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The chemical safety of poly (butylene adipate- co -terephthalate) (PBAT) based food contact articles (FCAs) has aroused increasing toxicological concerns in recent years, but the chemical characterization and associated risk assessment still remain inadequate as it fails to elucidate the distribution pattern and discern the potential genotoxic and carcinogenic hazards of the identified substances. Herein, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 50 batches of PBAT-based FCAs of representative categories and 10 batches of PLA and PBAT pellets were characterized, by which 237 VOCs of 10 chemical categories were identified and exhibited characteristic distribution patterns in the chemical spaces derived from their molecular descriptors. Chemical hazards associated with the identified VOCs were discerned by a hazard-driven classification scheme integrating hazard-related knowledge from multiple publicly available sources, and 34 VOCs were found to bear genotoxic or carcinogenic hazards and to feature higher average molecular weight than the other VOCs. Finally, the Risk and hazard quotient (HQ) calculated as the metrics of risk suggested that all identified VOCs posed acceptable risks (Risk<10–4 or HQ < 1), whereas oxolane, butyrolactone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, 2-butoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, and 1,2,3-trichloropropane posed non-negligible (Risk>10–6) genotoxic or carcinogenic risk and thus should be of prioritized concern to promote the chemical safety of PBAT-based FCAs. [Display omitted] • VOCs in 50 batches of PBAT-based FCAs characterized by untargeted HS-SPME-GC-MS. • 213 VOCs of 10 chemical categories identified in 5 categories of the FCAs. • A hazard-driven scheme was proposed for classifying chemical hazards of the VOCs. • 34 VOCs found to be associated with genotoxic or carcinogenic hazards. • Acceptable risk for all VOCs but 6 VOCs need attention due to non-negligible risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Veterinary drugs can be present in potential future insect−rearing substrates. • Their fate from substrate to insect was evaluated for food and feed safety. • The tested veterinary drugs did not bioaccumulate in the larval bodies. • Enhanced degradation of veterinary drugs by the insects was observed. • Some veterinary drugs reduced insect growth and survival. There is an increasing interest in edible insects in Europe for feed and food purposes. Quantitative information on the transfer of chemical hazards from substrates to larvae is needed to evaluate food and feed safety aspects. This evaluation is especially needed when organic substrates or residual streams such as manure will be applied as substrate, contributing to a circular food system. This study investigated the transfer of veterinary drugs from spiked substrate to black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens). Veterinary drugs that are commonly administered to chicken, fattening pigs, and cattle and regularly detected in manure were included: three different antibiotics (enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, sulfamethoxazole), three coccidiostats (narasin, salinomycin, toltrazuril) and one antiparasitic drug (eprinomectin). The chemicals were spiked to insect substrate to reach final concentrations of 0.5 and 5 mg/kg for the antibiotics and the antiparasitic drug, and 5 and 50 mg/kg for the coccidiostats. Black soldier fly larvae were reared for 1 week on the spiked substrates, and the transfer of the veterinary drugs to the larvae and frass was quantified using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Only oxytetracycline and eprinomectin reduced the average weight and/or survival of the black soldier fly larvae. The transfer of the veterinary drugs to the larvae was on average 19.2% for oxytetracycline, 12% for enrofloxacin, 9.5% for narasin, 8.1% for eprinomectin, 3.9% for salinomycin, 4.2% for toltrazuril, and 0.2% for sulfamethoxazole, relative to concentrations in the substrate. Mass-balance calculations revealed that the larvae seem to metabolise veterinary drugs, and indeed, metabolites of enrofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, and toltrazuril were detected in the larvae and frass. In conclusion, insect-rearing substrates should be evaluated for the presence of veterinary drug residues to ensure feed (and food) safety, as well as because of possible effects on insect growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnic foods are nowadays increasingly consumed by Western citizens. However, deficiencies in traceability and poor hygiene conditions have been often reported for ethnic foods. In this study, seafood products (fish, crustaceans and seaweeds) purchased in Southern Italy from ethnic food stores were analysed to assess their labelling compliance with EU law (Regulation EU No 1169/2011 and Regulation EU No 1379/2013) and the presence of microbiological, chemical and physical hazards. Over 96% of the collected products were found as non-compliant with EU law on labelling. Regarding biological contamination, the quantification of enterococci (22.1% of the samples), moulds -including the potential aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus - (36.4% of samples) and the detection of Vibrio alginolyticus (7.8% of samples) should be emphasized. The presence of foreign bodies (physical contamination) in 18.2% of the samples highlighted