EFSA: Μεγάλος κίνδυνος από τα ΒΡΑ – Νέα αξιολόγηση

 Η διατροφική έκθεση στη δισφαινόλη Α (BPA) αποτελεί ανησυχία για την υγεία των καταναλωτών σε όλες τις ηλικιακές ομάδες, κατέληξαν οι επιστήμονες της EFSA σε μια νέα επαναξιολόγηση καθώς εντόπισαν δυνητικά επιβλαβείς επιπτώσεις στην υγεία στο ανοσοποιητικό σύστημα. Η νέα αξιολόγηση θα οδηγήσει σε νέο κανονισμό από την ΕΕ για τον καθορισμό ορίων στην ποσότητα μιας χημικής ουσίας που μπορεί να μεταναστεύσει από τη συσκευασία τροφίμων στα τρόφιμα.

Να σημειωθεί πως η Ευρωπαϊκή Αρχή για την Ασφάλεια των Τροφίμων είχε επαναξιολογήσει τους κινδύνους της δισφαινόλης Α (BPA) στα τρόφιμα και το 2021 και είχε προτείνει να μειωθεί σημαντικά η ανεκτή ημερήσια πρόσληψη (TDI) σε σύγκριση με την προηγούμενη αξιολόγησή της το 2015, που ήταν στα 4 μικρογραμμάρια ανά χιλιόγραμμο σωματικού βάρους ανά ημέρα. Τον Δεκέμβριο του 2021 είχε προτείνει τα  0,04 νανογραμμαρίων ανά χιλιόγραμμο σωματικού βάρους την ημέρα ως νέο προσωρινό όριο. Αλλά το νέο όριο είναι και πάλι αισθητά μειωμένο στα 0,2 νανογραμμάρια (0,2 δισεκατομμυριοστά του γραμμαρίου) ανά κιλό σωματικού βάρους την ημέρα και είναι είναι περίπου 20.000 φορές χαμηλότερο.

πηγή: cibum

Traces of controversial weedkiller detected in a quarter of Irish people tested

 source: the Irish Times

An investigation into exposure to glyphosate in Irish families has detected low -level traces of the controversial herbicide in a quarter of people tested.

The research project is the first of its kind to investigate levels of background exposure to glyphosate among Irish households.

Glyphosate is the most frequently used weedkiller in the EU. The European Commission is re-evaluating its use, primarily because of human health concerns. It has been or will soon be banned in at least 10 countries, and at least 15 others have restricted its use. Farmers in Germany must stop using it from 2024.

Led by exposure science researchers at the University of Galway, in collaboration with the Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine in Bochum, Germany, and the German Environment Agency, the study tested urine samples collected from farm and non-farm families for glyphosate and its main human metabolite, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA).

(...)

Dr Marie Coggins, senior lecturer in exposure science at UG said: “The glyphosate exposure data is relevant as the European Commission evaluate their renewal assessment for this controversial pesticide.

“Although the exposure data reported is low compared to the current acceptable daily intake value set by [the European Food Safety Authority] EFSA, our risk assessment could change following the publication of the European Food Safety Authority’s renewal assessment in early 2023,” she said.

The data suggests occupational users may have a slightly higher exposure than background levels, “which could and should be reduced further by substitution with less harmful methods, careful chemical handling practices and the use of exposure controls such as personal protective equipment”, Dr Coggins said.

A total of 68 families took part – 14 of whom were living on farms, with one of those family members spraying glyphosate-based pesticide. The study analysed tests from 226 people and their responses to a detailed dietary and lifestyle questionnaire. Glyphosate was detectable in 26 per cent of samples. AMPA was detectable in 59 per cent of samples.

 

                The blast bunker where people would shelter during blasting at the Ballyneety quarry in                         Limerick. Picture: Dan Linehan

 

Source: Irish Examiner

Investigating the abandoned quarry that, officially, is not abandoned

The blast bunker where people would shelter during blasting at the Ballyneety quarry in Limerick. Picture: Dan Linehan

Sun, 28 Mar, 2021 - 21:05

Michael Clifford

There is a lifebuoy next to the lake quarried out at the Ballyneety quarry in Limerick. 

The buoy is attached to a stand which states: “Area closed. No swimming in quarry.” 

Quite obviously, the warning is ignored, hence somebody thought it best to put a buoy there as a last resort. Another sign notes “Danger deep water” and another “Beware underwater obstructions”.

What is entirely missing from the lake is any effort to make it inaccessible.

There is sheer rock around most of it, and preventing entry would not be too difficult.

Over the years people have commented online on the attraction of the lake.

On the Reddit message board, one poster mentioned swimming in it and another asked whether there was any fish there.

[the full article is here]

“Nope, just a lone scubadiver, who I initially thought was the Lockness (sic) monster when I saw the moving bubbles.” 

Another wrote: “Great spot for a swim, apparently.” 

The reply: “The blue colour of quarries in Ireland is usually caused by copper leached from the stones and is not indicative of water quality and can hide hazards. Quarries are amongst the most dangerous places to swim.”

 

Chemicals: risk assessment

The identification of hazards, the evaluation of their risks and the putting in place of control measures to secure the health and safety of employees is a major element for managing health and safety under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.

The Chemical Agent Regulations 2001 point out the specific requirements necessary to complete a Chemical Agents risk assessment of the chemical agents used in the work place.  

The Risk Assessment steps:

1. Identify the chemical hazards.
2. Consider who might be affected and how they might be harmed.
3. Evaluate the risks,- what are you doing now and what further precautions are needed?
4. Document and implement your findings.
5. Update and review as required.
   
   
   [further reading here]