Do lead (Pb) content of lipsticks expose a health risk to children? A risk assessment study.

BACKGROUND: Lead (Pb) content in lipsticks and potential life-long exposure of which might cause severe effects in consumers are an important concern for public. Thus, studies emphasize that lead exposure has no safe levels. METHODS: From 10 different brands, in total, 25 solid, gloss and creamy lipsticks are deployed from Turkish markets that are also categorized in two different price ranges. In order to evaluate the blood Pb levels in children, the United States Environmental Protection Agency's 'Exposure Uptake Biokinetic Model' is utilized. To assess the health risk of chronic usage both for children and adults, oral daily systemic exposure levels are calculated with the worst-case scenario and are compared with Maximum Allowable Dose Level for lipsticks. For lifetime risk assessment, exposure is assumed to start by age 7, and four different exposure scenarios have been deployed. RESULTS: The mean lead content of lipsticks shows significant statistical differences between the high- and low-priced lipstick groups. Daily level and total risk for lifetime Pb exposure from deployed lipsticks are below the acceptable risk levels but long-worn usage of products with routine monitoring of metal content is crucial for sensitive and unintended exposure groups.

Head Space Single Drop Micro Extraction Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detection (HS-SDME-GC-FID) Method for the Analysis of Common Fatty Acids.

Objectives: Post-marketing/surveillance studies show that most of the many vegetable oils that are sold with health-promoting claims or statements with high nutritional values and are beneficial against diseases are off-limits of related monographs/criteria. Defining the oil with a fast, cheap, and efficient analytical method is needed to express fatty acids in any herbal product to authenticate, trace, specify, and classify the content.The majority of the after marketing/surveillance studies shows that most of the many vegetable oils that are sold with health-promoting claims or statements with high nutritional values and are beneficial against diseases are off-limits of related monographs/criteria. Defining the oil with fast, cheap and efficient analytical method to express fatty acids in any herbal product, to authenticate, trace, specify and classify the content is needed. Materials and Methods: Here, we define a new simple tool with a headspace single drop microextraction (HS-SDME) method coupled with a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) for the analysis of common fatty acids (FAs) in oils. Linolenic acid, γ-linolenic acid, and linoleic acid in olive oil, thyme oil, and fish oil were determined. Derivatization was performed with 0.2 mL of 2 mol/L KOH in methanol to transfer the FAs of oils into their methyl esters (FAMEs). Then, FAMEs were extracted using a head space single drop, which is 2.0 µL of sodium dodecyl sulfate:1-butanol (1:3, v/v) mixture. Results: The most suitable extraction condition was that 360 µL of the FAMEs, 2.0 mL vial, 0.07 g NaCl as a salting-out effect, 45 °C extraction temperature, and 35 min extraction time. The precision of the method was below 12%, with accuracy validated by the GC-FID reference method.The most suitable extraction condition was that 360 µL of the fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), 2.0 mL vial, 0.07 g NaCl as a salting-out effect, 45 °C extraction temperature, and 35 min extraction time. The precision of the method was below 12% with an accuracy validated by the GC-FID reference method. Conclusion: The HS-SDME can be used effectively for extracting FAs from oils for improved analysis of other FAs. The method is of direct importance and relevance for the herbal, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries.The HS-SDME can be used for effectively for extracting fatty acids from oils for improved analysis of other fatty acids while the method is direct importance and relevance for herbal, pharmaceutical, cosmetics industry.

Assessment of Commercially Safflower Oils (Carthami Oleum Raffinatum) in Terms of European Pharmacopoeia Criteria and Their Weight Control Potentials.

