Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in bivalve molluscs from Shandong Province, China: Occurrence, distribution, and implications for human consumption.

We examined the occurrence and levels of 19 legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in 7 species of marine bivalve molluscs collected from four coastal cities of Shandong Province, China. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the most prevalent component, accounting for 68.1 % of total PFASs. The total PFASs in bivalve molluscs ranged from 0.86 to 6.55 ng/g wet weight, with the highest concentration found in Meretrix meretrix L. The concentration of total PFASs in bivalve molluscs showed the following trend: clams > scallops > oysters > mussels. Estimation on the human intake of PFASs from consumption of bivalve molluscs resulted in hazard ratios (HR) ranging from 0.12 to 6.40. Five of the seven species had HR >1, indicating high exposure risks associated with PFASs. Therefore, the occurrence of PFASs in marine biota is particularly concerning and further investigations on the sources of PFASs in Shandong are warranted.

Occurrence and health risk of pesticide residues in Chinese herbal medicines from Shandong Province, China.

Pesticide residue was one of the stress factors affecting quality and safety of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs). The present study was designed to investigate the occurrence and dietary exposure of 70 pesticide residues in 307 samples of CHMs, including 104 American ginseng, 100 Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum), and 103 Dendrobium officinale (D. officinale) in Shandong Province, China. The study revealed that a total of 29 pesticides were detected in the majority (92.5%) of samples, and the pesticide residues of 85 (27.7%) samples exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRLs). Particularly, the maximum concentration of chlorpyrifos was 23.8 mg kg-1, almost 50 times of the MRLs in food in GB 2763-2021, while there's no standard restrictions specified in CHMs in China. The chronic, acute, and cumulative risk assessment results indicated that risk exposure of the three types of CHMs were unlikely to pose a health risk to consumers. However, more attention should be paid to the multiple residues with the presence of four or more pesticides in one sample and high over-standard rate of pesticides. The pesticide users and the government should pay more attention to the pesticides used in CHMs and regularly monitor the presence of these compounds. The study recommended the MRLs of these pesticides in CHMs should be established and perfected by the relevant departments in China.

Probabilistic assessment of dietary rare earth elements intake among people living near a rare earth ore.

Rare earth elements (REEs) can cause neoplasms, reduce bone density, affect children's intelligence, etc., and diet is an important way for the human body to absorb REEs. With the increasing use of REEs, the impact on human health is becoming more and more important. So, we used a probabilistic assessment method with Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate the dietary intake of REEs by residents of a large light rare earth mining area in Shandong Province. 16 REEs in 447 samples (including wheat, maize, dry beans, vegetables, fruits and eggs) were detected. The mean value of total REEs for all samples was 286.96 µg/kg, and of light rare earth elements (LREEs) was 270.18 µg/kg. Among of LREEs, Ce, La, Nd and Pr were dominant. The REEs content of different food categories showed that wheat, leafy vegetables and allium vegetables had higher content of REEs, melons vegetables, root vegetables, fruits and eggs had the lowest content. The mean dietary intake of rare earth oxides for the whole population was 4.20 µg/kg bw/d, wheat and vegetables (leafy vegetables, allium vegetables and root vegetables) were the main sources of REEs. Dietary intake estimates of REEs by age and gender did not exceed the acceptable daily intake which means implying no impact on human health.

Prevalence and influence factors for myopia and high myopia in schoolchildren in Shandong, China.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence and risk factors of myopia and high myopia in students from primary school and junior high school in Shandong. METHODS: A total of 35,614 subjects completed the visual acuity test, refraction error measurement, and questionnaire in 2019. The visual acuity test was performed using the standard logarithmic visual acuity chart and the refractive error was measured by an automatic refractometer without cycloplegia. RESULTS: The average age was 12.38 ± 1.78 years, with 18,501 boys and 17,113 girls. The overall prevalence of myopia and high myopia was 68.02% and 5.90%, respectively, and reached up to 85.54% and 13.13% for the grade 9 students. The risk factors included girls, parental myopic history, time spent doing homework, and less sleep time. Performing eye exercise was significantly associated with a lower risk of myopia. Use of mobile devices and reading while lying down were only related to myopia, not high myopia. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of myopia and high myopia is at a high level. In addition to genetic factors, continuous close work and a lack of sleep was an important factor associated with children myopia and high myopia.

