The 2005 World Health Organization reevaluation of human and Mammalian toxic equivalency factors for dioxins and dioxin-like compounds

Mixture analysis of associations between environmental and workplace toxins and liver damage and telomere length, stratified by race/ethnicity

This study aimed to identify the worst "bad actors" in mixtures of pollutants contributing to liver damage and shorter telomeres in the U.S. population, using weighted quantile sum (WQS) modeling with stratification by race/ethnicity. We conducted a comprehensive cross-sectional analysis of mixtures of pollutants in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey datasets: (1) 33,979 adults with blood levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury, including subsets with measurements of per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)/polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs); and (2) 7360 adults with measurements of telomeres, Cd, and Pb. Multivariable-adjusted WQS regression examined associations between WQS mixture indices and liver injury (alanine aminotransferase (ALT)-elevation), advanced liver-fibrosis (LF), and telomere length. WQSmetal indices were associated with advanced-LF in all racial/ethnic groups. The top contributor was Cd in the total population and in non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), while Pb was the top contributor in non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB). The WQSmetal-PCB-PCDD/F index was associated with ALT-elevation, with PCB126, Cd and Pb as main contributors; the odds ratio (OR) per decile was 1.50 (95 % CI, 1.26-1.78), while the OR per decile of the WQSmetal-PFAS index was 1.03 (95 % CI, 0.98-1.05), not significant. WQSmetal indices were associated with shorter telomeres. Cd was main contributor associated with advanced-LF in NHW, while Pb was the major bad actor in NHB, suggesting that NHB may be especially susceptible to Pb toxicity. Metals were associated with shorter telomeres. Metal and PCB/PCDD/F mixtures were associated with ALT-elevation. Heavy metals and organic chemicals may contribute to liver-related morbidity and healthcare disparities.

Assessment of spatial distribution of organic contaminants and metallic compounds on a tropical island' coral reef fish communities

The New Caledonian archipelago is an important hotspot of marine biodiversity. Due to mining activities, urbanization, and industrialization, significant amounts of contaminants are discharged into the lagoon. This study analysed the concentrations, spatial distribution, and potential drivers of 14 metallic compounds and trace elements (MTEs) and 22 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in ~400 coral reef fish sampled from various sites around New Caledonia, across a gradient from mining centers to remote, uninhabited locations. Boosted regression trees modelling explained between 61 and 86 % of the global variation in MTEs and POPs concentration. Fish body size emerged as the most important correlate of MTEs and POPs concentrations in coral reef fish. Monthly rainfalls were the second most important variable for POPs, whereas the reef area was the second variable explaining MTE concentrations. Our modelling approach allowed us to predict and map the distribution of concentrations at the fish community level for 17 contaminants (9 MTEs and 8 POPs). Predicted concentrations ranged from ~1.5 ng.g-1 (β-endosulfan) to ~11.5 μg.g-1 (Ni), and revealed a widespread contamination throughout the lagoon, from the coast to the barrier reef. Contamination by mining-related elements (Ni, Cr…) were clearly influenced by the surface area of mining registry and to lithology to a lesser extent, whereas Hg contamination strongly depended on biological variables. Our study is the largest of its kind at the archipelago scale, combining data on 36 contaminants in ~400 fish samples with a modelling framework offering insights into underlying processes and spatial data for policy use.

Release characteristics of POPs during preheating and sintering processes of ceramsite produced with the contaminated sediment

The ceramsite sintering using contaminated sediment or sewage sludge is an effective stratagem for resource utilization and the removal of organic pollutants. However, the release of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) during the ceramsite production is generally overlooked, leading to the excessive POPs emission in exhaust gas. This study explored the release characteristics of typical pollutants in both the solid and gas phases during preheating and sintering processes of ceramsite production under the different field conditions, including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Compared with preheating duration and moisture content in the raw ceramsite, preheating temperature was the main factor influencing the removal of POPs during the preheating process (150-300 ℃). Although the residual POPs in the preheated ceramsite could be effectively eliminated by the high temperature (>700 ℃) in the sintering processes, the POPs level in gas phase was generally elevated to some extent. The removal ratio of PCDD/Fs could reach up to 62.8 % and 99.9 % in the preheated and sintered ceramsite, respectively, which were comparable to those for OCPs (71.2 % and 99.7 %). By contrast, they were 21.4 % and 94.1 % for PAHs, respectively. POPs in the exhaust gas emitted during the preheating process accounted for more than 20 % of the overall emissions, which could not be overlooked during the field production. Concerning the energy consumption and efficiency, preheating temperature of 150-200 ℃ and sintering temperature of 900 ℃ were recommended for sintering ceramsite.

Dioxin and PCB levels in sea trout with ulcerative disease syndrome

This paper reports concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish with symptoms of ulcerative disease syndrome (UDS) and in healthy fish collected from the Słupia River in northwestern Poland. Altogether 174 samples from sea trout were analyzed using an isotope dilution technique with high-resolution gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The levels determined in material collected from healthy and diseased fish did not raise concerns for human health. All results were below the maximum permitted levels established in European Commission Regulation No 2023/915. However, considering instead fish health, dioxins and PCBs could have a negative effect at the levels detected. The highest concentration of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (DL- PCBs) was found in diseased sea trout muscles and was 6.19 pg World Health Organization Toxic Equivalents (WHO-TEQ) g-1 fresh weight (f.w.). The most-accumulated dioxin congeners were 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorinated dibenzofuran (TCDF) and 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorinated dibenzofuran (PeCDF). The most abundant DL-PCBs were PCB-118 and PCB-105, and among non-dioxin like PCBs they were PCB-153, PCB-138, and PCB-101. The polluted sea trout environment and exposure to a mixture of chemical pollutants may increase the incidence of disease. The presence of dioxins and PCBs in their bodies may disrupt the functioning of their immune system. Also the time of spawning, when the fish are exhausted, may affect the increase in the incidence of UDS.

Enhancing ecological risk assessment of dioxins in aquatic environments: AHR diversity and species sensitivity differences in tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes)

Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) exert toxicity through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), but species variations in AHR lead to differing sensitivities. Investigating the variation in AHR homolog diversity, expression levels, predominant forms, and AHR sensitivity across species-particularly in fish sensitive to dioxins-is essential for enhancing ecological risk assessment. This study focuses on the tiger puffer (Takifugu rubripes), identifying five AHRs and two ARNTs, with truAHR2a showing the highest expression and the truAHR1 subfamily displaying lower levels. All truAHRs are functional and can be activated by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), with truARNT1 cooperating more efficiently with truAHRs than truARNT2. We determined EC50 values for truAHR1a (0.30 ± 0.10 nM), truAHR1b (0.32 ± 0.20 nM), truAHR2a (0.98 ± 0.63 nM), truAHR2b (2.62 ± 2.48 nM), and truAHR2c (0.43 ± 0.22 nM), with truAHR1a showing the highest sensitivity. The truAHR1 subfamily displayed greater sensitivity than the truAHR2 subfamily, contrasting with medaka and zebrafish, where AHR2 is similar to or more sensitive than AHR1. Comparisons highlighted species- and subform-specific sensitivities in AHRs, differing by one to two orders of magnitude. Ligand-binding assays showed that all truAHRs bound [3H]TCDD specifically. Molecular docking indicated that although TCDD binds AHRs with similar affinities and conserved residues, other subform-specific factors likely contribute to their differential sensitivities. This study provides valuable data on AHR diversity and ligand-sensitivity, contributing to ecological toxicity assessment of dioxin-like compounds.

Effects of exposure of dairy cows to a mixture of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like (dl) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and non-dl-PCBs during the period of negative and positive energy balance on health traits and on aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)-signaling

This study investigated the impact of oral dioxin and PCB exposure on Holstein cows during negative (NEB) and positive (PEB) energy balance. Nine cows were divided into control (CON, n = 4) and exposed (EXP, n = 5) groups. The EXP group received 278/266 pg dioxin-like (dl)-PCB TEQ/kg BW/day and 75/72 ng non-dl-PCBs/kg BW/day for 28 days during both NEB and PEB. Inner exposure and health parameters were assessed. Cholesterol levels increased faster in the EXP group during NEB (p = 0.049). During PEB, CD4+ cell proportion and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), along with CD8+ cell MFI, decreased in the EXP group while increasing in the CON group (p = 0.004, p = 0.05, and p = 0.023, respectively). AHR-signaling mRNA expression was unaffected in subcutaneous adipose tissue, spleen, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, approximately 100 days post-exposure, hepatic AHR and ARNT mRNA expression remained elevated in the EXP group (p = 0.023 each) and correlated positively with liver dioxin and PCB residues (r2 = 0.43-0.75). Overall, dioxin and PCB effects on the examined endpoints were minor. The long-term implications of the observed T-cell and hepatic AHR-signaling changes require further investigation.

