The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently revised their estimates for the annual number of foodborne illnesses; 48 million Americans suffer from domestically acquired foodborne ...illness associated with 31 identified pathogens and a broad category of unspecified agents. Consequently, economic studies based on the previous estimates are now obsolete. This study was conducted to provide improved and updated estimates of the cost of foodborne illness by adding a replication of the 2011 CDC model to existing cost-of-illness models. The basic cost-of-illness model includes economic estimates for medical costs, productivity losses, and illness-related mortality (based on hedonic value-of-statistical-life studies). The enhanced cost-of-illness model replaces the productivity loss estimates with a more inclusive pain, suffering, and functional disability measure based on monetized quality-adjusted life year estimates. Costs are estimated for each pathogen and a broader class of unknown pathogens. The addition of updated cost data and improvements to methodology enhanced the performance of each existing economic model. Uncertainty in these models was characterized using Monte Carlo simulations in @Risk version 5.5. With this model, the average cost per case of foodborne illness was $1,626 (90% credible interval CI, $607 to $3,073) for the enhanced cost-of-illness model and $1,068 (90% CI, $683 to $1,646) for the basic model. The resulting aggregated annual cost of illness was $77.7 billion (90% CI, $28.6 to $144.6 billion) and $51.0 billion (90% CI, $31.2 to $76.1 billion) for the enhanced and basic models, respectively.
Mycotoxins are highly toxic metabolites produced by fungi that pose a huge threat to human and animal health. Contamination of food and feed with mycotoxins is a worldwide issue, which leads to huge ...financial losses, annually. Decades of research have developed various approaches to degrade mycotoxins, among which the biological methods have been proved to have great potential and advantages. This review provides an overview on the important advances in the biological removal of mycotoxins over the last decade. Here, we provided further insight into the chemical structures and the toxicity of the main mycotoxins. The innovative strategies including mycotoxin degradation by novel probiotics are summarized in an in-depth discussion on potentialities and limitations. We prospected the promising future for the development of multifunctional approaches using recombinant enzymes and microbial consortia for the simultaneous removal of multiple mycotoxins.
Information about heavy metal concentrations in food products and their dietary intake are essential for assessing the health risk of local inhabitants. The main purposes of the present study were ...(1) to investigate the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd in several vegetables and fruits cultivated in Baia Mare mining area (Romania); (2) to assess the human health risk associated with the ingestion of contaminated vegetables and fruits by calculating the daily intake rate (DIR) and the target hazard quotient (THQ); and (3) to establish some recommendations on human diet in order to assure an improvement in food safety. The concentration order of heavy metals in the analyzed vegetable and fruit samples was Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. The results showed the heavy metals are more likely to accumulate in vegetables (10.8–630.6 mg/kg dw for Zn, 1.4–196.6 mg/kg dw for Cu, 0.2–155.7 mg/kg dw for Pb, and 0.03–6.61 mg/kg dw for Cd) than in fruits (4.9–55.9 mg/kg dw for Zn, 1.9–24.7 mg/kg dw for Cu, 0.04–8.82 mg/kg dw for Pb, and 0.01–0.81 mg/kg dw for Cd). Parsley, kohlrabi, and lettuce proved to be high heavy metal accumulators. By calculating DIR and THQ, the data indicated that consumption of parsley, kohlrabi, and lettuce from the area on a regular basis may pose high potential health risks to local inhabitants, especially in the area located close to non-ferrous metallurgical plants (Romplumb SA and Cuprom SA) and close to Tăuții de Sus tailings ponds. The DIR for Zn (85.3–231.6 μg/day kg body weight) and Cu (25.0–44.6 μg/day kg body weight) were higher in rural areas, while for Pb (0.6–3.1 μg/day kg body weight) and Cd (0.22–0.82 μg/day kg body weight), the DIR were higher in urban areas, close to the non-ferrous metallurgical plants SC Romplumb SA and SC Cuprom SA. The THQ for Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd was higher than 5 for <1, <1, 12, and 6 % of samples which indicates that those consumers may experience major health risks.