the lack of targeted control systems. Overall, the major concerns arose from the chemical contamination related to the presence of variable percentages of metals derived from anthropogenic activities. This hazard was especially found in seaweeds products, which should be therefore better monitored throughout the food chain in order to protect public health. Outcomes from this study integrates the scarce data present in the literature and provide an overview of the major risks related to the consumption of ethnic seafood sold within EU market. • In this study, seafood products purchased in Southern Italy from ethnic food stores were analysed. • The percentage of products non-compliant EU labelling requirements was high (96%). • Biological, chemical and physical contamination were found in some products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combinations of semiconductor metal oxide (SMO) sensors, electrochemical (EC) sensors, and photoionization detection (PID) sensors were used to discriminate chemical hazards on the basis of machine learning. Sensing data inputs were exploited in the form of either numerical or image data formats, and the classification of chemical hazards with high accuracy was achieved in both cases. Even a small amount of gas sensing or purging data (input for ∼30 s) input can be exploited in machine-learning-based gas discrimination. SMO sensors exhibit high performance even in a single-sensor mode, presumably because of the intrinsic cross-sensitivity of metal oxides, which is otherwise considered a major disadvantage of SMO sensors. EC sensors were enhanced through synergistic integration of sensor combinations with machine learning. For precision detection of multiple target analytes, a minimum number of sensors can be proposed for gas detection/discrimination by combining sensors with dissimilar operating principles. The Type I hybrid sensor combines one SMO sensor, one EC sensor, and one PID sensor and is used to identify NH 3 gas mixed with sulfur compounds in simulations of NH 3 gas leak accidents in chemical plants. The portable remote sensing module made with a Type I hybrid sensor and LTE module can identify mixed NH 3 gas with a detection time of 60 s, demonstrating the potential of the proposed system to quickly respond to hazardous gas leak accidents and prevent additional damage to the environment. [Display omitted] • High-interference MOS sensors employ machine learning for gas discrimination. • Hybrid MOS/EC/PID sensors were synergistically integrated with machine learning. • Hybrid sensor arrays can accurately discriminate among multiple toxic gases. • Input data size/type minimally impact machine learning-based gas identification. • A portable remote AI sensor hybrid was deployed in a gas leak accident scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of food hazard factor (FHF) detection has been tending towards on-site inspection and mobile law enforcement, and simple, fast and affordable analysis technology is especially needed to ensure food safety and quality. This review comprehensively summarizes the progress in research on smartphone-assisted MIP optosensors, including their construction, molecular recognition and signal response mechanisms, and promising applications for on-site FHF detection. The types of fluorescent response elements and the methods for achieving integration between fluorescent response elements, and MIPs are further discussed. Importantly, state-of-the-art applications of smartphone-assisted MIP sensors in the field of food safety for on-site FHF detection based on single-, dual-, and multi-emission fluorescence responses are comprehensively summarized. This review focuses on the key issues of the accuracy and sensitivity of smartphone-assisted sensors and notes that the integration of highly selective MIPs and highly sensitive fluorescent response elements can significantly improve the feasibility of smartphone-assisted on-site detection. [Display omitted] • This review focuses on the key issues of the accuracy and sensitivity of smartphone-assisted optosensors. • It notes that the integration of highly selective MIPs and highly sensitive fluorescent response elements. • It can significantly improve the feasibility of smartphone-assisted on-site detection. • Smartphone-assisted MIP optosensors for the on-site detection of FHFs are very economical. • Realize the full-coverage, multitarget detection of different kinds of hazards in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring programs for food safety hazards are increasingly set up on a risk basis. In order to include the most relevant chemical substances for food products within such a program, a prioritization is needed. Within this research, decision trees were developed to rank chemical substances that may occur in food products. The decision trees focus on red meat, but can also be applied for other animal products. Three decision trees were developed, one for each of the following groups of chemical substances: prohibited substances, environmental contaminants and authorized substances. The decision trees focused on human health risks including the occurrence of a chemical substance and the human health effects. Substances are subsequently classified into high, medium and low priority for monitoring. The decision trees were tested with a selection of chemical substances for each of the three groups of chemical substances. Scientific information (such as EFSA opinions) and (national) monitoring data were used to answer the questions in the decision trees. Results showed that the developed decision trees are helpful in classifying chemical substances and as such can be used as a tool to set up risk based monitoring plans. It is recommended to establish a working group containing a broad range of experts to prioritize the substances and to re-evaluate the list of prioritized substances frequently using the most current (monitoring) information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silage may contain several agents that are potentially hazardous to animal health, the safety of milk or other animal food products, or both. This paper reviews published literature about microbial hazards, plant toxins, and chemical hazards. Microbial hazards include Clostridium botulinum, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium bovis, and various mold species. High concentrations of C. botulinum in silage have been associated with cattle botulism. A high initial concentration of C. botulinum spores in forage in combination with poor silage fermentation conditions can promote the growth of C. botulinum in silage. The elevated pH level that is generally associated with aerobic deterioration of silage is a major factor influencing concentrations of L. monocytogenes, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and molds in silage and may also encourage survival and growth of M. bovis, the bacterium that causes bovine tuberculosis. Soil is a major source of B. cereus spores in silage; growth of this bacterium in silage appears to be limited. Hazards from plant toxins include pyrrolizidine, tropane and tropolone alkaloids, phytoestrogens, prussic acid, and mimosine, compounds that exist naturally in certain plant species that may contaminate forages at harvesting. Another group of toxins belonging to this category are ergot alkaloids, which are produced by endophytic fungal species in forages such as tall fescue grass, sorghum, and ryegrass. Varying effects of ensiling on the degradation of these plant toxins have been reported. Chemical hazards include nitrate, nitrite, and toxic oxide gases of nitrogen produced from nitrate and high levels of butyric acid, biogenic amines, and ammonia. Chemical and microbiological hazards are associated with poorly fermented silages, which can be avoided by using proper silage-making practices and creating conditions that promote a rapid and sufficient reduction of the silage pH and prevent aerobic deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Efficient recoveries of 565 chemical hazards were achieved via Fe 3 O 4 @poly(MAAM- co -EGDMA). • Fe 3 O 4 @poly(MAAM- co -EGDMA) was fabricated with MAAM and EGDMA through simple bulk polymerization. • The thickness of the polymer shell can be controlled by tuning the proportion of the MAAM/EDGMA. • Fe 3 O 4 @poly(MAAM- co -EGDMA) featured promising lipids adsorption in animal and vegetable oils. • The adsorption mechanisms for FFAs and TGs are electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding. Nontargeted analysis for chemical hazards is highly desirable in controlling food safety to ensure human health. As the dominating interference in fat-rich foodstuffs, lipids removal is a great challenge in sample pretreatment. Herein, diverse lipids from both animal and vegetable oils are effectively removed and 565 chemical hazards with various physicochemical properties are used for method validation. These benefits are from the designed magnetic amino-rich hyper-crosslinked core–shell polymeric composites (Fe 3 O 4 @poly(MAAM- co -EGDMA)) and the application of an auto extraction system. Among them, the amino groups are the key factors for lipid removal. Theoretical calculations, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and functional monomer replacement demonstrated that the mechanisms to universally capture free fatty acids (FFAs) and triglycerides (TGs) are electrostatic interaction and supplemented by hydrogen bonding. Overall, this work highlights the great application potentials of polymeric adsorbents as sample pretreatment materials for nontargeted analysis in food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reporting of information is crucial to enable backward and forward tracing of food along the chain, which is of main importance in case of non-compliance with legal obligations on food safety. Thus, food business operators in the European Union (EU) must enable tracing of any foodstuff one step forward and one step back. However, flux of information relevant for traceability and food safety can be a challenge in the supply chains of dried culinary herbs and spices. Results of a survey among herb/spice businesses – either located within the EU or exporting dried herbs/spices to the EU – showed the widespread use of electronic systems for recording and processing of traceability/food safety data. However, automated capture of transaction data and automated read-out/processing of reported data were rare. The survey indicates that besides electronic documents, typed paper documents are often exchanged between businesses. For data delivery along the chain, paper documents filled in by hand are still used – even in the EU or upon import to the EU. The document type as well as the forms varied, particularly in case of incoming herbs/spices. The forms used for reporting by the survey participants or by their suppliers covered mostly individual/company-specific forms. Standardised forms