%0 Journal Article %J Journal of Food Composition and Analysis %D 2023 %T Aluminium intake through the consumption of selected baby foods and risk characterization in a population of Brazilian infants aged 0 to 36 months %A Esther Lima de Paiva %A Lima, Sandy Galvani %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Mirjana Andjelkovic %A Renata Elisa Faustino de Almeida Marques %A Marcelo Antônio Morgano %A Arisseto-Bragotto, Adriana Pavesi %K Aluminium %K Food Safety %K Risk Assessment %X

Aluminium (Al) dietary intake from selected baby foods was estimated for Brazilian infants from the Sao Paulo State by means of a deterministic and a probabilistic estimation. The deterministic exposure assessment was carried out by combining mean levels of Al in 171 samples of baby foods (infant formula, meat/vegetable purees, fruit purees, petit-suisse and cereals), analytically determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy method, with individual food consumption data. Data on food consumption were generated using a duplicated 24 h recall applied to the parents of 158 infants aged from 0-36 months. The mean Al intakes for the total population, calculated using mean Al concentrations, were estimated to be 0.184 mg/kg body weight (bw) per week, whilst at 95th percentile, the obtained value was 0.474 mg/kg bw per week. In addition, distributions were fitted on the concentration and consumption data for further probabilistic intake estimations. The results corroborated well with the deterministic approach. The highest frequency and daily food consumption (in g/day) were observed for infant formulas and meat/vegetable purees, respectively. Boys presented higher frequency consumption of infant formulas, while meat/vegetable purees intake by girls was higher compared to boys. The baby food that most contributed to Al exposure in the total population, considering mean Al concentration values, was meat/vegetable purees, followed by infant formulas. This study suggests potential concern regarding consumers of highly Al contaminated products and may be used as a basis for the establishment of risk man­agement actions. 

%B Journal of Food Composition and Analysis %V 115 %8 Jan-01-2023 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.jfca.2022.105013 %0 Generic %D 2023 %T Application of silver-based biocides in face masks intended for general use requires regulatory control %A Jan Mast %A Erik Van Miert %A Lisa Siciliani %A Karlien Cheyns %A Charlotte Wouters %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ruud Bernsen %A Christiane Vleminckx %A Joris Van Loco %A Eveline Verleysen %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Science of The Total Environment %D 2023 %T Application of silver-based biocides in face masks intended for general use requires regulatory control %A Jan Mast %A Erik Van Miert %A Lisa Siciliani %A Karlien Cheyns %A Marie-Noelle Blaude %A Charlotte Wouters %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ruud Bernsen %A Christiane Vleminckx %A Joris Van Loco %A Eveline Verleysen %K Ag %K Biocide %K electron microscopy %K Face masks %K ICPMS %K Nanoparticle %K Physicochemical characterization %K Risk Assessment %K Silver %K textile %X

Silver-based biocides are applied in face masks because of their antimicrobial properties. The added value of biocidal silver treatment of face masks to control SARS-CoV-2 infection needs to be balanced against possible toxicity due to inhalation exposure. Direct measurement of silver (particle) release to estimate exposure is problematic. Therefore, this study optimized methodologies to characterize silver-based biocides directly in the face masks, by measuring their total silver content using ICP-MS and ICP-OES based methods, and by visualizing the type(s) and localization of silver-based biocides using electron microscopy based methods. Thirteen of 20 selected masks intended for general use contained detectable amounts of silver ranging from 3 μg to 235 mg. Four of these masks contained silver nanoparticles, of which one mask was silver coated. Comparison of the silver content with limit values derived from existing inhalation exposure limits for both silver ions and silver nanoparticles allowed to differentiate safe face masks from face masks that require a more extensive safety assessment. These findings urge for in depth characterization of the applications of silver-based biocides and for the implementation of regulatory standards, quality control and product development based on the safe-by-design principle for nanotechnology applications in face masks in general.

%B Science of The Total Environment %V 870 %8 Jan-04-2023 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161889 %0 Journal Article %J Food and Chemical Toxicology %D 2023 %T The contribution of cacao consumption to the bioaccessible dietary cadmium exposure in the Belgian population %A Ruth Vanderschueren %A Jasmien Doevenspeck %A Lieselot Goethals %A Mirjana Andjelkovic %A Nadia Waegeneers %A E Smolders %K bioaccessibility %K Cadmium %K chocolate %K consumption survey %X

Since 2019, EU limits apply to cadmium (Cd) concentrations in cacao-derived food products. The dietary risk assessment leading to that regulation used consumption surveys aggregated to a limited number of chocolate product categories and did not consider differences in Cd bioaccessibility. Here, the cacao-related dietary Cd exposure in the Belgian population was estimated with higher resolution and accounting for bioaccessibility. A food frequency questionnaire and a 24-hour recall (N=2055) were set up for the Belgian population, in combination with ICP-MS analysis of a large subset of cacao-containing products (N=349). Both the average chocolate consumption (28 g day-1) and the relative contribution of chocolate to the total dietary Cd exposure (7–9%) were higher than previously estimated for the Belgian population. The Cd bioaccessibility in chocolate products was a factor 5 (cacao powder) and 2 (dark chocolate) lower compared to wheat flour, suggesting lower bioavailability in chocolate than in wheat, which is a main contributor to dietary Cd. This study suggests that Cd intake from cacao consumption has been underestimated because of hidden cacao in non-chocolate food categories but, in contrast, may have overestimated the true exposure because of lower bioavailability compared to the main foodstuffs contributing to Cd exposure.

%B Food and Chemical Toxicology %V 172 %8 Jan-02-2023 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113599 %0 Generic %D 2023 %T Dietary exposure of Sorbates (E 200 – 202) and Benzoates (E 210 – 213) for the Belgian population %A Salvatore Ciano %A Els Van Hoeck %A Mirjana Andjelkovic %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Séverine Goscinny %K Belgian population %K Benzoates %K Dietary Intake Assessment %K Food Additives %K Sorbates %X

Sorbates (E 200 – 202) and benzoates (E 210 - 213) are commonly used food additives (FAs). They act as bacteriostatic and fungistatic, and they ensure product quality. Also, they contribute to reducing food waste by extending the shelf-life of perishable items. However, Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 requires the Member States to monitor the consumption and use of FAs using a risk-based approach and communicate the results to the European Commission and the National authorities. So, this study assessed the analytical concentration of sorbates (SA) and benzoates (BA) in food and beverages from the Belgian market. Subsequently, the exposure of different consumer populations to these FAs was estimated.

Three matrix-matched analytical methods were developed using ion chromatography coupled with conductivity detection. The methods were validated in-house and applied to 387 samples covering 32 Food (sub)Categories. SA and BA were mentioned on the label of 367 and 111 samples, respectively. SA were quantified in 97% of these samples, while BA were present in 86%. The concentrations varied widely due to the nature of the food/beverage and the specific Maximum Permitted Levels (MPLs) defined by Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. MPLs were exceeded in 17 samples, while composite foods showed average concentrations higher than in previous studies.

A refined exposure assessment revealed no risk related to dietary exposure to SA or BA in 3 Belgian population groups (children, adolescents and adults). The occurrence data from the chemical analyses were combined with consumption data from the most recent Belgian food consumption survey reflecting the consumer’s consumption patterns and frequencies. Mean exposure estimates ranged from 8 to 19% of the Allowed Daily Intakes (ADIs) (i.e. 11 and 5 mg/kg bw per day for SA and BA, respectively), and 95th percentile exposures ranged from 24 to 36% of the ADIs. Flavoured drinks were the major contributing food group, accounting on average for 21 to 39% of the exposure to SA and 31 to 44% of the exposure to BA (depending on the population group).

In conclusion, although a few products surpassed the allowed levels of targeted FAs, the estimated risk related to dietary exposure to SA or BA for Belgian children, adolescents or adults was low.

%B 7th IMEKOFOODS conference %C Paris %8 24/10/2023 %G eng %N IMEKO %0 Journal Article %J Food Research International %D 2023 %T Selenium in selected samples of infant formulas and milk commercialized in Belgium and Brazil: total content, speciation and estimated intake %A Esther Lima de Paiva %A Ann Ruttens %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Gijs Du Laing %A Marcelo Antonio Morgano %A Karlien Cheyns %A Adriana Pavesi Arisseto-Bragotto %K Infant Formula %K milk %K Selenium %K Speciation %B Food Research International %8 2023 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.112289 %0 Journal Article %J Chemosphere %D 2023 %T Short- and long-term assessment of PAH, PCB, and metal contamination in the Belgian part of the North Sea %A David Vanavermaete %A Kris Hostens %A Le, Hong Minh %A Amélie Lessuise %A Ann Ruttens %A Nadia Waegeneers %A De Witte, Bavo %K chemical contaminants %K dredged spoil disposal sites %K Metals %K North Sea %K PAH %K PCB %B Chemosphere %V 310 %8 2023 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136905 %0 Report %D 2023 %T Silver-based biocides and titanium dioxide particles in face masks for general use. Final report of the TiO2Mask and AgMask COVID-19 projects. %A Daniela Montalvo %A Charlotte Wouters %A Lisa Siciliani %A Christiane Vleminckx %A Erik Van Miert %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Joris Van Loco %A Eveline Verleysen %A Karlien Cheyns %A Jan Mast %K Face masks %K Nanoparticles %K silver-based biocides %K titanium dioxide %I Sciensano %C Brussels, Belgium %P 48 %8 02/2023 %G eng %M D/2023.14.440/36 %0 Generic %D 2023 %T Unravelling the exposure and risk to free glutamate form food additive and non-additive sources in Belgium %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Pauline Detry %A Séverine Goscinny %A Mirjana Andjelkovic %K Dietary exposure %K Food Additives %K Free glutamate %K Risk Assessment %B 2nd ISO-FOOD Symposium: From food source to health %I ISO-FOOD %C Portorož, Slovenia %8 2023 %G eng %0 Government Document %D 2022 %T Acid digestion of nonwoven textiles for measuring their trace element content by ICP techniques %A Gabriel Mercier %A Karlien Cheyns %A Regis Nkanda %A Ronny Machiels %A Ann Dewinne %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Jan Mast %A Daniela Montalvo %K Acid digestion %K Face mask %K microwave %K Nanoparticles %K nonwoven textile %X

We present herein a digestion method based on high-temperature (260 °C) microwave heating and strong
acidic media in order to perform a complete digestion of nonwoven textiles, which can be found in face
masks. In particular, this protocol allows the digestion of PET-, PTFE-, polyamide- and elastane-containing
textiles resulting in a complete release of metallic contents in order to analyze their elemental
contents by ICP techniques.

