Human Health Risk Assessment from Lead Exposure through Consumption of Raw Cow Milk from Free-Range Cattle Reared in the Vicinity of a Lead-Zinc Mine in Kabwe

Extraction, quantification and health risk assessment of bisphenol A from various kinds of packaged milk and baby bottles

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, is widely used in plastic containers for food packaging. BPA can migrate into food, particularly from polycarbonate (PC) containers, posing health risks by mimicking estrogen. This study investigated BPA concentrations in 23 milk samples from national and local brands in Pakistan, stored in various packaging types: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), Tetra Pak, and Tetra Brick. BPA extraction was performed using liquid-liquid (LLE) and solid-phase methods, with quantification by HPLC. Raw milk in PC containers showed the highest BPA levels (0.042-0.056 μg/ml at elevated temperatures). BPA was detected in 12 samples, with mean concentrations of 0.019 μg/ml (pasteurized), 0.032 μg/ml (UHT), and 0.049 μg/ml (raw milk). Six baby bottle brands were analyzed, with four showing BPA leaching, and Brand No. 2 exhibiting the highest levels and hazard index. The study emphasizes the need for safer packaging to protect infants from BPA exposure.

Silent threats of lead-based paints in toys and households to children's health and development

Lead (Pb), a highly toxic heavy metal, poses a significant global health risk, particularly to children. Widely used in paint manufacturing for its remarkable corrosion-resistance properties Pb exposure has been linked to severe health issues, including reduced neurotransmitter levels, organ damage, potentially leading to death in extreme cases. Children Are particularly vulnerable, with Pb toxicity primarily affecting the brain, reproductive, kidneys, and cardiovascular systems. Approximately 0.6 million children worldwide suffer from cognitive impairments caused by Pb exposure. Despite varying Pb content regulations across countries, research has found that Pb concentration in paints often exceed permissible levels. A 0.01 mg/dL blood Pb level (BLL) is considered the threshold level as per the World Health Organization. However, recent studies reveal that significant health effects, including cognitive impairments in children, occur even at BLLs < 0.01 mg/dL. This review provides critical insights into the global production and use of Pb-based paints, release mechanisms of Pb, exposure pathways, and safety standards. It also highlights the harmful effects of Pb on human health, particularly in children, and its detailed toxicity mechanisms. Finally, this review identifies critical knowledge gaps and offers perspectives for future research.

Assessment of essential and potentially toxic metals in raw cow milk from Mukaturi town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Cow milk is a complete and highly nutritious source of food for humans. However, the quality of milk products has become a significant health concern for consumers, particularly infants and children, in many developing nations, including Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to determine the heavy metal levels in raw cow milk collected from dairy producers and collection centers in Mukaturi town, Ethiopia. Sixty raw cow milk samples (40.0 milk samples from dairy farms and 20.0 milk samples from collection centers) were randomly collected and digested using a mixture of nitric acid (HNO3), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and perchloric acid (HClO4) on a hot plate. The amounts of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the milk samples were determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The findings showed that the average concentrations of Pb (2.31 ± 0.127), Fe (0.566 ± 0.130), Ni (0.210 ± 0.0189), Cd (0.0372 ± 0.0230), Cr (0.369 ± 0.0162), and Co (0.225 ± 0.0150) in mgL-1 were higher than the allowable limits. This could pose a health risk to the public. However, the concentrations of Mn (0.044 ± 0.0369), Cu (0.195 ± 0.0450) and Zn (2.90 ± 0.0570) in mg L-1 were lower than or within the recommended limits and cannot pose any threat to consumers. The validity of the digestion processes was checked by the recovery test. The percentage recoveries of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were found to be in the range of 80.7-122 %, which is within the acceptable range. Therefore, special attention should be given to the continuous monitoring of heavy metal levels in raw milk among dairy producers and collection centers to minimize economic losses and the risk to consumer safety.

Emerging insights into the impacts of heavy metals exposure on health, reproductive and productive performance of livestock

Heavy metals, common environmental pollutants with widespread distribution hazards and several health problems linked to them are distinguished from other toxic compounds by their bioaccumulation in living organisms. They pollute the food chain and threaten the health of animals. Biologically, heavy metals exhibit both beneficial and harmful effects. Certain essential heavy metals such as Co, Mn, Se, Zn, and Mg play crucial roles in vital physiological processes in trace amounts, while others like As, Pb, Hg, Cd, and Cu are widely recognized for their toxic properties. Regardless of their physiological functions, an excess intake of all heavy metals beyond the tolerance limit can lead to toxicity. Animals face exposure to heavy metals through contaminated feed and water, primarily as a result of anthropogenic environmental pollution. After ingestion heavy metals persist in the body for an extended duration and the nature of exposure dictates whether they induce acute or chronic, clinical or subclinical, or subtle toxicities. The toxic effects of metals lead to disruption of cellular homeostasis through the generation of free radicals that develop oxidative stress. In cases of acute heavy metal poisoning, characteristic clinical symptoms may arise, potentially culminating in the death of animals with corresponding necropsy findings. Chronic toxicities manifest as a decline in overall body condition scoring and a decrease in the production potential of animals. Elevated heavy metal levels in consumable animal products raise public health concerns. Timely diagnosis, targeted antidotes, and management strategies can significantly mitigate heavy metal impact on livestock health, productivity, and reproductive performance.

Assessing Health Risks Associated with Heavy Metals in Food: A Bibliometric Analysis

Bibliometric analysis is an effective method used to identify research trends based on historical publications that involves combining different frameworks, tools and methods, leading to the creation of different metrics. This study employed bibliometric analysis to investigate the global health risk assessment of heavy metals in food from 2000 to 2022 using Web of Science and VOSviewer. We explore publication trends, affiliations, countries, journals, citations, keywords and author collaborations. Of the 573 publications on this topic, there has been a notable increase in recent years. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (China) and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (Iran) are the most prolific affiliations. Environmental Science and Pollution Research is the top journal. Notably, "heavy metals", "risk assessment", "cadmium", "lead", and "trace elements" are frequently used keywords. A study by Miraglia et al. in 2009 received the most citations. Amin Mousavi Khaneghah (Poland) is the most prolific author, with 24 papers. Articles mainly focus on contamination levels in fish, seafood, cereals, dairy, meat, and fruit/vegetables. Some studies highlight potential risks, necessitating stricter food product controls for consumer safety.

Factors Affecting Toxic and Essential Trace Element Concentrations in Cow's Milk Produced in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil

The aim of this study was to provide information on the levels of toxic (Cd and Pb) and essential (Cu, Fe, and Zn) elements in cow's milk produced in the State of Pernambuco (Brazil). A total of 142 samples of raw milk were collected, and the concentrations of essential and toxic elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. In almost 30% of the samples analyzed, the Pb content exceeded the maximum level established in the Brazilian legislation (0.05 mg/L). By contrast, in all the samples, the Cd content was below the maximum allowable level (0.02 mg/L). The essential trace elements Cu, Fe, and Zn were generally present at lower concentrations than reported in other studies and can be considered within the deficient range for cow's milk. Statistical and chemometric procedures were used to evaluate the main factors influencing the metal concentrations (proximity to major roads, presence of effluents, and milking method). The study findings demonstrate that the proximity of the farms to major roads influences the concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Cu and that this is the main factor explaining the Pb content of milk. In addition, the presence of effluents influenced the concentrations of Cu, while no relationship between the metal content and the milking method was observed. Thus, in accordance with the study findings, the consumption of cow's milk produced in the region can be considered a risk to public health due to the high concentrations of Pb and the low concentrations of other essential minerals such as Cu, Zn, and Fe in some of the milk samples.