Humans are potentially exposed to microplastics through food, drink, and air. The first two pathways have received quite some scientific attention, while little is known about the latter. We address ...the exposure of humans to indoor airborne microplastics using a Breathing Thermal Manikin. Three apartments were investigated, and samples analysed through FPA-µFTIR-Imaging spectroscopy followed by automatic analyses down to 11 µm particle size. All samples were contaminated with microplastics, with concentrations between 1.7 and 16.2 particles m
. Synthetic fragments and fibres accounted, on average, for 4% of the total identified particles, while nonsynthetic particles of protein and cellulose constituted 91% and 4%, respectively. Polyester was the predominant synthetic polymer in all samples (81%), followed by polyethylene (5%), and nylon (3%). Microplastics were typically of smaller size than nonsynthetic particles. As the identified microplastics can be inhaled, these results highlight the potential direct human exposure to microplastic contamination via indoor air.
Lead (Pb) toxicity has been a subject of interest for environmental scientists due to its toxic effect on plants, animals, and humans. An increase in several Pb related industrial activities and use ...of Pb containing products such as agrochemicals, oil and paint, mining, etc. can lead to Pb contamination in the environment and thereby, can enter the food chain. Being one of the most toxic heavy metals, Pb ingestion via the food chain has proven to be a potential health hazard for plants and humans. The current review aims to summarize the research updates on Pb toxicity and its effects on plants, soil, and human health. Relevant literature from the past 20 years encompassing comprehensive details on Pb toxicity has been considered with key issues such as i) Pb bioavailability in soil, ii) Pb biomagnification, and iii) Pb- remediation, which has been addressed in detail through physical, chemical, and biological lenses. In the review, among different Pb-remediation approaches, we have highlighted certain advanced approaches such as microbial assisted phytoremediation which could possibly minimize the Pb load from the resources in a sustainable manner and would be a viable option to ensure a safe food production system.
Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a food-borne pathogenic bacteria that frequently contaminates animal-derived food and low-temperature preserved food. Listeriosis caused by its infection ...has a high mortality rate and poses a serious threat to human health. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a sensitive, rapid and easy-to-operate technique. In this study, a Recombinase Aided Amplification (RAA) assisted CRISPR/Cas12a (RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a) fluorescence platform was established for highly sensitive nucleic acid detection of L. monocytogenes. The established RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a showed high sensitivity and high specificity, with the sensitivity of 350 CFU/mL and 5.4 × 10sup.−3 ng/μL for pure bacterial solution and genomic DNA, and good specificity for 5 strains of Listeria spp. and 14 strains of other common pathogenic bacteria. L. monocytogenes could be detected at an initial concentration of 2.3 CFU/25g within 2 h of enriching the beef in the food matrix, and this method could be applied to food samples that were easily contaminated with L. monocytogenes The results of RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a could be observed in 5 min, while the amplification was completed in 20–30 min. The speed and sensitivity of RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a were significantly higher than that of the national standard method. In conclusion, the RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a system established in this study has new application potential in the diagnosis of food-borne pathogens.
A Scientometric Analysis of Research on World Mercury Fernandes, Iara Oliveira; Gomes, Leonardo Fernandes; Monteiro, Lucas Cabrera ...
Water, air, and soil pollution,
07/2021, Letnik:
232, Številka:
7
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant affecting ecosystems and posing risks to wildlife and human health. Mercury in soil represents a major indicator of its availability to enter both the terrestrial ...(agriculture) and aquatic food chain (fish and seafood) and contaminate consumers. Therefore, interest in soil Hg concentrations is useful for environmental Hg monitoring and remediation of contamined areas. Thus, we use scientometrics to integrate worldwide studies of Hg in soil that were published between 1991 and 2020. We evaluated (i) how the global dynamics of publications on Hg is determined, (ii) the determining factors for the distribution of research concerning institutions and study topics, and (iii) identified gaps in research. Three main clusters of studies in soil were identified: (1) Hg pollution related to land use and urban soils, highlighting China, and Hg environmental risk to ecological systems; (2) highlight of the Amazon as an important study area, and the bioavailability of Hg in the soil associated with phytoremediation and its methylation; (3) mobilization, speciation, and the relationship of Hg with the content of organic matter in the soil. The main research institutions related to the published research are mainly from China and the USA. Overall, most studies on Hg in soils are done in contaminated places or nearby active sources of Hg pollution. We conclude that scientometric studies of Hg in soils are key in guiding research development and knowledge integration useful to scientists and environmental policies to achieve the goals of the Minamata Convention.
