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Guerrini A, Roncada P, Al-Qudah KM, Isani G, Pacicco F, Peloso M, Sardi L, Tedesco DEA, Romeo GA, Caprai E. Content of Toxic Elements (Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury, Lead) in Eggs from an Ethically Managed Laying Hen Farm. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1133. [PMID: 38612373 PMCID: PMC11010967 DOI: 10.3390/ani14071133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Domestic chicken farming has been promoted and spread in several Italian municipalities and worldwide as an aid to the self-consumption of domestically produced food. This study investigated the levels of four toxic elements (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in eggs from an ethical laying hen farm, comparing the element concentrations with those possibly present in supermarket eggs. A total of 201 eggs, 141 from the farm and produced by different hen genotypes, and 60 from the supermarket, were collected. The levels of the toxic elements were evaluated in the yolk, albumen, and eggshells of all eggs. The results show that the supermarket eggs' yolk and albumen were more contaminated with lead, compared to the rural eggs. Contrarily, the mean content of arsenic was higher in the albumen and eggshells of the rural eggs, compared to the supermarket eggs. The cadmium content was below the LOQ (0.005 mg/kg) in all samples. The mercury content was below or around the LOQ in all rural eggs. Overall, the supermarket egg albumens were significantly more contaminated than the rural ones. No significant differences were found in quality parameters for both types of eggs. The toxic element values that were detected were in line with other studies in the literature. However, despite the concentrations found not representing a risk to the consumers' health, the results of this study raise a potential food safety issue, and it would be desirable to set specific MRLs for eggs for consumers' protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Guerrini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.G.); (D.E.A.T.)
| | - Paola Roncada
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy; (G.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Khaled Mefleh Al-Qudah
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Gloria Isani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy; (G.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Fausto Pacicco
- Department of Economics, LIUC Cattaneo University, Via Corso G. Matteotti 22, 21053 Castellanza, Italy;
| | - Mariantonietta Peloso
- Chemical Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’, Via P. Fiorini 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (M.P.); (E.C.)
| | - Luca Sardi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy; (G.I.); (L.S.)
| | - Doriana Eurosia Angela Tedesco
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 10, 20133 Milan, Italy; (A.G.); (D.E.A.T.)
| | - Gianluca Antonio Romeo
- Directorate General for Animal Health and Veterinary Medicinal Products (DGSAF), Italian Ministry of Health (MOH), Office 4, Viale Giorgio Ribotta 5, 00144 Roma, Italy;
| | - Elisabetta Caprai
- Chemical Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna ‘Bruno Ubertini’, Via P. Fiorini 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (M.P.); (E.C.)
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Castellani F, Marini F, Simonetti G, Protano C, Fabiani L, Manzoli L, Vitali M. Occurrence and congener profiles of dioxins (PCDDs), furans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in ovine and caprine milk samples collected in a very polluted site in Central Italy. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 2023; 40:415-424. [PMID: 36724881 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2023.2173811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of 7 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and 18 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including 12 dioxin-like (DL-PCBs) and 6 non-dioxin-like PCBs (NDL-PCBs) were measured in 16 ovine and caprine milk samples collected in the territory of Bussi sul Tirino, central Italy, a Site of National Interest (SNI) due to its high and widespread environmental pollution. All the analyzed samples were compliant with the maximum levels fixed by Commission Regulation (EU) 1259/2011 for the content of PCDD/Fs and the sum of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs. In two cases, contamination levels of the sum of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were higher than the action levels fixed by EU Recommendation 663/2014. The statistical analysis, performed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), revealed that the differences in contamination profiles of the different milk samples were independent of the distance of the farms from the Bussi illegal landfill but likely related to local emission sources influencing the exposure to POPs of studied animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Castellani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Marini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Simonetti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Protano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Leila Fabiani
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Lamberto Manzoli
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Matteo Vitali
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Karimi N, Ng KTW, Richter A. Development and application of an analytical framework for mapping probable illegal dumping sites using nighttime light imagery and various remote sensing indices. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2022; 143:195-205. [PMID: 35276503 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2022.02.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Illegal dump sites (IDS) pose significant risks to human and the environment and are a pressing issue worldwide. Due to their secretive nature, the detection of IDS is costly and ineffective. In this study, an analytical framework was developed to detect probable IDSs in rural and remote areas using nighttime light (NTL) as a proxy for populated areas. An IDS probability map is produced by aggregation of Landsat-8 and Suomi NPP satellite imagery, multiple-criteria decision-making analysis, and classification tools. Six variables are considered, including modified soil adjusted index, land surface temperature, NTL, highway length, railway length, and the number of landfills. Vulnerability of the inhabitants on reserve lands was assessed using three sample regions. The method appears effective in reducing potential IDSs. Only about 7% of the 31,285 km2 study area are identified as probable IDS, being classified as "very high" and "high". Landfills without permit are found more effective in lowering IDS occurrence. Spatial distributions of reserve lands and the maturity of highways network nearby may be more important than the length of railways when assessing the inhabitant vulnerability due to IDS. Highway length is the most decisive factor on IDS probability among all classes, with membership grades ranging from 0.99 to 0.55. Land surface temperature appears less effective for the identification of smaller scale IDS. NTL is more prominent on IDS probability in the "very high" class, with a membership grade of 0.80. The finding suggests that populated areas represented by NTL is a priori of IDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Karimi
- Environmental Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
| | - Kelvin Tsun Wai Ng
- Environmental Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada.
