ABSTRACT
Heavy metal concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu leaching from single-use plastic cups were identified, and the risks associated with them were assessed in real time (up to 10 min). All samples (tea, carbonated beverage, and lassi) were placed in disposable plastic cups and held for less than 1 min, 5 min, and 10 min, respectively. Prior to digestion, the solids were ashed in a muffle furnace at 550 °C for 30 min. The filtrates were then tested for heavy metals. The samples were all confirmed to be contaminated with heavy metals. Heavy metals leached from the plastic cups in the following order: Cu > Pb > Cr > Cd. The samples' HI values were less than one, hence there was no evidence of a non-carcinogenic risk. The ILCR values for this heavy metal contamination in samples exceed 10-3, indicating a high carcinogenic risk. Lassi poses the highest possible carcinogenic risk. A rise in temperature and a drop in pH also resulted in heavy metal migration. Heavy metal leaching from plastic cups poses a serious health risk due to its toxicity. The proposed legislation should prohibit or restrict the serving of warm and hot beverages in plastic cups.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The magnitude of the healthcare problem of type-2-diabetes increases according to its association with several risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as obesity and dyslipidemia. METHODS: This study took place in the north-western region of Algeria. We aimed to assess the effect of body weight and gender on postprandial lipid and glucose in type-2-diabetes patients. 93 diabetic patients (age 55.65±13.81 years) were studied. Anthropometric parameters and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Fasting and postprandial (PP) glucose and lipid (total cholesterol, HDLcholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apo A-I and apo B) profiles were evaluated. RESULTS: There were a positive correlation between postprandial glucose and BMI in women (r2 = 0.041). Negative correlation with BMI was noticed for PP TG in both males (r2 = 0.011) and females (r2 = 0.021). A significant difference (p= 0.019) was observed for PP HDL-c in women (0.39 ± 0.10 g/L vs. men 0.33 ± 0.12 g/L) and also for PP apo A-I (women: 1.33 ± 0.27 g/L vs. men: 1.09 ± 0.34 g/L; p= 0.0003). According to gender and weight groups, our results indicated that female gender and overweight are associated with elevated PP HDL-c and PP apo A-I levels. However, obesity in women is related to high concentration of PP TG. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that gender difference and weight classes are important factors that contribute to determining the postprandial responses, both for glucose and lipids, in type 2 diabetic patients.
