Search Results (177)

The research investigates nitrate and nitrite concentrations in vegetables sold at agri-food markets in Craiova, Dolj County. Vegetable samples were purchased from markets and sourced from the primary agricultural regions of Dolj County, ensuring a representative selection. A total of 300 samples were collected, with 20 samples taken from each of 15 vegetable species at commercial maturity. This research also aimed to estimate the contribution of each type of vegetable to the intake of nitrates/nitrites ingested through consumption, as well as to carry out an assessment of the risk to human health associated with the consumption of these vegetables. Our analysis showed that only three vegetables (tomatoes, eggplants, and bell peppers) exceeded the maximum permissible nitrate levels (MPL). The MPL for nitrite content was exceeded in several vegetables, including eggplant, green bean, lettuce, cabbage, dill, spinach, and lovage. For nitrates, the Hazard Risk Index (HRI) was consistently below 1 across all samples, with the sole exception of children’s consumption scenario. The HRI for nitrite was also below 1 for all samples, suggesting an absence of exposure risk. The findings from this study suggest that the consumption of vegetable products poses an insignificant risk in terms of nitrate and nitrite intake. Full article

This paper provides geospatial and correlation analysis of heavy metal distribution in the soil cover of the city of Temirtau and its industrial zones. Based on 25 soil samples taken in 2024, concentrations of nine heavy metals (As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Ba) were determined using X-ray fluorescence analysis. Spatial data interpolation was performed using the Kriging method in the ArcGIS Pro environment. The results showed the presence of localized extreme pollution zones, primarily near the Qarmet JSC metallurgical plant. The most significant exceedances of maximum permissible concentrations (MPC), up to 348× MPC for Cr, 160× MPC for Zn, and 72× MPC for As, were recorded at individual locations. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive relationship between several elements, particularly Mn and Cu (r = 0.64). Comparison of the spatial distribution of pollution with population data allowed for the assessment of potential environmental risks. This research emphasizes the need to implement systematic monitoring, sustainable land management practices, ecological maps, and preventive measures to reduce the long-term impact of heavy metals on ecosystems and public health, and to promote environmental sustainability in industrial regions. Full article

Mining waste presents significant environmental and public health risks due to the potential release of toxic substances when improperly managed. In this study, four tailings samples were taken to evaluate the environmental risks in the Ponce Enríquez mining area in Ecuador. Chemical characterization and X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF) were used to analyze the content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) of interest (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) for mineralogical characterization. The contamination index (IC) was calculated to assess the potential hazard associated with the content of PTEs in the mining wastes. To assess environmental risks, leaching tests were carried out to evaluate the potential release of PTEs, and Acid-Base Accounting (ABA) tests were conducted to determine the likelihood of acid mine drainage formation. The results revealed that the PETs concentration exceeded the maximum permissible limits in all samples, according to Ecuadorian regulations: As, Pb, and Cd were identified as critical contaminants. Mineralogically, quartz was the dominant phase, followed by carbonates (calcite, dolomite and magnesite), phyllosilicates (chlorite and illite), and minor amounts of pyrite and talc. The IC indicated high to very high contamination risk levels, with As being the predominant contributor. Although leaching tests met the established limits for non-hazardous mining waste, the ABA test showed that all samples had a high potential for long-term acid generation. These results underscore the need for implementing management strategies to mitigate the environmental impacts and the development of plans to protect local ecosystems and communities from the adverse effects of mining activities. Full article

The continuing anthropogenic pollution of the Ile River occurs both by transboundary runoff and as a result of discharges of industrial, agricultural, and domestic wastewater on the territory of Kazakhstan. With this amount of pollution, the river’s capacity for self-purification is very limited, and in some cases practically exhausted. Hydrochemical and toxic indicators in the Ile River basin were analyzed based on water sampling from the Chinese–Kazakh border station to 37 km downstream of the hydroelectric power plants (HPPs). Heavy metals were determined by flame AAS methods. The self-purification capacity (SPC) was determined for cadmium by 28–81%, copper 15–66%, zinc 22–37%, and cobalt 5–9% while the nickel self-purification of water did not occur. The SPC was influenced by the Kapshagai reservoir. The identified main regularities of the anthropogenic transformation of water quality and self-purification capacity of the river will help both in solving the problems of river pollution and in the development of necessary measures aimed at the protection of water resources from pollution and depletion. Full article