| | - Amy Richter
- Environmental Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Regina, Saskatchewan S4S 0A2, Canada
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Prediction and Remediation of Groundwater Pollution in a Dynamic and Complex Hydrologic Environment of an Illegal Waste Dumping Site. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11199229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The characteristics of groundwater pollution caused by illegal waste dumping and methods for predicting and remediating it are still poorly understood. Serious 1,4-dioxane groundwater pollution—which has multiple sources—has been occurring at an illegal waste dumping site in the Tohoku region of Japan. So far, anti-pollution countermeasures have been taken including the installation of an impermeable wall and the excavation of soils and waste as well as the monitoring of contamination concentrations. The objective of this numerical study was to clarify the possibility of predicting pollutant transport in such dynamic and complex hydrologic environments, and to investigate the characteristics of pollutant transport under both naturally occurring and artificially induced groundwater flow (i.e., pumping for remediation). We first tried to reproduce the changes in 1,4-dioxane concentrations in groundwater observed in monitoring wells using a quasi-3D flow and transport simulation considering the multiple sources and spatiotemporal changes in hydrologic conditions. Consequently, we were able to reproduce the long-term trends of concentration changes in each monitoring well. With the predicted pollutant distribution, we conducted simulations for remediation such as pollutant removal using pumping wells. The results of the prediction and remediation simulations revealed the highly complex nature of 1,4-dioxane transport in the dumping site under both naturally occurring and artificially induced groundwater flows. The present study suggests possibilities for the prediction and remediation of pollution at illegal waste dumping sites, but further extensive studies are encouraged for better prediction and remediation.
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Castellani F, Manzoli L, Martellucci CA, Flacco ME, Astolfi ML, Fabiani L, Mastrantonio R, Avino P, Protano C, Vitali M. Levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins/Furans and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Free-Range Hen Eggs in Central Italy and Estimated Human Dietary Exposure. J Food Prot 2021; 84:1455-1462. [PMID: 33852724 DOI: 10.4315/jfp-21-126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contamination levels of some classes of persistent organic pollutants in free-range hen eggs and to estimate the related human dietary exposure in a site of national interest, characterized by a serious state of environmental pollution in the Bussi sul Tirino area in central Italy. For these purposes, 17 samples of free-range hen eggs collected in home-producing farms located in the site of national interest territory were analyzed for 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), and 6 non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs). Dietary exposure was assessed assuming a standard consumption of eggs per week. The concentration of ∑PCDD/Fs plus dl-PCBs ranged from 0.463 to 8.028 pg toxic equivalent g-1 fat, whereas the mean contamination level of the ∑ndl-PCBs ranged from 0.234 to 7.741 ng toxic equivalent g-1 fat. PCDD/Fs and PCBs contamination levels were lower than maximum values established by the Commission Regulation (European Union) 1259/2011, except for one sample. The estimated weekly intake, calculated to evaluate the contribution in terms of the monitored pollutants of the locally produced eggs to the diet, was lower than the tolerable weekly intake established by the European Food Safety Authority. HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- F Castellani
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64B, 44121 Ferrara (FE), Italy
| | - L Manzoli
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64B, 44121 Ferrara (FE), Italy
| | - C Acuti Martellucci
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64B, 44121 Ferrara (FE), Italy
| | - M E Flacco
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64B, 44121 Ferrara (FE), Italy
| | - M L Astolfi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome La Sapienza, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - L Fabiani
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, P.le Salvatore Tommasi 1, 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - R Mastrantonio
- Department of Life, Health & Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, P.le Salvatore Tommasi 1, 67100 Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - P Avino
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), University of Molise, via De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - C Protano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64B, 44121 Ferrara (FE), Italy
| | - M Vitali
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 64B, 44121 Ferrara (FE), Italy
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