%B Protocol exchange %8 17-jun-2022 %G eng %R https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.pex-1924/v1 %0 Report %D 2022 %T Evaluation of the types, efficient use and health risks of application of silver-based biocides to provide antimicrobial properties to face masks applied during the Covid-19 crisis %A Jan Mast %A Marie-Noelle Blaude %A Lisa Siciliani %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Christiane Vleminckx %A Joris Van Loco %A Eveline Verleysen %K biocides %K Face masks %K Ions %K Nanoparticles %K Silver %X

In situ analysis of silver based biocides in face masks using electron microscopy and EDX, combined with total silver measurement using ICP-MS or ICP-OES demonstrated the presence of varying amounts and different types of silver-based biocides in a selection of face masks on the Belgian market and intended to be worn by the general public. Following types of silver-based biocides were demonstrated: (i) Ag+ ions, (ii) metallic Ag0 NP distributed in the matrix of the fibers, (iii) Ag NP and large silver particles at the surface of, or close to cotton fibres in face masks containing polycationic polymers binding Ag+ ions, and (iv) a coating consisting of metallic silver releasing Ag+ ions, Ag0 NP and large silver particles.

For metallic and ionic silver, an acceptable exposure level (AELmask) of 25 µg per mask was established based on occupational exposure levels and assuming an intensive exposure scenario considering subchronic exposure of the general adult population.

Comparison of the measured amount of total silver in the masks with this AELmask indicated that seven out of nine face masks, with a silver biocide based on Ag+ ions only, can be considered as safe. The two other face masks with a silver biocide based on Ag+ ions require a more refined risk evaluation.

The amount of silver in the four masks that contain Ag0 NP, Ag+ ions, and/or non-nanoparticulate silver exceeded the AELmask. Per case an in depth risk analysis needs to be undertaken to account for the different forms of silver that are potentially released from face masks treated with the applied silver-based biocides.

%C Brussels, Belgium %P 48 %8 14/07/2022 %G eng %M D/2021/14.440/100 %0 Generic %D 2022 %T Selenium in standard and plant-based infant formulae and in milk: total content, speciation and estimated intake %A Karlien Cheyns %A Esther Lima de Paiva %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %K Infant Formula %K Selenium Compounds %B EFSA ONE %I EFSA %C Brussels, Belgium %8 06/2022 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Scientific Reports %D 2022 %T Titanium dioxide particles frequently present in face masks intended for general use require regulatory control %A Eveline Verleysen %A Ledecq, Marina %A Lisa Siciliani %A Karlien Cheyns %A Christiane Vleminckx %A Marie-Noelle Blaude %A Sandra De Vos %A Frederic Brassinne %A Frederic Van Steen %A Régis Nkenda %A Ronny Machiels %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Joris Van Loco %A Jan Mast %B Scientific Reports %V 12 %8 Jan-12-2022 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1038/s41598-022-06605-w %0 Journal Article %J Food Control %D 2022 %T Towards a generic protocol for measuring the constituent particle size distribution of E171 in food by electron microscopy %A Eveline Verleysen %A Frederic Brassinne %A Frederic Van Steen %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Karlien Cheyns %A Ronny Machiels %A Stella Mathioudaki %A Isaac Ojea Jimenez %A Ledecq, Marina %A Jan Mast %B Food Control %V 132 %8 Jan-02-2022 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.108492 %0 Government Document %D 2021 %T Chronic consumption of clay based food supplements can pose a health concern regarding uptake of arsenic. %A Heidi Demaegdt %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Karlien Cheyns %A Ann Ruttens %K Arsenic %K Food Supplements %K risk evaluation %B Labinfo %I FAVV %C Brussels, Belgium %V 20 %P 5 %8 12/2021 %G eng %& 19 %0 Generic %D 2021 %T Detection of trace elements and heavy metals in food from food contact materials. %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %B Atomic Spectroscopy Virtual Symposium. Agilent. %8 03/03/2021 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %D 2021 %T Does arsenic pose a health concern after consumption of clay products? %A Heidi Demaegdt %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Karlien Cheyns %A Ann Ruttens %K Arsenic %K Dietary Supplements %K heavy metals %K HPLC %K ICP-MS %X

Clay products for oral use form a particular group of food supplements in relation to potential arsenic (As) toxicity, because - certainly in case of pure clay- all arsenic in these supplements is expected to be present in the most toxic inorganic form (As). In terms of risk, the most important questions to answer relate to the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the inorganic arsenic present, rather than to the As species distribution, which often receives most attention in standard foodstuffs. In the present study, clay products for oral use were bought on the Belgian market and analysed for total arsenic (As), arsenic species (As, arsenobetaine, dimethylarsenate and monomethylarsenate)) and bioaccessible arsenic, in order to perform an exposure assessment and risk characterisation. Total As concentrations differed considerably between the samples and ranged from 0.20 to 6.4 mg As/kg. Bioaccessibility of As, determined via the Unified Barge Method (extraction making use of digestive enzymes) varied between 8% and 51%. The As concentration determined via HPLC-ICP-MS after extraction with diluted HNO +HO (as in the CEN method for foodstuffs) was only a poor predictor of the bioaccessible As fraction, despite the significant relationship (R = 0.36; < .05). The risk characterisation did not reveal acute risks related to As exposure. However, a potential concern with regard to chronic As intake was identified for the general population in 42% of the analysed food supplements, and for sensitive population groups in 67% of the samples, even after taking into account the bioaccessible fraction. The data presented illustrate that consumption of some of these clay products may contribute significantly to dietary As intake and that these should not be taken chronically.

%B Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %V 38 %8 2020 Dec 10 %G eng %N 1 %& 113 %R 10.1080/19440049.2020.1842515 %0 Conference Proceedings %B De Apotheker %D 2021 %T Hoe veilig zijn supplementen op basis van klei? %A Heidi Demaegdt %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Jill Alexandre %A Karlien Cheyns %A Ann Ruttens %K arseen %K klei %K voedingssupplementen %X

Klei in cosmetica en gezondheidsproducten wint aan populariteit. Het wordt zowel uit- als inwendig gebruikt en zou goed zijn voor onder andere de huid en de vertering. Intensief gebruik van voedingssupplementen op basis van klei kan evenwel een gezondheidsrisico inhouden. Sciensano onderzocht dat.

%B De Apotheker %I Roularta %V 3 %8 18/03/2021 %& 34 %0 Report %D 2021 %T IDENTIFICATION, PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISATION AND PRELIMINARY RISK ANALYSIS OF TITANIUM DIOXIDE PARTICLES IN FACE MASKS Intermediate report TiO2-Mask COVID-19 project September 2021 %A Jan Mast %A Marie-Noelle Blaude %A Lisa Siciliani %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Joris Van Loco %A Christiane Vleminckx %A Eveline Verleysen %X

In situ analysis of titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles in face masks demonstrated the presence of agglomerated TiO2 (nano)particles in all examined face masks that contain polyester or polyamide (nylon) fibres, or that are made of non-woven, synthetic fabrics. These particles resemble fibre-grade TiO2 particles. Because there are no methods available for measuring exposure directly, the methodology that ANSES applied to determine the professional exposure limits to titanium dioxide in its nanoform, was applied for a scenario with intensive use of face masks. Our calculations show that a health risk cannot be excluded for most of the examined face masks when intensively used. The applied approach may overestimate the health risks because of the conservative inhalation exposure assumptions. However, for some face masks the amount of titanium dioxide is so high that a health risk cannot be excluded even when only a small fraction of the titanium dioxide particles are released and inhaled. Currently, we have no indications that TiO2 particles are released in amounts which might result in public health risks, but so far, research and publications of TiO2 particles in textiles, and particularly of their release, are limited. In view of EFSA's conclusion that TiO2 cannot be considered any longer as safe to be used as a food additive because a concern for genotoxicity cannot be ruled out, it is advisable to issue precautionary standards to limit the presence of TiO2 particles in face masks.

%I Sciensano %C Elsene, Belgium %P 50 %8 sept 2021 %G eng %M D/2021/14.440/72 %R 10.25608/ba73-8j24 %0 Journal Article %J Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %D 2021 %T Intake of food supplements based on algae or cyanobacteria may pose a health risk due to elevated concentrations of arsenic species. %A Karlien Cheyns %A Heidi Demaegdt %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %K Arsenic %K Food Supplements %K Speciation %X

Despite the health benefits of food supplements (FS) based on algae or cyanobacteria, the elevated arsenic (As) concentrations in these FS may raise a health concern. In the present study 33 FS containing algae or cyanobacteria were collected and As (species) were analysed to estimate consumer exposure. Based on hazard and exposure data, potential risks were evaluated using inorganic arsenic (As) and the potentially toxic As fraction (As minus arsenobetaine (AB)). As concentrations were in the range 0.053-57 mg/kg with highest concentrations in FS containing brown algae. As concentrations were in the range <0.02-4.7 mg kg. A large part of As in FS containing algae or cyanobacteria was identified as potentially toxic AsSugars species. Negligible amounts of AB were detected. According to a tentative risk evaluation, the intake of As related to all FS collected was of no health concern for the general population. In 8 out of 33 of the analysed FS, however, the As concentration was of concern for population groups with increased cancer risks. If all As species except the non-toxic AB were taken into consideration, only 26 out of 33 of the FS showed 'no concern' for the general population, while for the other 7 FS a potential health risk was identified. This study indicates the need to obtain more data on toxicity of AsSugars and to develop limits for As (species) in FS.