Glacial Waters Under Threat: Risk Assessment and Source Identification of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Meili Snow Mountains, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) due to their potential threat to both ecosystems and human health. The Tibetan Plateau (TP), characterized by its low temperatures, pristine ecological conditions, and remoteness from anthropogenic influences, serves as the investigation region. This study analyzed water samples from the temperature glacial watershed and employed the risk assessment method established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) to assess both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of PCBs in five age groups. The total concentrations of PCBs (∑3PCBs) varied from 738 to 1914 ng/L, with a mean value of 1058 ng/L, which was comparable to or exceeded levels reported in the surface water around the TP. Notably, the riverine sites located near the villages and towns exhibited the highest pollution levels. Our analyses indicated that glacier melting, long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT), reductive dechlorination processes, and various anthropogenic activities might be potential sources of PCB emission in the Meili Snow Mountains. According to the established national and international water quality standards, as well as toxic equivalency concentrations (TEQs) for dioxin-like PCBs (DL PCBs), the PCB concentrations detected in this study could result in serious biological damage and adverse ecological toxicological effects. However, the PCBs in all samples posed a negligible cancer risk to five age groups, and a non-carcinogenic risk to adults. These findings contribute valuable insights into the risks and sources of PCBs and may serve as a foundational reference for subsequent study of these compounds in the Meili Snow Mountains area of the southeastern TP.

Chemical characterization and oxidative potential of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in size-resolved particulate matter across industrial and traffic stations

This study is the first to investigate polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) across multiple particulate matter (PM) sizes (PM1.0, PM2.5, TSP) in Taiwan, focusing on spatio-seasonal variations, chemical composition, sources, and oxidative potential (OP) utilizing Real-time Cell Analysis (RTCA) and the Dithiothreitol (DTT) assay. PM samples were collected from the Northern Industrial Station (NIS: PM) in Taoyuan, and the Central Industrial (CIS: PM2.5) and Central Traffic (CTS: PM2.5) stations in Taichung (2022-2023). Elevated PCDD/F, PCB, and PCN levels were observed at NIS during winter, with PM2.5 and PM1.0 comprising 90 % and 50 % of TSP, respectively, driven by local emissions and meteorological influences. PCDD/Fs peaked in winter at CTS (7.16 ± 1.64 fg TEQWHO/m3) and in autumn at CIS (8.29 ± 3.21 fg TEQWHO/m3), while PCBs were highest in summer (CIS: 0.151 ± 0.212 fg TEQWHO/m3; CTS: 0.006 ± 0.013 fg TEQWHO/m3), likely due to temperature-driven volatilization. Notably, PCNs exhibited no clear seasonal trends. Cytotoxicity assays revealed a size-dependent toxicity gradient (PM1.0: 71.8 % > PM2.5: 62.1 % > TSP: 51.9 %), with PM2.5 toxicity consistent across sources (P = 0.58). DTT assays indicated higher OP at Northern Taiwan's industrial site on weekdays, whereas Central Taiwan's industrial and traffic sites showed no substantial variation (p > 0.05). Markedly, NO3- strongly correlated with OP across all PM sizes, while Cu and Cr were linked to OPv, and Mn and Cr to OPm. These findings highlight seasonal and source-driven PM toxicity, with smaller particles posing greater health risks, requiring targeted mitigation.

Associations between blood levels of persistent organic pollutants and oxidative stress biomarkers among women in France in the 90's

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a group of organic chemicals potentially toxic to human health. Induction of oxidative stress is one of the suspected mechanisms of action. The aims of this study were to model exposure-response functions between blood levels of a mixture of POPs and biomarkers of oxidative stress, to identify potential interactions between POPs, and to estimate the overall effect of the mixture. Levels of POPs and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in the blood of 467 women from the French E3N cohort study, aged 45-73 years, collected between 1994 and 1999. In total, 41 POPs quantified in at least 75% of samples, and 3 antioxidant enzymes (Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1), Superoxide Dismutase 2 (SOD2), and alpha-Glutathione S-Transferase (GSTα)) were included. A Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) model was fitted for each oxidative stress biomarker, including the 41 POPs as exposure variables and adjusting for potential confounders identified using a directed acyclic graph. Additionally, linear regression models including each POP biomarker separately adjusted for potential confounders were run. With the BKMR models, only two POPs biomarkers were found associated to SOD1 (PFPeS) and SOD2 (PCB-156). A greater number of POPs appeared associated to GSTα (oxychlordane, dieldrin, PFUnDA, PFHpA, PCB-28, PCB-153, PCB-180, PBDE-47, PBDE-100, and PBDE-153). Single-pollutant linear models also highlighted statistically significant associations in the same direction as the BKMR model. The BKMR models also highlighted non-linear cumulative effects, with overall negative trends for SOD1 and SOD2 and a positive trend for GSTα. These findings support that oxidative stress may be involved in the mechanisms linking the exposure of mixtures of POPs and related health effects. Further epidemiological studies on larger populations, as well as toxicological studies, are necessary to confirm these results.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Herman L, Anguita M, Bozzi Cionci N, Innocenti ML, Tarrés‐Call J. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of l-arginine produced with Corynebacterium glutamicumKCCM 80393 for all animal species (Daesang Europe BV)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of l-arginine produced with a genetically modified strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum (KCCM 80393) when used as a nutritional additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species and categories. The Panel concluded that the product under assessment does not give rise to any safety concern with regard to the genetic modification of the production strain. No DNA of the production strain was detected in the final product. l-Arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80393 is safe for the target species when supplemented in appropriate amounts to the diet according to the nutritional needs of the target species. The FEEDAP Panel has concerns on the use of l-arginine in water for drinking. The use of l-arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80393 in animal nutrition is considered safe for the consumers and for the environment. Regarding the user safety, in the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the potential of the additive to be irritant to skin and/or eyes, or to be a dermal or respiratory sensitiser. The additive l-arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80393 is regarded as an efficacious source of the essential amino acid l-arginine for non-ruminant nutrition. For the supplemental l-arginine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminant species, it requires protection against degradation in the rumen.

Assessment of POPs in foods from western China: Machine learning insights into risk and contamination drivers

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PBDEs, are major environmental and food safety concerns due to their bioaccumulative and toxic properties. However, comprehensive research on the concentrations and influencing factors of POPs across different food types and regions, particularly in underdeveloped regions of western China, remains scarce. This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of POPs contamination in six food types (pig liver, pork, freshwater fish, marine fish, beef, and eggs) from western China by integrating environmental, geographical, socio-economic data, and food POP concentrations with machine learning and multivariate analyses to evaluate distribution patterns, key influencing factors, and associated health risks. The results showed distinct contamination patterns across food types and regions. Among all food, pig liver exhibited the highest levels of ∑PCDD/Fs, while marine fish showed elevated PBDEs and ndl-PCBs, highlighting the influence of organ-specific bioaccumulation and global oceanic pollution. Freshwater fish displayed higher ∑PCDD/Fs due to localized agricultural and industrial pollution. Regional differences were most pronounced in pork, with higher contamination in Yunnan and Sichuan, driven by industrial emissions, biomass burning, and geographical factors. Regression models, particularly Random Forest and SHAP analyses, identified food type, latitude, GDP, and climatic conditions as key predictors of POP variability. Risk assessments indicated that dietary exposure to POPs from high-consumption foods remained within safety thresholds, posing no significant health risks to the general population. This study highlights the utility of advanced analytical tools in understanding contamination dynamics and emphasizes the need for systematic monitoring, targeted interventions, and enhanced food safety regulations, particularly in western China.

