Contamination of chicken eggs supplied in Tehran by heavy metals and calculation of their daily intake

Background and Aims: Chicken eggs, owing to richness in protein and essential minerals, are used in many communities and for all age groups. Metals are considered as one of the most important environmental pollutants which may lead to egg contamination. The consumption of contaminated eggs can harm human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate heavy metal (arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel, copper, zinc and iron) contents in chicken eggs supplied in Tehran. Daily intake rates of heavy metals were also calculated.Materials and Methods: A total of 29 chicken eggs were sampled from various food stores in Tehran. Sample preparation was performed using wet acid digestion. Heavy metals concentrations were determined using ICP-OES. Data analysis was carried out by means of the statistical software SPSS as well as Excel (V.2.26). Kruskal Wallis and ANOVA tests were executed to compare heavy metal concentrations between different brands. Results: Mean concentrations of cadmium, lead, arsenic, nickel, copper, iron and zinc in collected chicken eggs were 0.01, 0.074, 0.03, 0.014, 1.46, 34.37 and 12.55 mg/kg, respectively. Iron and cadmium respectively showed the highest and lowest daily intake through chicken egg consumption. Conclusion: It was concluded that the levels of heavy metals in sampled chicken eggs were less than permissible limits and thus are considered safe. However, due to the importance of food contamination in public health, the continuous monitoring of these contaminants in food is recommended.Key words: Chicken Eggs, Heavy Metals, Food Safety, Tehra

Protein Recovery from Dairy Sludge by Fenton Process

Background: Holding excessive amount of sludge has turned into a major problem for the wastewater treatment plants. Nucleic acids, enzymes, proteins, and polysaccharides are some organic materials which could be found in the sludge. The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of Fenton process in protein recovery from dairy sludge.Methods: Our case for the study was the waste activated sludge produced at the wastewater treatment plant of Fajr dairy industry in Shahrood, Iran. Fenton process was applied to a 1.5 L sludge sample. At first, the pH of the sludge was adjusted to 3 using H2SO4. The second step was the addition of Fe(II) at certain concentrations. Then, different H2O2 concentrations were added to the sample. The mixed sample was stirred at 120 rpm for 6 h and was neutralized with Ca(OH)2.The sludge was dewatered in the pilot-scale filter press and filtered. The soluble protein content in the supernatant of the disintegrated sludge derived from the Fenton process was recovered by dialysis and dried at −40°C for 24 h.Results: The results showed that after the Fenton process, SSi, TCODi, SCODi, and SCODa levels were 11275, 13800, 115, and 3450 mg/L respectively. Also, after the Fenton process, the concentration of the soluble proteins increased from 52.48 to 1732 mg/L, whereas after subsequent protein recovery, its concentration in the supernatant was 1180 mg/L.Conclusions: Based on the findings, the protein recovered from the excess sludge throughout the Fenton process can be used as animal feed

Protein Recovery from Dairy Sludge by Fenton Process

Background: Holding excessive amount of sludge has turned into a major problem for the wastewater treatment plants. Nucleic acids, enzymes, proteins, and polysaccharides are some organic materials which could be found in the sludge. The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficiency of Fenton process in protein recovery from dairy sludge.Methods: Our case for the study was the waste activated sludge produced at the wastewater treatment plant of Fajr dairy industry in Shahrood, Iran. Fenton process was applied to a 1.5 L sludge sample. At first, the pH of the sludge was adjusted to 3 using H2SO4. The second step was the addition of Fe(II) at certain concentrations. Then, different H2O2 concentrations were added to the sample. The mixed sample was stirred at 120 rpm for 6 h and was neutralized with Ca(OH)2.The sludge was dewatered in the pilot-scale filter press and filtered. The soluble protein content in the supernatant of the disintegrated sludge derived from the Fenton process was recovered by dialysis and dried at −40°C for 24 h.Results: The results showed that after the Fenton process, SSi, TCODi, SCODi, and SCODa levels were 11275, 13800, 115, and 3450 mg/L respectively. Also, after the Fenton process, the concentration of the soluble proteins increased from 52.48 to 1732 mg/L, whereas after subsequent protein recovery, its concentration in the supernatant was 1180 mg/L.Conclusions: Based on the findings, the protein recovered from the excess sludge throughout the Fenton process can be used as animal feed