%B Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %8 2021 Feb 17 %G eng %R 10.1080/19440049.2021.1877834 %0 Journal Article %J Food Control %D 2021 %T Particle size analysis of pristine food-grade titanium dioxide and E 171 in confectionery products: Interlaboratory testing of a SP-ICP-MS screening method and confirmation with transmission electron microscopy. %A Otmar Geiss %A Ivana Bianchi %A Chiara Senaldi %A Guillaume Bucher %A Eveline Verleysen %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Frederic Brassinne %A Jan Mast %A Katrin Loeschner %A Janja Vidmar %A Federica Aureli %A Francesco Cubadda %A Andrea Raggi %A Francesca Iacoponi %A Ruud Peters %A Anna Undas %A Alexandra Müller %A Ann-Katrin Meinhardt %A Elke Walz %A Volker Gräf %A Josefa Barrero-Moreno %K confectionery %K E 171 %K Food-grade titanium dioxide %K Single-particle ICP-MS %K VALIDATION %X

Titanium dioxide is a white colourant authorised as food additive E 171 in the EU, where it is used in a range of alimentary products. As these materials may contain a fraction of particulates with sizes below 100 nm and current EU regulation requires specific labelling of food ingredient to indicate the presence of engineered nanomaterials there is now a need for standardised and validated methods to appropriately size and quantify (nano)particles in food matrices. A single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) screening method for the determination of the size distribution and concentration of titanium dioxide particles in sugar-coated confectionery and pristine food-grade titanium dioxide was developed. Special emphasis was placed on the sample preparation procedure, crucial to reproducibly disperse the particles before analysis. The transferability of this method was tested in an interlaboratory comparison study among seven experienced European food control and food research laboratories equipped with various ICP-MS instruments and using different software packages. The assessed measurands included the particle mean diameter, the most frequent diameter, the percentage of particles (in number) with a diameter below 100 nm, the particles' number concentration and a number of cumulative particle size distribution parameters (D0, D10, D50, D99.5, D99.8 and D100). The evaluated method's performance characteristics were, the within-laboratory precision, expressed as the relative repeatability standard deviation (RSDr), and the between-laboratory precision, expressed as the relative reproducibility standard deviation (RSDR). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used as a confirmatory technique and served as the basis for bias estimation. The optimisation of the sample preparation step showed that when this protocol was applied to the relatively simple sample food matrices used in this study, bath sonication turned out to be sufficient to reach the highest, achievable degree of dispersed constituent particles. For the pristine material, probe sonication was required. Repeatability and reproducibility were below 10% and 25% respectively for most measurands except for the lower (D0) and the upper (D100) bound of the particle size distribution and the particle number concentration. The broader distribution of the lower and the upper bounds could be attributed to instrument-specific settings/setups (e.g. the timing parameters, the transport efficiency, type of mass-spectrometer) and software-specific data treatment algorithms. Differences in the upper bound were identified as being due to the non-harmonised application of the upper counting limit. Reporting D99.5 or D99.8 instead of the effectively largest particle diameter (D100) excluded isolated large particles and considerably improved the reproducibility. The particle number-concentration was found to be influenced by small differences in the sample preparation procedure. The comparison of these results with those obtained using electron microscopy showed that the mean and median particle diameter was, in all cases, higher when using spICP-MS. The main reason for this was the higher size detection limit for spICP-MS plus the fact that some of the analysed particles remained agglomerated/aggregated after sonication. Single particle ICP-MS is a powerful screening technique, which in many cases provides sufficient evidence to confirm the need to label a food product as containing (engineered) titanium dioxide nanomaterial according to the current EU regulatory requirements. The overall positive outcome of the method performance evaluation and the current lack of alternative standardised procedures, would indicate this method as being a promising candidate for a full validation study.

%B Food Control %V 120 %8 2021 Feb %G eng %R 10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107550 %0 Journal Article %J EFSA Supporting Publications %D 2021 %T Physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles in food additives in the context of risk identification %A Eveline Verleysen %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Sandra De Vos %A Frederic Brassinne %A Ledecq, Marina %A Frederic Van Steen %A Mirjana Andjelkovic %A Raphael Janssens %A Stella Mathioudaki %A Lotte Delfosse %A Ronny Machiels %A Karlien Cheyns %A Jan Mast %B EFSA Supporting Publications %V 18 %8 Jan-06-2021 %G eng %N 6 %R 10.2903/sp.efsa.2021.EN-6678 %0 Thesis %D 2020 %T Bepaling van spoorelementen in diverse matrices met spectrometische technieken. %A Régis Nkenda %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %X

Background
Trace elements are elements present in very little concentration in organisms and environment. Trace elements can be divided in two categories, the essential trace elements, which are necessary in correct concentrations for the proper functioning of the body, and de non-essential trace elements that have no purpose in organism and due to accumulation in the tissues, cause toxicity.
Purpose
Analyze concentration of trace elements in various matrices with spectrometric techniques. With the aim of detecting possible risks for public health and to be able to give advice to the authorities (including EFSA, the FASFC,…) in the context of the elaboration of (new) legislations for products on the Belgian ( or European) market.
Method
During the bachelor thesis we worked on 2 projects regarding the determination of trace elements: 1. Food enzyme preparations were mineralized with HNO3 in microwave oven and the concentrations of As, Cd, Ni, Pb in the samples were analyzed with an ICP-MS. Hg in these samples was determined with the AMA. 2.textile samples (garments) were mineralized with HNO3 + HF in a heating block and the Ti concentration was analyzed with an ICP-OES. The raw results were evaluated with the acceptance criteria and then reported.
Results
In the food enzyme preparations (project SPECENZYM) there was in general only low concentrations of the tested elements found. Only in one sample was the concentration of Ni and As higher than the predetermined maximum limit. Pb in this sample also showed an increased concentration compared to the other samples. Since the variation between the replicas was high, a re-analysis of the sample will be performed to ensure that the observed concentrations can be confirmed. The textile samples showed a wide variation in titanium concentration. Electron microscopic research in the context of this same project has shown that Ti nanoparticles are contained in the fibers.
Conclusion
Only low concentrations of trace elements were found in most of the food enzyme preparations studied. The information collected can contribute to the development of legislation for this type of samples. The high observed As, Ni and Pb concentration in 1 sample deserves extra attention and can be passed on the FASFC or EFSA for additional test such as performing a risk analysis.
High total Ti concentrations were found in the textile samples investigated, and the electron microscopy pictures revealed the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles. These are unlikely to pose any danger to the user because titanium nanoparticles are embedded in the fibers, so the release is limited or does not exist. Attention is required in case of recycling or degradation of the fibers at the end of the life cycle of the garment.

%I Erasmus Hogeschool %C Brussel, Belgium. %8 2020 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A %D 2020 %T Physico-chemical characterisation of the fraction of silver (nano)particles in pristine food additive E174 and in E174-containing confectionery %A Sandra De Vos %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Eveline Verleysen %A Karen Smeets %A Jan Mast %K E174 %K food additive %K silverparticle size distribution %K spICP-MS %K TEM %X

Silver (E174) is authorised as a food additive in the EU. The unknown particle size distribution of E174 is a specific concern for the E174 risk assessment. This study characterised the fraction of silver (nano)particles in 10 commercially available pristine E174 food additives and 10 E174-containing products by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (spICP-MS). TEM analysis showed that all samples contained micrometre-sized flakes and also a fraction of (nano)particles. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and electron diffraction confirmed that the (nano)particles and micrometre-sized flakes consisted of silver. A higher amount of (nano)particles was observed in the products than in the food additives. In addition, the surface of the micrometre-sized flakes was rougher in products. The median of the minimum external dimension, assessed as minimal Feret diameter, of the fraction of (nano)particles determined by quantitative TEM analysis was 11 ± 4 nm and 18 ± 7 nm (overall mean ± standard deviation), for food additives and products, respectively. Similar size distributions were obtained by spICP-MS and TEM, considering the limit of detection of spICP-MS. The median of the equivalent spherical diameter of the fraction of (nano)particles determined by spICP-MS was 19 ± 4 nm and 21 ± 2 nm (overall mean ± standard deviation), for food additives and products, respectively. In all samples, independent of the choice of technique, the nano-sized particles represented more than 97% (by number) of the silver particles, even though the largest mass of silver was present as flakes.

%B Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A %V 37 %8 sep 2020 %G eng %N 11 %R 10.1080/19440049.2020.1809719 %0 Journal Article %J Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %D 2020 %T Physico-chemical characterisation of the fraction of silver (nano)particles in pristine food additive E174 and in E174-containing confectionery. %A Sandra De Vos %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Eveline Verleysen %A Karen Smeets %A Jan Mast %K E174 %K particle size distribution %K Silver %K Single particle ICP-MS %K TEM %X

Silver (E174) is authorised as a food additive in the EU. The unknown particle size distribution of E174 is a specific concern for the E174 risk assessment. This study characterised the fraction of silver (nano)particles in 10 commercially available pristine E174 food additives and 10 E174-containing products by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (spICP-MS). TEM analysis showed that all samples contained micrometre-sized flakes and also a fraction of (nano)particles. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and electron diffraction confirmed that the (nano)particles and micrometre-sized flakes consisted of silver. A higher amount of (nano)particles was observed in the products than in the food additives. In addition, the surface of the micrometre-sized flakes was rougher in products. The median of the minimum external dimension, assessed as minimal Feret diameter, of the fraction of (nano)particles determined by quantitative TEM analysis was 11 ± 4 nm and 18 ± 7 nm (overall mean ± standard deviation), for food additives and products, respectively. Similar size distributions were obtained by spICP-MS and TEM, considering the limit of detection of spICP-MS. The median of the equivalent spherical diameter of the fraction of (nano)particles determined by spICP-MS was 19 ± 4 nm and 21 ± 2 nm (overall mean ± standard deviation), for food additives and products, respectively. In all samples, independent of the choice of technique, the nano-sized particles represented more than 97% (by number) of the silver particles, even though the largest mass of silver was present as flakes.

