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Mititelu M, Udeanu DI, Docea AO, Tsatsakis A, Calina D, Arsene AL, Nedelescu M, Neacsu SM, Bruno Ștefan Velescu, Ghica M. New method for risk assessment in environmental health: The paradigm of heavy metals in honey. Environ Res 2023; 236:115194. [PMID: 36587723 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The release of heavy metals into the natural environment creates problems due to their persistence. They can accumulate in the food chain presenting a dangerous sign for ecosystems and human health. The metals in honey could be of agrochemical or industrial origin. Regular consumption of honey and bee products contaminated with various pollutants in high concentrations can cause serious health problems due accumulation of toxic substances in the body. In the current study, we aimed to determine the concentrations of chromium, cadmium, zinc, copper, lead and nickel in four types of honey (linden, acacia, rapeseed and polyfloral honey) and soil collected from three regions with different degrees of pollution. For the risk characterization, we used a new methodology that calculated the corrected estimated daily intake and the source hazard quotient for each metal and the adversity-specific hazard index. There was a strong influence of the degree of environmental pollution on the level of contaminants in the honey samples. In the case of a single chemical assessment, an HQ above 10 was obtained for Cd in linden, rapeseed and polyfloral honey from area 1 and an HQ above 1 was obtained for Cd in the other honey samples from the 3 areas, for Cu in all honey samples from all the 3 areas, for Pb in linden, rapeseed and polyfloral honey from area 1 and for Cr in linden honey for area 2. HIA calculated as a sum of all HQS of heavy metals in food reveals an increase and moderate risk for nephrotoxicity, bone demineralisation, cardiotoxicity, developmental toxicity, small decrease in body weight or body weight gain after consumption of honey impurified with heavy metals. A strict monitorization of heavy metals in honey samples from farmers should be done in order to protect the consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Mititelu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Food Hygiene Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Denisa Ioana Udeanu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Food Hygiene Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Anca Oana Docea
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania.
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003, Heraklion, Greece.
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania.
| | - Andreea Letitia Arsene
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Mirela Nedelescu
- Department of Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, 020956, Bucharest, Romania; Department of Food Hygiene and Nutrition, National Institute of Public Health, National Centre for Envi-ronmental Hazards Monitoring, 1-3 Dr. Leonte Street, 020956, Bucharest, Romania.
| | | | - Bruno Ștefan Velescu
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bu-charest, Romania.
| | - Manuela Ghica
- Department of Mathematics and Biostatistics, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
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Nedelescu M, Stan M, Ciobanu AM, Bălălău C, Filippini T, Baconi D. Attention deficit among preschool and school-aged children living near former metal-processing plants in Romania. Environ Res 2022; 208:112689. [PMID: 34999026 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.112689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Industrial areas affected by high and long-term heavy metal pollution have a great impact on health of the resident population. Children represent a group at high-risk with an increased susceptibility to chronic heavy metal intoxication. Our work included the assessment of attention particularities through a case-control study in pre-school and school-aged children (4-6 years and 8-11 years) from two study areas, Copşa Mică and Zlatna, compared to a non-polluted locality with no history of heavy metal pollution. Copşa Mică and Zlatna are two of the most polluted heavy metals regions in Romania due to non-ferrous metallurgy for a long period of time. Recruitment of participants was made by a random selection of an entire class for each age within the schools and kindergartens from the study areas (Copşa Mică and Zlatna) and from the non-polluted region. Interpretation of data was performed using statistical analysis (ANOVA and Student's t-test). Preschool children (4-6 years) were tested using Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) tests, Animal House and labyrinth samples. The results of the attention tests applied to pre-school children were lower in the study areas compared to the control group, but no statistical differences were found. The results of the attention tests applied to children aged between 8 and 11 years (Toulouse-Pieron test and Traffic light test) indicate lower average scores within the study groups from polluted areas, compared to the control group. Differences with statistically significance were registered for the 8 years age group (p = 0.037). In these areas efficient strategies and precise intervention measures are needed in order to limit or remove the heavy metal exposure and protect the human health, especially the groups exposed to a high level of risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirela Nedelescu
- (")Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, Bucharest, Romania; National Institute of Public Health, Department of Food Hygiene and Nutrition, 1-3 Dr. Leonte Street, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Miriana Stan
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Faculty of Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Street, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Anne-Marie Ciobanu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Faculty of Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Street, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cristian Bălălău
- (")Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Tommaso Filippini
- CREAGEN - Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniela Baconi
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Faculty of Pharmacy, 6 Traian Vuia Street, Bucharest, Romania
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Mititelu M, Neacșu SM, Oprea E, Dumitrescu DE, Nedelescu M, Drăgănescu D, Nicolescu TO, Roșca AC, Ghica M. Black Sea Mussels Qualitative and Quantitative Chemical Analysis: Nutritional Benefits and Possible Risks through Consumption. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14050964. [PMID: 35267939 PMCID: PMC8912374 DOI: 10.3390/nu14050964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mussels have a particular nutritional value, representing a highly valued food source and thus sought after worldwide. Their meat is a real culinary delicacy, rich in proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, trace elements, enzymes, and vitamins. The seasonal variation of mussels’ biochemical composition has been studied to determine the best harvesting period to capitalize on various biologically active fractions. In this work biochemical determinations have been performed on fresh flesh samples of Mytilus galloprovincialis specimens from the Black Sea coast to study seasonal variations in mussels’ biochemical compounds. An analysis of significant lipid classes and the fatty acid composition of lipid extracts obtained from mussel flesh has also been performed. Since mussels retain pollutants from the marine environment, in parallel, the concentration of heavy metals in the meat of mussels collected for the analysis of the chemical composition was investigated. The impact and risk of heavy metal poisoning due to food consumption of mussels contaminated due to pollution of the marine harvesting area was evaluated by the bio-concentration factor of metals and estimated daily intakes of heavy metals through mussel consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Mititelu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Food Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 020956 Bucharest, Romania;
| | | | - Eliza Oprea
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry and Catalysis, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Bucharest, 030018 Bucharest, Romania
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, 1-3 Portocalilor Way, 060101 Bucharest, Romania
- Correspondence: (E.O.); (D.-E.D.); (A.C.R.)
