Determination of Smuggled Cigarette Characteristics in Brazil and Their Potential Risk to the Human Health

The objective of this study was to determine the different characteristics of tobacco found in thirty brands of smuggled cigarettes in Brazil. Determination of arsenic through atomic absorption spectrometry in graphite oven was carried out and classical methodologies were employed to determine dirtiness, total ash, insoluble ash, humidity, tobacco pH and sidestream smoke pH. The methodology used to quantify arsenic presented quantification limit of 15.0 ng g-1 and detection limit of 4.0 ng g-1 in dry tobacco mass. The recovery of arsenic for the method purpose was 98.2% and relative standard deviation 6.0%. About 56% of the brands were observed to have arsenic concentrations above 20.0 ng g-1, which means nearly twice as much as the arsenic found in cigarettes sold legally in Brazil. Levels above the recommended value for humidity were found in 53% of brands. About 96% of the brands presented total ash content above that indicated by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. About 53% of the samples contained levels of insoluble ash above the limit. In 90% of the samples, the smoke was alkaline. In dirtiness tests, 81.2% of the brands presented some kind of contaminant, such as fungi, insect fragments, grass or mites. The characteristics revealed that the consumption of this kind of cigarette can increase risks to consumer health. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v8i3.83

Effect of Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Oreochromis niloticus Tissues of an Urban Lake in Southern Brazil

In this study, the effect of the bioaccumulation of metals on Oreochromis niloticus tissues was evaluated. Significant Co, Mn and Ni concentrations were found in the lake water near the fertilizer industries. In the sediment was identified the presence of Cd (4.612 ± 0.930 mg kg-1), Ni (46.847 ± 3.801 mg kg-1) and Zn (865.534± 89.437) mg kg-1) in concentrations above the probable effect level (PEL). For Cu (141.963 ± 5.148 mg kg-1) and Pb (53.362 ± 6.621 mg kg-1) concentrations between the threshold effect (TEL) or probable effect (PEL) levels. Regarding Oreochromis niloticus tissues, the concentration of metals in the liver was higher than found in muscle. The biomarkers indicated that the hepatic cells of Oreochromis niloticus are under oxidative stress, explained by the higher levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonylation (PCO) when compared to control fish tissues. The set of biomarkers presented in this study contribute to define the effects of the bioaccumulation of metals in Oreochromis niloticus tissues. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v11i7.136

Effect of Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Oreochromis niloticus Tissues of an Urban Lake in Southern Brazil

In this study, the effect of the bioaccumulation of metals on Oreochromis niloticus tissues was evaluated. Significant Co, Mn and Ni concentrations were found in the lake water near the fertilizer industries. In the sediment was identified the presence of Cd (4.612 ± 0.930 mg kg-1), Ni (46.847 ± 3.801 mg kg-1) and Zn (865.534± 89.437) mg kg-1) in concentrations above the probable effect level (PEL). For Cu (141.963 ± 5.148 mg kg-1) and Pb (53.362 ± 6.621 mg kg-1) concentrations between the threshold effect (TEL) or probable effect (PEL) levels. Regarding Oreochromis niloticus tissues, the concentration of metals in the liver was higher than found in muscle. The biomarkers indicated that the hepatic cells of Oreochromis niloticus are under oxidative stress, explained by the higher levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein carbonylation (PCO) when compared to control fish tissues. The set of biomarkers presented in this study contribute to define the effects of the bioaccumulation of metals in Oreochromis niloticus tissues. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v11i7.136

Metals and arsenic in fish from a Ramsar site under past and present human pressures: Consumption risk factors to the local population

The risk of metals and As in seafood for traditional populations living in a Marine Protected Areas (MPA) is seldom assessed, although the risk of human exposure to contaminants is one of the indicators associated with the socioeconomic goals of MPAs. The current study aimed to estimate the potential risk of some metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn) and arsenic (As) for human health through the ingestion of fish locally harvested in a Ramsar site, the Cananeia-Iguape-Peruibe Environmental Protected Area (APA-CIP). Previous studies showed environmental impacts in this area due to former mining activities and urbanization. Cathorops spixii, a catfish largely consumed by the local population, was collected along the estuary in three seasons with different rain regimes. Metals and As loads in muscle tissue were quantified and it was estimated (i) the target hazard quotient (THQ) and (ii) the daily intake (EDI) for metals and As, (iii) the cancer risk (CRisk) only for As, and ( iv) the number of eligible meals per month. Cd, Pb, and As were found at concentrations above action levels for human consumption. Depending on the level of exposure of the local population, the consumption of C. spixii may pose risk to human health. Highest THQs were estimated for fish collected in sites closer to the main contamination sources in the APA-CIP, i.e. the mouth of Ribeira de Iguape River (P1) and the city of Cananeia (P4, P5, and P6). Arsenic showed high levels of cancer risk, although restricted to the area close to the city. The exposure of the local population to metal and As contaminated seafood cannot be disregarded in environmental studies and management of the APA-CIP. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Comissao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP)CNPqUniv Fed Parana, Postgraduat Program Ecol & Conservat, POB 19031, BR-81531990 Curitiba, PR, BrazilUniv Fed Parana, Dept Biol Celular, Lab Toxicol Celular, CP19031, BR-81531990 Curitiba, PR, BrazilUniv Estadual Paulista, NEPEA, Praca Infante Dom Henrique S-N, BR-11330900 Sao Vicente, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Ponta Grossa, Postgraduat Program Appl Chem, Av Gen Carlos Cavalcanti 4748, BR-84030900 Ponta Grossa, PR, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Mar, Rua Carvalho de Mendonca 144, BR-11070100 Santos, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Mar, Rua Carvalho de Mendonca 144, BR-11070100 Santos, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 09/52762-6CNPq: 308079/2015-9Web of Scienc