%B Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %8 2020 Sep 18 %G eng %R 10.1080/19440049.2020.1809719 %0 Journal Article %J Nanomaterials (Basel) %D 2020 %T Physicochemical Characterization of the Pristine E171 Food Additive by Standardized and Validated Methods. %A Eveline Verleysen %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Frederic Brassinne %A Sandra De Vos %A Isaac Ojea Jimenez %A Stella Mathioudaki %A Jan Mast %K E171 %K food additive %K Single particle ICP-MS %K transmission electron microscopy %X

E171 (titanium dioxide) is a food additive that has been authorized for use as a food colorant in the European Union. The application of E171 in food has become an issue of debate, since there are indications that it may alter the intestinal barrier. This work applied standardized and validated methodologies to characterize representative samples of 15 pristine E171 materials based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS). The evaluation of selected sample preparation protocols allowed identifying and optimizing the critical factors that determine the measurement of the particle size distribution by TEM. By combining optimized sample preparation with method validation, a significant variation in the particle size and shape distributions, the crystallographic structure (rutile versus anatase), and the physicochemical form (pearlescent pigments versus anatase and rutile E171) was demonstrated among the representative samples. These results are important for risk assessment of the E171 food additive and can contribute to the implementation of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidance on risk assessment of the application of nanoscience and nanotechnologies in the food and feed chain.

%B Nanomaterials (Basel) %V 10 %8 2020 Mar 24 %G eng %N 3 %R 10.3390/nano10030592 %0 Report %D 2020 %T PT-2020-NRL-TE-FASFC “Determination of As, Cd, Pb and Hg in food supplements" %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %K proficiency test %K Trace Elements %X

From the 1st of January 2008, the laboratory for Trace Elements at Sciensano (former CODA-CERVA), Tervuren, operates as National Reference Laboratory for Trace Elements in Food and Feed (NRL-TE). One of its core tasks is to organise proficiency tests (PTs) among laboratories appointed by the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain. This report presents the results of the proficiency test organised by the NRL-TE which focused on the determination of trace elements in food supplements. The results from the PT were treated in Sciensano, Tervuren.

The 2020 PT was obligatory for all laboratories approved for the analysis of heavy metals in foodstuff by the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC). Eleven laboratories registered for and participated in the exercise.

The test material used in this test was a food supplement. The material was separated from the package after purchase and divided in small containers. Each participant received approximately 15 g of test material.

Participants were invited to report the mean value and measurement uncertainty on their results for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg).

The assigned values (xa) and their uncertainty (u(xa)) were determined as the consensus of participant’s results. Standard deviations for proficiency assessment were calculated using the modified Horwitz equation.

Of the 11 laboratories that registered for participation, 11 submitted results for As, Cd and Pb, 10 submitted results for Hg. All but two of the z-scores that were calculated, were satisfactory. Estimation of a correct measurement uncertainty stays a difficult excersize: five of the calculated ζ-scores were unsatisfactory. Not all laboratories met the LOQ criteria for Hg [1].

No consensus value could be derived for Hg. The measurement of As was difficult, but overall the laboratories performed satisfactory. The performance of the laboratories to analyse Pb, and Cd in this matrix was very succesfull.

%I Sciensano %C Brussels, Belgium %P 25 %8 2020 %G eng %M n.a. %0 Report %D 2020 %T RT18/7 LECAHUNT Study on the lead and cadmium contamination in big game meat: Final Report %A Nadia Waegeneers %A J. Casaer %A Ann Ruttens %A C. Marien %A J. Vercammen %A S. Devisscher %A F. Huysentruyt %I Sciensano %C Elsene, Belgium %8 2020 %G eng %0 Report %D 2020 %T Study on the lead and cadmium contamination in big game meat (RT18/7 LECAHUNT) %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Casaer, Jim %A Ann Ruttens %A Cédric Marien %A Anneleen Rutten %A Jan Vercammen %A Sander Devisscher %A Frank Huysentruyt %K ammunition %K big game %K Lead %K Pb %P 91 %8 05/2020 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Sci Rep %D 2020 %T Variability of iodine concentrations in the human placenta. %A Kristof Y Neven %A Cédric B D Marien %A Bam G Janssen %A Harry A Roels %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Nawrot, Tim S %A Ann Ruttens %X

Iodine is an essential trace element, necessary for the production of thyroid hormones, which play a key role in optimal foetal growth and (neuro-) development. To date, iodine deficiency remains a health burden in many countries. We investigated the variability of placental iodine concentrations within and between individuals. We used 20 mother-neonate pairs from the ENVIRONAGE birth cohort, took samples at three standardized locations of the placentas, pooled and digested them, and determined the iodine concentrations using an ICP-MS method as an alternative for the Sandell-Kolthoff method. The variability between and within the three sample regions was calculated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) from the variance components of mixed models. With the Friedman test, the differences between placental biopsies were assessed. The ICC showed a higher between-placenta (68.6%) than within-placenta (31.4%) variability. Subsequently, we used our optimized method to determine iodine concentrations in 498 mother-neonate pairs, which averaged 26.1 μg/kg. For 96 mothers, the urinary iodine concentrations were also determined, which showed no correlation with the placental iodine storage, as was expected. Future studies are necessary to explore the effects of these placental iodine concentrations in relation to health outcomes of mother and child at birth and later in life.

%B Sci Rep %V 10 %8 2020 Jan 13 %G eng %N 1 %R 10.1038/s41598-019-56775-3 %0 Generic %D 2019 %T Characterization of the nano-sized fraction of silver particles in food additive E174 by EM and sp-ICP-MS %A Sandra De Vos %A Eveline Verleysen %A M. Ledecq %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Jan Mast %B IMEKOFOODS 4 %8 sep 2019 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2019 %T Combining TEM with single particle ICP-MS: assessing the size of individual nanoparticles in food additives by multiple techniques %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Delfosse,L. %A Sandra De Vos %A Eveline Verleysen %A Jan Mast %K Single particle ICP-MS %K transmission electron microscopy %B Workshop: Physicochemical characterisation of nano-sized particles in food %I Sciensano %C Brussels, Belgium %8 2019 %G eng %N Sciensano %0 Journal Article %J Materials (Basel) %D 2019 %T Estimation of the Uncertainties Related to the Measurement of the Size and Quantities of Individual Silver Nanoparticles in Confectionery. %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Sandra De Vos %A Eveline Verleysen %A Ann Ruttens %A Jan Mast %K Single particle ICP-MS %X

E174 (silver) is a food additive that may contain silver nanoparticles (AgNP). Validated methods are needed to size and quantify these particles in a regulatory context. However, no validations have yet been performed with food additives or real samples containing food additives requiring a sample preparation step prior to analysis. A single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) method was developed and validated for sizing and quantifying the fraction of AgNP in E174 and in products containing E174, and associated uncertainties related to sample preparation, analysis and data interpretation were unraveled. The expanded measurement uncertainty for AgNP sizing was calculated to be 16% in E174-containing food products and increased up to 23% in E174 itself. The E174 food additives showed a large silver background concentration combined with a relatively low number of nanoparticles, making data interpretation more challenging than in the products. The standard uncertainties related to sample preparation, analysis, and challenging data interpretation were respectively 4.7%, 6.5%, and 6.0% for triplicate performances. For a single replicate sample, the uncertainty related to sample preparation increased to 6.8%. The expanded measurement uncertainty related to the concentration determination was 25-45% in these complex samples, without a clear distinction between additives and products. Overall, the validation parameters obtained for spICP-MS seem to be fit for the purpose of characterizing AgNP in E174 or E174-containing products.

%B Materials (Basel) %V 12 %8 2019 Aug 22 %G eng %N 17 %& 2677 %R 10.3390/ma12172677 %0 Report %D 2019 %T LECAHUNT_Lood contaminatie in vlees van groot wild %A Régis Nkenda %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %I Erasmushogeschool (Bachelor Biomedische Laboratorium Technologie) %8 2019 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2019 %T Physicochemical characterisation of several types of the E171 food additive %A Eveline Verleysen %A M. Ledecq %A Sandra De Vos %A I. Ojea Jimenez %A Frederic Brassinne %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Jan Mast %K Characterization %K E171 %K electron microscopy %K particle size distributions. %K single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy %K titanium oxide %X

The application of E171 (titanium dioxide) as a food additive has been an issue of debate in the European Union. A detailed physicochemical characterization of the E171 particles can objectify the discussions and is essential in the context of risk analysis.
This work focuses on the physicochemical characterization of 15 pristine E171 materials by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (sp-ICP-MS) following CEN/TC 352 guidelines. The E171 samples were purchased on the Belgian market or were obtained from European producers.
In optimized conditions, representative TEM micrographs could be recorded and the ParticleSizer image analysis software succeeded in applying noise reduction and background subtraction, allowing robust automatic thresholding and constituent particle detection. The large majority of constituent particles, confirmed to be TiO2 by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), were reliably detected and measured by the software. The measurement uncertainty budgets of particle sizing by TEM and sp-ICP-MS are in the order of 10% and 16 % (Ucx, k=2), respectively, based on validation studies of a series of representative test materials. The phase of the E171 particles was determined by powder electron diffraction.
Several types of TiO2 particles were found in pristine E171. These types were shown to be applied as well in food products containing E171. All examined E171 food additives contained a significant amount of nanoparticles. In the most dispersed state, the particle size measurements by TEM and sp-ICP-MS agreed well. Eleven E171 materials consisted of anatase. Three materials consisted of smaller rutile TiO2 particles (20-40 nm) coated on mica. One material contained a mixture of anatase and rutile particles.
In future research, the methodology will be implemented in a systematic and larger scale study of E171 food additives and food items containing E171, available on the market.

%B IMEKOFOODS 4 %8 sep 2019 %G eng %U https://www.imekofoods4.be/ %0 Generic %D 2019 %T Physicochemical Characterisation of the E171 Food Additive %A Eveline Verleysen %A Marina Ledecq %A Sandra De Vos %A Isaac Ojea Jimenez %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Frederic Brassinne %A Jan Mast %K E171 %K particle size distribution %K Single particle ICP-MS %K titanium dioxide %K transmission electron microscopy %X

The application of E171 (titanium dioxide) as a food additive has been an issue of debate in the European Union. A detailed physicochemical characterization of the E171 particles can objectify the discussions and is essential in the context of risk analysis. This work focuses on the physicochemical characterization of 15 pristine E171 materials by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (sp-ICP-MS) following CEN/TC 352 guidelines. The E171 samples were purchased on the Belgian market or were obtained from European producers. To measure the minimal external dimension of the constituent particles of E171, sample preparation protocols influencing particle dispersion (pH, probe sonication and centrifugation) were tested and optimized. In optimized conditions, representative TEM micrographs could be recorded, and it was demonstrated that all examined E171 food additives contained a significant amount of nanoparticles. The large majority of constituent particles, confirmed to be TiO2 by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), were reliably detected and measured using the ParticleSizer software. In the most dispersed state, the particle size measurements by TEM and sp-ICP-MS agreed well. The measurement uncertainty budgets of particle sizing by TEM and sp-ICP-MS are in the order of 10% and 16 % (Ucx, k=2), respectively, based on validation studies of a series of representative test materials. Electron diffraction demonstrated that both anatase and rutile TiO2 particles were found in pristine E171. Eleven E171 materials consisted of anatase. Three materials consisted of smaller rutile TiO2 particles (20-40 nm) coated on mica. One material contained a mixture of anatase and rutile particles. In future research, the methodology will be implemented in a systematic and larger scale study of E171 food additives and food items containing E171, available on the market.