Source apportionment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/furans and polychlorinated biphenyls in soil from the Gyirong Valley in the Himalayas

The Tibetan Plateau is an important area for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) research because of high-altitude condensation and global distillation. However, the sources of the POPs in remote regions have not been quantified, which is critical for global control of POPs. The Gyirong Valley in the Himalayas bordering Nepal serves as an important pathway for cross-border transport of POPs to the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, the occurrences of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as typical POPs were investigated in surface soil samples collected along the Gyirong Valley. The PCDD/F and PCB congener profiles and positive matrix factorization were used to identify sources and quantify their contribution to PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the valley. The main source of PCDD/Fs was long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT), while the main sources of PCBs were domestic burning of coal and wood (27.3 %), LRAT (23.7 %), by-products from pigments, paints, and dyes (42.4 %) and industrial activities related to maintenance, disassembly or accidental releases of electrical equipment (6.5 %). A backward trajectory simulation indicated that the Indian monsoon played a dominant role in facilitating the transport of POPs from Nepal through the Gyirong Valley to the Tibetan Plateau. These results for the occurrences, distribution characteristics, and primary sources of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in the Himalayas will be helpful for POPs risk assessments and control in remote regions.

Congener-specific transfer modelling of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in free-ranging cattle grazing in the Dutch floodplains

Cattle grazing in the Dutch floodplains are exposed to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (dioxins) and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) through the consumption of grass and adhering soil. This can lead to elevated dioxin and dl-PCB levels in meat fat. To manage this contamination issue, the kinetics of these compounds in cattle need to be better understood. This study describes the development and application of a physiologically based kinetic (PBK) model to predict dioxin and dl-PCB levels in muscle fat of 'Rode Geus' cattle based on measured levels in grass and soil. Calibration of the model was performed separately for each congener, using measured dioxin and dl-PCB levels in various tissues of 14 animals. Model validation performed using dioxin and dl-PCB samples of 14 other cattle, showed that PBK model predictions were on average a factor 2.4 higher than the measured dioxin and dl-PCB TEQ levels in fat. Despite this difference, the model may still be particularly useful to better understand the relation between environmental dioxin and dl-PCB levels and those in cattle. The model is publicly available with a user-friendly interface on www.feedfoodtransfer.nl and may provide relevant insights for risk assessment and risk management.

PCDD/Fs in human tissues: A review of global biomonitoring data

This review investigates the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in internal human organs and tissues - excluding blood - with a particular focus on adipose tissue studies conducted worldwide up to January 2025. A thorough analysis of published literature highlights significant geographical and temporal trends in human PCDD/F exposure, including potential associations between PCDD/F levels and various health conditions. Several research gaps are identified, and proposals for future studies are given. Studies from Europe, Asia, and North America demonstrated a general decline in tissue PCDD/F concentrations over recent decades, particularly from the 1970s to early 2000s, attributed to successful emission control measures. Adipose tissue PCDD/F levels were typically higher in industrialized regions, with occupational exposure studies showing significantly elevated concentrations compared to the general population. Notable regional variations were observed, with some Asian countries continuing to show relatively high PCDD/F levels despite the overall declining trend. The review also highlighted potential associations between PCDD/F exposure and various health conditions, including endometriosis and cryptorchidism, though causal relationships remain unclear. Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling studies estimate valuable insights into the distribution and accumulation of these compounds in human tissues. Research gaps identified include limited data from developing countries and other underrepresented regions. It is also important to acknowledge the variability in analytical methods and reporting units across the reviewed studies, which may complicate direct comparisons of results. This review emphasizes the importance of continued biomonitoring efforts, particularly in underrepresented regions, to track exposure trends and protect vulnerable populations.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Puente SL, Galobart J, Vettori MV, Holczknecht O, Pizzo F, Innocenti ML, Ortuño J, Valeri P. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of vermiculite for all poultry and ornamental birds, all porcine species, equines, leporids, camelids, pets and other non-food-producing animals (Regal B.V.)

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of vermiculite as a technological feed additive for all poultry and ornamental birds, all porcine species, equines, leporids, camelids, pets and other non-food-producing animals. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that vermiculite is considered safe at 10,000 mg/kg complete feed for the use in feed for chickens for fattening and reared for laying/breeding and laying hens, and at 5000 mg/kg complete feed for piglets and pigs for fattening. No conclusion can be drawn on the safety of the product for ornamental birds, equines, leporids, camelids, pets and other non-food-producing animals. The Panel concluded that the use of vermiculite is safe for consumer and the environment. The additive is considered a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Inhalation and dermal exposure are considered a risk. Due to the lack of data, the Panel could not conclude on the potential of the additive to be an eye irritant. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that vermiculite is efficacious as anticaking agent in feed, when used at 10,000 mg/kg complete feed.

Characterization of the marine medaka AHRs and the comparison with those of Japanese medaka in response to dioxin and additional AHR ligands

The global water pollution now calls for precise risk assessment of chemicals, e.g., dioxins and the dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). The freshwater and marine medaka have been widely implemented in the toxicity testing, and perhaps give mechanistic information for comparative biology. The question that 'will they report equal results due to their close phylogenetic relation' has been raised, therefore, we explored their physiological and molecular responses to dioxin. As the mediator of the dioxin toxicity, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) has not been functionally characterized and might be species-specific. In terms of sensitivity to dioxin-2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the EC50 values of omeAHR1a (0.16±0.12 nM), omeAHR1b (2.96±2.96 nM), omeAHR2a (0.44±0.30 nM), and omeAHR2b (9.00±6.88 nM) exhibit marked variations. The omeAHR2a and omeAHR1a display heightened sensitivity compared to the freshwater Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) counterparts olaAHR2a and olaAHR1a, respectively. The results indicate the in vitro sensitivity of AHR among species can vary by one or two orders of magnitude. Further mechanistic investigations using additional ligands and computational modeling reveal that: 1) most of omeAHR2a, olaAHR2a, dreAHR2, and hsaAHR interact with ligands in the affinity order of TCDD > PCB126 > BNF > indole, mirroring their AHR transactivation potency, but the docking poses and dynamics can vary; 2) one AHR subform's high sensitivity to dioxin-TCDD may extend to DLCs but not to other types of ligands. Beyond the in vitro study, the preliminary in vivo LC50 data indicate that marine medaka (LC50: 1.64 ng/L (95 % CI: 1.05-2.55 ng/L)) has similar sensitivity, and possibly slightly greater (not statistically determined yet), to TCDD in comparison with Japanese medaka (LC50: 3.42 ng/L (95 % CI: 1.37-6.48 ng/L)).These insights underscore the difference of AHR biology among species even the close relative species, and point out the necessity for meticulous consideration when evaluating the toxicity of compounds and when extending predictive toxicity assessments to more species.

Exploring transcriptomic databases to identify and experimentally validate tissue-specific consensus reference gene for gene expression normalization in BALB/c mice acutely exposed to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a toxic compound affecting organs like the liver, kidney, lung, and reproductive systems in mammals. This study outlines a strategy for choosing appropriate HKGs for tissue-specific gene expression analysis in TCDD toxicity, including four steps: i) identifying candidate HKGs from literature and databases; ii) defining primers from literature or designing new ones; iii) validating primer efficiency and specificity; iv) experimentally assessing candidate HKGs' stability in various tissues of TCDD-exposed mice. Based on this strategy, a total of 40 potential HKGs was selected, further filtered based on their database sources and ranked according to their frequency of use or expression stability. Ultimately, we identified a final set of 15 HKGs (Rps18, Calr, Polr2b, Brms1l, P4hb, Esd, Hdgf, Gapdh, Mlec, Tbp, Rn18s, Sdha, B2m, Actr3 and Actb) with typical efficiencies for further evaluation. Then, the stability of the selected HKGs was determined in the liver, kidney, lung, ovary and testis of TCDD-exposed mouse compared to the control group using the [log (2ΔCt)] and statistically analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient (r) by BestKeeper algorithm. Our data analysis revealed that Actb, Rps18, and Polr2b were the most stable HKGs for normalizing gene expression in the liver, while Sdha, Actb, and Gapdh were suitable for kidney tissue. In the lung, Tbp, Sdha, and Rps18 showed stability, while Tbp, B2m, and Actb were most stable in ovary. Lastly, Actb, B2m, and Tbp were accurately stable in the testis of TCDD-exposed mice. Our study identifies stable HKGs, improving TCDD toxicity research accuracy and reliability.

