Cannabidiol Safety Data: A Systematic Mapping Study.

Robust assessment of potential adverse outcomes is needed to determine a safe cannabidiol (CBD) intake level for consumer use. To assist in identifying knowledge gaps and inform future decision making regarding systematic development of health-based benchmarks, we have developed the first systematic map of the safety-related information available for CBD in the peer-reviewed literature. Literature searching conducted according to a published protocol yielded a total of 4186 unique titles and abstracts published through 2020. These were screened using DistillerSR for studies that evaluated at least one potential health outcome following exposure to CBD and/or other hemp-derived substances. Additional categorization was conducted for a subset of 1001 studies in which CBD was administered alone. Studies that investigated CBD most frequently reported on neurological outcomes (532), carcinogenic outcomes (129), and pharmacokinetics (118). Less frequently studied categories included developmental and reproductive, hepatic, and gastrointestinal outcomes. The primary outcomes associated with the most adverse events reported in the literature were neurological (13) and developmental and reproductive (12). Based on the studies identified, reproductive and developmental toxicity was identified as a data gap that warrants conducting a well-designed, guideline-compliant reproductive toxicity study on CBD. In addition, immune outcomes were noted as a potential emerging research area for CBD. This systematic map provides an important baseline from which to identify topics that may be suitable for further research related to the safe use of CBD. Implications for future potential work and limitations of the mapping exercise are discussed.

Evaluation of potential human health risk associated with consumption of edible products from livestock fed ration supplemented with Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth.

Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a naturally occurring blend of diatomaceous earth and calcium bentonite that can be used as an anti-caking agent in animal feed and contains naturally occurring dioxins. A quantitative risk assessment was conducted to assess potential human health risk associated with consumption of edible tissues from livestock exposed to dioxins via feed containing Red Lake DE. Empirical data characterising the transfer of dioxins to eggs and other tissues in chickens demonstrate that resulting concentrations in eggs are lower than those found in the general food supply. These data also provided product-specific input for a risk assessment conducted both with default parameters and with media-specific input from the feed study. Results demonstrate that exposure to dioxins in edible tissue from livestock that consumed Red Lake DE in feed would not be associated with an increased risk to humans. Findings from this assessment highlight the utility and importance of accounting for bioavailability as part of health-based risk assessment and provide information critical to risk managers in determining the safe use of Red Lake DE as an anticaking agent in livestock and pet feed.