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Serious flaws in the scientific evaluation in the RAR incorrectly characterise the potential for a carcinogenic hazard from exposure to glyphosate. Since the RAR is the basis for the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) conclusion, 4 it is critical that these shortcomings are corrected. [...]the WG also saw a significant increase in the incidence of pancreatic islet cell adenomas in two studies in male Sprague-Dawley rats. 14-16 In one of these rat studies, thyroid gland adenomas in females and liver adenomas in males were also increased.

In order to study the effects of contaminants on human health, fish is considered as a powerful model among all available species for risk-benefit assessments. Tenualosa ilisha and Dorosoma cepedianum are two fish species of great economic importance as they are found in undeveloped, developing and developed countries. Concentrations of heavy metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) were determined using validated and accredited test methods in order to assess the potential human health risk from the dietary intake of these two selected fish species. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of all the five heavy metals was measured from the consumption of the two species considering the mean fish consumption of 61 g person −1  day −1 defined for European population. The EDI indicates that no risk to people’s health with respect to the EDI of Pb, Cd, Cr, As and Hg through the consumption of the two fish species. The estimation of target hazard quotient (THQ) demonstrating the non-carcinogenic risk indicates that intake of Pb, Cd, Cr and Hg through the consumption of two fish species is safe for human health, whereas, consumption of As suggests potential risk to consumers. The estimation of carcinogenic risk of Cd, Cr and As due to the consumption of two selected fish species indicates that consumers remain at risk of cancer. Thus, these fish species should not be considered safe for human consumption.

The present study emphasized on evaluating the extent of pollution of Dhaleshwari River in Bangladesh due to the discharge of heavy metals from tanneries and other industries along with the health risks associated with the consumption of the heavy metals accumulated fish. For this purpose, three spots of Dhaleshwari River which are in the vicinity of the industrial outlet were selected for evaluating the seasonal status of heavy metals in water, sediment, and organs of three common fish species. Average concentrations of metals in water and sediment were in the order of Cr > Cd > Pb > Cu > As and Cr > Pb > Cu > As > Cd respectively. The average HM concentrations in water and sediment exceeded WHO and USEPA standards suggesting serious pollution to the aquatic environment. In fish organs, metal concentrations were in the order of Cu > Cr > Pb > Cd > As. Accumulation was highest in gills and lowest in muscles. Fish muscles had a relatively higher concentration of heavy metals (except As) exceeding the safe limits of FAO and WHO. Seasonal variation was also observed in water for all metals (p < 0.01), in sediment for Cu and As (p < 0.05), and in fish for Cr, Cd, and Cu (p < 0.05); higher concentrations were observed in winter. Bioconcentration factor analysis indicated that Cu, Pb, and Cr were more concentrated in fish. Health risk assessment reveals that the carcinogenic risk of Cr is associated with the consumption of contaminated fish species of the studied area.

This study presents a comprehensive characterization of occurrence and levels of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in arable soils used for conventional and organic production in northern and central part of Serbia as well as cross-border region with Hungary. Furthermore, this study includes a characterization of PAH sources and carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic human health risk for PAHs accumulated in analysed arable soils. The total concentration of 16 PAHs varied between 55 and 4584 µg kg−1 in agricultural soil used for conventional production and between 90 and 523 µg kg−1 in agricultural soil used for organic production. High molecular weight (HMW) PAHs were dominant compounds with similar contribution in both soil types (86% and 80% in conventional and in organic soil, respectively). Principal component analysis and diagnostic ratios of selected PAHs were used for identification of PAH sources in the analysed soils. Additionally, positive matrix factorization was applied for quantitative assessment. The results indicated that the major sources of PAHs were vehicle emissions, biomass and wood combustion, accounting for ~ 93% of PAHs. Exposure of farmers assessed through carcinogenic (TCR) and non-carcinogenic (THQ) risk did not exceed the acceptable threshold (TCR < 10–6 and THQ < 1). Oral ingestion was the main exposure route which accounted for 57% of TCR and 80% of THQ. It was followed by dermal contact. This investigation gives a valuable data insight into the PAHs presence in arable soils and reveals the absence of environmental and health risk. It also acknowledges the importance of comprehensive monitoring of these persistent pollutants.