Impacts of sex and gestation on bioaccumulation and transfer of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in loaches

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are global pollutants, and understanding their bioaccumulation and transfer behavior in wild fish is crucial for assessing their potential impact on aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the effects of sex and gestation on PFAS bioaccumulation and transfer in loaches, a topic with limited existing research. We measured the concentrations of 14 PFAS in 41 loaches (17 males and 24 females) from a freshwater lake in northwestern China. All loaches had detectable PFAS, with bioaccumulation factors tending to correlate positively with protein-water partition coefficients (Kpw). Notably, female loaches generally exhibited lower PFAS concentrations than males, and the chemical compositions differed, potentially linked to maternal transfer efficiency, quantified by comparing PFAS concentration ratios in eggs versus muscle tissue (EMR). The EMR (1.84-20.27) appeared to vary with Kpw and maternal reproductive investment. The PFAS mixture's PFOS equivalent varied from 3.23 to 18.69 ng/g ww, and the hazard quotient of 0.008 suggests a low likelihood of reproductive damage from current PFAS concentrations in loach eggs. This study provides valuable insights into the behavior and risk of PFAS in the aquatic environment, but further research with a larger sample size is recommended to confirm and extend these findings.

Occurrence, distribution, and levels of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB), Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins (PCDD), and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDF) in fish from the Antioquia Region, Colombia

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF), are a class of chemical compounds with high persistence that can accumulate in living organisms, mainly in fatty tissues. In addition, exposure to them can cause a wide variety of health problems and adverse effects on humans and wildlife. Therefore, this work aimed to assess the occurrence, distribution, and levels of PCB, PCDD and PCDF in fish samples from the Antioquia region, Colombia. In total, 90 samples of different fish species were evaluated. The levels of the six indicator PCBs were in a range between 26.6 pg · g-1 w.w (1.33 ng · g-1 fat) and 4550 pg · g-1 w.w (236.0 ng⋅g-1 fat), the mean value was 395 pg · g-1 w.w (16.7 ng⋅g-1 fat) and the median was 186 pg · g-1 w.w (8.24 ng⋅g-1 fat). The levels of dioxin-like PCBs were between 3.09 pg · g-1 w.w (0.135 ng⋅g-1 fat) and 567 pg · g-1 w.w (33.9 ng⋅g-1 fat), the mean value was 47.2 pg · g-1 w.w (2.30 ng⋅g-1 fat) and the median was 15.5 pg · g-1 w.w (0.811 ng⋅g-1 fat). The mean and median of the PCB toxic equivalent values were 46.6 fg · TEQ · g-1 w.w and 12.0 fg · TEQ · g-1 w.w, respectively. In all cases, PCDD/PCDF were below the analytical method quantification limits. In summary, PCB and PCDD/PCDF levels in selected fish corresponded to background levels and no hot spots were observed. Finally, this study provided an overview of the current situation regarding the presence of these types of pollutants in the region, which could support future research.

Early life developmental effects induced by dioxins and PCBs in novel bioassays with C. elegans

This study assessed the effects of TCDD, two PCB mixtures (Clophen A50 and Aroclor 1254), and field extracts from marine sediments and swimming crab tissues on early-life development in Caenorhabditis elegans. Gravid nematodes were exposed on agar, and isolated eggs and larvae were tested in solution. Larval development was evaluated after 72 hours. Reporter gene assays (DR-CALUX) were also used to quantify dioxin-equivalent toxicity (TEQ). Exposure to 10 pM Clophen A50 and TCDD on agar inhibited L3-L4 transition by 60 % and 50 %, respectively. Liquid exposure to 5 µM Aroclor 1254 or TCDD (10 nM and 10 µM) delayed development by 20-40 %. Field extracts contained TEQ values of 0.67-4.91 ng/kg (0.2-1.47 pM TCDD), reducing L3-L4 development by 40-60 %. Both bioassays effectively assessed the toxicity of persistent organic pollutants in environmental samples. Agar exposure mimics realistic uptake, while liquid assays offer faster, high-throughput screening.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Anguita M, Innocenti ML, Tarrés‐Call J, Firmino JP. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of l-valine produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80365 for all animal species (CJ Europe GmbH)

Following a request from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of l-valine produced with a genetically modified strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum (KCCM 80365) when used as a nutritional additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species and categories. l-Valine manufactured by fermentation using C. glutamicum KCCM 80365 does not give rise to any safety concern regarding the genetic modifications of the production strain. No viable cells or DNA of the production strain were detected in the final product. The use of l-valine produced with C. glutamicum KCCM 80365 in feed is safe for the target species when supplemented in appropriate amounts to the diet according to the nutritional needs of the species. The FEEDAP Panel has concerns on the use of l-valine in water for drinking. The use of l-valine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80365 in animal nutrition is considered safe for the consumers and for the environment. l-Valine produced with C. glutamicum KCCM 80365 is not irritant to skin and eyes, nor considered a skin sensitiser. The additive l-valine is regarded as an effective source of the amino acid l-valine for all non-ruminant species. To be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminants, it should be protected from ruminal degradation.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Anguita M, Innocenti ML, Bozzi Cionci N, Pettenati E, Tarrés‐Call J. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of l-lysine sulfate produced with Corynebacterium glutamicumCGMCC 23982 for all animal species (Eppen Europa SAS)

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on l-lysine sulfate produced by fermentation with a non-genetically modified strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum (CGMCC 23982) when used as a nutritional additive in feed for all animal species. The active substance is l-lysine. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the production strain qualifies for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment; therefore, l-lysine sulfate produced with C. glutamicum CGMCC 23982 does not pose any safety concern associated with the production strain. l-Lysine sulfate produced with C. glutamicum CGMCC 23982 is considered safe for the target species when administered via feed. When using l-lysine sulfate, the background sulfur/sulfate content in the compound feed should be taken into account when formulating diets. The FEEDAP Panel has concerns on the use of l-lysine sulfate in water for drinking. l-Lysine sulfate produced with C. glutamicum CGMCC 23982 is safe for the consumer and for the environment. With regard to user safety, the additive should be considered irritant to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract. Any exposure to the additive is a risk. l-lysine sulfate is considered as an efficacious source of the essential amino acid l-lysine for non-ruminant animal species. For the supplemental l-lysine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminant species, it would require protection against degradation in the rumen.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Tosti L, Anguita M, Bozzi Cionci N, Firmino JP, Innocenti ML, Tarrés‐Call J, Pettenati E. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of l-tryptophan produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80346 for all animal species (CJ Europe GmbH)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of the feed additive consisting of l-tryptophan produced by fermentation with a genetically modified strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum (KCCM 80346) when used as a nutritional additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species and categories. Viable cells of the production strain and its DNA were not detected in the additive. l-Tryptophan manufactured by fermentation using C. glutamicum KCCM 80346 does not give rise to any safety concern with regard to the genetic modification of the production strain. The use of l-tryptophan (≥ 98%) produced with C. glutamicum KCCM 80346 to supplement feed is safe for non-ruminant species. There may be a risk for an increased production of toxic metabolites when unprotected tryptophan is used in ruminants. The FEEDAP Panel has concerns on the use of l-tryptophan in water for drinking. The use of l-tryptophan produced with C. glutamicum KCCM 80346 in animal nutrition raises no safety concerns to consumers of products from animals receiving the additive and to the environment. l-tryptophan produced with C. glutamicum KCCM 80346 is not irritant to the eyes and skin, and it is not a skin sensitiser. The additive l-tryptophan is regarded as an effective source of the amino acid l-tryptophan for all non-ruminant species. To be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminants, it should be protected from ruminal degradation.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Galobart J, Pizzo F, Tarrés‐Call J, Vettori MV, Navarro‐Villa A. Assessment of the feed additive copper bilysinate for all animal species for the renewal of its authorisation (Senzyme GmbH)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of copper bilysinate as nutritional feed additive for all species and categories. The additive is currently authorised for use in all animal species (3b411). The applicant has provided evidence that the additive, in powder or granule forms, complies with the conditions of the authorisation. The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP Panel) confirms that the use of copper bilysinate under the current authorised conditions of use is safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. Regarding user safety, both forms of the additive are not irritant to the skin, but the powder product is an eye irritant. Both forms of the additive should be considered skin and respiratory sensitisers. Inhalation and dermal exposure are considered a risk. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Mayo B, Herman L, Anguita M, Cionci NB, Innocenti ML, Ortuño J, Pettenati E. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of xylanase (produced with Komagataella phaffii DSM 25376) and β-glucanase (produced with Komagataella phaffii DSM 26469) (ENZY CARBOPLUS®) for all poultry (Kaesler Nutrition GmbH)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of xylanase (produced with Komagataella phaffii DSM 25376) and β-glucanase (produced with Komagataella phaffii DSM 26469) (ENZY CARBOPLUS®) as a zootechnical feed additive (functional group: digestibility enhancers). The additive is already authorised for use in feed for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, turkeys for fattening and all avian species reared for laying or breeding purposes. The applicant requested a modification of the terms of the current authorisation for chickens for fattening and reared for laying, as well as an extension of use to all poultry. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is safe for all poultry. The use of the additive is considered safe for the consumers and the environment. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is not a skin or eye irritant nor a dermal sensitiser, but it is considered a respiratory sensitiser. The Panel concluded that the additive has the potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive for all poultry under the proposed conditions of use.