%B Recent Advances in Food Analysis (RAFA) %I University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, Czech Republic %C Prague, Czech Republic %8 2019 %@ 978-80-7592-055-3 %G eng %U http://www.rafa2019.eu/pdf/RAFA2019_BoA_web.pdf %0 Report %D 2019 %T PT-2019-NRL-TE-FASFC Determination of As, Asi, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni in lentils. Final report on the 2019 proficiency test organised by the National Reference Laboratory for Trace Elements in Food and Feed %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %I Sciensano %C Tervuren, Belgium %P 31 %8 2019 %G eng %0 Report %D 2019 %T RF 16/6306 Implementation and validation of an analytical methodology to assess engineered nanomaterials in food additives Nanofood@ %A Eveline Verleysen %A Sandra De Vos %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Frederic Brassinne %A Stella Mathioudaki %A Marina Ledecq %A Lotte Delfosse %A Jan Mast %8 2019 %G eng %0 Report %D 2019 %T Study on the lead and cadmium contamination in big game meat: Interim Scientific Report %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %A J. Vercammen %A S. Devisscher %A F. Huysentruyt %A J. Casaer %A C. Marien %8 2019 %G eng %0 Government Document %D 2019 %T Syllabus of the workshop physicochemical characterization of nano-sized particles in food %A Eveline Verleysen %A Ralf Kaegi %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Stella Mathioudaki %A Frederic Brassinne %A Jan Mast %K Nanoparticles %K physico-chemical characterization %K transmission electron microscopy %X

Scope of this workshop

%8 2019 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J J Chromatogr A %D 2019 %T A systematic evaluation of Flow Field Flow Fractionation and single-particle ICP-MS to obtain the size distribution of organo-mineral iron oxyhydroxide colloids. %A Claudia Moens %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Andreas Fritzsche %A Peter Nobels %A E Smolders %K Flow Field Flow Fractionation %K iron oxyhydroxide colloids %K particle size distribution %K Single particle ICP-MS %X

Colloidal iron(III) oxyhydroxides (FeOx) are important reactive adsorbents in nature. This study was set up to determine the size of environmentally relevant FeOx colloids with new methods, i.e. Flow Field Flow Fractionation (FlFFF-UV-ICP-MS) and single-particle ICP-MS/MS (sp-ICP-MS) and to compare these with standard approaches, i.e. dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), microscopy (TEM), membrane filtration, centrifugation and dialysis. Seven synthetic nano- and submicron FeOx with different mineralogy and coating were prepared and two soil solutions were included. The FlFFF was optimized for Fe recovery, yielding 70-90%. The FlFFF determines particle size with high resolution in a 1 mM NHHCO (pH 8.3) background and can detect Fe-NOM complexes <5 nm and organo-mineral FeOx particles ranging 5-300 nm. The sp-ICP-MS method had a size detection limit for FeOx of about 32-47 nm. The distribution of hydrodynamic diameters of goethite particles detected with FlFFF, NTA and DLS were similar but the values were twice as large as the Fe cores of particles detected with sp-ICP-MS and TEM. Conventional fractionation by centrifugation and dialysis generally yielded similar fractions as FlFFF but membrane filtration overestimated the large size fractions. Particles formed from Fe(II) oxidation in the presence of NOM showed strikingly smaller organo-mineral Fe-Ox colloids as the NOM/Fe ratio increased. The soil solution obtained with centrifugation of an acid peat was dominated by small (<30 nm) Fe-OM complexes and organo-mineral FeOx colloids whereas that of a mineral pH neutral soil mainly contains larger (30-200 nm) Fe-rich particles. The FlFFF-UV-ICP-MS is recommended for environmental studies of colloidal FeOx since it has a wide size detection range, it fractionates in an environmentally relevant background (1 mM NHHCO) and it has acceptable element recoveries.

%B J Chromatogr A %V 1599 %8 2019 Aug 16 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.chroma.2019.04.032 %0 Generic %D 2019 %T Is there too much lead in Belgian big game meat? %A Ann Ruttens %A Casaer, Jim %A C. Marien %A A. Rutten %A Nadia Waegeneers %K ammunition %K heavy metals %K Lead %K Meat %K Trace Elements %B IMEKO FOODS, Tervuren, Belgium %8 sep 2019 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2019 %T Validation of single particle ICP-MS for routine sizing and quantification of the fraction of silver nanoparticles in E174 food addititves and confectionery products %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Sandra De Vos %A Eveline Verleysen %A Jan Mast %K Nanomaterials; Food additives; E174; Silver %X

Silver (Ag) is a food additive (E174) approved by the European Commission to be used for the external coating of confectionery, for decoration of chocolates, and in liqueurs [1]. It is commercially distributed in its pristine powder and sheet form, and in confectionery products. Due to its nature, E174 may contain silver nanoparticles, which implies a need for validated methods to size and quantify these particles. Single particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) is thereby a promising technique as it is capable of sizing and counting particles at the same time.
A spICP-MS method was developed and validated for sizing and quantifying the fraction of silver nanoparticles in E174 food additives and in products containing E174. The samples were prepared for analysis according to a slightly modified version of the method of Jensen et al. [2]. The E174 food additives showed a large silver background concentration combined with a relatively low number of nanoparticles, making the quantification of the nanoparticles more challenging than in the products containing E174. Validation of the method showed good performance with respect for the size distribution compared to the size distribution obtained from transmission electron microscopy. Depending on the sample and the background silver concentration, particles with an equivalent spherical diameter (ESD) down to 11 nm could be detected. The performance in terms of repeatability (size 4-11%, concentration 16-29%), and intermediate precision (size 2-8%, concentration 18-31%) depended on the type of sample. The large repeatability compared to the intermediate precision demonstrates the need to analyze multiple independent replicates under routine conditions. When analyzing three replicates, the extended measurement uncertainty (k = 2) on the mean ESD is 20% for E174 food additives and 11% for products containing E174. The quantification of the mass and number concentration is more challenging with extended measurement uncertainties up to 45%.

%B IMEKOFOODS 4 %8 sep 2019 %G eng %N IMEKO %0 Generic %D 2018 %T 4DEMON: Centralization and valorization of 4 decades of biota contaminant data in the Belgian Part of the North Sea %A K. Bekaert %A M. Le Hong %A R. Lagring %A Ann Ruttens %A Nadia Waegeneers %A B. Ampe %A B. De Witte %X

From the sixties, growing general awareness arose concerning the negative effects of chemical pollution in the marine environment. This led to international regulation in Europe starting with the Oslo and Paris convention in the seventies and leading to several research projects and monitoring programs. In the Belgian Part of the North Sea (BPNS), modern oceanography, with systematic campaigns for assessing the quality of the marine environment, started with the “Projet Mer/Projekt Zee” (PMPZ) in 1970. Within this first phase of the Belgian Federal North Sea Research Program, all compartments of the marine ecosystem were studied. This initial program was followed by other research actions, programs and monitoring campaigns, resulting in a large set of valuable historical data on the marine environment of the BPNS.

 

As part of the 4DEMON project (4 Decades of Marine Monitoring), a massive amount of marine pollution data in sediment and biota has been centralized from various data sources. A quality check was performed on the data (coordinates, units, duplicates,…) resulting for biota in a dataset of no less than 82000 analyt values with metadata including those of heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The data were valorized by performing long-term trends modelling on a defined subset of the data.

 

When collecting 40 years of pollution data, variability in the dataset is large and various issues have to be addressed to intercalibrate the data: sampling locations and species changed over time, major method changes occurred and essential metadata might be missing. Therefore, a linear mixed effect model was used to integrate all data into consistent long-term time trends, including the parameters season, sampling location and analysis method as model variables. The selected species for most contaminants were blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), brown shrimp (Crangon crangon), flounder (Platichthys flesus), and swimming crab (Liocarcinus spp). The model output gives a view on PCB and heavy metal pollution on a large time frame.

 

 

Acknowledgement

We want to thank the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) for the financial support of the 4Demon project.

%B Liège symposium on ocean dynamics, 28/5-1/6 %C Luik %G eng %0 Generic %D 2018 %T Arsenic Speciation Analysis Elucidates the Risk Assesment of Food Supplements with Ingredients of Marine Origin. 9th Nordic Conference on plasma spectrochemistry %A Karlien Cheyns %A Heidi Demaegdt %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %X

Many potential health benefits are related to the consumption of marine organisms due to the presence of high amounts of beneficial bioactive compounds (e.g. polyunsaturated fatty acids, various peptides, minerals …). Therefore, these organisms are frequently used as base for several food supplements (FS). On the other hand, marine organisms are also known to contain high levels of arsenic (As), resulting in elevated As concentrations in FS with ingredients of marine origin, such as fish oil, krill oil or algae. Since human health risks are not related to the total As concentration but are species dependent, analysis of the relevant toxic As species in FS is mandatory for a correct risk assessment.

The aim of the present study was to make an exposure and risk assessment of As (species) resulting from the consumption of these types of FS, based on 60 samples collected in a Belgian market study. In this context, the determination of the most toxic fraction, inorganic arsenic (Asi) and the non-toxic fraction arsenobetaine (AB) is particularly important. In addition, we considered the ‘potentially toxic As fraction’ i.e. ‘Astot-AB’, consisting of not only Asi, but also As species with unknown toxicity, such as arsenosugars and arsenolipids which can occur in marine matrices, in particular in algae.

