Environmental Science · Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
A device that combines ozone with tiny bubbles removed 77.93% to 88.56% of four major aflatoxins from peanut byproduct under optimized conditions. The researchers also reported that the system remained effective through 12 reuse cycles and that toxicity tests supported the safety of the resulting products.
A study of 712 women and children in rural Bangladesh found widespread blood evidence of exposure to several mold-made food toxins. Estimated intake of ochratoxin A exceeded health-based guidance values for up to 80% of women and 99% of children.
A meta-analysis found that fine-particle concentrations around cement plants had a weighted average of 20.76 micrograms per cubic metre, above the World Health Organization’s annual guideline of 5 micrograms per cubic metre. The researchers cautioned that the studies differed substantially, including in how long they sampled the air.
In laboratory experiments, yoghurt, tomatoes and several other Mediterranean foods reduced DNA damage caused by extracts of very fine air-pollution particles. The findings come from bacteria and human cell lines, so they do not yet show that eating these foods protects people from air pollution.
A combined antibody-based test detected and quantified Legionella pneumophila in complex process-water samples while reducing total processing time. It also supported identification of important subtypes, although direct subtyping had limitations and the study used samples spiked with laboratory standards.
A study using passive air samplers found that outdoor air across five East African countries shares a broadly similar set of bacteria. Fungal communities varied more by country, and nearby sites did not always match closely.