Human biomonitoring of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs in women living in a Northern Italy industrial area

In Brescia , a highly industrialized city in the Lombardy Region (Northern Italy) classified as a SIN (Contaminated Site of National Interest), a human biomonitoring study was carried out on breast milk of two groups of women residing in areas with presumably different levels of exposure to polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorodibenzofurans, and polychlorobiphenyls. This study was aimed at evaluating the possible difference between women living in Brescia and women living far from it but in the same Region. Between 2016 and 2018, 82 women were enrolled (41 "exposed" subjects and 41 "not exposed"), breast milk samples were collected, and a specific questionnaire was administered to the donors. Data obtained were processed by robust regression and Principal Component Factor Analysis. The differences in concentration between the two groups were significant for all the classes of analytes (except for PCDDs). The concentration increase rates from the not exposed to the exposed group resulted highly significant: some PCB congeners showed increase rates more than 1000 ng/g lb per one-unit change of the independent variable. Among the variables significantly associated with the observed concentrations, age showed the greatest influence, while BMI showed a counteracting effect. Consumption of vegetable oil and fruit resulted to possibly influence the chemicals body burden. For the not exposed group, the levels appear to be in line with the decreasing trend (2001-2018) observed for these contaminants in Italy.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Yurkov A, Anguita M, Bozzi Cionci N, Brozzi R, García‐Cazorla Y, Tarrés‐Call J, Valeri P, Innocenti ML. Assessment of the feed additive consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC R404 for dairy cows for the renewal of its authorisation (Volac International Ltd)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of the authorisation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC R404 as a zootechnical additive (functional group: gut flora stabilisers) for dairy cows. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. There was no new evidence that would lead the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) to reconsider its previous conclusions on the safety of the product for the target species, consumers and the environment, for which the additive is considered to remain safe. Regarding user safety, the Panel reiterates its previous conclusions that the additive is not irritant to eyes and skin but should be considered a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser, and any exposure through skin and respiratory tract is considered a risk. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of renewal of the authorisation.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from common cooking fuels in Nigeria

Cooking fuels are sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are persistent in the environment and have detrimental effects on human health. Fifteen PCBs congeners from the smoke of eight (8) commonly used cooking fuels in Nigeria were investigated in this study. Glass fiber filters were used to collect air emissions during the combustion of cooking fuels in a controlled chamber. PCB congeners in the smoke of studied cooking fuels were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and their associated health risks were evaluated. The health risks of PCBs (both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) from inhalation exposure were evaluated for both children and adults. The daily inhalation rate ranged from 4.44 × 105 to 6.16 × 105 fgTEQkg-1 for adults and 9.94 × 105 to 1.38 × 106 fgTEQkg-1 for children. Hazard quotient (HQ) values obtained for both adults and children were higher than the acceptable limit of 1. The Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) varied between 2.40 × 10-3 and 3.33 × 10-3 for adults and 6.211 × 10 - 4 and 8.62 × 10 - 4 for children. This study recommends promoting clean cooking technologies through policy interventions, public awareness campaigns, and investment in research and development, to reduce risks associated with harmful cooking emissions.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Cionci NB, Dioni A, Tarrés‐Call J, Firmino JP. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of L-lysine sulfate produced by fermentation with Corynebacterium glutamicum CGMCC 7.453 for all animal species (Eppen Europe SAS)

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on L-lysine sulfate produced by fermentation with a genetically modified strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum (CGMCC 7.453) when used as a nutritional additive in feed for all animal species. The active substance is L-lysine. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the production strain qualifies for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment; therefore, L-lysine sulfate produced with C. glutamicum CGMCC 7.453 does not pose any safety concern associated with the production strain. L-Lysine sulfate produced with C. glutamicum CGMCC 7.453 is considered safe for the target species. The FEEDAP Panel has concerns on the use of L-lysine sulfate in water for drinking. When using L-lysine sulfate, the background sulfur/sulfate content in the compound feed should be taken into account. L-Lysine sulfate produced with C. glutamicum CGMCC 7.453 is safe for the consumer and for the environment. Based on the information provided in the safety data sheet of the additive under assessment, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that the additive should be considered irritant to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract, and that any exposure to the additive is a risk. L-Lysine sulfate is considered an efficacious source of the essential amino acid L-lysine for non-ruminant animal species. For the supplemental L-lysine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminant species, it would require protection against degradation in the rumen.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Bampidis V, Dierick N, Woutersen R, de Lourdes Bastos M, Ramos F, Galobart J, Vettori MV, Holczknecht O, Ortuño J, Pizzo F, Valeri P, Innocenti ML, Amaduzzi A. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Kieselguhr (diatomaceous earth) for all animal species (Imerys France)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Kieselguhr (diatomaceous earth, three forms: natural, purified calcined and purified flux-calcined) as a technological additive (functional group: anticaking and binder) for all animal species. Kieselguhr is predominantly amorphous silica (non-crystalline silicon dioxide (SiO2)). Based on the information submitted, Kieselguhr natural, purified calcined and purified flux-calcined are safe when used at 5000 mg/kg of complete feed in all terrestrial animals. No conclusions can be reached on the safety of its use in aquatic animals. The use of Kieselguhr natural, purified calcined and purified flux-calcined in animal nutrition under the proposed conditions of use is safe for the consumer and the environment. Kieselguhr natural and purified flux-calcined are not irritant to the skin. All the three forms of the additive are irritant to the eyes and should be considered dermal and respiratory sensitisers. Any exposure is considered a risk. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is effective as a pellet binder. Kieselguhr is efficacious as an anticaking agent at a minimum concentration of 15,000 mg/kg.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Anguita M, Cionci NB, Innocenti ML, Kolona M, Tarrés‐Call J. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of l-lysine monohydrochloride produced with Corynebacterium glutamicumCGMCC 7.453 for all animal species (Eppen Europa SAS)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of l-lysine monohydrochloride produced by fermentation with a genetically modified strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum (CGMCC 7.453) as nutritional feed additive for all animal species. Neither viable cells nor recombinant DNA of the production strain were detected in the final product. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive does not pose any safety concern regarding the production strain. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the use of l-lysine HCl produced by fermentation with the strain C. glutamicum CGMCC 7.453 is safe for the target species when administered via feed. However, the FEEDAP Panel expressed concerns on the use of l-lysine HCl in water for drinking. The Panel concluded that the use of l-lysine HCl produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum CGMCC 7.453 in animal nutrition is considered safe for the consumers and for the environment. With regards user safety, the additive should be considered irritant to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract. Any exposure to the additive is a risk. l-Lysine HCl is considered as efficacious source of the essential amino acid l-lysine for non-ruminant animal species. For the supplemental l-lysine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminant species, it would require protection against degradation in the rumen.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Galobart J, Holczknecht O, Pizzo F, Radovnikovic A, Vettori MV, Amaduzzi A. Safety and efficacy of the feed additive consisting of clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin for all animal species for the renewal of its authorisation (ZEOCEM, a.s.)

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of authorisation of clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin as a technological feed additive (binder and anticaking agents) for all animal species. The applicant provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. The Panel concludes that clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin remains safe for all animal species, consumers and the environment under the authorised conditions of use. Regarding user safety, the additive is not a skin nor an eye irritant but should be considered a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Inhalation and dermal exposure are considered a risk. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.