The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the groundwater quality and conduct a non-carcinogenic risk assessment of nitrate contamination in an industrialized and high-density region of South India. A total of 40 sampling sites were identified in and around the industrial area, and samples were collected during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Piper and Gibbs’ diagram shows that rock-water interaction, lithological characteristics and ion-exchange processes are the primary factors determining groundwater quality. The novel entropy water quality index (EWQI) indicated that 32 and 37.5% of the water in the study area were unsuitable for drinking purposes during both the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. Due to landfill leachate and modern agricultural activity, the nitrate concentration in groundwater post-monsoon had increased by 17.11%. The nitrate pollution index (NPI) value of groundwater exceeded the contaminated level by 22.77%. The non-carcinogenic human health risk assessment revealed that 35 and 40% of adult males, 37.5 and 52.5% of adult females and 42.5 and 55% of children during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods were exposed to an increased concentration of nitrate in groundwater. The non-carcinogenic risk level to the exposed population in the study region descends in the following order: children >  > females > males. The study suggests that low body weight in children is a direct result of consumption of low-quality water and that adult men and women suffer less severe consequences.

Tea is a non-alcoholic beverage popular among Chinese people. However, due to the application of chemical and organic fertilizers in the tea planting process, the environment pollutionaround the tea plantation, and the instruments used in the processing, heavy metal elements will accumulate in the tea, which brings health risks for tea consumers. This study summarized heavy metal concentrations from 227 published papers and investigated the current contamination status of tea and tea plantation soils, and, finally, the risk of heavy metal exposure to tea consumers in China is assessed, in terms of both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk. The average contamination of six heavy metals in tea—arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb)—were 0.21, 0.14, 1.17, 14.6, 0.04, and 1.09 mg/kg, respectively. The areas with high concentrations of heavy metals in tea were concentrated primarily in southwest China, some areas in eastern China, and Shaanxi Province in northwest China. The non-carcinogenic risks of heavy metals in tea are all within safe limits. The national average HI value was 0.04, with the highest HI value of 0.18 in Tibet, which has the largest tea consumption in China. However, the carcinogenic risks of Cd in Shaanxi Province, Anhui Province, and southwest China exceed the acceptable range, and due attention should be given to these areas.

The BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) and formaldehyde (FA) have harmful impacts on human health and are also important precursors of tropospheric ozone and secondary organic aerosols (SOA). Thus, the objective of this study was to perform a human health risk assessment considering the lifetime carcinogenic (LCR) and non-carcinogenic (as hazard quotient (HQ)) risks for 3 different age groups associated with exposure to BTEX and FA by inhalation using a probabilistic approach with Monte Carlo simulation, as well as to evaluate the contributions of these compounds to ozone formation potential (OFP) and SOA formation potential (SOAFP), at seven sites in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, during the dry and rainy periods. The HQ values associated with BTEX and FA compounds were below the limit set by the USEPA (HQ = 1) for all groups in both periods. The LCR values for benzene and FA at the 95th percentile considering 3 evaluated groups were 2.49 × 10−6, 3.56 × 10−6, 9.16 × 10−6 and 1.83 × 10−5, 2.53 × 10−5, 6.55 × 10−5 in the dry period and 2.83 × 10−6, 3.94 × 10−6, 1.01 × 10−5 and 7.97 × 10−6, 1.02 × 10−5, 2.40 × 10−5 in the rainy period, respectively, being all values above the acceptable limit by the USEPA (1.0 × 10−6). For all 3 groups of the population, the LCR values for benzene and FA were higher during the rainy period and dry period, respectively, following the same pattern as the concentrations. FA, xylenes, and toluene accounted for up to 97.0% of total OFP, whereas toluene, benzene, and xylenes contributed up to 88.5% of total SOAFP. The results obtained showed the need to adopt measures to reduce BTEX and FA emissions in order to minimize the impacts on health of the exposed population and on air quality.