Analysis of Asi in algae by HPLC-ICP-MS is complicated by the presence of arsenosugars in these organisms. Routine methods for Asi analysis in terrestrial matrices do not automatically guarantee a separation of AsV and arsenosugars. The objective of this study was to optimize and validate a method to ensure a correct quantification of methylarsonate (MA), dimethylarsinate (DMA), AB and Asi in marine matrices. Arsenobetaine could not be determined on the same anionic column as the other species, therefore a method using a cationic column was needed to separate AB from other uncharged or cationic species.

Exposure to Asi, MA, DMA and ‘Astot-AB’ was calculated for each sample by multiplying the concentration of these compounds with the maximal recommended dose of the FS. Risks related to the intake of arsenic species in the food supplements were evaluated by comparing the calculated exposure to selected acute and (sub)chronic reference values. For Asi, a distinction was made between the general Belgian population and a sensitive population group, i.e. persons with an increased cancer risk. For the latter group a more severe reference value was applied. The risk evaluation for the chronic intake of Asi and the potentially toxic As fraction was carried out by calculating a margin of exposure (MOE), whereby MOE values > 100 were considered as ‘of concern’. Regarding MA and DMA no (sub)chronic risk was present, and no risk for acute toxicity of Asi was detected either. The intake of Asi was only of concern for sensitive groups in the case of chronic consumption of 24% of the tested FS based on algae. The intake of the potentially toxic As fraction was of concern in the case of chronic consumption of 19% of the tested food supplements based on algae, 6% of the tested food supplements based on fish oil and 67% of the tested food supplements based on krill oil.

These findings illustrate the need for more information regarding the toxicity of the potentially toxic arsenic species (mainly arsenosugars and arsenolipids), starting with a correct characterization of these species.

%B 9th Nordic Conference on plasma spectrochemistry %8 June 2018 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Food Chem Toxicol %D 2018 %T Arsenic speciation in food in Belgium. Part 2: Cereals and cereal products. %A Ann Ruttens %A Karlien Cheyns %A Anne-Catherine Blanpain %A L De Temmerman %A Nadia Waegeneers %K Arsenic %K Food Analysis %K Speciation %X

This study reports results of total arsenic (As) and various As species in 75 samples of cereals and cereal products bought on the Belgian market. In addition to rice, the samples were wheat, pasta, bread and some breakfast cereals. The inorganic species arsenite (As) and arsenate (As), and the organic As compounds dimethyl arsinate (DMA) and monomethyl arsonate (MA) were the only As species detected. Mean As was 0.150 ± 0.089 mg kg in rice and 0.012 ± 0.008 mg kg in the non-rice cereals. The inorganic arsenic fraction (As = As + As) dominated in all samples and was in the range 55%-100%. Significantly higher As and As concentrations were observed in white rice and brown rice compared to Basmati rice. Within the group of non-rice cereals bread and pasta showed significantly lower concentrations compared to wheat. All 30 rice samples were conform to the European maximum limits for As, laid down in Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/1006. Although regulatory limits certainly can help to protect consumer health, our results suggest that the currently fixed European maximum levels are, in Belgium, not expected to have any impact on the human exposure to As, which is a known carcinogenic substance.

%B Food Chem Toxicol %V 118 %8 2018 Aug %G eng %& 32 %R 10.1016/j.fct.2018.04.040 %0 Thesis %D 2018 %T Les risques des nanoparticules dans le secteur alimentaire et les enjeux pour la santé publique: éléments pour une méthode analytique du dioxyde de titane %A Chaïmae Harti %A Nadia Waegeneers %K nanomaterials %K titanium dioxide %I Université Libre de Bruxelles %C Brussels %P 51 %8 June 2018 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2018 %T A novel approach to model 4 decades of marine chemical data %A B. De Witte %A M. Le Hong %A R. Lagring %A Ann Ruttens %A Nadia Waegeneers %A B. Ampe %A K. Bekaert %X

The awareness of the negative effects of chemical pollution in the sixties has led to an increased concern on the chemical status of the marine environment in the following decades. International regulation in Europe started with the Oslo and Paris convention in the seventies, later on leading to the OSPAR commission. At national level, extended research on chemical pollutants in marine sediments and marine biota was done within the “Project Mer/Projekt Zee” from 1970 to 1976. Since then, a long series of research and monitoring projects was conducted, reporting on the chemical status of the Belgian Part of the North Sea.

 

Within the 4demon project, a major work package focused on the collection, quality control and intercalibration of more than 40 years of data on heavy metals and polychlorinated biphenyls. In this presentation, the modelling approach and results on sediment data will be presented.

 

Within current OSPAR and MSFD monitoring on chemical pollution, variability in location, seasonality, grain size, etc. is reduced thanks to standardized OSPAR guidelines. This facilitates comparability of data within and between regions and assessments based on 5-15 year timetrends are frequently made. Within more than 40 years of pollution data, variability is much larger, and multiple issues should be tackled to intercalibrate the data: changes in sampling locations and analyses methods over time, missing essential metadata, sample analysis on different grain size fractions,… Therefore, existing time trend modelling approaches could not be applied within the 4Demon project. An alternative approach, focused on cluster analysis and different normalisation procedures was proposed. A parametric linear mixed effect model was used to integrate all data into consistent long term time lines which give a view on PCB and heavy metal pollution on a large time frame.

 

Acknowledgement

We want to thank the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) for the financial support of the 4Demon project.

%B VLIZ symposium %G eng %0 Report %D 2018 %T Physico-chemical characterization of the fraction of engineered nanomaterials in silver food additives (E174) in the context of risk assessment (nanoAg@) %A Eveline Verleysen %A Sandra De Vos %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Lotte Delfosse %A Marina Ledecq %A Jan Mast %X

report of project nanoAg@

%8 2018 %G eng %U https://www.sciensano.be/en/projects/physico-chemical-characterization-fraction-engineered-nanomaterials-silver-e174-food-additives %0 Report %D 2018 %T PT-2018-NRL-TE-FASFC Determination of As, Asi, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Hg in baby food. Final report on the 2018 Proficiency test organized by the national reference laboratory for trace elements in food and feed %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %G eng %0 Generic %D 2018 %T Screening for nanoparticles in complex matrices within a regulatory framework: are we there yet? %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Delfosse,L. %A Sandra De Vos %A Jan Mast %K Nanoparticles %X

Silver (Ag) is a food additive (E174) approved by the European Commission to be used for the external coating of confectionery, for decoration of chocolates, and in liqueurs. It is commercially distributed in its pristine powder and sheet form, and in confectionary products. The presented work is part of a larger project that aims at a systematic examination of silver (E174) food additives and food items containing silver, available on the market in line with Regulation (EU) N° 1169/2011. Ten pristine samples of E174 and ten food items containing E174 were investigated for their number-based size distribution of Ag particles. The food items were as well investigated for their total Ag content. Single particle inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) was studied as a screening tool to determine the number-based size distribution of Ag particles, their particle number and mass concentration. The number-based size distribution of Ag particles was verified by transmission electron microscopy. Sample preparation, which included separation of the particles from the matrix in case of food products and preparation of a stable particle dispersion, proved to be a challenging step. The precision (repeatability and intermediate precision) of the selected methodology was determined for both the pristine E174 food additives and food samples containing E174. The determination of total Ag in the food samples by means of inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after acid microwave digestion was hampered by matrix effects, but could be solved by internal calibration. The applied methodology was able to demonstrate the presence of silver nanoparticles in E174 and confectionery products within the framework of Regulation (EU) N° 1169/2011.

Acknowledgement: This research was funded by the Belgian Federal Public Service of Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment. The authors wish to thank R. Machiels and F. Van Steen for their technical assistance.

%B 40th International Conference on Environmental & Food Monitoring (ISEAC-40) %I ISEAC-40 %C Santiago de Compostela, Spain %8 2018 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Toxicology Reports %D 2018 %T Short-term biodistribution and clearance of intravenously administered silica nanoparticles %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Anne Brasseur %A Van Doren, Elke %A Van der Heyden, Sara %A Pieter-Jan Serreyn %A Pussemier, Luc %A Jan Mast %A Schneider, Yves-Jacques %A Ann Ruttens %A S. Roels %K distribution %K in vivo %K intravenous exposure %K nanomaterials %K synthetic amorphous silica %X Recently, concerns have been raised about potential adverse effects of synthetic amorphous silica, commonly used as food additive (E551), since silica nanoparticles have been detected in food containing E551. We examined the biodistribution and excretion in female Sprague-Dawley rats of NM-200, a well characterized nanostructured silica representative for food applications. A single intravenous injection of NM-200 was applied at a dose of 20 mg/kgbw, followed by autopsy after 6 and 24 hours. The main organs where silicon accumulated were liver and spleen. The silicon concentration significantly decreased in spleen between 6 and 24 hours. In liver the tendency was the same but the effect was not significant. This could be due to clearance of the spleen to the liver via the splenic vein, while liver clearance takes more time due to hepatic processing and biliary excretion. In treated animals the liver showed in addition a prominent increase of macrophages between both evaluation moments. Within the first 24 hours, silicon was mainly excreted through urine. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the toxicokinetics of different types of silica nanomaterials at lower exposure doses in order to be able to predict kinetics and toxicity of silica nanoparticles depending on their physicochemical characteristics. %B Toxicology Reports %V 5 %8 23/05/2018 %G eng %& 632 %R https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.05.004 %0 Journal Article %J Toxicology Reports %D 2018 %T Short-term biodistribution and clearance of intravenously administered silica nanoparticles %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Anne Brasseur %A Van Doren, Elke %A Van der Heyden, Sara %A Pieter-Jan Serreyn %A Pussemier, Luc %A Jan Mast %A Schneider, Yves-Jacques %A Ann Ruttens %A S. Roels %B Toxicology Reports %V 5 %8 Jan-01-2018 %G eng %R 10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.05.004 %0 Conference Proceedings %B Labinfo %D 2017 %T Analyse van Spoorelementen, waar ligt de grens? %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Heidi Demaegdt %A Ann Ruttens %K heavy metals %K ICP-MS %K Trace Elements %B Labinfo %I FAVV %C Brussels, Belgium %V 16 %8 04/2017 %U http://www.favv.be/laboratoria/labinfo/_documents/2017-04_labinfo16_nl_000.pdf %M NA %& 4 %0 Generic %D 2017 %T Analysis and risk characterization of arsenic species in food supplements based on clay. %A Heidi Demaegdt %A Ann Ruttens %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %K Arsenic %K clay %K Food Supplements %B Beltox annual meeting %I Beltox %C Leuven, Belgium %8 1/12/2017 %G eng %N Beltox %0 Generic %D 2017 %T Analysis and risk characterization of arsenic species in food supplements based on algae and marine animals. %A Heidi Demaegdt %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %K Arsenic %K Food Supplements %K marine %B ECSafeSeafood Conference %I ECSafeSeafood %C Brussels, Belgium %8 26-01-2017 %G eng %N ECSafeSeafood %0 Journal Article %J J Agric Food Chem %D 2017 %T Arsenic Release from Foodstuffs upon Food Preparation. %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Van de Wiele, Tom %A Ann Ruttens %K Animals %K Arsenic %K cooking %K Fishes %K Food Contamination %K Oryza %K seafood %K Vegetables %X