Prenatal exposure to organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls and risk of testicular germ cell cancer later in life

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to environmental chemicals during fetal development may increase the risk of testicular germ cell cancer (TGCC), but few studies have tested the hypothesis. We focused on organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), previously investigated in relation to other male reproductive health outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a nested case-control study of 332 mother-son pairs, comprising 65 TGCC cases and 267 controls, identified from a Danish Pregnancy Screening Registry with biobanked serum samples collected from pregnant women in 1985-1995, when exposure to the studied chemicals was relatively high. We quantified seven OCPs and 13 PCB congeners in maternal serum by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. TGCC diagnoses and covariate information were derived from the nationwide Danish registries. We estimated associations between individual chemicals and their mixture with the risk of TGCC through adapted Cox regression and quantile g-computation models.

RESULTS

Median age at TGCC diagnosis was 24.7 years. In main analyses, associations between individual OCPs and PCBs and risk of TGCC showed either slightly higher risks or no association (close to Hazard Ratios (HR) of 1.00), with confidence intervals overlapping unity. In mixture analyses, simultaneously increasing all chemical concentrations by one quartile resulted in a slightly higher risk of TGCC (HR 1.11, 95 % CI: 0.61; 2.05) after adjusting for confounders. Sensitivity analyses investigating tertiles of concentrations did not change the overall pattern of results.

CONCLUSIONS

Prenatal exposure to OCPs and PCBs, quantified by concentrations in maternal pregnancy serum, was not associated with later risk of TGCC.

Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCB) in hydrochars and biochars: Review of recent evidence, pollution levels, critical gaps, formation mechanisms and regulations

Contamination of chars with dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCB) significantly limits their use and hinders their deployment in the circular bioeconomy, specifically in applications that may lead to dietary exposure. Here, for the first time, we review the levels of contamination of chars produced from pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) with dl-PCB congeners. We conduct a detailed and critical examination of the role played by the processing parameters, such as temperature and residence time, and the reaction mechanisms, to detoxify the biomass under an oxygen-free atmosphere during its valorisation. The PCB-based toxicity of biomass depends mostly on the abundance of dl-PCB in the raw material, and on the dechlorination and other transformation processes that operate during the treatment. The key dechlorination steps make the toxicity of hydrochars pass through a maximum with increasing treatment time, whereas the toxicity of biochars in pyrolysis decreases monotonically. Pyrolysis displays more complex mechanistic pathways of volatilisation, dechlorination, degradation of PCB rings, minor de novo formation of dl-PCB in case of air leaks, and concentrating persistent organic pollutants (POP) in char matrices. In contrast, the mechanisms responsible for the evolution of toxicity in HTC processes comprise the dechlorination, possible chlorine position shift, and biomass densification. The kinetic model developed in this review affords insight into the evolution of the hydrochar toxicity that depends on process temperature and treatment time. The dl-PCB concentrations in treated biomass generally range from 1.06 ng WHO2005-TEQ (kg DM)-1 to 11.7 ng WHO2005-TEQ (kg DM)-1, whereas for biochars produced from contaminated sediments the toxicity varies from 0.00662 ng WHO1998-TEQ (kg DM)-1 to 1.42 ng WHO1998-TEQ (kg DM)-1. DM stands for dry matter, TEQ for toxic equivalency, and WHO1998 means the application of the toxic equivalency factors (TEF) set by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1998 to calculate the TEQ. Finally, we identify the crucial gaps in the literature, review the regulations governing the use of biomass in feed and in the environment, and provide suggestions for future research. The findings in this article provide both the technical understanding of how to minimise the formation of dl-PCB in the production of chars and suggest modifications to the current guidelines. The latter will increase the consumer's trust in valorised biomass, leading to its wider acceptance in the circular bioeconomy as feed supplements and soil additives.

Associations Between Perinatal Dioxin Exposure and Circadian Clock Gene mRNA Expression in Children in Dioxin-Contaminated Areas of Vietnam

We investigated the impact of perinatal dioxin exposure (indicated by dioxin levels in maternal breast milk) on clock gene mRNA expression in buccal cells of 9-year-old children from the Da Nang birth cohort in Vietnam using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Of the 56 boys and 34 girls (67% detection rate) in whom PER1 was detected, BMAL1 was detected in only 16 boys and 15 girls. Dioxin levels were significantly higher in girls with BMAL1 detection than in girls without detection. In girls, higher relative BMAL1 expression levels were associated with greater levels of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and toxic equivalents of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. Moreover, BMAL1 expression levels were correlated with shorter night sleep duration on weekdays, greater sleep duration on holidays, and higher hyperactivity scores. After adjusting for maternal parity, relative PER1 expression levels were higher in boys with higher toxic equivalents of polychlorinated dibenzofuran than those in girls. Although higher PER1 expression levels were correlated with greater verbal aggression and hostility scores in girls, no such associations were found in boys. These findings suggest the possible existence of sex-specific effects of perinatal dioxin exposure on circadian rhythms regulated by clock genes, particularly BMAL1, leading to sleep and behavioral problems in later life.

Association between dietary intake estimated levels of PCDD/Fs and human sperm quality

This study aimed to investigate the association between estimated dietary intake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and human sperm quality. This study cross-sectionally assessed the associations between estimated dietary intake of PCDD/Fs and sperm quality parameters in 200 participants aged 18-40 years from the Led-Fertyl study. Linear regression models, accounting for potential confounding variables, were employed to evaluate the relationships. To estimate the PCDD/Fs exposure, food frequency questionnaires and the latest data on PCDD/Fs concentrations in food, primarily from Spanish sources, were used. Our findings indicate that, in comparison to participants in the lowest tertile, those in the highest tertile (T3) of PCDD/Fs dietary intake exhibited significantly elevated body mass index, increased consumption of meat, fish and eggs, and decreased consumption of nuts. Furthermore, individuals in T3 demonstrated a higher percentage of sperm head abnormalities (4.65 % [0.10; 9.24]; p-trend= 0.037) and a corresponding increase per 1-SD increment in energy-adjusted total PCDD/Fs dietary intake (1.84 % [0.38; 3.68]). No significant associations for other sperm parameters were found. Minimal research exists on PCDD/F dietary exposure and human sperm quality. This study shows significant direct association between higher PCDD/Fs intake and the percentage of sperm head abnormalities which potentially may compromise human reproductive health.

Unveiling the transcriptional pattern of epithelial ovarian carcinoma-related microRNAs-mRNAs network after mouse exposure to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most potent organic environmental contaminant known to date, is recognized as a human carcinogen. Despite the documented link between TCDD exposure and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in mammalian females, the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer initiation remain elusive. Emerging evidence suggests aberrant miRNA expression in various human malignancies, including OC. This work was performed to examine whether TCDD exposure in female mice disrupts the expression of miRNAs, particularly those known as OC-modulators. We conducted an extensive search in the PubMed database to identify miRNAs experimentally implicated in OC. Fifty-two miRNAs were identified as potential OC modulators and classified into two groups based on their abundance in OC. Group I comprised 24 miRNAs upregulated in OC, while Group II included 28 miRNAs downregulated in OC. Subsequently, we analyzed the expression of both groups in BALB/c mice ovaries following a single TCDD dose. Our findings revealed significant upregulation of 10 miRNAs from Group I (miR-21, miR-27a, miR-30a, miR-99a, miR-141, miR-182, miR-183, miR-200a, miR-200b, and miR-429) and significant downregulation of 12 miRNAs from Group II (let-7d, miR-15a, miR-19a, miR-23b, miR-34a, miR-34c, miR-125b-1, miR-133, miR-140, miR-199a, miR-210, and miR-383) in TCDD-exposed mouse ovaries. Furthermore, we identified OC-related genes targeted by miRNAs from both groups through an extensive search in PubMed databases. Using TR-qPCR, we evaluated the downstream impact of TCDD-dysregulated miRNAs on their target genes. Our results indicate that TCDD-induced upregulation of oncogenic miRNAs negatively regulates target genes associated with EOC, while downregulation of cancer-suppressor miRNAs positively regulates genes linked to EOC.

