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HUNG Ling-ling 10538262 LUM Ka-man 10538409 NG Chi-fung 10538422 NG Ka-yin 10538434 WONG Choi-fung 10538471 1.

Hazard Identification Hazard identification is the identification of the contaminant that is capable of causing adverse health effects and is present in a particular food or group of foods. Arsenic is naturally occurring element present in soil, water and food. Fish, shellfish, meat, poultry, dairy products and cereals are the main sources of dietary intake. It exists primarily in organic forms in seafood which is of lower toxicity.

Acute Toxicity Acute poisoning due to arsenic present in food is rare. The intake of small quantities of organic arsenic via seafood does not pose a health risk. Ill effects occur through consumption of arsenic-contaminated drinking water, food prepared with this water and food crops irrigated with high arsenic water sources. Symptoms of acute toxicity include: Severe inflammation of gastrointestinal tract Vomiting Abdominal pain Diarrhea with blood-tinged stools Secondary electrolyte disturbances with clinical features of muscular cramps, facial oedema and cardiac dysfunction Sensory loss is one of the neurological presentations of arsenic intoxication. It has been reported that the fatal dose of ingested arsenic trioxide ranges from 70 to 180 mg. Subacute toxicity It occurs in paralytic form, which mainly affects: Respiratory system; Gastrointestinal system;

Cardiovascular system; Nervous system, and Haematopoietic systems. Clinical presentations include facial oedema, anorexia, and upper respiratory symptoms followed by skin lesions and neurological signs.

Chronic Toxicity Long term exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic would firstly results changes in the skin: Pigmentation changes Skin lesions Hard patches on the palms of hands and soles of feet Chronic effects of exposure to high inorganic arsenic levels also includes: Peripheral neuropathy; Gastrointestinal symptoms; Conjunctivitis; Diabetes; Renal system effects; Enlarged liver; Bone marrow depression; Destruction of erythrocytes; High blood pressure, and Cardiovascular disease. A high prevalence of a peripheral vascular disease called blackfoot disease has been found in a population living in Taiwan, where the speculated causative factor was related to the arsenic exposure via drinking well water. Arsenic can pass through the placenta. Pregnant women chronically exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking-water are at increased risk for spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and preterm birth. Carcinogenic Arsenic can cause cancers of skin, bladder and lungs. Also, there is limited evidence that it may also cause cancers of kidney, liver and prostate. Cancer risks are especially increased prevalent among smelter workers and in those engaged in the production and use of arsenical pesticides rather than through the dietary route of exposure. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified arsenic

and arsenic compounds as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), which means that there is sufficient evidence for their carcinogenicity in humans. The organic arsenic compounds monomethyarseonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid are classified as possible carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) Moreover, IARC has classified arsenic in drinking-water as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1).

Analytical data LD50 for arsenic is between 15 and 30 mg/kg (milligrams of arsenic per kilogram of body weight) The exposure limit for avoiding cancer risks associated with arsenic is 2 ppm Exposure to arsenic levels between 2 ppm and 400 ppm can be carcinogenic and possibly lethal depending on how long the person, or animal, is exposed. The acute lethal dose of inorganic arsenic to humans has been estimated to be about 0.6 mg/kg/day. 2. Hazard Characterization -typically entails the determination of a dose-response relationship for a specified population, relating the incidence of an identified adverse effect with the level of exposure to a particular contaminant, i.e.Arsenic in this study -This dose-response relationship is often expressed as a relation between different levels of exposure and the likelihood that such exposures will result in illness. Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) -is defined as an estimate of the amount of a chemical that can be ingested daily over a lifetime without appreciable risk to health -The NOAEL is the highest dose level that produces no observable toxic effect in the most sensitive test species -ADI is derived by applying a safety factor to the NOAEL -safety factor takes into consideration the nature of the effect, differences between laboratory test animals and humans, and genetic variation in the human population. Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) -can be applied to short term and chronic exposures and was not meant to be applied to incidences involving single daily exposures -the low levels of arsenic in the environment are reflected in the low levels in food