provided by herb/spice associations were rarely shared between these businesses. The extent of reporting of traceability data upon import to the EU and within the EU appears to be sufficient. Some additional traceability data that promote product tracing, such as the country of harvest, were frequently reported. Same was true for information on food safety hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignin, the most abundant source of renewable aromatic compounds derived from natural lignocellulosic biomass, has great potential for various applications as green materials due to its abundant active groups. However, it is still challenging to quickly construct green polymers with a certain crystallinity by utilizing lignin as a building block. Herein, new green lignin-based covalent organic polymers (LIGOPD-COPs) were one-pot fabricated with water as the reaction solvent and natural lignin as the raw material. Furthermore, by using paraformaldehyde as a protector and modulator, the LIGOPD-COPs prepared under optimized conditions displayed better crystallinity than reported lignin-based polymers, demonstrating the feasibility of preparing lignin-based polymers with improved crystallinity. The improved crystallinity confers LIGOPD-COPs with enhanced application performance, which was demonstrated by their excellent performances in sample treatment of non-targeted food safety analysis. Under optimized conditions, phytochromes, the main interfering matrices, were almost completely removed from different phytochromes-rich vegetables by LIGOPD-COPs, accompanied by "full recovery" of 90 chemical hazards. Green, low-cost, and reusable properties, together with improved crystallinity, will accelerate the industrialization and marketization of lignin-based COPs, and promote their applications in many fields. [Display omitted] • Low-cost porous covalent organic polymers (COPs) are fabricated with natural lignin. • Water is used as reaction solvent for one-pot green synthesis of lignin-based COPs. • The crystallinity of COPs is improved by optimizing synthetic methods and conditions. • Preparing lignin-based polymers with good crystallinity is demonstrated possible. • As-prepared lignin-based COPs work well in the non-targeted food safety analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish and fish products are appreciated worldwide for their high nutritional value and delicate taste. To this end, it is extremely vital to guarantee the safety of edible fish in the international fish industry. Various research findings associated with the safety and quality of fish and fish products were discussed in the present review. The diverse hazard factors with regard to fish safety and quality were highlighted which could be classified into three groups; chemical factors, biological factors and physical factors. Many of these contaminants that accumulate in fish tissues are transferred to humans through the food chain and possible damage to human health. Hence, it is essential to develop analytical techniques to monitor these contaminants in fish prior to consumption for protecting of the consumers from potential risk of food-borne diseases. However, although most of these conventional analytical methods for fish contaminants determination are reliable and accurate, they are time-consuming, expensive and require highly skilled personnel. For that matter, there is no existing rapid detection system that could provide sufficient information associated with various of the contaminants for fish safety and quality evaluation. With the increasing demand of fish and fish products, there is the need for a rapid determination system for ensurence of fish safety and quality. The review would help to give some inspirations to the researchers studied in the areas of fish quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background E-waste includes electrical and electronic equipment discarded as waste without intent of reuse. Informal e-waste recycling, typically done in smaller, unorganized businesses, can expose workers and communities to serious chemical health hazards. It is unclear if formalization into larger, better-controlled electronics recycling (e-recycling) facilities solves environmental and occupational health problems. Objectives To systematically review the literature on occupational and environmental health hazards of formal e-recycling facilities and discuss challenges and opportunities to strengthen research in this area. Methods We identified 37 publications from 4 electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Environmental Index, NIOSHTIC-2) specific to chemical exposures in formal e-recycling facilities. Discussion Environmental and occupational exposures depend on the degree of formalization of the facilities but further reduction is needed. Reported worker exposures to metals were often higher than recommended occupational guidelines. Levels of brominated flame-retardants in worker's inhaled air and biological samples were higher than those from reference groups. Air, dust, and soil concentrations of metals, brominated flame-retardants, dioxins, furans, polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbons, or polychlorinated biphenyls found inside or near the facilities were generally higher than reference locations, suggesting transport into the environment. Children of a recycler had blood lead levels higher than public health recommended guidelines. Conclusions With mounting e-waste, more workers, their