Bioaccumulation of dioxin-like substances and selected brominated flame retardant congeners in the fat and livers of black pigs farmed within the Nebrodi Regional Park of Sicily.

An observational study was designed to assess the bioaccumulation of polychlorodibenzodioxins (PCDD) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDF), dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (DL-PCB), and 13 selected polybromodiphenylethers (PBDE) in autochthonous pigs reared in the Nebrodi Park of Sicily (Italy). Perirenal fat and liver samples were drawn from animals representative of three different outdoor farming systems and from wild pigs and then analyzed for the chemicals mentioned previously. The highest concentrations of PCDD + PCDF and DL-PCB were detected in the fat (0.45 and 0.35 pg World Health Organization toxicity equivalents [WHO-TE] per g of fat base [FB], respectively) and livers (12.7 and 3.28 pg WHO-TE per g FB) of the wild group, whereas the free-ranging group showed the lowest levels (0.05 and 0.03 pg WHO-TE per g FB in fat and 0.78 and 0.27 pg WHO-TE per g FB in livers). The sum of PBDE congeners was highest in wild pigs (0.52 ng/g FB in fat and 5.64 ng/g FB in livers) and lowest in the farmed group (0.14 ng/g FB in fat and 0.28 ng/g FB in livers). The contamination levels in fat and livers of outdoor pigs had mean concentration values lower than those levels reported for intensively indoor-farmed animals. In wild pigs, bioaccumulation was associated with their free grazing in areas characterized by bush fires. The results of this study aid to emphasize the quality of the environment as a factor to guarantee food safety in typical processed pig meat products, specifically from outdoor and extensive Nebrodi farming systems

A Comprehensive Review

Funding: This project has received funding from the European Unions’ Horizon 2020 research and innovation Programme under grant agreement No 733032. HBM4EU.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the chemicals with proven impact on workers' health. The use of human biomonitoring (HBM) to assess occupational exposure to PAHs has become more common in recent years, but the data generated need an overall view to make them more usable by regulators and policymakers. This comprehensive review, developed under the Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) Initiative, was based on the literature available from 2008-2022, aiming to present and discuss the information on occupational exposure to PAHs, in order to identify the strengths and limitations of exposure and effect biomarkers and the knowledge needs for regulation in the workplace. The most frequently used exposure biomarker is urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR), a metabolite of pyrene. As effect biomarkers, those based on the measurement of oxidative stress (urinary 8-oxo-dG adducts) and genotoxicity (blood DNA strand-breaks) are the most common. Overall, a need to advance new harmonized approaches both in data and sample collection and in the use of appropriate biomarkers in occupational studies to obtain reliable and comparable data on PAH exposure in different industrial sectors, was noted. Moreover, the use of effect biomarkers can assist to identify work environments or activities of high risk, thus enabling preventive risk mitigation and management measures.publishersversionpublishe

Application of human biomonitoring to assess occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Europe: a literature review

Os hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos (HAPs) são produtos químicos com impacto em saúde ocupacional, pelo que a avaliação da exposição humana através de estudos de biomonitorização tem aumentado nos últimos anos. No entanto, os dados obtidos são ainda insuficientes para os reguladores e decisores políticos. Este trabalho, no contexto da Iniciativa Europeia em Biomonitorização Humana (HBM4EU), descreve uma revisão da literatura sobre a exposição ocupacional aos HAPs na Europa, entre 2008 e 2022, com o objetivo de identificar as vantagens e limitações dos vários biomarcadores de exposição e /ou de efeito, bem como o conhecimento em falta para melhorar a regulamentação. Os resultados da análise dos 42 artigos elegíveis para inclusão nesta revisão demonstram que o biomarcador de exposição mais utilizado é o 1-hidroxipireno urinário, sendo os biomarcadores de efeito mais comuns, biomarcadores de stresse oxidativo e genotoxicidade. Globalmente, verificou-se a necessidade de desenvolver novas abordagens de recolha de dados e amostras, bem como a seleção apropriada de biomarcadores de forma a obter dados fiáveis e comparáveis em diferentes setores industriais. Além disso, a aplicação de biomarcadores de efeito contribui para a identificação de ambientes de trabalho ou atividades de alto risco, possibilitando medidas de mitigação e gestão de risco.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemicals with impact on occupational health, therefore the assessment of human exposure using biomonitoring has increased in recent years. However, the data obtained are still insufficient to be useful to regulators and policy makers. This work, in the context of the Human Biomonitoring for Europe Initiative (HBM4EU), describes a review of the literature on occupational exposure to PAHs in Europe, between 2008 and 2022, with the aim of identifying the advantages and limitations of the various biomarkers of exposure and/or effect, as well as the missing knowledge to improve regulation in occupational settings. The results of the analysis of the 42 articles eligible for inclusion in this review demonstrate that the most used biomarker of exposure is urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, with the most common biomarkers of effect being the measurement of oxidative stress and genotoxicity. Overall, it was noted the need to develop new approaches to samples and data collection, as well as the appropriate selection of biomarkers in order to obtain reliable and comparable data in different industrial sectors. In addition, the application of effect biomarkers contributes to the identification of high-risk work environments or activities, enabling measures of risk mitigation and management.Este estudo recebeu financiamento do programa de investigação e inovação Horizonte 2020 da União Europeia sob o acordo de subvenção n.º 733032 e recebeu cofinanciamento das organizações dos autores.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