This study addresses the urgent need for advanced digitalization tools in air pollution detection, particularly within resource-constrained municipal settings like those in Ukraine, aligning with directives such as the AAQD. The forecasting information system for integrating data processing, analysis, and visualization to improve environmental monitoring practices is described in this article. The system utilizes machine learning models (ARIMA and BATS) for time series forecasting, automatically selecting the optimal model based on accuracy metrics. Spatial analysis employing inverse distance weighting (IDW) provides insights into pollutant distribution, while correlation analysis identifies relationships between pollutants. The system was tested using retrospective data from the Kremenchuk agglomeration (2007–2024), demonstrating its ability to forecast air quality parameters and identify areas exceeding maximum permissible pollutant concentrations. Results indicate that BATS often outperforms ARIMA for several key pollutants, highlighting the importance of automated model selection. The developed system offers a cost-effective solution for local municipalities, enabling data-driven decision-making, optimized monitoring network placement, and improved alignment with European Union environmental standards. Full article

Vegetables, as an important source of vitamins and minerals, are highly recommended in a healthy diet. At the same time, vegetables can contain elevated amounts of nitrates and nitrites, which are the possible nitrosating agents responsible for the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines. In young children, they can cause methemoglobinemia. Determining the level of nitrates and nitrites, as well as the possible reduction in their concentrations during culinary processing, is especially important for the diet of young children, who are introduced to leafy vegetables during the first year. For some types of vegetables that are often found in the diet, maximum permissible concentrations have not yet been established. Our goal was to estimate the reduction factors of nitrates and nitrites and suggest the best ways to properly prepare foods. For this purpose, samples of Swiss chard, spinach, and white cabbage were collected from the market to determine the nitrate and nitrite content. Vegetable samples were subjected to culinary preparations: soaking, cooking, and a combination of soaking and cooking. Quantitative and qualitative determination of nitrates and nitrites in vegetables was carried out on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with a diode array detector (DAD). The obtained results showed that the highest nitrate concentrations were in Swiss chard samples, followed by spinach, and the lowest in white cabbage samples. The impact of culinary preparation was highest on spinach samples. Considering the average nitrate concentrations achieved after cooking or soaking and cooking, there was no risk of exceeding the ADI limit. However, the ADI values would be exceeded at the maximum nitrate concentrations. Full article

This article considers issues related to air pollution in residential apartments equipped with gas stoves. The combustion products from gas stoves are released directly into the indoor air, where people can spend a significant part of their time. Even relatively low concentrations of harmful substances contained in combustion products can pose serious health risks and potentially threaten lives. The detrimental effects of nitrogen oxides (NO_x) on human health and the environment are briefly analyzed. A comparison and analysis of legal regulations and standards regarding the maximum permissible concentration of NO_x in the air across various countries are conducted. Theoretical calculations estimating the potential NO_x levels in gas-equipped kitchens are presented. Additionally, the results of experimental studies measuring the NO_x concentrations in the air of apartments with different gas stove designs, burner types, and ventilation methods are presented. The authors’ data are compared with existing data from other similar studies. Full article

