Global trends of dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs in animal-origin foods: a systematic review and gap areas.

Dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls are a group of lipophilic compounds classified under persistent environmental pollutants (POPs). Significant sources of dioxin emissions include industrial effluents, open burning practices, and biomedical and municipal waste incinerators. These emissions will enter the food chain and accumulate in animal-origin foods (AOFs). A systematic review was conducted to analyze the global levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in AOFs using PRISMA guidelines 2020. The data on the dioxin contamination in AOFs were extracted from 53 publications based on their presence in eggs, meat and meat products, milk and dairy products, marine fish and fish products, and freshwater fish and crabs. A gap analysis was conducted based on the systematic review to understand the grey areas to be focused on the  future. No trend of dioxin contamination in AOFs was observed. A significant gap area was found in the need for nationwide data generation in countries without periodic monitoring of AOFs for dioxin contamination. Source apportionment studies need to be explored for the dioxin contamination of AOFs. Large-scale screening tests of AOFs using DR-CALUX based on market surveys are required for data generation. The outcomes of the study will be helpful for stakeholders and policyholders in framing new policies and guidelines for food safety in AOFs.

Proposed city-specific interim targets for India based on WHO air quality guidelines 2021.

The World Health Organization has proposed the ambient air quality guidelines 2021. The uniqueness of the guidelines of the World Health Organization - air quality guidelines 2021 - is the inclusion of interim targets. Higher levels of air pollutants including PM2.5 for ambient air in India were recorded in recent times, and its association with respiratory and cardiovascular health risks was evidenced in the recent literature. To achieve the ambient air quality standards in India as per the World Health Organization - air quality guidelines, there is a need for interim targets in the future National Ambient Air Quality Standards to be proposed in India. These interim targets may be proposed for non-attainment/attainment cities based on the PM2.5 concentration levels to achieve a realistic target of recommended levels in a graded manner and thereby minimize air pollution in the specific location.