Dioxins and their impact: a review of toxicity, persistence, and novel remediation strategies

Dioxins rank among the most hazardous persistent organic pollutants, presenting a serious threat due to their long environmental lifespan and capacity for bioaccumulation. This comprehensive review delves into the historical, chemical, and toxicological aspects of dioxins, spotlighting significant incidents such as the Seveso disaster and the repercussions of Agent Orange. The review offers a thorough analysis of the sources of dioxin formation, encompassing natural occurrences like volcanic eruptions and wildfires, alongside man-made activities such as industrial combustion and waste incineration. It examines regional variations in dioxin contamination, revealing air concentrations that can range from less than 0.01 pg TEQ per m3 in remote regions to as high as 2 pg TEQ per m3 in urban environments. With global dioxin emissions estimated at around 97.0 kg TEQ per year, Asia and Africa emerge as the highest emitters among the continents, with the total global dioxin release approximately at 100.4 kg TEQ annually. Dioxin emissions per capita show stark contrasts across six continents, from 10.77 g TEQ per capita in Europe to a concerning 71.66 g TEQ per capita in Oceania. Furthermore, the concentration of dioxin compounds produced during combustion varies significantly, ranging from 15 to 555 ng m-2. While dioxin emission regulations are intricate and differ globally, most nations require that concentrations remain below one ng m-2. Globally, dioxin production is estimated at 17 226 kilograms annually, equating to about 287 kilograms in toxic equivalent (TEQ). This review critically examines the severe health implications of dioxins, which include carcinogenic effects, endocrine disruption, and immunotoxicity. Innovative remediation strategies, such as using nanomaterials for adsorption and advanced oxidation processes, are identified as promising pathways to tackle this pressing issue. Ultimately, this review underscores the necessity for enhanced monitoring systems and comprehensive policy frameworks to facilitate sustainable dioxin management and regulatory compliance. Taking decisive action is vital to protect public health and the environment from the ongoing threat posed by dioxins.

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface soils and street dusts in Detroit, Michigan

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic contaminants that were produced and used in large quantities for their stability, inertness, and other desirable electrical, cooling, and lubricating properties. Due to their environmental persistence and improper disposal, these contaminants have become broadly distributed in the environment. This study examines the levels, composition, distribution, and potential sources of these compounds in surface soils and street dusts collected at 19 residential and industrial areas in Detroit, Michigan. Each sample was analyzed for 32 PCN and 37 PCB congeners using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The geometric mean concentrations of total PCNs and total PCBs were 61 (range:11-1933) and 432 (range: 32-18,637) ng/g, respectively. The most common PCNs were tetra- to hexacongeners and PCN-59 was most prevalent individual congener. For PCBs, hexaPCBs were most common and PCB-158 was dominant. PCN and PCB levels in soils at most sites exceeded health-based guideline levels. Given the short half-lives of PCNs and restrictions on PCN and PCB production, our results imply ongoing or recent releases. Emission sources identified by principal components and other analyses include industrial thermal processes included fuel combustion and electrical waste handling at a scrap metal processor for PCNs and PCBs, respectively. The presence of sources and "hotspots" of these toxic "legacy" contaminants in urban settings like Detroit highlight the potential for human exposure and the need to identify and control sources to prevent further environmental dispersal, exposure and risk.

Dioxins and Related Compounds in Sediment and Soil from Craft Villages and Industrial Areas in Northern Vietnam

This study focuses on the determination of dioxins and related compounds (DRCs) in sediment and soil samples gathered from craft villages and industrial zones in Bac Ninh province, northern Vietnam. The PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs levels in sediment samples ranged from 8.34 to 1302 pg/g and 34.5 to 3186 pg/g, respectively, and total equivalent toxicity (TEQ) of DRCs ranged from 0.596 to 88.1 pgTEQ/g. The total mass concentration of DRCs in the soil samples varied from 14.2 to 4857 pg/g, with corresponding total TEQ values ranging from 0.387 to 2.61 pgTEQ/g. Risk assessment based on sediment quality guideline indicators shows that DRCs at paper recycling village had moderate adverse biological effect. Some soil samples collected in industrial clusters have total carcinogenic risk (CR) values close to the threshold (1.0 × 10-6). Based on the results, it is necessary to continue monitoring and evaluating DRC compounds in craft village and industrial cluster environments and have remediation solutions to reduce these contaminated compounds.

Prioritising relevant polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) congeners for human dietary exposure studies

Following a decline in the production and use of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and the restrictions introduced by the Stockholm Convention, dietary intake represents the most significant pathway of human exposure to these dioxin-like contaminants. PCNs occur ubiquitously in foods, originating from the legacy of historical production that is now globally redistributed, as well as from ongoing industrial and domestic combustion sources which have a stronger influence on occurrence patterns in countries where they were not produced. Recent studies have benefited from a wider set of available PCN reference standards, enabling more accurate reporting of a diverse range of congeners. Combining the available information on food occurrence with relative potency (REP) data, an initial selection of twenty PCN congeners are presented here for monitoring of foodstuffs. The selection is expected to provide a good indication of the overall dioxin-like toxic equivalence (TEQ) associated with food occurrence, particularly in industrialised countries and regions where both, historical production and current combustion processes are significant sources. The selection also appears to be representative of the vast majority of PCN TEQ reported in human tissues despite the limited amount of reliable data. Future studies will benefit from the increasing availability of new PCN standards and provide a broader spectrum of occurrence data in foods and human tissues. They will also support toxicological studies on a wider range of congeners and biological effects, enhancing our understanding of PCN-mediated toxicity. Both these information strands will allow refinement and expansion of the proposed selection of congeners, if required.

Environmental contaminants assessment for frequently harvested migratory waterfowl in the Northeast Atlantic flyway

Waterfowl serve as indicators of ecosystem health and represent a pathway of contaminant exposure for hunters who consume them. In the northeast Atlantic Flyway, data on baseline contaminant loads in waterfowl are lacking. We assessed five species of commonly harvested (and consumed) waterfowl for mercury, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We found that Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and wood ducks (Aix sponsa) had lower contaminant burdens than mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), American green-winged teal (Anas carolinensis), and American black ducks (Anas rubripes). Regardless of species, all samples contained detectable levels of PCBs and at least one OCP and PFAS. Mercury and OCPs posed limited non-cancer risks to human consumers who follow current waterfowl consumption advisories. Based on a probabilistic risk assessment, lower consumption rates were required to reduce risks from PCBs compared to other contaminants. Protective human consumption advisories depend in part on the level of allowable cancer risk and whether contaminants were considered toxicologically to act individually or collectively. Accordingly, revisions to consumption advisories to protect public hunter health given these new data hinge upon risk management decisions. These data can be used to update waterfowl consumption advisories in the northeast Atlantic Flyway and inform future research into the health effects of legacy and contemporary contaminants on the sustainability of waterfowl populations.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Anguita M, Bozzi Cionci N, Innocenti ML, Woutersen R, Tarrés‐Call J. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of l-arginine produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80387 for all animal species (CJ Europe GmbH)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of l-arginine produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80387 as a nutritional feed additive for all animal species (category: nutritional additive; functional group: amino acids, their salts and analogues; and category: sensory additives; functional group: flavouring compounds). The production strain C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 is a genetically modified strain and raises no safety concerns. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive does not pose any safety concern with regard to the production strain. The use of l-arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 in feed as nutritional additive or as flavouring compound is safe for the target species. The FEEDAP Panel has concerns on the use of l-arginine in water for drinking. The use of l-arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 in animal nutrition is considered safe for the consumers and for the environment. As regards the safety for the user, l-arginine produced with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 is not irritant to skin, and not a dermal sensitiser but is irritant to the eyes and respiratory tract. The additive l-arginine produced by fermentation with C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 is regarded as an efficacious source of the essential amino acid l-arginine for non-ruminant nutrition. For the supplemental l-arginine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminant species, it requires protection against degradation in the rumen. l-Arginine is also considered efficacious when used as a flavouring compound in animal nutrition.

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Villa RE, Azimonti G, Bonos E, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Gehring R, Glandorf B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, Marcon F, Nebbia C, Pechová A, Prieto‐Maradona M, Röhe I, Theodoridou K, Galobart J, Vettori MV, Holczknecht O, Ortuño J, Pizzo F, Valeri P, Innocenti ML, Dulak‐Lis M. Assessment of the feed additive consisting of bentonite for ruminants, poultry and pigs for the renewal of its authorisation (Biomin GmbH)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the renewal of bentonite as a technological feed additive in the functional group of substances for reduction of the contamination of feed by mycotoxins for ruminants, poultry and pigs. The applicant has provided evidence that the additive currently on the market complies with the existing conditions of authorisation. There is no evidence that would lead the FEEDAP Panel to reconsider its previous conclusions. Thus, the Panel concluded that the additive remains safe for ruminants, poultry and pigs, consumers and the environment under the authorised conditions of use. Regarding user safety, the Panel concludes that bentonite is not irritant to the skin but is irritant to the eyes and should be considered a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Any exposure is considered a risk. There is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.