In this study the concentration of total arsenic (As) and arsenic species (inorganic As, arsenobetaine, dimethylarsinate, and methylarsonate) was monitored in different foodstuffs (rice, vegetables, algae, fish, crustacean, molluscs) before and after preparation using common kitchen practices. By measuring the water content of the foodstuff and by reporting arsenic concentrations on a dry weight base, we were able to distinguish between As release effects due to food preparation and As decrease due to changes in moisture content upon food preparation. Arsenic species were released to the broth during boiling, steaming, frying, or soaking of the food. Concentrations declined with maxima of 57% for total arsenic, 65% for inorganic As, and 32% for arsenobetaine. On the basis of a combination of our own results and literature data, we conclude that the extent of this release of arsenic species is species specific, with inorganic arsenic species being released most easily, followed by the small organic As species and the large organic As species.

%B J Agric Food Chem %V 65 %P 2443-2453 %8 2017 Mar 22 %G eng %N 11 %1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28252943?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b05721 %0 Generic %D 2017 %T Consumers can lower their toxic arsenic intake by selecting appropriate kitchen practices. SETAC Europe 27th annual meeting, 08-11 May 2017, Brussels, Belgium %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %K Arsenic %K food consumption %K Speciation %B SETAC Europe 27th annual meeting, 08-11 May 2017, Brussels, Belgium %I Setac Europe %C Brussels, Belgium %8 05/2017 %G eng %N SETAC Europe %0 Report %D 2017 %T Determination of As, Asi, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in chocolate (PT-2017-NRL-TE-FASFC). Final report on the 2017 Proficiency Test organised by the National Reference Laboratory for Trace Elements in Food and Feed. %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %K 2017 %K AS %K Asi %K Cd %K chocolate %K Cu %K Pb %K proficiency test %K Zn %I CODA-CERVA %C Brussel, België %P NA %8 09/2017 %G eng %M NA %0 Generic %D 2017 %T Human absorption of silver ENM: through particles or ions? %A Nadia Waegeneers %A A Brasseur %A Van Der Heyden,S %A Jan Mast %A S. Roels %K Absorption %K Nanoparticles %K Silver %X

One of the many questions in the human risk assessment of metallic engineered nanomaterials (ENM) such as silver ENM is whether these ENM dissolve in the gastrointestinal (GI) system or are absorbed and translocated to organs and tissues as intact nanoparticles. It is difficult to elucidate this question as in situ measurement of silver ENM is still hampered by technical difficulties, but also because silver nanoparticles can be formed in vivo after exposure to silver salts. To tackle these difficulties, we compared the tissue distribution of orally administered silver ENM with the tissue distribution pattern of silver ENM and a silver salt that were administered by intravenous (IV) injection.

Female rats were exposed to a single dose of NM-300K, consisting of silver nanoparticles with a mean diameter <20 nm, or to AgNO3. The rats were treated either by oral gavage or by IV injection. During a 24-hour period, urine and feces were collected. After 24 hours, selected tissues were sampled and total Ag concentrations were measured by ICP-MS.

After treatment by IV injection with the silver salt, largest Ag concentrations were found in the liver, spleen and pancreas, and Ag was largely excreted (32% of administered dose) via urine and feces. After IV injection with NM-300K, largest Ag concentrations were found in the spleen, and <1% of the administered dose was excreted via urine and feces. This demonstrates that NM-300K, once present systemically, is circulated as particles and solubilization is limited.

After treatment of the animals by oral gavage there was a low absorption of Ag, the absorption after treatment with NM-300K being 10-fold lower than after treatment with AgNO3. As there is a certain amount of soluble Ag present in the administered NM-300K dispersion (~3%), the tissue concentrations were normalized for the soluble Ag dose. After this normalization, the Ag concentrations in tissues after exposure to NM-300K were up to 17 times larger than after exposure to AgNO3. This might indicate that either an additional fraction of NM-300K has been solubilized in the GI tract, or that NM-300K is partially taken up as intact nanoparticles. The Ag distribution pattern in the tissues after treatment with NM-300K resembled, however, more that of ionic Ag after IV injection than that of NM-300K after IV injection. This suggests that it is more likely that NM-300K is partially dissolved in the GI tract and subsequently absorbed and excreted via urine and feces.

%B SETAC Brussels %I SETAC %C Brussel, België %8 2017 %G eng %U https://brussels.setac.org/ %0 Report %D 2016 %T Analyse en risicokarakterisatie van arseenspecies in voedingssupplementen. Eindrapport COMPAs-project. %A Heidi Demaegdt %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %K anorganisch arseen %K arseen %K biotoegankelijkheid %K inname analyse %K risicobeoordeling %K voedingssupplementen %I CODA-CERVA %C Brussel, België %P NA %8 09/2016 %G eng %M NA %0 Report %D 2016 %T Analysis and risk characterisation for arsenic species in food supplements. Final report COMPAs project. %A Heidi Demaegdt %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %K Arsenic %K bioaccessibility %K Food Supplements %K inorganic arsenic %K intake assessment %K Risk Assessment %I CODA-CERVA %C Brussels, Belgium %P NA %8 09/2016 %G eng %M NA %0 Journal Article %J Chemosphere %D 2016 %T Chemical analyses of dredged spoil disposal sites at the Belgian part of the North Sea. %A De Witte, Bavo %A Ann Ruttens %A Ampe, Bart %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Gauquie, Johanna %A Devriese, Lisa %A Cooreman, Kris %A Parmentier, Koen %K Belgium %K Environmental Monitoring %K Geologic Sediments %K Metals, Heavy %K North Sea %X

The chemical status of five dredged spoil disposal sites in the Belgian Part of the North Sea is evaluated. A linear mixed-effect model was applied to PCB, PAH and heavy metal data from 2005 to 2014. No decrease in PCB concentrations was found, with even an increase at two disposal sites. Hg/AL ratios increased with 62% at one disposal site (BR&WS2) from 2005 to 2006 to 2013-2014. Cu and Zn concentrations increased at two disposal sites. Additional harbour sampling suggests that the latter is possibly linked to antifouling paints. Based on OSPAR environmental assessment criteria, the current chemical status of the sites suggests no chronic effect of dredged spoil disposal. However, increasing time trend data for PCB, Hg, Cu and Zn demonstrate the importance of monitoring to identify adverse trends.

%B Chemosphere %V 156 %P 172-180 %8 2016 Aug %G eng %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27176939?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.04.124 %0 Report %D 2016 %T Determination of As, Asi, Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in rice wafers (PT-2016-NRL-TE-FASFC).Final report on the 2016 Proficiency Test organised by the National Reference Laboratory for Trace Elements in Food and Feed. %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %K 2016 %K AS %K Asi %K Cd %K Cu %K Pb %K proficiency test %K rice wafers %K Zn %I CODA-CERVA %C Brussels, Belgium %P 29 %8 09/2016 %G eng %M NA %0 Generic %D 2016 %T In vitro assessment of arsenic bioaccessibility and intestinal transport including gut microbiota contribution %A M. Calatayud %A A. Geirnaert %A C. Grootaert %A Du Laing,G. %A Ann Ruttens %A Nadia Waegeneers %A T. Van de Wiele %B International Conference of Heavy Metals in the Environment (ICHMET), Ghent, Belgium %8 12/9-15/9 %G eng %0 Generic %D 2016 %T Introducing speciation changes, human bioaccessibility and bioavailability in the risk evaluation of dietary inorganic arsenic intake: a Belgian case study %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %A Sergent,T. %A Du Laing,G. %A Schneider, Y-J %A Van de Wiele, Tom %K Arsenic %K Belgium %K bioaccessibility %K bioavailability %K inorganic arsenic %K intake %K Speciation %X

Arsenic (As) is an ubiquitous element frequently present in food items. Human health risks related to its dietary intake are not linked to total As intake, but depend on the chemical form (speciation) in which As is taken up. Hence normative legislation should preferably be speciation-based in the case of As. To assess the risks associated to dietary As intake, the knowledge of the internal exposure to different As-species is necessary, and this can only be determined if speciation changes during food preparation and food digestion are known. The BIOTRAs project aimed at incorporating these changes and knowledge about As-species bioaccessibility and bioavailability into the risk assessment of dietary As intake in Belgium.

Different food items were analysed before and after preparation to determine the effect of preparation on As concentrations and speciation. The prepared food samples were subjected to a sequential in vitro digestion system (Unified Barge Method). To mimic colon digestion, the intestinal digests were incubated with colon suspension sampled from the SHIME reactor. The bioaccessible fraction was collected by centrifuging the small intestine- or colon digests. Apparent permeability values of As and its species from the digested food matrices were obtained by means of the Caco-2 cell system. From these data, human intestinal absorption values were derived (bioavailability). To perform As in- and uptake calculations, different food consumption scenario’s were elaborated based on the Belgian Food consumption survey and literature data. To evaluate the risk of inorganic As (iAs)  in- and uptake, margins-of-exposure were calculated.