uma revisão da literatura

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Polychlorodibenzodioxin and -furan (PCDD and PCDF) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyl (DL-PCB) congener levels in milk of grazing sheep as indicators of the environmental quality of rural areas

An observational study was set up to evaluate how the quality of the environment may influence the levels of of PCDDs, PCDFs, and DL-PCBs in sheep's milk. Seven farms under natural and anthropogenic pressures were considered, along with an inventory of the surrounding regular and natural sources of emissions. Analysis by HRGC-HRMS revealed the highest cumulative levels (2.1 pg of WHO1998-TE/g fat) in one organic and one conventional farm, each close to a relevant bushfire. Their pattern was characterized by a noticeable contribution (24%) from mono-ortho-PCB congeners to the cumulative WHO-TE. For the other farms, close to potential anthropogenic sources, the levels recorded in milk ranged from 0.7 to 1.3 pg of WHO-TE/g fat. The health and reproductive indicators were in all herds within the physiological range. Results suggest the environmental quality in extensive farming system should be eligible as a food safety factor, also for organic productions

Human Exposure to Dioxins and Other Contaminants Following an Accidental Fire at the Fiumicino Airport (Italy): A Public Health Response

In May 2015, a fire occurred at Terminal 3 of the Rome–Fiumicino International Airport. To respond to the health concern associated with the resulting emissions of combustion products, Pier D of Terminal 3 underwent a pre-emptive sequestration. The Italian National Institute of Health was asked to carry out environmental monitoring of the affected areas, and to evaluate the related risk for health. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in air samples in the pre- and post-remediation phases. Results showed a decrease of 44% of the cumulative concentrations at Pier D after the remediation operations compared to those detected before. The human exposure assessment carried out after the remediation operations confirmed that there were no risks for people in the Terminal which was then reopened. Due to the lack of quality limit values or Italian national guidelines for indoor air, WHO air quality guidelines or legislative/guidance documents of other European countries were considered for the air quality assessment