The Removal of Tetracycline Antibiotic by Advanced Oxidation Method of Sodium Monopersulfate Activated by Steel Industry Slag from Pharmaceutical Effluent

Today, antibiotics are known as one of the major environmental pollutants, particularly of water, due to their widespread use, toxicity, causing drug resistance and their lasting effects. This study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of the advanced oxidation process of sodium monopersulfate activated with steel industry slag in the presence of ultraviolet rays aimed at eliminating the tetracycline antibiotic from aqueous and effluent media. We examined the effect of the variables of pH, solution temperature, reaction time, initial concentration of antibiotics, sodium monopersulfate concentration, and the UV ray intensity on the process efficiency. A high-performance liquid chromatography machine was used to measure the concentration of the tetracycline antibiotic. According to the study results, under optimal and certain conditions (sodium monopersulfate: 2 mM, pH: 2, iron ions level in the steel industry slag: 0.4 g/L, UV intensity: 8 watts) and during 60 minutes, the elimination efficiency rates of tetracycline antibiotic, COD, and TOC were obtained as 98%, 61.8%, and 48.9%, respectively, with a mineralization level higher than 55%. The rate of tetracycline antibiotic removal was directly related to the concentrations of iron ions, sodium monopersulfate, UV intensity, and the temperature, while increasing the pH from 2 to 10 decreased the process efficiency from 98% to 46%; and enhancing the initial concentration of tetracycline antibiotic from 5 to 50 mg/L also reduced the removal rate of the antibiotic from 86% to 47%. The research revealed that the advanced oxidation process of sodium monopersulfate activated by steel industry slag in the presence of ultraviolet rays can be used as a proper method with effective efficiency to eliminate the high concentration of antibiotics found in a real sewage sample

بررسي مقادیر فلزات سنگين در تخم مرغ های عرضه شده درشهر تهران و محاسبه ميزان دريافت روزانه آنها

ackground and Aims: Chicken eggs, owing to richness in protein and essential minerals, are used in many communities and for all age groups. Metals are considered as one of the most important environmental pollutants which may lead to egg contamination. The consumption of contaminated eggs can harm humanhealth. The aim of this study was to evaluate heavy metal (arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel, copper, zinc and iron) contents in chicken eggs supplied in Tehran. Daily intake rates of heavy metals were also calculated.Materials and Methods: A total of 29 chicken eggs were sampled from various food stores in Tehran. Sample preparation was performed using wet acid digestion. Heavy metals concentrations were determined using ICP-OES. Data analysis was carried out by means of the statistical software SPSS as well as Excel (V.2.26). Kruskal Wallis and ANOVA tests were executed to compare heavy metal concentrations between different brands.Results: Mean concentrations of cadmium, lead, arsenic, nickel, copper, iron and zinc in collected chicken eggs were 0.01, 0.074, 0.03, 0.014, 1.46, 34.37 and 12.55 mg/kg, respectively. Iron and cadmium respectively showed the highest and lowest daily intake through chicken egg consumption.Conclusion: It was concluded that the levels of heavy metals in sampled chicken eggs were less than permissible limits and thus are considered safe. However, due to the importance of food contamination in public health, the continuous monitoring of these contaminants in food is recommended.زمينه و هدف: تخم مرغ به دليل غني بودن از پروتئين و املاح ضروري، مورد استفاده زيادي در ميان جوامع مختلف دارد و مصرف آن، تقريبا تمام گروه‌هاي سني را شامل مي‌شود. يکي از آلاینده‌های مهم محیطی که باعث آلودگی تخم مرغ مي‌شود، فلزات هستند. هدف از اين تحقيق بررسي فلزات سنگين آرسنيک، کادميوم، سرب، نيکل، مس، آهن و روي در تخم مرغ‌های عرضه شده در شهر تهران و محاسبه ميزان دريافت روزانه آنها است. مواد و روش‌ها: تعداد 29 نمونه تخم مرغ از برندهاي مختلف از فروشگاه‌هاي مواد غذايي شهر تهران جمع آوري شد. پس از آماده سازي نمونه‌ها، مقادير فلزات سنگين آرسنيک، کادميوم، سرب، نيکل، مس، آهن و روي با استفاده از دستگاه ICP-OES  سنجيده شد. آناليز داده‌ها با استفاده از برنامه نرم افزار آماري SPSS و (Excel (V.2.26 انجام گرفت. جهت مقايسه ميزان فلزات سنگين بين برندهاي مختلف از آناليز واريانس و کروسيکال واليس استفاده شد.  يافته‌ها: نتايج نشان داد که ميانگين غلظت فلزات برحسب ميلي‌گرم بر کيلوگرم در تخم مرغ به ترتيب براي کادميوم 01/0، سرب 074/0، آرسنيک 03/0، نيکل  014/0، مس 46/1، آهن 37/34 و روي 55/12 است. فلز آهن بیشترین و کادمیوم کمترین مقدار دريافت روزانه را از طریق مصرف روزانه تخم مرغ به همراه دارد. نتيجه گيري: مقادير فلزات در نمونه‌هاي تخم مرغ از حد مجاز پايين‌تر است و این تخم مرغ‌ها از اين جهت ايمن مي‌باشند. اما نظر به مهم بودن آلودگي مواد غذايي به فلزات از نظر سلامت همگاني، لزوم توجه به پايش مداوم آنها در تخم مرغ توصیه می‌گردد