and water -The consumption of seafood, especially shrimp and lobster, may lead to increased arsenic ingestion; however, most of the arsenic compounds found in shrimp and lobster are methylated, and therefore are relatively low in toxicity. -FDA recommends a tolerable daily intake of inorganic arsenic of 130g. Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWI) -is defined as an estimated amount of a contaminant that can be ingested over a lifetime without appreciable risk. -set for substances, such as heavy metals, that are contaminants in food and are known to accumulate in animals and humans -PTWI of Arsenic established by evaluation of The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) =15 g/kg bw/week to inorganic arsenic - An intake above the PTWI does not mean that health is at risk. Transient excursion above the PTWI would have no health consequences provided that the average intake does not continuously exceed the PTWI which emphasises on a lifetime exposure. - However, exposure to high levels of inorganic arsenic can be fatal. In adults, Acute oral lethal dose of inorganic arsenic:0.6 mg/kg/day. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidelines Drinking water = 0.01 mg/As (total)/L Soil= 10 ppm (10 mg per kg) of arsenic in soi Air: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, established a maximum permissible exposure limit for workplace airborne inorganic arsenic of 10 micrograms per cubic meter averaged over an eight-hour day Table below showing the doses of inorganic Arsenic with various types of exposure Inorganic Arsenic-toxicity endpoint selection summary Exposure Scenario Dose (mg/kg/day) Endpoint Study Acute/inhalation exposure to 250 Arsine causes Fowler and Weissberg, ppm of arsine gas severe hemolysis, 1974; NIOSH, 1979 is and several hemoglobinuria, hours exposure to jaundice, concentrations as hemolytic anemia, low as 10 ppm and necrosis of the can produce toxic renal tubules, symptoms and instantly fatal may also be fatal

Short to long term/ <=0.5 mg/m3 inhalation

Acute/oral

Lethal dose=0.6

Short-andLOAEL=0.05 intermediate tem(1180 days)/ Incidental oral Short-andLOAEL=0.05 intermediate tem(1180 days) /Dermal Long time/Dermal NOAEL=0.0008

rhinitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheobronchitis, and pulmonary insufficiency acute encephalopathy, congestive heart failure, stupor, convulsions, paralysis, coma, and death Facial edema, gastrointestinal upper respiratory, and dermal effects, peripheral neuropathy Same as above

Fowler and Weissberg, 1974; NIOSH, 1979

ATSDR, 1989

Case reports/Human(Franblau et al., Mizutaet al)

Case reports/Human(Franblau et al., Mizutaet al) Hyperigmentation, Epidemiology/Human keratosisi, (Tseng et al., 1968) possible vascular complications

3. Expose Assessment
(i)

It is the qualitative and/or quantitative estimate of the intake of chemical from food as well as exposures from other sources. The main route of exposure to arsenic compound is through ingestion while food (especially seafood) is considered as the main contributor. Drinking water would be a significant source, provided that the water contains relatively high level of arsenic (ATSDR 2000). Dietary exposure to arsenic is determined by its concentrations in foods and the amounts of foods eaten. A food with high levels of arsenic can cause a significant contribution to dietary exposure even if intake with small amounts. Conversely, a food with low concentrations but intake in large quantities can also cause a large contribution to dietary exposure.

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

The purpose of exposure assessment is to determine the likelihood of intake of arsenic from consumption of seafood, and the likely level of exposure. Dietary Exposure = Food consumption x Food chemical level From Table 11 of the Food consumption survey, there were three main class of seafood, they are fish, crustaceans and mollusks. The mean values of consumption of these foods in grams of food per person per day were 57.48, 7.35 and 5.95. According to First Schedule of Food Adulteration (Metallic Contamination) Regulations (Cap. 132V), the maximum permitted concentration of certain metals naturally present in specified foods was as follows:

(v)

Metal Arsenic (AS2O3)

Description of food Solids being fish and fish products


Solids being shellfish and shellfish products

Maximum permitted concentration in parts per million 6 10

From the table below abstracted from Food consumption survey, mean weight of all population aged 20 to 84 = (67.5 x 2536000 + 55.7 x 2858000)/(2536000+2858000) = 61.25 kg

By using the level of arsenic as the maximum permitted concentration, Dietary exposure of arsenic = Dietary exposure of arsenic (from fish) + Dietary exposure of arsenic (from crustaceans) + Dietary exposure of arsenic (from mollusks) = 57.48/1000 x 6 + 7.35/1000 x 10 + 5.95/1000 x 10 = 0.34488 + 0.0735 + 0.0595 = 0.47788 mg/person/day = 54.615g/kg body weight/week
(vi)

A risk assessment study was conducted by FEHD on the Dietary Exposure to Heavy Metals in Secondary School Students in 2002. The dietary exposure of inorganic arsenic is 2.52 and 6.77 g/kg body weight/week for average eaters and high consumers respectively.

Table A: Estimated Dietary Exposure to Inorganic Arsenic, Cadmium and Mercury for Average Eaters among School Students*

Table B: Comparison among JECFA Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes (PTWIs), Dietary Exposure for Average Eaters and HighConsumers for Inorganic Arsenic, Cadmium and Mercury

(vii)

These are < 15g/kg body weight/week (safety level), even though a conservative assumption that 10% of total arsenic detected is in inorganic form in all food is made. The data suggests that the proportion of total arsenic in seafood that is inorganic ranged from 0.2% to 6.0% locally. This level of dietary arsenic exposure is unlikely to cause adverse health problems.