Objectives: Safflower oils, which are sold commercially, are in demand with food, cosmetics, and health-promoting claims. In this study, safflower oil samples belonging to 11 different brands were evaluated in terms of European Pharmacopoeia Criteria 7.0. Additionally, in vitro weight control potential of all samples was investigated. Materials and Methods: Samples to be analyzed were purchased from pharmacies, herbal, online, and cosmetics stores. Acid and peroxide values of 11 safflower samples and analysis of their fatty acids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were carried out according to the "Carthami oleum raffinatum" monograph registered in the European Pharmacopeia 7.0. To test the effects of all samples on weight control, their inhibitory effects on carbohydrate-digesting enzymes (α-glucosidase and α-amylase) were evaluated using spectrophotometric methods. Results: Out of 11 oil samples, only two of them had acid and peroxide values below the reference value. According to GC analysis, safflower oil samples are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic acid) (67.10-99.53%) of total fatty acids in its content are oleic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. Saturated fatty acids were 0.58 to 12.18% of the total fatty acid methyl esters in oils. When evaluated in terms of the inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes that hydrolyze carbohydrates, the results showed that safflower oil samples had no inhibitory activity on these enzymes. Conclusion: It has been determined in this report that many safflower oil samples on the market do not meet the quality criteria recommended in European Pharmacopoeia 7.0. It was observed that safflower oil did not show any inhibitory effect on these two enzymes, which is considered a rational approach for weight control.

Evaluation of Marketed Almond Oils [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] in Terms of European Pharmacopoeia Criteria.

Objectives: Almond oil marketed for health benefits and cosmetic purposes should be in compliance with the European Pharmacopoeia (EP) criteria. Therefore, in this study, 17 almond oil samples sold in pharmacies, herbal shops, online, and cosmetics stores were analyzed in terms of "almond oil" monograph criteria, which have been mentioned in EP 7.0. Materials and Methods: In this study, 17 almond oil samples sold in pharmacies, herbal, online, and cosmetics stores were analyzed in terms of "almond oil" monograph criteria, which have been mentioned in EP 7.0. Appearance, acidity value, and peroxide value of each sample were determined and the ingredients were identified by thin layer chromatography. Fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatographic method using flame ionization detector. Results: It was determined that two of the 17 samples complied with EP 7.0 criteria. Conclusion: Almond oil, which is currently marketed according to the manufacturer's own marketing and quality criteria, is excluded from the Turkish Food Codex Standards. Our research has shown that most of the products do not comply with the EP standards. For this reason, it should be ensured that almond oil is listed in this codex and urgent arrangements should be made for quality control analysis.

Biomonitoring of Heavy Metal(oid)s in the Residents of Abandoned Mining District in Northern Cyprus.

Several heavy metal(oid)s are known mutagens and/or carcinogens. Exposure to these elements can lead to the development of malignancies. Gemikonagi, which is in the western part of Cyprus, was the hometown of mining operations. It is believed that the mining site is a significant heavy metal(oid) source for the environment and residents. In this biomonitoring study, a total of 60 blood samples from Gemikonagi region (n = 30) and from a control region located 40 km northeast from the mining site, Tepebasi (n = 30), and 5 soil samples from each region were collected to conduct heavy metal analysis using ICP-MS. To conduct genotoxicity analysis, alkaline comet assay and in vivo micronucleus assays were used. t test for independent samples and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied. Copper and iron were found to be enriched in Gemikonagi, while arsenic was found to be enriched in Tepebasi. Genotoxicity analyses demonstrated a statistically significant increase in parameters of micronuclei frequency (p value = 0.0001) and Comet Assay statistics upon exposure to some elements, such as arsenic (p value = 0.04) and copper (p value = 0.012). The results indicate that a general enrichment in heavy elements is not endemic to Gemikonagi, but a problem that might be generalized to the entirety of Cyprus. Graphical abstract.

Blood concentrations and risk assessment of persistent organochlorine compounds in newborn boys in Turkey. A pilot study.