family members, and communities could experience unhealthful exposures to metals and other chemicals. We identified research needs to further assess exposures, health, and improve controls. The long-term solution is manufacturing of electronics without harmful substances and easy-to-disassemble components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Efficient recoveries of 407 chemical hazards were achieved via CTAB/TFBD-NH 2. • CTAB/TFBD-NH 2 was fabricated with CTAB and through a BBE strategy. • CTAB/TFBD-NH 2 featured promising lipids adsorption in animal and vegetable oils. • The adsorption mechanisms for FFAs are hydrogen bonding and size exclusion. • The adsorption mechanisms for TGs are size filling and H-π effect. Moving from the targeted to nontargeted analysis of chemical hazards in foods is an extremely challenging task for human wellbeing since various types of endogenous and exogenous substances are kept unknown for analysts. Lipids with a wide size distribution are the dominant interference in fat-rich foodstuffs. At present it is difficult to remove all lipids with one material. Herein for the first time, diverse lipids from both animal and vegetable oils are effectively removed and more than 400 chemical hazards with various physicochemical properties are recovered. Such unprecedented function is due to the rational designed three-dimensional (3D) macro/mesoporous amine-functionalized covalent organic framework (COF) nanospheres. In detail, the preparation of macro channels decreases mass transfer resistance. Amino groups and mesoporous are key factors for capturing lipids. Fundamentally it is found that the mechanisms to universally capture free fatty acids (FFAs) and triglycerides (TGs) are hydrogen bonding, size exclusion and size filling, H-π effect, respectively. This has been evidenced by theoretical calculations, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), UPC2-Q-TOF/MS and UPC2-MS/MS. Overall, this work highlights the substantial application potential of COF to universal analysis in food safety and integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Very few effect-based studies done on artificially-infiltrated drinking water sources. • Contamination of artificially-infiltrated groundwater can occur. • Arylhydrocarbon receptor activation most prevalent in raw water before infiltration. • Here, bioactivities from chemical hazards were reduced following artificial infiltration. Artificial infiltration is an established managed aquifer recharge method that is commonly incorporated into drinking water processes. However, groundwater sourced from this type of purification method is prone to contamination with chemical hazards. Such an instance was previously shown at a Swedish DWTP where the river water was contaminated by hazardous chemicals during artificial infiltration. Further, there remains a paucity of research studying the quality of drinking water following this type of treatment from an effect-based bioanalytical perspective. In the current study, an effect-based assessment for chemical hazards was conducted for a Swedish drinking water system comprised of two DWTPs fed artificially-infiltrated river water. In this system, artificial infiltration of the river water takes approximately six to eight months. A sampling event was conducted in the autumn season and the samples were enriched by solid phase extraction. A panel of cell-based reporter gene assays representing several toxicity pathways was selected: oxidative stress response (Nrf2 activity), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation, and hormone receptor-mediated effects (estrogen receptor [ER], androgen receptor [AR]). AhR and ER bioactivities were detected in samples collected from the river intake and in the open-air infiltration basins prior to artificial infiltration. However, the AhR activity decreased and ER activity was effectively removed following artificial infiltration. In the Nrf2 and AR assays, no bioactivities above cut-off levels were detected in any samples collected along the entire treatment process of the drinking water production from source to tap. Using a suite of bioassays, the current study highlighted the effectiveness of artificial infiltration in reducing bioactive compounds in this raw river water. Although artificial infiltration is a common purification method in drinking water production, the limited number of effect-based studies evaluating the effectiveness of this method emphasizes the need for further research to better understand the risks and benefits of this water treatment process. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Meat is a very complex and continuously changing ex vivo system of various high- and low-molecular substances that can be used for satisfying needs of the human organism for metabolic energy, building material and fulfilling of the other vital functions. A great majority of these substances are useful and safe for the consumer. Yet, meat and meat products may always contain substances exerting detrimental effects to the consumer's organism. The present paper is a literature review of the most important potentially toxic substances found in meat and meat products; their classification, ways of getting into the meat or formation during meat processing, undesirable physiological outcomes and biochemical mechanisms of their toxic effects, and methods for reduction of these responses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Part of risk