The absorption of arsenic in the body is dependent upon the type of compound present; its solubility and its physical form. In general, inorganic forms are more readily absorbed than organic forms and pentavalent arsenic As (V) is more readily absorbed than trivalent As (III). Organic arsenic compounds are excreted more rapidly than inorganic arsenic compounds and As (V) compounds are excreted more rapidly than As (III) compounds.
(viii)

Traces of arsenic are found in most foods, with the highest concentrations found in seafood, particularly shellfish, at total arsenic levels ranging up to 30 g/g wet weight. Nearly all of the arsenic present in seafood is organic which is considered to be less toxic than inorganic arsenic.
(ix)

It is estimated that in the U.S. the mean total arsenic intake from all food is approximately 30 g/person/day. Only with high levels of consumption of fish, lobsters and other seafood might larger quantities be ingested. Human arsenic exposure in the U.S. (about 50 g/day) occurs mainly from foods with much smaller exposures from drinking water, cigarette smoke and ambient air.
(x)

Since arsenic is a class of substances of natural origin. Consequently natural background concentrations and the exposure due to these background concentrations should be taken into account. Natural background concentrations may vary within different aquatic environment. Therefore, it is impossible to attribute single values to natural background concentrations of specific metals within a certain compartment.
(xi)

4. Risk Characterization Risk Description : adverse health effect (illness) of taking arsenic

- If a large amount of arsenic is swallowed by humans, in a form that is readily absorbed, causing rapid poisoning and death. The gut, the heart and the nervous system are affected. - Those who survive acute poisoning may develop pigment spots in the skin and damage to red blood cells, bone marrow (where blood cells are made), liver, nerves and brain. - Long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic in drinking water can cause thickening and pigment spots in the skin, and cancer of the skin, lungs, bladder or kidney. - Exposure in the workplace mainly via the air breathed in can cause lung cancer. Smoking further increases the risk. - Long-term ingestion of arsenic, mainly from drinking of contaminated well water, has caused a disease called "blackfoot disease" in Taiwan. Blood vessels of the leg and foot become damaged, resulting in coldness, loss of feeling and eventually gangrene in the foot. - Soluble inorganic arsenic can have immediate toxic effects. Ingestion of large amounts can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as severe vomiting, disturbances of the blood and circulation, damage to the nervous system, and eventually death. When not deadly, such large doses may reduce blood cell production, break up red blood cells in the circulation, enlarge the liver, color the skin, produce tingling and loss of sensation in the limbs, and cause brain damage. - Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic in drinking water in Taiwan has caused blackfoot disease, in which the blood vessels in the lower limbs are severely damaged, resulting eventually in progressive gangrene. Its occurrence in Taiwan may be influenced by factors such as poor nutrition. However, arsenic exposure has caused other forms of blood vessel disease in the limbs in several other countries. - The relationship between arsenic exposure and other health effects is less clear. The evidence is strongest for high blood pressure, heart attacks and other circulatory disease. - The evidence is weaker for diabetes and reproductive effects; it is weakest for strokes, long-term neurological effects, and cancer at sites other than lung, bladder, kidney and skin.

- Soluble inorganic arsenic is acutely toxic, and ingestion of large doses leads to gastrointestinal symptoms, disturbances of cardiovascular and nervous system functions, and eventually death. In survivors, bone marrow depression, haemolysis, hepatomegaly, melanosis, polyneuropathy and encephalopathy may be observed. - Chronic arsenic exposure in Taiwan has been shown to cause blackfoot disease (BFD), a severe form of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) which leads to gangrenous changes. This disease has not been documented in other parts of the world, and the findings in Taiwan may depend upon other contributing factors. However, there is good evidence from studies in several countries that arsenic exposure causes other forms of PVD. - Conclusions on the causality of the relationship between arsenic exposure and other health effects are less clear-cut. The evidence is strongest for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, suggestive for diabetes and reproductive effects and weak for cerebrovascular disease, long-term neurological effects, and cancer at sites other than lung, bladder, kidney and skin