Even early life in utero cannot provide a safe place for newborns. The first acquaintance with chemicals takes place in utero and/or with mother's milk after delivery. Besides legislations and bans to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), these chemicals are still affecting the general population especially the children as they are one of the populations most susceptible to chemicals, and also the health problems may arise in the future. Our objective is to collect the first data in newborns in Turkey to determine baseline levels of POPs in the general population and estimate the potential cancer risk related to exposure. Twenty-nine organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and 18 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in blood samples of newborn boys (0-1 month old) who were born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2010-2012 were evaluated with high-resolution gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Results for analyzed chlorinated compounds are as follows: hexachlorocyclohexane (ΣHCH) 1828 ± 3650 pg/g lipid, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (ΣDDT) 10,000 ± 15,398 pg/g lipid, and ΣPCB 1068 ± 1823 pg/g lipid. 4,4'-DDT, 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4'-DDE), hexachlorobenzene, and PCB 138 and 153 are the major contaminants. New POPs as lindane 61 ± 268 pg/g lipid, pentachlorobenzene 13 ± 74 pg/g lipid, and endosulfan 29 ± 106 pg/g lipid are also detected in blood. Estimated total risk for lifetime PCB exposure is less than 1 × 10(-5), an acceptable risk. Blood concentration levels will be important base data in the assessment of health concerns of newborns as well as for studies about how endocrine disruptors affect humans.

Blood levels of polychlorinated biphenlys and organochlorinated pesticides in women from Istanbul, Turkey.

The human body is not a chemically uncontaminated system. Every simple action that humans undertake, such as drinking water, eating, nursing, and even breathing air, puts the system under environmental xenobiotic exposure stress. Environmental chemicals have been shown to produce unwanted effects on health and remove the right to healthy living, starting from the first encounter in utero to geriatrics, throughout the lifespan. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels, important members of the persistent organic pollutants (POPs), have been detected before in human breast milk and also in the adipose tissue of women from different regions of Turkey; however, there was no information about the blood levels of these chemicals. This study generated the first information that evaluates OCP and PCB contamination levels in the blood of the women living in Turkey. The current study measured the blood concentrations of OCPs and PCBs in 58 healthy women (age 20-41 years; mean age 28 years) who were living in Istanbul, Turkey, in the years 2010-2012. Samples were analyzed for 29 OCPs and 18 PCB congeners using high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). PCB 153 was the predominant congener (643.2 pg/g lipid), followed by PCB 138 and PCB 180. 4,4'-DDE (24872.8 pg/g lipid) was the most common organochlorinated pesticide contaminant in studied blood samples. Results for analyzed chlorinated compounds were as follows: ∑PCB 2682 ± 3300 pg/g lipid; ∑DDT 25,938 ± 28,644 pg/g lipid; and ∑HCH 2930 ± 2222 pg/g lipid, respectively. The mean concentration of ∑WHOPCB-TEQ was 0.037 pg/g on a lipid basis. This information will be important base data during the assessment of the general health concerns of women, as well as for studies about how endocrine disruptors affect humans for forthcoming studies.

Effects of smoking during pregnancy on DNA damage and ROS level consequences in maternal and newborns' blood.

Some of the genotoxic/carcinogenic substances or metabolites in cigarette smoke are capable of passing through the placenta and harming a newborn's health. Smoking is also known as a factor in the formation of oxidative damage and the main mechanism involved in the carcinogenic process. Predetermining this genotoxic risk can be successfully achieved by measuring certain parameters of oxidative stress. The comet assay is considered an important biomarker for the evaluation of genotoxic substances and is effective for detecting DNA damage caused by smoking. This study examined third trimester bloods and the cord blood of 28 actively smoking and 22 non-smoking mothers in terms of DNA damage and oxidative stress parameters. Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), plasma nitrite/nitrates (NO2-/NO3-), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx), Cu, and Zn levels were measured as indicators of oxidative damage. There were no significant increases in DNA damage of the actively smoking pregnant group in comparison with the non-smoking pregnant group, either in the third trimester or cord blood. Oxidative stress parameters of smoker and non-smoker groups were statistically different for MDA (p<0.05), CuZn-SOD (p<0.01), Se-GPx (p<0.05) values while the difference was not significant for NO2-/NO3-, CAT, Zn, and Cu values. The same values were also investigated in cord blood,and only NO2/NO3-(p<0.01), Se-GPx (p<0.01 and CAT (p<0.001) values were found statistically different.Smoking mothers may have been exposed to more oxidative stress than non-smoking mothers

Evaluation of DNA damage in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) by comet assay for determination of possible pollution in Lake Mogan (Ankara).