Biomonitoring of the adult population in the area of turin waste incinerator: Baseline levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was assessed in a cohort of 394 subjects, 198 residing in three small municipalities near a new waste-to-energy (WTE) incinerator located in the Turin area, and 196 residing in neighbouring control areas in the town (of Turin). The assessment of exposure to PAHs was part of a human biomonitoring study aimed at assessing potential incremental exposure to pollutants related to incineration activities through the analysis of such pollutants before the plant start-up, and after one and three years of operation. The exposure assessment described in this study was carried out before the start-up of the WTE incinerator. Ten monohydroxy-PAHs (OH-PAHs) were analyzed in urine samples, consisting in the principal metabolites of naphthalene (NAP), fluorene (FLU), phenanthrene (PHE), and pyrene (PYR). Concentrations of the sum of OH-PAHs (Σ10OH-PAHs) were in the range of 525–85200 ng/g creatinine, with P50 equal to 6770 ng/g creatinine. Metabolites of naphthalene were found at the highest concentrations (P50 values of 892 and 4300 ng/g creatinine for 1- and 2-OH-NAP, respectively) followed by the three OH-FLUs (P50 values of individual compounds in the range of 58.2–491 ng/g creatinine), the four OH-PHEs (P50 values in the range of 30.5–145 ng/g creatinine), and 1-OH-PYR (P50 value of 82.8 ng/g creatinine). Concentrations of 1-OH-NAP, 9-OH-FLU, 1-, 2-, 3, 4-OH-PHE, and 1-OH-PYR were significantly lower in subjects living near the WTE plant compared to those living in the town of Turin, with differences between the two groups in the range 14–31%. Smoking habits markedly influence the urinary concentrations OH-PAHs. Median concentrations of the single metabolites in smokers were from 1.4 fold (for 4-OH-PHE) to 14 fold higher (for 3-OH-FLU) than those observed in non-smokers. The heating system used also resulted to be a major contributor to PAH exposure. Concentrations of OH-PAHs were generally comparable with those observed in other industrialized countries. The profile pattern was consistent with those reported in the literature. Concentrations of OH-PAHs assessed in this study may be considered indicative of the background exposure to PAHs for adult population living in an urban and industrialized area

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, polychlorodibenzofurans, and polychlorobiphenyls in women of reproductive age in Italy: A human biomonitoring study

Background: Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs), polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants that represent a major concern for women of reproductive age because of the neurodevelopmental effects associated to perinatal exposure. Objectives: This study was aimed at characterizing exposure of women of reproductive age to PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs as a function of residence in different Italian Regions, in areas at presumable different environmental contamination and human exposure to these pollutants. Methods: Study participants were enrolled in 2011-2012 in 6 Italian Regions representative of Northern, Central and Southern Italy; in each region, areas at presumed different exposure (rural, urban and industrial) were selected for enrolment. Each participant provided a serum sample for the analysis of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs. Results: Median concentrations of PCDDs + PCDFs, DL-PCBs, NDL6-PCBs and NDL9-PCBs in serum samples were respectively 6.0 and 3.5 pgWHO-TE05/g fat, and 75 and 93 ng/g fat. Age was the variable that most affected median serum concentrations. Age adjusted concentrations were found significantly different between geographical zones: women from Northern Italy showed the highest values, followed by Central and Southern Italy. PCDDs + PCDFs concentrations were significantly higher in the group of women residing in industrial areas compared to the group residing in rural areas. A clear diminishing temporal trend was observed compared to levels reported in previous studies. Conclusions: This study produced the largest dataset on serum concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs in women of childbearing age in Italy. Results: confirmed that environmental and lifestyle factors may influence exposure to these contaminants and thereby the body burden. The observed marked temporal decline in body burden during three decades is in agreement with the general trend observed worldwide

Persistent toxic substances in Mediterranean aquatic species

Fish and fishery productsmay represent one of themain sources of dietary exposure to persistent toxic substances (PTSs) such as polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls; polybromodiphenyl ethers; organochlorine pesticides; perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate; and inorganic mercury and methyl mercury. In this study, PTS contamination of Mediterranean fish and crustaceans caught in Italian coastal waters was investigated in order to increase the representativeness of the occurrence database for wild species. The objectives were to verify the suitability of regulatory limits for PTSs, identify background concentrations values, if any, and examine the possible sources of variability when assessing the chemical body burdens of aquatic species. Twelve wild species of commercial interest and two farmed fish species were chosen. Excluding methyl mercury, chemical concentrations found in wild species fell generally towards the low ends of the concentration ranges found in Europe according to EFSA database and were quite lower than the tolerablemaximum levels established in the European Union; farmed fish always showed contamination levels quite lower than those detected in wild species. The data obtained for wild species seemed to confirmthe absence of local sources of contamination in the chosen sampling areas; however, species contamination could exceed regulatory levels even in the absence of specific local sources of contamination as a result of the position in the foodweb and natural variability in species' lifestyle. A species-specific approach to themanagement of contamination in aquatic organisms is therefore suggested as an alternative to a general approach based only on contaminant body burden. A chemical-specific analysis performed according to organism position in the food chain strengthened the need to develop this approach