This study investigated the accumulation of nitrate and nitrite, as well as the vitamin C content, in various leafy vegetables, including amaranth greens, katuk, morning glory, squash leaves, vine spinach, leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, Vietnamese basil, Vietnamese perilla, komatsuna, leeks, and spinach, grown with either organic or synthetic fertilizers. The findings indicate that the type of fertilizer significantly influences nitrate accumulation and vitamin C content in these vegetables. Organic fertilizers were found to reduce nitrate levels and increase vitamin C content in amaranth greens, katuk, morning glory, squash leaves, vine spinach, leaf lettuce, Vietnamese basil, Vietnamese perilla, and spinach compared to the results for synthetic fertilizers. However, high nitrate concentrations in leaf lettuce, komatsuna, and spinach pose potential health risks. The study also identified elevated nitrate levels in vegetables that are not currently regulated. Furthermore, more than half of the samples contained nitrite, for which no maximum permissible level has been established. These findings underscore the importance of organic vegetable cultivation in enhancing both human health and environmental sustainability. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the mold and ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination of tarhana, a traditional product widely consumed in Turkish cuisine. For this purpose, a total of 350 tarhana samples (homemade and industrially produced) were randomly collected from retail stores, markets, and bazaars in different regions of Türkiye and analyzed by means of LC-MS/MS for the occurrence of OTA. According to the results, OTA was detected in 36 of 150 (24%) industrially produced tarhana samples, with a concentration range of 0.12–2.34 µg/kg, while 118 of 200 (59%) homemade tarhana samples contained OTA, with the range from 0.16 to 4.15 µg/kg. Only 8 of 350 (4%) homemade tarhana samples were found to be above the maximum permissible limit (3.0 µg/kg) for OTA. The mold contamination was found to be higher in homemade tarhana (3.756 log CFU/g) than in the industrially produced samples (2.742 log CFU/g). The estimated weekly intake values of OTA with tarhana consumption were well below the provisional tolerable weekly intake values for both industrially produced and homemade tarhana samples, even when consumed every day of the week, indicating that dietary intake of OTA through tarhana consumption does not pose a health risk. In conclusion, optimizing the fermentation and drying conditions applied during tarhana production and ensuring proper hygiene conditions can help to reduce the risk of OTA contamination. Moreover, monitoring and testing the OTA levels in tarhana on a regular basis can also ensure the food safety of this product. Full article

This study evaluates the feasibility of using pretreated domestic wastewater (PDW) for food production in a hydroponic system. In the face of increasing water shortage problems and rising fertilizer costs, PDW combined with a limited amount of fertilizer is evaluated for its effects on plant growth, biomass yield, and product safety. The results showed that lettuce grown with PDW and mineral fertilizers reached a fresh weight of 116, while the use of organic fertilizers increased the yield to 127 g, compared to only 54 g with raw water. Nitrate concentration (NO₃) was higher in lettuce grown with organic fertilizers (1044.33 ± 144.04 mg/kg) than with mineral fertilizers (623.33 ± 85.62 mg/kg), but the values remained well below the acceptable limit of 5000 mg/kg for safe consumption. Analysis of heavy metals confirmed that levels of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead were significantly lower than the maximum permissible values set by FAO and EU regulations. In addition, no phthalates were detected in the lettuce biomass, confirming the safety of the materials used in the hydroponic system. The use of PDW in hydroponic crops significantly reduces dependence on potable water and synthetic fertilizers, contributing to sustainable resource management. This approach not only reduces production costs, but also reduces the water footprint of crops, which is crucial in the context of global water availability problems. The findings support the validity of using PDW in decentralized food production as a sustainable solution for regions facing water and fertilizer shortages. Further research will focus on optimizing nutrient management and environmental conditions to increase system efficiency and food safety. Full article

This article presents the results of analysis of the hazards posed by coal mine dust and methane in the coal preparation plants of hard coal mines in Poland. It was shown how the number of workplaces in plants at risk of coal dust explosion and the highest permissible dust concentration changed in the period from 2003 to 2022 when compared with coal production. The methodology of assessing mine dust hazards was based on hazard ratios related to one million tons of hard coal enriched in preparation plants. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the explosion hazard index with zone 20 showed an increasing trend in the analyzed period, while the explosion hazard indices with zones 21 and 22 analyzed together and the maximum permissible dust concentration showed decreasing trends following a decrease in hard coal production. In the case of methane, no zone 0 explosion hazards were found, and there were only a few instances of zone 1 explosion hazards. However, it was determined that the explosion hazard index for zone 2 showed an increasing trend during the analyzed period, which is directly proportional to the coal produced and is a result of increasing depth of mining. Full article