based control is the prioritization of hazard-food combinations for monitoring food safety. The aim of the current study was to develop a method for risk ranking of chemical food safety hazards using a structured and transparent approach. The method established is semi-quantitative and uses scores on both severity and probability of the hazard. The method was applied in a case study on antibiotic residue monitoring in a variety of products in the Netherlands. Severity of the hazard was scored using the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) as well as a score on the severity of antimicrobial resistance. Probability of the hazard depended on the amount of product consumed and on the amount of antibiotics used in animals as well as evidence of residues found. Data were gathered using literature research and expert opinions. The method showed that antibiotics most relevant for monitoring were product specific. Overall, nitrofurans were amongst the most important antibiotics to be included in monitoring programs for the products studied: pork, beef, poultry, honey and shrimps. This was mainly due to the detection of residues in products imported from outside the EU. Oxytetracycline was another major important antibiotic for the products studied (both nationally produced and imported). The study showed that the method derived is capable of ranking antibiotic-food combinations and has potential for the application in other chemical hazard-food combinations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: There is a vital need to understand details of the methylisocyanate (MIC) release that occurred at the 1984 Union Carbide Ltd. pesticide plant in Bhopal, India in order to avoid or respond to such releases in the future. However, we believe there are serious deficiencies in currently available dispersion predictions of the impact of toxic materials on humans and animals downwind of the plant. Specifically, cloud densities have been underestimated due to failure to account for the presence of a liquid/solid aerosol that would have been produced by the chemical reactions that caused the problem. Using data reported in Union Carbide''s own investigation of the accident, which included chemical reaction data, we estimated aerosol compositions and cloud densities, then modeled the Bhopal release, simulating potential exposure levels at various locations under a number of wind-condition scenarios. For the worst-case (low wind speed and high aerosol densities), our predicted MIC concentrations at ground level are at least one order of magnitude greater than any previously published estimates. The centerline elevation of the jetting plume released at 33m elevation is predicted to rise to about 41m before falling, resulting in a 40ppm (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health, IDLH) concentration contour that reaches the ground at about 410m downwind of the release location. This is consistent with observations that the plant environs were not hard-hit while the public immediately downwind of the plant perimeter was severely exposed. Concentrations on the order of 1000ppm are predicted at some ground-level locations, which are more consistent than previous estimates with the reported large numbers of deaths and injuries of humans and animals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: There are two quantitative indicators that are most widely used to assess the extent of compliance of industrial facilities with environmental regulations: the quantity of hazardous waste generated and the amount of toxics released. These indicators, albeit useful in terms of some environmental monitoring, fail to account for direct or indirect effects on human and environmental health, especially when aggregating total quantity of releases for a facility or industry sector. Thus, there is a need for a more comprehensive approach that can prioritize a particular chemical (or industry sector) on the basis of its relevant environmental performance and impact on human health. Accordingly, the objective of the present study is to formulate an aggregation of tools that can simultaneously capture multiple effects and several environmental impact categories. This approach allows us to compare and combine results generated with the aid of select U.S.-based quantitative impact assessment tools, thereby supplementing compliance-based metrics such as data from the U.S. Toxic Release Inventory. A case study, which presents findings for the U.S. chemical manufacturing industry, is presented to illustrate the aggregation of these tools. Environmental impacts due to both upstream and manufacturing activities are also evaluated for each industry sector. The proposed combinatorial analysis allows for a more robust evaluation for rating and prioritizing the environmental impacts of industrial waste. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The SAFE FOODS project undertakes to design a new approach towards the early identification of emerging food safety hazards. This study explored the utility of notifications filed through RASFF, the European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, to identify emerging trends in food safety issues. RASFF information and alert notifications published in the four-year period of July 2003–June 2007 were assigned to categories of products and hazards. For chronological trend analysis, a basic time unit of three months was chosen. Data within each hazard category were analyzed for chronological trends, relationships between product and hazard categories, regions of origin, and countries filing the notifications. Conspicuous trends that were observed included a rise in the incidence of food contact substances, particularly 2-isopropyl-thioxanthone, as well as of chemical substances migrating from utensils and fraud-related issues. Temporary increases were noted in the incidences of the unauthorized dye Para Red, genetically modified organisms, the pesticide isophenfos-methyl, and herring worm, Anisakis simplex. National and European authorities themselves have signaled these conspicuous trends and taken measures. It is recommended to add complementary data to RASFF data, including safety assessments, risk management measures, background data on hazards and surveillance patterns, for a holistic approach towards early identification of emerging hazards. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A number of recent food safety incidents have involved chemical substances, while various activities aim at the early identification of emerging chemical risks. This review considers recent cases of chemical and biochemical risks, as a basis for recommendations for awareness and prevention of similar risks at an early stage. These cases include examples of unapproved genetically modified food crops, intoxications with botanical products containing unintentionally admixed toxic herbs, residues of unapproved antibiotics and contaminants in farmed aquaculture species such as shrimp and salmon; and adverse effects of chemical and biological pesticides of natural origin. Besides case-specific recommendations for mitigation of future incidents of the same nature, general inferences and recommendations are made. It is recommended, for example, to establish databases for contaminants potentially present within products. Pro-active reconnaissance can facilitate the identification of products potentially contaminated with hazardous substances. In international trade, prevention and early identification of hazards are aided by management systems for product quality and safety, rigorous legislation, and inspections of consignments destined for export. Cooperation with the private sector and foreign authorities may be required to achieve these goals. While food and feed safety are viewed from the European perspective, the outcomes also apply to other regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Safety climate survey was sent to 642 plants in 2003 to explore safety climate practices in the Korean manufacturing plants, especially in hazardous chemical treating plants. Out of 642 plants contacted 195 (30.4%) participated in the surveys. Data were collected by e-mail using SQL-server and mail. The main objective of this study was to explore safety climate practices (level of safety climate and the underlying problems). In addition, the variables that may influence the level of safety climate among managers and workers were explored. The questionnaires developed by health and safety executive (HSE) in the UK were modified to incorporate differences in Korean culture. Eleven important factors were summarized. Internal reliability of these factors was validated. Number of employees in the company varied from less than 30 employees (9.2%) to over 1000 employees (37.4%). Both managers and workers showed generally high level of safety climate awareness. The major underlying problems identified were inadequate health and safety procedures/rules, pressure for production, and rule breaking. The length of employment was a significant contributing factor to the level of safety climate. In this study, participants showed generally high level of safety climate, and length of employment affected the differences in the level of safety climate. Managers’ commitment to comply safety rules, procedures, and effective safety education and training are recommended. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

With existing threats of man-made as well as natural disasters, pediatricians, emergency physicians, emergency medical systems personnel, and other health care professionals should have a working knowledge of disaster management and preparedness for all hazards. As large-scale man-made disasters have occurred, growing concerns exist that terrorist groups may attempt to use either chemical or biologic warfare. In addition, natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, floods, and widespread fires pose threats to the welfare of large segments of the population worldwide. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends an “all hazards” approach to emergency planning. This requires creating a simultaneous plan for terrorist events as well as the more likely public health emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, unintentional hazardous incidents, and infectious disease outbreaks. We present an overview of disaster preparedness with a particular focus on potential toxicological exposures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Edible vegetable oil is a necessity in people's daily diet, and its safety has attracted the attention of the government and consumers. In recent years, the safety incidents of edible vegetable oil are reported, and the safety problems of edible vegetable oil caused by chemical hazards such as benzopyrene, heavy metal and aflatoxin B1 are more serious. In this research, a risk assessment model through dietary exposure assessment and margin of exposure (MOE) were