[Evaluation of risk related to exposition to food xenobiotics. A literature review]
2003
Turconi, G. | Cignoli, F. | Setti, S. | Guarcello, M. | Toselli, A. | Roggi, C. (Pavia Univ. (Italy). Dipartimento di Scienze Sanitarie Applicate e Psicocomportamentali) | Rossi, F. (Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza (Italy). Istituto di Scienze degli Alimenti e della Nutrizione)
This review shows data coming from different studies in many Countries concerning xenobiotic ingestion in general population. Trace elements, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, phtalates and mycotoxins are taken into account. These studies show that risk of contamination in food chain and, therefore, xenobiotic ingestion are primarily due to some trace elements, particularly cadmium, lead and nickel. Concerning PAHs, the risk is nowadays primarily linked to the unrespected hygiene practices in food preparing and cooking, particularly in leaf vegetable washing, in food grilling and home-made smoking. Regarding mycotoxins, some among them have been recognized as genotoxic and cancerogenic substances and it is therefore necessary to reduce food contamination as much as possible, as there are no safe contamination levels. Available data don't show contamination levels above acceptable ingestion limits for pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and phtalates, so that the risk for general population is not consistent at the moment. To conclude, surveillance programs and dietary education intervention are necessary and essential, paying more attention to the most dangerous xenobiotics, but also to the ones at the moment under control
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