Mycotoxin contamination in agricultural goods is a major global problem due to its negative impact on human and animal health. The principal mycotoxin producers are fungal species from the genera Fusarium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Penicillium. The toxigenic fungal species produce the mycotoxins as secondary metabolites when they invade agricultural commodities during crop cultivation in the field (preharvest) or after harvesting or during transport and storage. This study was designed to investigate the levels of Fusarium mycotoxins, viz., fumonisin (FUM), zearalenone (ZEN), and deoxynivalenol (DON) in cereal grain samples collected from Muscat, Sultanate of Oman during 2023-24. A total of 90 cereal grain (wheat, corn, rice, barley) samples from local markets at Muscat, the Plant Quarantine Department, Oman, and Oman Flour Mills Company were analyzed using competitive enzyme immunoassay kits. Furthermore, Fusarium spp. associated with the contaminated grain samples were isolated, and their mycotoxin-producing potential was assessed. The results indicated that FUM, ZEN, and DON levels were below the detection limit (LOD) in 81%, 97%, and 44% of the samples, respectively. Two out of fifteen corn samples and one out of thirty-seven wheat samples tested exceeded the maximum permissible limit for FUM and ZEN, respectively, as set by the European Commission. A total of 19 Fusarium spp. associated with the contaminated grain samples were isolated and identified through molecular techniques. Sixteen isolates of F. verticillioides, one isolate of F. thapsinum, and two new Fusarium species were identified based on nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer and elongation factor 1-alpha sequences. Two isolates of F. verticillioides (FQD-1 and FQD-20) produced FUM levels exceeding 2000 µg kg⁻¹. The maximum ZEN concentration was observed in F. verticillioides FQD-20 (9.2 µg kg⁻¹), followed by F. verticillioides FQD-2 (2.8 µg kg⁻¹) and Fusarium sp. FOFMC-26 (2.5 µg kg⁻¹). All tested Fusarium strains produced DON, with levels ranging from 25.6 to 213 µg kg⁻¹, with F. thapsinum FQD-4 producing the highest level (213 µg kg⁻¹). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence of Fusarium mycotoxins and mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp. in food commodities in Oman. Full article