| | - Denisa-Elena Dumitrescu
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 6, Căpitan Aviator Al Șerbănescu Street, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Correspondence: (E.O.); (D.-E.D.); (A.C.R.)
| | - Mirela Nedelescu
- Department of Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd, 020956 Bucharest, Romania;
- Department of Food Hygiene and Nutrition, National Institute of Public Health, National Centre for Environmental Hazards Monitoring, 1-3 Dr. Leonte Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Doina Drăgănescu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Physics and Informatics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6, Traian Vuia Street, 020956 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Teodor Octavian Nicolescu
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 020956 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Adrian Cosmin Roșca
- Department of Drug Analysis, Biopharmacy and Biological Medicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, 6, Căpitan Aviator Al Șerbănescu Street, 900470 Constanta, Romania
- Correspondence: (E.O.); (D.-E.D.); (A.C.R.)
| | - Manuela Ghica
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, 020956 Bucharest, Romania;
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Nedelescu M, Baconi D, Neagoe A, Iordache V, Stan M, Constantinescu P, Ciobanu AM, Vardavas AI, Vinceti M, Tsatsakis AM. Environmental metal contamination and health impact assessment in two industrial regions of Romania. Sci Total Environ 2017; 580:984-995. [PMID: 27993471 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.12.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We investigated two Romanian industrial regions- Copşa Mică and Zlatna, to assess the current situation of soil pollution and bioaccumulation of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn in different vegetable species and possible risks to consumers. Both total and mobile forms of the metals were determined in soil samples, and metal content in the edible parts of root vegetable samples was also assessed. The concentrations of Pb and Zn in soil were higher in Copşa Mică than in Zlatna (566mg/kg vs 271mg/kg for Pb and 1143mg/kg vs 368mg/kg for Zn)·The metal mobility in soil from Copsa Mica decreases in the order Zn>Cu>Cd>Pb (1.88mg/kg, 0.40mg/kg, 0.22mg/kg, 0.16mg/kg, respectively), while in Zlatna, the order was Cu>Zn>Pb>Cd (0.88mg/kg, 0.29mg/kg, 0.04mg/kg, 0.01mg/kg, respectively), apparently depending on metal and soil conditions. In Copsa Mica, the amount of Pb and Cd in vegetable samples exceeded the maximum permissible limits in carrots (median concentration 0.32mg/kg for Pb and Cd) and in yellow onions (median concentration 0.24mg/kg for Cd). In Zlatna region, the content of Cd exceeded the maximum limits in yellow onions (median concentration 0.11mg/kg). The amount of Pb was higher than the maximum acceptable level in carrots from the Zlatna region (median concentration 0.12mg/kg). Cu and Zn levels were within the normal range in all vegetable samples. In the Zlatna region, the transfer factors for Pb and Cd were higher in carrots (median values of 9.9 for Pb and 21.0 for Cd) compared to carrots harvested in Copsa Mica (median values of 4.0 for Pb and 2.0 for Cd). Daily intake rates of metals through local vegetable consumption exceeded the limit values established by the European Food Safety Authority for Pb (1.2 to 2.4 times) and Cd (5.5 to 9.1 times) in both regions, with potential adverse health effects for the local population. The results highlight the need for total soil remediation action before fruit and vegetables produced in these polluted areas can be safely consumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirela Nedelescu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, 8 EroiiSanitari Blvd, Bucharest, Romania; National Institute of Public Health, Department of Food Hygiene and Nutrition,1-3 Leonte Street, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Daniela Baconi
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, 6 TraianVuia Street, Bucharest, Romania.
| | - Aurora Neagoe
- University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, Research Centre for Ecological Services, 91-95 SplaiulIndependentei, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Virgil Iordache
- University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, Research Centre for Ecological Services, 91-95 SplaiulIndependentei, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Miriana Stan
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, 6 TraianVuia Street, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Paula Constantinescu
- University of Bucharest, Faculty of Biology, Research Centre for Ecological Services, 91-95 SplaiulIndependentei, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anne-Marie Ciobanu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, 6 TraianVuia Street, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexander I Vardavas
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Marco Vinceti
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center - CREAGEN, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Aristidis M Tsatsakis
- Department of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
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