Pesticide residues and dietary risk assessment in radishes in Shandong.

Pesticide residues in radishes can induce serious health hazards, especially in children and toddlers. In order to assess potential health risk from pesticide residues in radishes, a total of 26 pesticides were evaluated by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in 1690 samples, which were collected from the year 2016 to 2019 in Shandong Province of China. All the 26 pesticide residues were detected in 752 radish samples (44.50%), but only 221 samples (13.08%) contained detectable pesticide residues, which are above the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Multiple residues with two to nine pesticides were present in 5.09% (86 out of 1690) of samples. Hazard quotient (HQ) and the cumulative risk index were far below 100, while percentage value of acute reference dose (%ARfD) of triazophos exceeded 100 for adults, children, and toddlers. The %ARfD value for carbofuran, aldicarb, monocrotophos, and parathion was over 100 for toddlers. From the perspective of public health, the occurrence of pesticide residues in radishes could not pose a serious health risk problem, but the acute health risk should be paid more attention, especially to toddlers. It is recommended to make strict regulations on the management of pesticide residues and human health risk assessment about pesticide residues.

Residue levels and health risk of pesticide residues in bell pepper in Shandong.

The purpose of this study was to investigate pesticide residues in bell peppers from Shandong Province, China. A total of 299 samples were collected from 17 cities in 2016. The concentrations of 26 pesticide residues were determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that there were 25 pesticides (15 OPs, 7 PYs, 3 CBs) found in 86 bell pepper samples, and the total number of positives was 120. The total frequency was 28.76%. The detection frequency for OPs, PYs and CBs was 16.39%, 12.37% and 3.01%, respectively. The most frequently detected pesticide was bifenthrin, with the frequency of 5.02%. 5.35% of samples contained pesticide residues above the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by China. 7.36% of samples contained more than one pesticide. The values of %ADI were below 100, while the %ARfD of carbofuran and methidathion exceeded 100 for children. The cumulative risk was highest for OPs. From the public health point of view, the levels of pesticide residues in bell peppers do not pose a serious health risk to adults, but the acute health risk to children should be paid more attention.

Descriptive Study of Foodborne Disease Using Case Monitoring Data in Shandong Province, China, 2016-2017.

BACKGROUND: In order to generate data on the burden of foodborne diseases in Shandong Province, we aimed to use the case monitoring data of foodborne diseases from 2016 to 2017 to estimate. METHODS: Data were obtained from the foodborne disease surveillance reporting system with dates of onset from Jan 1, 2016, to Dec 31, 2017, in Shandong, China. RESULTS: The places of food exposure were categorized by settings as follows: private home, catering facility, collective canteens, retail markets, rural banquets and other. Exposed food is divided into 23 categories. Overall incidence rate and proportions by exposure categories, age, and sex-specific incidence rates were calculated and sex proportions compared. Approximately 75.00% of cases who had at least one exposure settings were in private homes. The most frequently reported exposed food was a variety of food (meaning more than two kinds of food). The two-year average incidence rate was 75.78/100,000, sex-specific incidence rate was much higher for females compared to males (78.23 vs. 74.69 cases per 100,000 population). An age-specific trend was observed in the cases reported (Chi-Square for linear trend, χ2=4.39, P=0.036<0.05). CONCLUSION: A preliminary estimate of 14 million cases of foodborne diseases in Shandong province each year. Future studies should focus on cross-sectional and cohort studies to facilitate the assessment of the distribution and burden of foodborne disease of the population in Shandong. Considering strengthening the burden of foodborne diseases in foodborne disease surveillance is also a feasible way.