Risk Estimate: level of risk

- Chronic arsenic poisoning results from drinking contaminated well water over a long period of time. This is due to arsenic contamination of aquifer water. - The World Health Organization recommends a limit of 0.01 mg/L (10ppb) of arsenic in drinking water. This recommendation was established based on the limit of detection of available testing equipment at the time of publication of the WHO water quality guidelines. - More recent findings show that consumption of water with levels as low as 0.00017 mg/L (0.17ppb) over long periods of time can lead to arsenicosis.[14] - From a 1988 study in China, the US protection agency quantified the lifetime exposure of arsenic in drinking water at concentrations of 0.0017 mg/L, 0.00017 mg/L, and 0.000017 mg/L are associated with a lifetime skin cancer risk of 1 in 10,000, 1 in 100,000, and 1 in 1,000,000 respectively. The World Health

Organization contends that a level of 0.01 mg/L poses a risk of 6 in 10000 chance of lifetime skin cancer risk and contends that this level of risk is acceptable - According to the risk assessment study was conducted by FEHD on the Dietary Exposure to Heavy Metals in Secondary School Students in 2002, their estimation of dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic, the group seafood other than fish (51%) made the greatest contribution, and was followed by the groups fish (26%) and cereals and cereal products (10%). Our findings were consistent with data reported in overseas dietary exposure studies including those conducted in Australia, USA and UK which reported seafood accounted for the majority of dietary exposure to arsenic. - According to the risk assessment study was conducted by FEHD on the Dietary Exposure to Heavy Metals in Secondary School Students in 2002, the concentration of arsenic found in seafood was much higher than those in other food groups. High arsenic concentrations were found especially in the group seafood other than fish with median concentration of 1.9 mg/kg. This was consistent with findings obtained in overseas studies. - The LOD of 0.076 mg/kg for arsenic employed in our current study was high compared with the LODs used in overseas dietary exposure studies; an LOD of 0.03 mg/kg was used in USA and 0.01 mg/kg in Australia. This relatively high LOD probably led to overestimation of the heavy metal content especially for food groups, such as cereals and cereal products and vegetables, in which most of the samples were below LOD, since a value of 1/2-LOD was given to samples with concentrations below LOD. - There are concerns that arsenic from drinking water can be an important source of exposure to inorganic arsenic5. A maximum level of 0.01mg/litre has been set in the WHO Drinking Water Guidelines6. - According to the risk assessment study was conducted by FEHD on the Dietary Exposure to Heavy Metals in Secondary School Students in 2002, water consumption for an average secondary school was 1.01 litre/day. Data from the Water Supplies Department (WSD) showed that the average concentration of arsenic in drinking water in Hong Kong was less than 0.001 mg/litre. Assuming that 100% of the arsenic present in water is inorganic, the exposure to inorganic arsenic from drinking water for an average secondary school student was less than 0.13 mg/kg bw/week, an additional contribution of less than 0.9% to the PTWI. Therefore, drinking water is

considered an insignificant source of inorganic arsenic exposure in Hong Kong. References: 1. Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (2002). Risk Assessment Studies Report No. 10B. Dietary Exposure to Heavy Metals of Secondary School Students. Available from: http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/files/hmDietaryExpo sureFull.pdf 2. MadSci Network (2001). How much arsenic (in grams or milligrams) can be poisonous? Available from: http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/200104/987176844.Me.r.html 3. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (1987). Summaries & evaluations: Arsenic and arsenic compounds (Group 1). Lyon, International Agency for Research on Cancer, p.100 (IARC Monographs on the Evaluaiton of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Supplement 7; Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/iarc/suppl7/arsenic.html 4. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (2004). Summaries & evaluations: Arsenic in drinking-water (Group 1). Lyon, International Agency for Research on Cancer, p. 39 (IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans, Vol. 84; Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/iarc/vol84/84-01-arsenic.html 5. The Risk Assessment Information System (RAIS) (2009). Chemical Data Profiles. Basic Information for Arsenic, Inorganic. The Risk Assessment Information System, The University of Tennessee. Available from: http://rais.ornl.gov/tools/profile.php?analysis=Arsenic,%20Inorganic 6. World Health Organization (WHO) (2011). Arsenic. Available from: http://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/arsenic/en/ 7. World Health Organization (WHO) (2011). Arsenic: Human Health Aspect. Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 47.. Available from: http://www.inchem.org/documents/cicads/cicads/cicad47.htm 8. World Health Organizaiton (WHO) (2010). Exposure to Arsenic: A Major Public Health Concern. Available from: http://www.who.int/ipcs/features/arsenic.pdf 9. http://www.cfs.gov.hk/tc_chi/programme/programme_firm/files/FCS_final_repor t.pdf 10. http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/multimedia/multimedia_pub/multimedia_pub_fsf_ 10_01.html 11. http://www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/files/hmDietaryExpo sureFull.pdf

12. http://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/arsenic_recent/en/index.html 13. http://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/arsenic/en/

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