built to assess the health risks of benzopyrene, aflatoxin B1, and heavy metals in edible vegetable oils. And then an early warning model of food oil safety risk was established by using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and back propagation (BP) neural network. According to the national standards and sampling data, the risk early warning model determined eight evaluation indexes of vegetable oil quality and safety, and calculated the risk value of chemical pollution in vegetable oil by Entropy Weight-Analytic Hierarchy Process(EW-AHP). The data of eight evaluation indexes were taken as the input of the model, and the comprehensive risk value was taken as the output of the model. The model learning process was carried out, and four algorithms, namely Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBF) and Neural Network (BP), were selected for construction and comparison of model. The daily sampling data of chemical hazard factors in edible vegetable oil were quantified into specific chemical hazard risk levels. Thus the goal of predicting chemical hazard levels was achieved in edible vegetable oil. This study provides targeted reference suggestions for the safety supervision of edible vegetable oil, so as to improve the efficiency of supervision and ensure the consumption safety of edible vegetable oil. • Quantitative risk assessment models for benzopyrene, aflatoxin-B1 and heavy metals in edible vegetable oils (EVO) in China. • Early warning model based on machine learning for EVO. • Analyses of exposure and health risk for EVO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to present the rationale, formulation, and application of the probability of exceedance (POE) as a metric capable of characterizing public health risks due to exposure to non-threshold chemical hazards in food. One of the main advantages of this metric is that it complements the information provided by the MOE and supports risk managers in decision-making, especially when the distribution of the estimated intake is positively biased. For a better understanding of its benefits, MOE and POE values were calculated in relation to the exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) and lead (Pb) in the diet of the Australian, Chinese, European, Japanese and American adult populations. The findings showed that similar MOE values, and therefore similar levels of concern, can have differences in POE results of up to several orders of magnitude, suggesting that more effective risk management measures should be prioritised. • The new POE metric assesses the percentage of the population exposed to an increased risk of an adverse health effect. • The POE metric provides additional information to the MOE for an improved risk characterization. • The POE is better suited to characterizing public health risks when the exposure dose distribution is positively biased. • A case study on inorganic arsenic and lead in foodstuffs highlights the advantages of combining POE and MOE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to chemical hazards is a growing concern in today's society, and it is of utmost interest to know the levels of exposure to chemicals and the risks associated with such exposure in order to implement effective health prevention strategies. Chemical risk analysis represents a complex and laborious task due to the large number of known substances, but also unknown compounds and emerging risks that must be addressed. In this challenging scenario, the study of metabolic perturbations induced by exposure to a given chemical hazard has recently emerged as an interesting alternative approach to apply in chemical risk analysis. Specifically, the biomarkers of effect identified by metabolomics are expected to reveal the adverse effects of chemicals and further link exposure to disease development. In this context, analytical chemistry has become an essential part of the strategy to highlight such biomarkers. The corollary is that the relevance of the discovered biomarkers will largely depend on both the quality of the analytical approaches implemented and the part of the metabolome covered by the analytical technique used. This review focuses on describing significant applications of metabolomics in the field of chemical risk analysis. The different risk assessment steps, including hazard identification, dose-response assessment and exposure assessment, and risk management are addressed through various examples to illustrate that such an approach is fit-for-purpose and meets the expectations and requirements of chemical risk analysis. It can be considered as an innovative tool for predicting the probable occurrence and nature of risks, while addressing the current challenges of chemical risk analysis (e.g. replacement, reduction and refinement (3R) of animal testing, effects of exposure to chemical mixtures at low doses, etc.), and with the aim of responding to chemical exposures concerns in a holistic manner and anticipating human health problems. [Display omitted] • Metabolomics enables the discovery of biomarkers for risk assessment of chemicals. • Metabolic biomarkers provide evidence on the mode of action of chemicals. • Metabolomics addresses risk analysis challenges (low doses, chemical mixtures, 3R principles). • Metabolomics contributes to linking chemical exposures and adverse health effects. • Standardisation is required to implement metabolomics in regulatory toxicology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]