[Risk assessment of nonylphenol exposure in vegetable oil of residents in six cities of Shandong Province in 2014-2015].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the level of nonylphenol dietary exposure in vegetable oils of 6 cities in Shandong Province and to evaluate the contribution of risk. METHODS: The data of Total Dietary Study and Health Status Survey of Shandong Province and nonylphenol test data were used to evaluate the exposure. A total of 3468 people from6 cities of Shandong province were selected for food survey by stratified multistage cluster random sampling method in 2014-2015. The consumption of vegetable oil was investigated by weighing and accounting method. Nonylphenol content in dietary samples was detected by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry( HPLC-MS). RESULTS: The exposure level of nonylphenol in vegetable oil was 0-0. 44 µg/kg, and the risk index of the highest point of exposure was 0. 088. CONCLUSION: Risk caused by vegetable oil intake of nonylphenol in Shandong Province 6 city residents is extremely low.

Epidemiology of foodborne disease outbreaks from 2011 to 2016 in Shandong Province, China.

Foodborne disease is a major public health concern in both developed and developing countries. China has established a nationwide Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System (FDOSS) for collection and periodic reporting of data on the occurrence and causes of foodborne disease outbreaks in China. Each provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducts the system working.We reviewed foodborne disease outbreaks that occurred during 2011 to 2016 in Shandong Province from the FDOSS. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the median number of ill persons in outbreaks. All data analysis was performed using Epi Info 7.During 2011 to 2016, Shandong CDC received reports of 1043 foodborne disease outbreaks, resulting in 8078 illnesses, 2442 hospitalizations, and 17 deaths. There were a median of 69 outbreaks annually [interquartile range (IQR) 10-342], resulting in 335 to 3824 illnesses each year. The median outbreak size was 3 persons (IQR 2-7). Hotels (including cruise ships, hotpot restaurants, barbecue shops) were the most common setting. Among the 744 (71.3%) outbreaks with an implicated food or contaminated ingredient reported, 704 (94.6%) could be assigned to one of 17 predefined commodity categories. Of the 280 outbreaks with a known etiology, 117 (41.8%) were caused by poisonous plants and animals and their toxins, 39 (13.9) were caused by nitrite, and 27 (9.6%) were caused by vibrio parahaemolyticus. Of the 491 (47.1%) outbreaks with at least a contributing factor to cause outbreak, 168 (34.2%) were caused by improper processing, and 100 (20.4) were caused by inedible and misuse.Timely investigation, disposal and reporting of foodborne disease outbreaks provides information that might help FDOSS to make full use of efficiency and FDOSS should be continued and strengthened even more in Shandong Province, such as an increase in diagnostic laboratory capacities.

Association between serum magnesium and blood lipids: influence of type 2 diabetes and central obesity.

To assess the changes in the relationship between serum Mg and blood lipids of Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) or central obesity, a total of 8163 subjects (mean age 59·6 years, 54·9 % men) were analysed. Participants were classified according to blood Mg (below 0·65 mmol/l, 0·65-0·95 mmol/l and above 0·95 mmol/l), T2D (yes/no) and central obesity (yes/no). Blood lipids (TAG, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) were determined by standardised methods and conditions. A significant increase in blood lipids, with the exception of HDL-cholesterol, across progressive Mg groups in all subjects was noted (P0·05). TAG, TC, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly higher among subjects with T2D than those without T2D (P<0·05). Multivariable models for TAG and LDL-cholesterol failed to attain statistical significance in diabetics, by using a generalised linear or parsimonious model. TAG, TC, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly higher among subjects with T2D or central obesity. Blood lipids, with the exception of HDL-cholesterol, were associated with serum Mg, but this association was somehow influenced by T2D in LDL-cholesterol. In addition, multivariable models for both TAG and LDL-cholesterol failed to attain statistical significance among subjects with T2D, different from subjects without T2D.

Health risk assessment of rare earth elements in cereals from mining area in Shandong, China.