The complex environment of a produce packinghouse can facilitate the spread of pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes in unexpected ways. This can lead to finished product contamination and ...potential foodborne disease cases. There is a need for simulation-based decision support tools that can test different corrective actions and are able to account for a facility's interior cross-contamination dynamics. Thus, we developed agent-based models of Listeria contamination dynamics for two produce packinghouse facilities; agents in the models represented equipment surfaces and employees, and models were parameterized using observations, values from published literature and expert opinion. Once validated with historical data from Listeria environmental sampling, each model's baseline conditions were investigated and used to determine the effectiveness of corrective actions in reducing prevalence of agents contaminated with Listeria and concentration of Listeria on contaminated agents. Evaluated corrective actions included reducing incoming Listeria, modifying cleaning and sanitation strategies, and reducing transmission pathways, and combinations thereof. Analysis of Listeria contamination predictions revealed differences between the facilities despite their functional similarities, highlighting that one-size-fits-all approaches may not always be the most effective means for selection of corrective actions in fresh produce packinghouses. Corrective actions targeting Listeria introduced in the facility on raw materials, implementing risk-based cleaning and sanitation, and modifying equipment connectivity were shown to be most effective in reducing Listeria contamination prevalence. Overall, our results suggest that a well-designed cleaning and sanitation schedule, coupled with good manufacturing practices can be effective in controlling contamination, even if incoming Listeria spp. on raw materials cannot be reduced. The presence of water within specific areas was also shown to influence corrective action performance. Our findings support that agent-based models can serve as effective decision support tools in identifying Listeria-specific vulnerabilities within individual packinghouses and hence may help reduce risks of food contamination and potential human exposure.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Cadmium has long been recognized as an environmental contaminant that poses risks to human health. Cadmium is of concern since nearly everyone in the general population is exposed to the metal ...through the food supply and the ability of the element to accumulate in the body over a lifetime. In support of the United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Toxic Element Working Group's efforts to reduce the risks associated with elements in food, this review sought to identify current or new mitigation efforts that have the potential to reduce exposures of cadmium throughout the food supply chain. Cadmium contamination of foods can occur at various stages, including agronomic production, processing, and consumer preparation for consumption. The presence of cadmium in food is variable and dependent on the geographical location, the bioavailability of cadmium from the soil, crop genetics, agronomic practices used, and postharvest operations. Although there are multiple points in the food supply system for foods to be contaminated and mitigations to be applied, a key step to reducing cadmium in the diet is to reduce or prevent initial uptake by plants consumed as food or feed crops. Due to complex interactions of soil chemistry, plant genetics, and agronomic practices, additional research is needed. Support for field‐based experimentation and testing is needed to inform risk modeling and to develop practical farm‐specific management strategies. This study can also assist the FDA in determining where to focus resources so that research and regulatory efforts can have the greatest impact on reducing cadmium exposures from the food supply.
Practical Application
The presence of cadmium in food is highly variable and highly dependent on the geographical location, the bioavailability of cadmium from the soil, crop genetics, and agronomic practices used. This study can assist the FDA in determining where to focus resources so that research and regulatory efforts can have the greatest impact on reducing cadmium exposures from the food supply.
In this article we estimate the annual cost of illness and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) loss in the United States caused by 14 of the 31 major foodborne pathogens reported on by Scallan et al. ...(Emerg. Infect. Dis. 17:7-15, 2011), based on their incidence estimates of foodborne illness in the United States. These 14 pathogens account for 95 % of illnesses and hospitalizations and 98 % of deaths due to identifiable pathogens estimated by Scallan et al. We estimate that these 14 pathogens cause $14.0 billion (ranging from $4.4 billion to $33.0 billion) in cost of illness and a loss of 61,000 QALYs (ranging from 19,000 to 145,000 QALYs) per year. Roughly 90 % of this loss is caused by five pathogens: nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica ($3.3 billion; 17,000 QALYs), Campylobacter spp. ($1.7 billion; 13,300 QALYs), Listeria monocytogenes ($2.6 billion; 9,400 QALYs), Toxoplasma gondii ($3 billion; 11,000 QALYs), and norovirus ($2 billion; 5,000 QALYs). A companion article attributes losses estimated in this study to the consumption of specific categories of foods. To arrive at these estimates, for each pathogen we create disease outcome trees that characterize the symptoms, severities, durations, outcomes, and likelihoods of health states associated with that pathogen. We then estimate the cost of illness (medical costs, productivity loss, and valuation of premature mortality) for each pathogen. We also estimate QALY loss for each health state associated with a given pathogen, using the EuroQol 5D scale. Construction of disease outcome trees, outcome-specific cost of illness, and EuroQol 5D scoring are described in greater detail in a second companion article.
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