Polychlorinated biphenyls induced toxicities upon cell lines and stem cells: a review

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants emitted during e-waste activities. Upon release into the environment, PCBs can pose harmful effects to the humans and environment. The present review focused on the effects of PCBs on cell proliferation, apoptosis, functional and developmental toxicity and potential possible molecular mechanisms upon cells and stem cells. The review also highlights the effects of low- and high-chlorinated, and dioxin and non-dioxin PCBs. The review suggested that high chlorinated and dioxin like PCBs at higher concentrations posed more toxic effects to cells and stem cells. PCBs at higher levels induced hepatotoxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity and lung cell toxicity. PCBs triggered reactive oxygen species which actives mitogen activated pathways, nuclear factor and cytochrome pathway for cell proliferation and apoptosis. Further, review highlights PCBs induced toxicity in stem cells with the focus on developmental and functional toxicity. The review could be useful to understand the PCBs toxicities and mechanisms and will guide to policy makers to design policies for e-waste pollutant.

EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA), Turck D, Bohn T, Cámara M, Castenmiller J, De Henauw S, Hirsch‐Ernst KI, Jos Á, Maciuk A, Mangelsdorf I, McNulty B, Naska A, Pentieva K, Siani A, Thies F, Aguilera‐Gómez M, Cubadda F, Frenzel T, Heinonen M, Neuhäuser‐Berthold M, Knutsen HK, Poulsen M, Maradona MP, Schlatter JR, Siskos A, van Loveren H, Precup G, Ververis E, McArdle HJ. Safety of frozen and dried forms of whole yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the safety of frozen, dried and powder forms of whole yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The term yellow mealworm refers to the larval form of the insect species T. molitor. The NF consists of the frozen and dried forms of the whole yellow mealworm. The frozen form mainly consists of water, crude protein, carbohydrates and fat, whereas the dried forms consist of crude protein, fat and carbohydrates. The Panel notes that the levels of contaminants in the NF highly depend on the occurrence levels of these substances in the insect feed. The Panel notes that there are no safety concerns regarding the stability of the NF if the NF complies with the proposed specification limits during its entire shelf life. The NF has a protein content that ranges between 13 and 48 g/100 g. The Panel acknowledges that the true protein content is overestimated when using the nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor of 6.25 due to the presence of non-protein nitrogen from chitin. The applicant proposed to use the NF as food ingredient in various food products. The target population proposed by the applicant is the general population. Considering the composition of the NF and the proposed conditions of use, the consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. The Panel notes that no safety concerns arise from the toxicological information of the NF. The Panel considers that the consumption of the NF might trigger primary sensitisation to yellow mealworm proteins and may cause allergic reactions in subjects allergic to crustaceans, dust mites and molluscs. Additionally, allergens from the feed may end up in the NF. The Panel notes that allergic reactions may occur upon consumption. The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed uses and use levels.

Experimental study and mechanism analysis of high-efficiency adsorption of PCDD/Fs on N-doped hierarchical porous biochar

Adsorption removal of PCDD/Fs from flue gas is one of the important technologies for reducing environmental PCDD/Fs emissions. However, due to the lack of systematic research on the adsorption mechanism of PCDD/Fs, commercial activated carbon (AC) with a single pore size distribution and lack of surface functional groups has poor adsorption and removal efficiency for PCDD/Fs. Therefore, this study first used corncob as a raw material and prepared N-doped hierarchical porous biochar (NHPB) using a one-step activation method for efficient removal of PCDD/Fs. The removal efficiency of NHPB for 17 toxic PCDD/Fs and 136 PCDD/Fs in simulated flue gas is as high as 96.21% and 97.21%, respectively. Compared with AC, the adsorption performance of NHPB was significantly less affected by the fluctuation of temperature and concentration than AC because the adsorption performance changed little with the chlorine substitution number of PCDD/Fs, and showed excellent adsorption performance under various adsorption conditions. Subsequently, the adsorption mechanism of PCDD/Fs on NHPB was systematically studied using theoretical calculations. Molecular simulations show that the optimal adsorption pore size for PCDD/Fs is mainly micropores above 1 nm and mesopores between 2 and 5 nm. Therefore, the hierarchical pore structure of NHPB exhibits superior adsorption performance. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that all three N-doping forms on the surface of biochar can enhance the adsorption energy of PCDD/Fs on biochar, thereby further enhancing the adsorption performance of NHPB for PCDD/Fs.

The potential health risks of exposure to environmental chemicals - Global implications for future generations

In 2001, we launched the Hokkaido Study, the first prospective birth cohort study in Japan. We are currently tracking the effects of environmental chemicals, using a life course approach. The study examines life circumstances after birth, and the longest follow-up to date is 20 years of age. We have measured prenatal exposure to dioxins, organochlorine pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, plasticizers such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and bisphenol A. Our findings have mostly revealed that increased exposure to these environmental chemicals is linked to increased risk of lower birth size, effects on thyroid and steroid hormones, adipokine levels, as well as disruption of neurodevelopment, including causing asthma and respiratory symptoms. However, it should be noted that our findings also include protective or null findings, which may be due to low chemical concentrations or differences in prenatal or postnatal exposure. We would like to emphasize the importance of long-term continuation of the cohort, effective utilization of the data, and application of the results to environmental and health policies.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in infant food: Occurrence and exposure assessment

The objective of this study was to analyze the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in infant food (infant formulas and human milk) collected in Serbia and to assess their exposure and associated health risks. A total of 101 PCB congeners and 26 PBDE congeners were analyzed. In infant formulas (IF), the total PCB levels averaged 63.17 ± 46.67 ng/g fat, with PentaCBs being the most abundant. The highest concentration was observed for PCB #101, at 3.69 ± 2.72 ng/g fat. Total PBDE levels in IF averaged 4.71 ± 2.96 ng/g fat, with DecaBDEs dominating. The highest concentration was determined for BDE #209, at 3.90 ± 2.38 ng/g fat. In human milk (HM), the total PCB levels averaged 82.27 ± 46.70 ng/g fat, with HexaCBs as the predominant group. PCB #153 had the highest concentration, at 12.98 ± 7.91 ng/g fat. Total PBDE levels averaged 4.17 ± 4.55 ng/g fat, with DecaBDEs being most abundant. BDE #209 had the highest concentration, at 3.17 ± 4.01 ng/g fat. The estimated daily intake of dl-PCBs for breastfed and formula-fed infants ranged from 11.79-13.96 to 0.37-0.44 pg WHO2005-PCB-TEQ/kg-bw/day, respectively. Hazard quotients for PBDEs ranged from 1.37-6.50 for breastfed infants to 0.65-5.90 for formula-fed infants, highlighting potential health concerns for breastfed infants. The pollutant levels in HM were comparable to those reported in other Central and Eastern European countries.

Risk of autism spectrum disorder at 18 months of age is associated with prenatal level of polychlorinated biphenyls exposure in a Japanese birth cohort

Prenatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has a detrimental effect on early cognitive development. Based on these observations, some researchers suggested that prenatal exposure to PCB may be an environmental cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To investigate the potential link between prenatal exposure to PCB, we analyzed the link between the level of prenatal PCB exposure and ASD risk evaluated at 18 months of age and behavioral problems at 5 years old based on longitudinal birth cohort data collected in urban areas in Japan based on the data from 115 mother-infant pairs. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between ASD risk at 18 months of age and the factor scores of the principal components (PCB PCs) obtained by compressing the exposure level to PCB congeners. There was no reliable relationship between PCB PCs and problematic behaviors at 5 years of age. Furthermore, machine learning-based analysis showed the possibility that, when the information of the pattern of infants' spontaneous bodily motion, a potential marker of ASD risk, was used as the predictors together, prenatal PCB exposure levels predict ASD risk at 18 months of age. Together, these findings support the view that prenatal exposure to PCBs is associated with the later emergence of autistic behaviors and indicate the predictability of ASD risk based on the information available at the neonatal stage.