Contamination of the aquatic environment with various concentrations of pollutants results in unexpected threats to humans and wildlife. The consequences of exposure and metabolism of pollutants/xenobiotics, especially carcinogens and mutagens, can be suitably assessed by investigating severe events, such as DNA damage; for example, DNA adducts and DNA strand breaks. One of the commonly used techniques to detect DNA damage in aquatic organisms is single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). This study was carried out using Cyprinus carpio in order to identify the possible pollution in Lake Mogan, near Ankara, Turkey, where the city's sewer system and pesticides used in agriculture are believed to be the common causes of pollution. From the comet assay, the tail length (micrometer), tail intensity (%), and tail moment values of fish caught from Lake Mogan were found to be 31.10 ± 10.39, 7.77 ± 4.51, 1.50 ± 1.48, respectively, whereas for clean reference sites they were found to be 22.80 ± 1.08, 3.47 ± 1.59, 0.40 ± 0.51, respectively. The values are statistically different from each other (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.0013, respectively). These results indicate that Lake Mogan may be polluted with substances that have genotoxic effects and constitute an early warning for the lake system. Further detailed research is needed to establish the source of the pollution and the chemicals responsible.

An in vivo assessment of the genotoxic potential of bisphenol A and 4-tert-octylphenol in rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA) and octylphenol (OP) are industrial chemicals used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, and non-ionic surfactants. In the present study, we investigated the possible in vivo genotoxic effects of these compounds in rats using single-cell gel electrophoresis, the so-called comet assay. Adult male Wistar albino rats were divided randomly into six groups as follows: BPA125 (received 125 mg/kg bw BPA; n = 6), OP125 (received 125 mg/kg bw OP; n = 6), BPA250 (received 250 mg/kg BPA; n = 6), OP250 (received 250 mg/kg bw OP; n = 6), control (n = 5), and MMS (positive control group that received methyl methanesulfonate; n = 3). Both BPA and OP were orally administrated for 4 weeks. Controls were orally inoculated with corn oil for 4 weeks as well. Comet parameters including tail length and tail moment were evaluated for possible genotoxic effects. There were no significant differences in the OP125 and in the BPA125 compared with the control group, regarding tail length and tail moment (P > 0.05). However, there were significant differences in the OP250 and in the BPA250 compared with the control group, regarding tail length and tail moment (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). The genotoxic potential of BPA and OP was investigated in vivo; there is a need for further studies exploring further mechanisms of the genotoxic potential of these chemicals in vivo.

Determination of 7-ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase (EROD) induction in leaping mullet (Liza saliens) from the highly contaminated Aliaga Bay, Turkey.

Pollution of the aquatic environment is a global concern owing to the devastating effects of contaminants whose levels are growing at an alarming rate, and it has become a major threat for marine organisms, as well as to humans as consumers. This study has been carried out on leaping mullet obtained from Aliaga Bay, which is located on the west coast of the Aegean Sea near Izmir and hosts the world's fifth largest shipyard, plus a broad range of industrial activities, including an oil refinery and a paper factory. The waste from these industries, combined with municipal sewer discharges, is the main cause of pollution in this region. There is no national documentation or research on the determination of pollution resulting from the industrial activities in this area. In the present study, the degree of induction of CYP4501A-associated 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity and immunochemical detection of CYP1A1 in the liver of leaping mullet (Lisa saliens) were used as biomarkers for the assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-type organic pollutants in Aliaga Bay. Mullet caught from different locations of the bay had approximately 52 times more EROD activity than the feral fish sampled from a clean reference site near Foca, Izmir. The results of this study indicate that Aliaga Bay is highly contaminated with PAH-type organic pollutants.