To investigate the concentrations of rare earth elements in cereals and assess human health risk through cereal consumption, a total of 327 cereal samples were collected from rare earth mining area and control area in Shandong, China. The contents of 14 rare earth elements were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The medians of total rare earth elements in cereals from mining and control areas were 74.22 µg/kg and 47.83 µg/kg, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The wheat had the highest rare earth elements concentrations (109.39 µg/kg and 77.96 µg/kg for mining and control areas, respectively) and maize had the lowest rare earth elements concentrations (42.88 µg/kg and 30.25 µg/kg for mining and control areas, respectively). The rare earth elements distribution patterns for both areas were characterized by enrichment of light rare earth elements. The health risk assessment demonstrated that the estimated daily intakes of rare earth elements through cereal consumption were considerably lower than the acceptable daily intake (70 µg/kg bw). The damage to adults can be neglected, but more attention should be paid to the effects of continuous exposure to rare earth elements on children.

Concentrations and health risk assessment of rare earth elements in vegetables from mining area in Shandong, China.

To investigate the concentrations of rare earth elements in vegetables and assess human health risk through vegetable consumption, a total of 301 vegetable samples were collected from mining area and control area in Shandong, China. The contents of 14 rare earth elements were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The total rare earth elements in vegetables from mining and control areas were 94.08 µg kg-1 and 38.67 µg kg-1, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The leaf vegetable had the highest rare earth elements concentration (984.24 µg kg-1 and 81.24 µg kg-1 for mining and control areas, respectively) and gourd vegetable had the lowest rare earth elements concentration (37.34 µg kg-1 and 24.63 µg kg-1 for mining and control areas, respectively). For both areas, the rare earth elements concentration in vegetables declined in the order of leaf vegetable > taproot vegetable > alliaceous vegetable > gourd vegetable. The rare earth elements distribution patterns for both areas were characterized by enrichment of light rare earth elements. The health risk assessment demonstrated that the estimated daily intakes (0.69 µg kg-1 d-1 and 0.28 µg kg-1 d-1 for mining and control areas, respectively) of rare earth elements through vegetable consumption were significantly lower than the acceptable daily intake (70 µg kg-1 d-1). The damage to adults can be neglected, but more attention should be paid to the effects of continuous exposure to low levels of rare earth elements on children.

Quantitative analysis and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in edible vegetable oils marketed in Shandong of China.

This work studies on the quantitative analysis and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in edible vegetable oils in Shandong, China. The concentrations of 15 PAHs in 242 samples were determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection. The results indicated that the mean concentration of 15 PAHs in oil samples was 54.37 µg kg(-1). Low molecular weight PAH compounds were the predominant contamination. Especially, the carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) was detected at a mean concentration of 1.28 µg kg(-1), which was lower than the limit of European Union and China. A preliminary evaluation of human health risk assessment for PAHs was accomplished using BaP toxic equivalency factors and the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR). The ILCR values for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors were all larger than 1 × 10(-6), indicating a high potential carcinogenic risk on the dietary exposed populations.

[Status quo and characteristics of blood pressure among children and adolescents aged 7-17 years at normal weight but with abdominal obesity, in Shandong province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and characteristics of blood pressure (BP) among children and adolescents at normal weight but with abdominal obesity. METHODS: Using data from the 'Student physical fitness and health surveillance 2010 project' in Shandong province, a total of 38 816 students aged 7-17 years were selected to participate in this study. Stature, body weight, waist circumference(WC), systolic blood pressure(SBP)and diastolic blood pressure(DBP) of these subjects were measured. Body weight status and abdominal obesity were defined by body mass index (BMI) and WC, respectively. RESULTS: In total, the proportions of thinness, normal weight, overweight and obesity defined by BMI were 5.37%, 72.47%, 12.92% and 9.24% respectively. 5.86% of the children and adolescents with normal weight had abdominal obesity, with normal weighted girls (7.19%) having higher prevalence of abdominal obesity than boys(4.33%)(P < 0.01). The Z-scores of SBP and DBP for both boys and girls were all significantly higher in the normal weight but with abdominal obesity groups than in both normal weight and WC groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents under normal weight but with abdominal obesity had higher BP level need to be identified and considered as high-risk individuals. Related intervention programs should also be targeted to this population.