Inactivation of Coliforms in Sludge Through Cavitation Phenomena by Ultrasonic Waves

Background: One of the most challenging and critical processes in wastewater treatment is sludge treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effects of low frequency ultrasound and high level of energy on inactivation rate of total coliform of sludge and ascertain the optimal operating parameters of the ultrasound waves.Methods: In this research, the density of ultrasound (W/mL) and time (minutes) were investigated. The effect of these parameters on the inactivation of total coliform in sludge was also investigated.Results: The results revealed that the optimum operating time and ultrasound density were 30 minutes and 2.5 W/mL, respectively. Also, the frequency of 20 kHz of total coliform removal rate in these conditions was 99.44% .Conclusion: Ultrasound waves as well as micro and nano bubbles could remove total coliform and decontaminate the sludge, thereby incrementing the rate of treatment

Method development for determination of migrated phthalate acid esters from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging into traditional Iranian drinking beverage (Doogh) samples: a novel approach of MSPE-GC/MS technique

In the current study, a novel magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) technique combined with a gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was developed to determine the phthalate ester content of bottled Doogh samples. Doogh is a yogurtbased drinking beverage, which is frequently consumed in Middle East and Balkans. It is produced by stirring yogurt in Chern separation machine and consists of substances such as water, yogurt, and salt in addition to aqueous extracts of native herbs. The magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-Fe3O4) were used as adsorbents of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) due to a superior adsorption capability of hydrophobic compounds. In this context, the quantity of the extractable migrated phthalate esters (dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-N-octyl phthalate (DNOP), and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into Doogh samples was measured. The correlation between the concentration of migrated PAEs and some factors such as the type of Doogh (gaseous and without gas), difference in brand (five brands), volume (1500 and 300 mL), and the storage time also was investigated. The migration level into Doogh samples was increased by incorporating of gas as well as increasing the volume of PET bottles. Also, with elaborating of storage time, the migration of some phthalates such as DEHP (the mean from 2419.85 ng L−1 in the first week to 2716.15 ng L−1 in the second month), DEP, and total phthalate was increased. However, no significant difference in concentrations of migrated phthalate esters among different examined brands was noted. Finally, the concentration of migrated PAEs from bottle into all the examined Doogh samples was below the defined standards by EPA; 6 μg/L for DEHP in drinking water