PurposePotentially harmful elements (PHEs) in the soil at gold mining sites can endanger the health and sustainability of the local community. We examined the potential health risks associated with the presence of PHEs (Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Sb, Se and Ti) in the soils of active, closed/abandoned/former and profile gold mine sites in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachWe collected 102 soil samples from these mine sites, analysed them for their total element contents and calculated the geo-accumulation index, enrichment factor, contamination factor and pollution load index (PLI) (Igeo). We calculated the risks to human health by utilizing the hazard index (HI) and hazard quotient (HQ) for adult males, adult females and children who may ingest contaminated soil particles.FindingsThe average total Cd concentration in the soils was above the global average of 0.2 mg/kg for abandoned (2.86 mg/kg), active (3.93 mg/kg) and profile (4.04 mg/kg) areas. Mercury was detected at elevated concentrations in the soil of active mines (0.92 mg/kg), profiles (0.89 mg/kg) and abandoned mines (0.87 mg/kg). In the active, abandoned and profile soils, titanium concentrations were 14.18, 6.74 and 4.82 mg/kg, respectively, in several folds above the global average of 0.57 mg/kg. The majority of the sites were contaminated with Cd, Hg and Ti based on the calculated PLI values (active = 2.04, abandoned = 1.77 and profile = 2.7). Cadmium, mercury, lead and titanium in mine spoils were found to be correlated with aluminium, iron, manganese, pH, total carbon, clay content and phosphorus in a multivariate analysis using correlation and principal component analysis.Research limitations/implicationsBoth natural and anthropogenic processes contributed to the elevated metal contents in the mining sites, as indicated by the investigation’s results. The children’s hazard index values exceeded the threshold of 1.0, indicating the presence of non-carcinogenic risks.Practical implicationsGreen space technology (e.g. revegetation) may thus be critical for preserving public health and reviving the ecological integrity of the contaminated sites.Originality/valueThis study highlights health risks to local communities in southwest Ghana by investigating the presence of potentially harmful elements in soils from gold mining sites for the first time. It assesses non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks using a methodology recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency for soil-to-human health risk assessment, especially for children. The study highlights how contamination has been found, making green space technology essential for preserving ecological integrity and protecting public health. The inclusion of geospatial distribution mapping of PTEs offers a visual depiction of the spread of contamination at both active and closed mining sites.

Background The precise insertion of large DNA fragments (>3–5 kb) remains one of the key obstacles in establishment of genetically modified murine models. Methods A 21 kb large DNA fragment containing three tandemly linked copies of the human HRAS gene was inserted into the genome of C57BL/6J mouse, generating a mouse model designated as KI.C57‐ras (or named NF‐hHRAS). Whole‐genome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were utilized to it confirm precise insertion and copy number. The stability of transgene expression among different generations was verified from multiple aspects using by digital PCR, western blot and DNA sequencing. To assess tumor susceptibility in the mouse model, N‐Nitroso‐N‐methylurea (MNU) was administered at a dosage of 75 mg/kg. Histopathological examinations were conducted using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Results The HRAS DNA fragment was inserted into mouse chromosome 15E1 site, locating between 80 623 202 bp and 80 625 020 bp. NF‐hHRAS mice exhibited stable inheritance and displayed consistent phenotypes across individuals. Moreover, this mouse model exhibited a high susceptibility to carcinogens. Upon administration of MNU the earliest mortality onset was earlier than that of wild‐type littermates (day 65 vs. day 78 for male and day 56 vs. day 84 for female). Notably, 100% of the NF‐hHRAS transgenic mice developed tumors, with approximately 84% of male NF‐hHRAS mice exhibiting specific tumor types, such as squamous cell carcinoma or squamous cell papilloma, which was consistent with the previously reported carcinogenic rasH2 mouse model. The types of tumors and the target organs exhibited diversity in NF‐hHRAS mice, while the spontaneous tumor incidence remained low (1/50). Conclusions The NF‐hHRAS mice demonstrated excellent genetic stability, a reproducible phenotype, and high susceptibility to carcinogens, indicating their potential utility in non‐clinical safety evaluations of drugs as per the S1B guidelines issued by the ICH (The International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use). The NF‐hHRAS mouse model was generated through Chr15 E1 locus‐targeted integration of a 21 kb multicopy HRAS gene cluster. The NF‐hHRAS model demostrated tissue‐specific expression of human HRAS across multiple organs and low spontaneous tumorigenesis. Preliminary validation supports the NF‐hHRAS model's utility in nonclinical oncogenicity risk evaluation under ICH S1B guidelines.

Research on soil heavy metal(loid) pollution and health risk assessment is extensive, but a notable gap exists in systematically examining uncertainty in this process. We employ the Nemerow index, the health risk assessment model, and the geographic detector model (GDM) to analyze soil heavy metal(loid) pollution, assess health risks, and identify driving factors in Hunan Province, China. Furthermore, the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) method is utilized to quantitatively evaluate the uncertainties associated with the sampling point positions, model parameters, and classification boundaries of the driving factors in these processes. The experimental findings reveal the following key insights: (1) Regions with high levels of heavy metal(loid) pollution, accompanied by low uncertainty, are identified in Chenzhou and Hengyang Cities in Hunan Province. (2) Arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) are identified as the primary contributors to health risks. (3) The GDM results highlight strong nonlinear enhanced interactions among lithology and other factors. (4) The input GDM factors, such as temperature, river distance, and gross domestic product (GDP), show high uncertainty on the influencing degree of soil heavy metal(loid) pollution. This study thoroughly assesses high heavy metal(loid) pollution in Hunan Province, China, emphasizing uncertainty and offering a scientific foundation for land management and pollution remediation.