obtained clearly demonstrated that exceeded values of methane concentration caused a series of unexpected downtimes in the drivage process. As a result, the process was disturbed and its effectiveness reduced. The presented analyses are one of the first to address the issue of how methane emissions affect machine downtimes. However, this phenomenon represents a major problem that needs to be addressed comprehensively in order to minimise the losses arising out of the necessary disruptions to the exploitation process.

Pathomorphological changes at experimental mycotoxicosis in broiler chickens

Summary. Data on the effect of mycotoxins on the organism of broiler chickens, and the indirect effect of offal obtained from poultry, fed with mixed feed infected with mycotoxins, that people eat were analyzed in the article. In particular, it has been proved that in experimental DON-toxicosis and experimental citrinin-toxicosis in broiler chickens, these toxins are able to cumulate in organs and tissues and cause clinical and pathological changes. DON exceeded the maximum allowable level for chickens more than 2 times, citrinin exceeded the MDL by more than 20 times. In the first experimental group, the incidence rate of poultry reached 83.3% by the 7th day of feeding and mortality - 52.2% of the number of cases. During the autopsy of the dead chickens it was found that the liver was blood-filled, with areas of necrosis, the gall bladder was full of bile, the muscular wall of the atria was thinned. At experimental citrinin toxicosis, as well as in the first experimental group, diarrhea with an admixture of blood was observed in chickens. At the autopsy there was inflammation of the small and large intestines, the liver was blood-filled, and the intestines were hyperemic. For deoxynivalenol, the fact of accumulation of this mycotoxin in the tissues of the organs of chickens of the 1st group was reliably established. The data on the accumulation in the organs and tissues of broiler chickens of other mycotoxins in our experiments were unreliable and require additional studies.

Using Chemometric Analyses for Tracing the Regional Origin of Multifloral Honeys of Montenegro

This is the first study of mineral content and basic physicochemical parameters of honeys of Montenegro. We examined honey samples from eight different micro-regions of Montenegro, and the results confirm that, with the exception of cadmium in samples from two regions exposed to industrial pollution, none of the 12 elements analyzed exceeded the maximum allowable level. The samples from areas exposed to industrial pollution were clearly distinguished from samples from other regions of Montenegro in the detectable contents of Pb, Cd, and Sr. This study showed that chemometric techniques might enhance the classification of Montenegrin honeys according to their micro-regional origin using the mineral content. Linear discriminant analysis revealed that the classification rate was 79.2% using the cross-validation method.

Influence of the technology of processing of meat of snails in anabiosis on the content of toxic elements

An important problem today is the pollution of the territory of Ukraine with heavy metals: lead, cadmium, copper, zinc and others. Relevance of the topic is that nowadays the issues of safety and quality control are not fully resolved in the country, as well as the veterinary and sanitary assessment of the meat of snails of the genus Helix, which are used for food purposes; in particular, there is no data on the content of toxic elements in a meat of different species of snails for different processing modes. The aim of the study was to investigate the meat of snails of the genus Helix for different processing to find heavy metals in it. The meat of snails of genus Helix has been used for the study, sub-species: Helix pomatia, Helix aspersa maxima and Helix aspersa muller. 30 samples of snails of each species grown in snails farm in the Kyiv region have been selected for the study. Meat of snails has been studied after different technological processing: live, chilled, and cooked and frozen (n = 30). The research has been conducted in the winter, when the snails have been in anabiosis. Results of the study show that in accordance with the requirements of DSTU 7821:2016 “Live edible gastropod molluscs. Specifications”, the content of toxic elements in the meat of live snails corresponds to the maximum allowable level. One of the key indicators of safety of meat, in accordance with the requirements of DSTU 7821:2016, is the content of toxic elements in it: lead, cadmium, copper, zinc. It has been found that the meat of snails, in addition to the above mentioned heavy metals, contains also arsenic and iron, which relate to toxic elements as well. Therefore, when developing a complex system of veterinary and sanitary assessment of quality and safety of snails’ meat, we propose to control it on the content of such toxic elements as arsenic and iron. In addition, we recommend to improve the “The Required Minimum List…” (2004) with the studies of the meat of snails of the genus Helix for different technological processing on the content of toxic elements: lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, arsenic and iron.

Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Pasta Products Consumed in Nigeria

Background: The present study aimed to quantitatively determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pastas consumed in Nigeria with the view of estimating the daily intake amount and the possible risks to consumers. Methods: Sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in locally produced and imported pasta using a GC-Mass Spectrometer. Estimation of daily intake was done on generally exposed (low) and typically exposed (high) consumers. The margin of exposure was used to assess the risk to consumers. Results: The concentration of Σ 16 PAHs in Nigerian and imported brands were in the range of 9 to 800µg/kg and 2 to 7µg/kg, respectively. The benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) concentrations in 25% of Nigerian samples were above the maximum allowable level in processed cereal-based food. The concentrations of Σ8 carcinogenic PAHs in the Nigerian and imported brands ranged from 1 to 10µg/kg and 1 to 4µg/kg respectively. The Margin of Exposure (MOE) based on PAH8 for generally exposed children was less than 10,000 in 25% of Nigerian brands while it was 38% for typically exposed children. For imported brands of pastas, the MOE values were far higher than 10,000 for generally and typically exposed children and adults. Conclusions: The MOE values indicate serious concern particularly for children who are the major consumers of Nigerian pastas. This study is the first of its kind in Nigeria and can serve as a useful baseline for continuous monitoring of PAHs in the Nigerian pastas in order to ensure protection of human health in the country.

Evaluation of human risks of surface and groundwater contaminated with Cd and Pb south of El-Minya Governorate, Egypt

Water pollution with Cd and Pb has worldwide concern because of their health impact. Evaluation of their concentrations and potential human health risks of surface and groundwater south El-Minya Governorate, Egypt is the main aim of the study. Fifty-five samples were collected; 30 samples surface water and 25 samples groundwater. The samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) to determine Cd and Pb contents. The heavy metals levels in both of surface and groundwater exceeded the maximum allowable level for drinking water which set by WHO. The hazard quotient and hazard index showed that groundwater may pose a health risk to residents, especially the children, primarily due to the high Cd content. In addition, there might be some concern for adverse Carcinogenic health effects. The pollution returns to human activities. The water can be recommended for irrigation not for drinking.

THE DEFINITION OF THE LIMIT OF SATURATION WITH WOOD PLATES FOR DOMESTIC PREMISES

One of the topical issues of the application of furniture in domestic premises is defining its limiting (maximum) saturation in the premises so that the air in these premises, the allocation of harmful substances does not exceed the maximum allowable level (maximum permissible concentrations - MPC). It is known that in using furniture of wood-based panels (particle Board, Chipboard, wood fiber, MDF) this substance is formaldehyde. Currently, the MoH established the formaldehyde MPC in the air at the level of 0.01 mg/m3. The aim of this work was to determine the limit of saturation with the wood plates in premises, provided that indoor formaldehyde emissions from plates will not exceed the established by the Ministry of health MPC. This definition of the limit of saturation (Ls, m2 of plates/m3 of the premises air) was performed according to our previously derived formula. Calculations were made for furniture (cabinet furniture, tables, beds of panel design, furniture for sitting and lying, beds with soft headboards and elements), floor coverings and wall panels. In the result, it was found that, for example, when using chipboard of E1 formaldehyde emission class in designs of furniture, tables, beds of panel construction value of Ls when the IISP is 1.0 m2/m3 of air (saturation of the volume of air with plates in their testing by chamber method) and MPC=0.01 mg/m3 is 4.03 m2 /room, and when MPC=0.124 mg/m3 (adopted by the countries-participants of the WTO and the World Health Organization) it will make 50.05 m2/room. When using plates of the same emission class, and for the same value of IISP, when MPC=0.01 mg/m3 Ls value is 6.25 m2 /room, when MPC=0.124 mg/m3 it will make 77.63 m2 /room. When using E1 class chipboard panels in the construction of furniture for sitting and lying, beds with soft headboards and elements, Ls value in the IISP is equal to 0.3 m2/m3 air and at MPC=0.01 mg/m3 is of 1.21 m2 /room, and when MPC=0.124 mg/m3 it will make 15.02 m2/room. When using plates of the same emission class, and for the same value of IISP at Mac=0.01 mg/m3 Ls value is 1.88 m2/room, when MPC=0.124 mg/m3 it will make 23.45 m2/room.

Prevalence of Bacteria and Absence of Anisakid Parasites in Raw and Prepared Fish and Seafood Dishes in Spanish Restaurants

This study evaluated the presence of bacteria and anisakid parasites in 45 samples of raw anchovies in vinegar, a dish widely eaten in Spain, and in 227 samples of cooked fish and cephalopods served in Spanish food service establishments. Our analysis showed that, according to European and Spanish regulation, 14 to 30% of the prepared fish and cephalopod dishes exceeded the maximum allowable level for mesophilic aerobic counts, and 10 to 40% of these samples exceeded the allowable levels for Enterobacteriaceae. None of the studied samples showed evidence of anisakid parasites, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, or Listeria monocytogenes. These results indicate that application of hazard analysis and critical control points, food safety training courses, and routine inspections in compliance with current European and Spanish legislation help protect consumer health.