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Global burden and strength of evidence for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Understanding the health consequences associated with exposure to risk factors is necessary to inform public health policy and practice. To systematically quantify the contributions of risk factor exposures to specific health outcomes, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 aims to provide comprehensive estimates of exposure levels, relative health risks, and attributable burden of disease for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, from 1990 to 2021. Methods: The GBD 2021 risk factor analysis used data from 54 561 total distinct sources to produce epidemiological estimates for 88 risk factors and their associated health outcomes for a total of 631 risk–outcome pairs. Pairs were included on the basis of data-driven determination of a risk–outcome association. Age-sex-location-year-specific estimates were generated at global, regional, and national levels. Our approach followed the comparative risk assessment framework predicated on a causal web of hierarchically organised, potentially combinative, modifiable risks. Relative risks (RRs) of a given outcome occurring as a function of risk factor exposure were estimated separately for each risk–outcome pair, and summary exposure values (SEVs), representing risk-weighted exposure prevalence, and theoretical minimum risk exposure levels (TMRELs) were estimated for each risk factor. These estimates were used to calculate the population attributable fraction (PAF; ie, the proportional change in health risk that would occur if exposure to a risk factor were reduced to the TMREL). The product of PAFs and disease burden associated with a given outcome, measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), yielded measures of attributable burden (ie, the proportion of total disease burden attributable to a particular risk factor or combination of risk factors). Adjustments for mediation were applied to account for relationships involving risk factors that act indirectly on outcomes via intermediate risks. Attributable burden estimates were stratified by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile and presented as counts, age-standardised rates, and rankings. To complement estimates of RR and attributable burden, newly developed burden of proof risk function (BPRF) methods were applied to yield supplementary, conservative interpretations of risk–outcome associations based on the consistency of underlying evidence, accounting for unexplained heterogeneity between input data from different studies. Estimates reported represent the mean value across 500 draws from the estimate's distribution, with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) calculated as the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile values across the draws. Findings: Among the specific risk factors analysed for this study, particulate matter air pollution was the leading contributor to the global disease burden in 2021, contributing 8·0% (95% UI 6·7–9·4) of total DALYs, followed by high systolic blood pressure (SBP; 7·8% [6·4–9·2]), smoking (5·7% [4·7–6·8]), low birthweight and short gestation (5·6% [4·8–6·3]), and high fasting plasma glucose (FPG; 5·4% [4·8–6·0]). For younger demographics (ie, those aged 0–4 years and 5–14 years), risks such as low birthweight and short gestation and unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing (WaSH) were among the leading risk factors, while for older age groups, metabolic risks such as high SBP, high body-mass index (BMI), high FPG, and high LDL cholesterol had a greater impact. From 2000 to 2021, there was an observable shift in global health challenges, marked by a decline in the number of all-age DALYs broadly attributable to behavioural risks (decrease of 20·7% [13·9–27·7]) and environmental and occupational risks (decrease of 22·0% [15·5–28·8]), coupled with a 49·4% (42·3–56·9) increase in DALYs attributable to metabolic risks, all reflecting ageing populations and changing lifestyles on a global scale. Age-standardised global DALY rates attributable to high BMI and high FPG rose considerably (15·7% [9·9–21·7] for high BMI and 7·9% [3·3–12·9] for high FPG) over this period, with exposure to these risks increasing annually at rates of 1·8% (1·6–1·9) for high BMI and 1·3% (1·1–1·5) for high FPG. By contrast, the global risk-attributable burden and exposure to many other risk factors declined, notably for risks such as child growth failure and unsafe water source, with age-standardised attributable DALYs decreasing by 71·5% (64·4–78·8) for child growth failure and 66·3% (60·2–72·0) for unsafe water source. We separated risk factors into three groups according to trajectory over time: those with a decreasing attributable burden, due largely to declining risk exposure (eg, diet high in trans-fat and household air pollution) but also to proportionally smaller child and youth populations (eg, child and maternal malnutrition); those for which the burden increased moderately in spite of declining risk exposure, due largely to population ageing (eg, smoking); and those for which the burden increased considerably due to both increasing risk exposure and population ageing (eg, ambient particulate matter air pollution, high BMI, high FPG, and high SBP). Interpretation: Substantial progress has been made in reducing the global disease burden attributable to a range of risk factors, particularly those related to maternal and child health, WaSH, and household air pollution. Maintaining efforts to minimise the impact of these risk factors, especially in low SDI locations, is necessary to sustain progress. Successes in moderating the smoking-related burden by reducing risk exposure highlight the need to advance policies that reduce exposure to other leading risk factors such as ambient particulate matter air pollution and high SBP. Troubling increases in high FPG, high BMI, and other risk factors related to obesity and metabolic syndrome indicate an urgent need to identify and implement interventions