This paper provides an overview of the impacts of mining-related environmental liabilities on humans, soils, sediments, surface water and groundwater across various mining districts in Zacatecas, Mexico. An analysis has been carried out on the areas of the state most affected by the presence of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, copper, chromium and zinc, identifying priority areas for environmental assessment and remediation. Likewise, a review of the concentrations of PTEs reported in different environmental matrices of the state’s mining areas with the presence of environmental liabilities was carried out, most of which exceed the maximum permissible limits established by Mexican and international regulations, generating an environmental risk for the populations near these districts due to their potential incorporation into the food chain. Additionally, this study explores research focused on the biostabilization of PTEs using microorganisms with specific metabolic activities. Phytoremediation is presented as a viable tool for the stabilization and elimination of PTEs, in which endemic plants from arid–semi-arid climates have shown favorable results in terms of the phytostabilization and phytoextraction processes of the PTEs present in mining waste. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health challenge affecting food safety and development. Residues of antibiotics in food from animal sources, particularly milk, contribute to the development and spread of AMR, alter intestinal microbiota, and potentially lead to allergies, serious health conditions, and environmental and technological problems within the dairy industry. Therefore, this study investigated the residue levels of veterinary drugs from β-lactam antibiotics and tetracyclines in milk and milk products and assessed human health risks. Two hundred milk and milk product samples (pasteurized milk, sterile milk, soft white cheese, and processed cheese, 50 each) were collected from different hospitals in the State of Kuwait and screened for antibiotic residues using a microbial inhibition assay (Delvotest SP-NT) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Delvotest SP-NT and HPLC analyses showed that 30, 28, 26, and 24% of the pasteurized milk, sterilized milk, white soft cheese, and processed cheese samples tested positive for antibiotic residues. Forty-eight milk and cheese samples were confirmed as positive by both methods, and six samples initially found to be negative by Delvotest SP-NT were confirmed as positive by HPLC. Multi-antibiotic residues were detected in five samples by using HPLC. The kappa coefficient (0.921; p < 0.0001) revealed complete concordance between the HPLC and Delvotest SP-NT results. Ampicillin was the most abundant residue in the positive samples (31.48%), ranging from 2.44 to 3.89 μg/L, with an overall mean concentration of 3.492 ± 0.094 μg/L, followed by tetracycline and oxytetracycline (27.78% each), ranging from 54.13 to 220.3 μg/L and from 41.55 to 160.7 μg/L, with mean concentrations of 129.477 ± 14.22 and 91.86 ± 9.92 μg/L, respectively. The amoxicillin levels in the samples (12/54; 22.22%) ranged from 3.11 to 5.5 μg/L, with an overall mean concentration of 3.685 ± 0.186 μg/L. The maximum concentrations of ampicillin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline were detected in processed cheese with mean concentrations of 3.89 ± 0.28 µg/L, 3.95 ± 0.15 µg/L, and 170.3 ± 0.27 µg/L, respectively. Pasteurized milk contained the maximum concentrations of oxytetracycline, with a mean concentration of 120.45 ± 0.25 µg/L. The tetracycline residues exceeded the standard maximum residue limits (MRLs; 100 µg/L) in 6% of both pasteurized and sterilized milk samples, and in 4% of processed cheese. Additionally, the oxytetracycline levels in pasteurized milk (6%) and amoxicillin levels in processed cheese (2%) were higher than the permitted MRLs (100 µg/L and 4 µg/L, respectively). Furthermore, the antibiotic residues detected in 12.5% (25/200) of the samples were close to standard permissible MRL limits for ampicillin (5%), amoxicillin and oxytetracycline (3% each), and tetracycline (1.5%). Hazard quotients, which compare the standard acceptable daily intake (ADI) to the estimated daily exposure (EDI), indicated that the overall risk associated with antibiotic residues in these dairy products is low. The EDI was lower than the ADI for the tested antibiotics, indicating an elevated safety margin. While the overall hazard quotients are low, the potential for the development of antibiotic resistance due to long-term exposure to low levels of antibiotics should be considered. Hence, strict regulations and enforcement are necessary to prevent excessive residue levels and to promote responsible antibiotic use in dairy production. Regular monitoring of antibiotic residues in dairy products is essential for ensuring consumer safety. Full article

Rice straw is used as livestock feed and compost. Ferimzone and tricyclazole, common fungicides for rice blast control, can be found in high concentrations in rice straw after unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spraying, potentially affecting livestock and human health through pesticide residues. In this study, an optimized method for the analysis of the two fungicides in rice straw was developed using the improved QuEChERS method. After the optimization of water and solvent volume, extraction conditions including ethyl acetate (EtOAc), acetonitrile (MeCN), a mixed solvent, and MeCN containing 1% acetic acid were compared. Different salts, including unbuffered sodium chloride, citrate, and acetate buffer salts, were compared for partitioning. Among the preparation methods, the MeCN/EtOAc mixture with unbuffered salts showed the highest recovery rates (88.1–97.9%, RSD ≤ 5.1%). To address the severe matrix effect (%ME) of rice straw, which is characterized by low moisture content and cellulose-based complex matrices, samples were purified using 25 mg each of primary–secondary amine (PSA) and octadecylsilane (C₁₈), without pesticide loss. The developed method was validated with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.005 mg/kg for target pesticides, and recovery rates at levels of 0.01, 0.1, and 2 mg/kg met the permissible range (82.3–98.9%, RSD ≤ 8.3%). The %ME ranged from −17.6% to −0.3%, indicating a negligible effect. This optimized method was subsequently applied to residue studies following multi-rotor spraying. Fungicides from all fields and treatment groups during harvest season did not exceed the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for livestock feed. This confirms that UAV spraying can be safely managed without causing excessive residues. Full article