An increasing consumption of typical iAs sources (e.g. rice, hijiki seaweed) increases the intake of iAs, although cooking these food items in an excess water mitigates the increase. The calculated systemic uptake of iAs for a usual Belgian consumption pattern is calculated as 7 µg/d. A high consumption of selected food items leads maximally to a doubling of the iAs intake. Ethnic groups with a rice-based diet have a 25- to 100-times higher uptake of iAs than the average Belgian population, depending on the consumed amount of rice and its preparation method. No health risks due to iAs intake or uptake are expected for the general Belgian population. A long-term ethnical rice-based diet is discouraged for people with an increased risk for lung cancer such as smokers.

Acknowledgement - This study was funded by the Belgian Federal Public Service of Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment (Project RT-11/6247 BIOTRAs).

%B SETAC Nantes %I SETAC %C Brussel, België %8 2016 %G eng %U http://nantes.setac.eu/?contentid=851 %N SETAC %0 Report %D 2016 %T Method validation of nanomaterial characterization by single particle ICP-MS, DLS and quantitative TEM analyses. Final report NanoVAL. %A Bozatzidis,V %A Delfosse,L. %A Annick Evrard %A Nadia Waegeneers %K DLS %K ICP-MS %K nanomaterials %K NanoVAL %K TEM %I CODA-CERVA %C Brussels, Belgium %P NA %8 07/2016 %G eng %M NA %0 Journal Article %J J Agric Food Chem %D 2016 %T Polyphosphates and Fulvates Enhance Environmental Stability of PO4-Bearing Colloidal Iron Oxyhydroxides. %A Bollyn, Jessica %A Nijsen, Mathias %A Baken, Stijn %A Joye, Iris %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Cornelis, Geert %A E Smolders %K Adsorption %K Colloids %K Ferric Compounds %K Iron Compounds %K Minerals %K Nanoparticles %K Polyphosphates %X

Iron oxyhydroxide nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) are natural vectors of phosphate (PO4) in the environment. Their mobility is determined by colloidal stability, which is affected by surface composition. This might be manipulated in engineered NPs for environmental or agricultural applications. Here, the stability of PO4-Fe-NPs (HFO/goethite) was determined across contrasting environmental conditions (pH, Ca concentration) and by using fulvates (FA) and polyphosphates (poly-P's) as coatings. The PO4-Fe-NPs are unstable at Ca concentrations above 0.1 mM. Addition of FA and some poly-P's significantly improved stability. Zeta potential explained colloidal stability across treatments; surface charge was calculated with surface complexation models and explained for phytic acid (PA) and hexametaphosphate (HMP) by a partial (1-4 of the 6 PO4 units) adsorption to the surface, while the remaining PO4 units stayed in solution. This study suggests that Ca concentration mainly affects the mobility of natural or engineered PO4-Fe-NPs and that HMP is a promising agent for increasing colloidal stability.

%B J Agric Food Chem %V 64 %P 8465-8473 %8 2016 Nov 16 %G eng %N 45 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27754660?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b02425 %0 Generic %D 2016 %T Zn and Cu increases at the Belgian continental shelf: linked to antifouling? %A B. De Witte %A Ann Ruttens %A B. Ampe %A Nadia Waegeneers %A J. Gauquie %A L. Devriese %A K. Cooreman %A K. Parmentier %B North Sea Open Science Conference %C Oostende, Belgium %8 7-10/11 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Environ Pollut %D 2015 %T Accumulation of atmospheric deposition of As, Cd and Pb by bush bean plants. %A L De Temmerman %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %A Karine Vandermeiren %K Air Pollutants %K Arsenic %K Atmosphere %K Cadmium %K Environmental Monitoring %K Food Chain %K Lead %K Phaseolus %K Plant Roots %K Soil %K Soil Pollutants %K Trace Elements %X

Bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) was exposed to atmospheric deposition of As, Cd and Pb in a polluted and a reference area. The atmospheric deposition of these elements was significantly related to the concentrations in leaves, stems and pods at green harvest. Surprisingly there was also a clear relation for As and Pb in the seeds at dry harvest, even though these seeds were covered by the husks. Root uptake of accumulated atmospheric deposits was not likely in such a short term experiment, as confirmed by the fact that soil pore water analysis did not reveal significant differences in trace element concentrations in the different exposure areas. For biomonitoring purposes, the leaves of bush bean are the most suitable, but also washed or unwashed pods can be used. This means that the obtained relationships are suitable to estimate the transfer of airborne trace elements in the food chain via bush bean.

%B Environ Pollut %V 199 %P 83-8 %8 2015 Apr %G eng %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25637826?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.01.014 %0 Report %D 2015 %T Biobeschikbaarheid en transformatie van arseen uit levensmiddelen: rol van voedselbereiding, bewaring en, vertering. Eindrapport BIOTRAs-project RT11/6247 %A Van de Wiele, Tom %A Du Laing, G %A Ann Ruttens %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Schneider, Y-J %A A.C. Blanpain %A Karlien Cheyns %A De Bodt,J. %A Neri,J. %A Sergent,T. %K anorganisch arseen %K arseen %K arseenspeciatie %K food preparation %K gastro-intestinale voedselvertering %K intake assessment %K Risk Assessment %K shime-reactor %I UGent - CODA-CERVA %C Gent - Brussel, België %P NA %8 09/2015 %G eng %M NA %0 Report %D 2015 %T Determination of As, (iAs), Cd, Pb, Cu, Hg and Zn in liquid follow-on formulae manufactured from soya protein isolates (PT-2015-NRL-TE-FASFC). Final report on the 2015 interlaboratory comparison organised by the NRL for Trace Elements in food and feed. %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %K 2015 %K AS %K Cd %K Cu %K feed %K food %K Hg %K iAs %K NRL %K Pb %K soya protein isolates %K Trace Elements %K Zn %I CODA-CERVA %C Brussel, België %P 35 %8 Nov 2015 %G eng %M NA %0 Journal Article %J J Agric Food Chem %D 2015 %T TEM and SP-ICP-MS analysis of the release of silver nanoparticles from decoration of pastry. %A Eveline Verleysen %A Van Doren, E %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Pieter-Jan De Temmerman %A M Abi Daoud Francisco %A Jan Mast %K Food Additives %K Mass Spectrometry %K Metal Nanoparticles %K Microscopy, Electron, Transmission %K Particle Size %K Silver %K X-Ray Diffraction %X Metallic silver is an EU approved food additive referred to as E174. It is generally assumed that silver is only present in bulk form in the food chain. This work demonstrates that a simple treatment with water of "silver pearls", meant for decoration of pastry, results in the release of a subfraction of silver nanoparticles. The number-based size and shape distributions of the single, aggregated, and/or agglomerated particles released from the silver pearls were determined by combining conventional bright-field TEM imaging with semiautomatic particle detection and analysis. In addition, the crystal structure of the particles was studied by electron diffraction and chemical information was obtained by combining HAADF-STEM imaging with EDX spectroscopy and mapping. The TEM results were confirmed by SP-ICP-MS. The representative Ag test nanomaterial NM-300 K was used as a positive control to determine the uncertainty on the measurement of the size and shape of the particles. %B J Agric Food Chem %V 63 %P 3570-8 %8 2015 Apr 08 %G eng %N 13 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25768118?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b00578 %0 Conference Proceedings %B Labinfo %D 2014 %T ICP-MS: a promising tool in the detection and analysis of nanoparticles %A Nadia Waegeneers %K analysis %K detection %K Field flow fractionation %K Nanoparticles %K Single particle ICP-MS %B Labinfo %I Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain %C Brussel, België %V 11 %8 February 2014 %U http://www.afsca.be/laboratories/labinfo/_documents/2014-02_labinfo11-p18_en.pdf %& 18 %0 Report %D 2014 %T PT-2014-NRL-TE-FASFC Determination of Cu, Zn, As, Asi, Cd and Pb in wine. Final report on the 2014 interlaboratory comparison organised by the National Reference Laboratory for Trace Elements in Food and Feed %A Karlien Cheyns %A Nadia Waegeneers %K heavy metals %I Coda-Cerva %C Tervuren, Belgium %P 27 %8 10/02/2014 %G eng %M NA %0 Journal Article %J Sci Total Environ %D 2014 %T Selenium content of Belgian cultivated soils and its uptake by field crops and vegetables. %A L De Temmerman %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Thiry, Céline %A Du Laing, Gijs %A Tack, Filip %A Ann Ruttens %K Analysis of Variance %K Belgium %K Crops, Agricultural %K Environmental Monitoring %K Mass Spectrometry %K Selenium %K Soil %X

A series of 695 food crops were collected on 539 soils throughout Belgium. All samples were collected on commercial production fields, omitting private gardens. All crops were analyzed for their selenium (Se) concentration. The soils represent different soil types occurring in Belgium, with soil textures ranging from sand to silt loam, and including a few clay soils. They were analyzed for Se concentration, organic carbon content, cation exchange capacity and extractable sulphur (S) concentration. The Se concentrations in the soils were low (range 0.14-0.70 mg kg(-1) dw), but increasing soil Se concentrations were observed with increasing clay content. Stepwise multiple regressions were applied to determine relations between Se concentrations in crops and soil characteristics. Among field crops, wheat is the most important accumulator of selenium but the concentration remains rather low on the Belgian low Se-soils. Based on dry weight, leafy vegetables contain more Se than wheat. The soil is the most important source of Se and the element is transported with the water stream to the leaves, where it is accumulated. Vegetables rich in S, e.g. some Brassica and Allium species, have a higher capacity to accumulate Se as it can replace S in the proteins, although this accumulation is still limited at low soil Se concentrations. In loamy soils, weak correlations were found between the soil Se concentration and its concentration in wheat and potato. The uptake of Se increased with increasing pH. The Se concentrations in Belgian soils are far too low to generate a driving force on Se uptake. General climatic conditions such as temperature, air humidity and soil moisture are also important for the transfer of Se within the plant, and plant linked factors such as cultivar, growth stage and edible part are important as well, although their influence remains limited at low soil Se concentrations.

%B Sci Total Environ %V 468-469 %P 77-82 %8 2014 Jan 15 %G eng %1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24013513?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.016 %0 Journal Article %J Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %D 2013 %T Predicted dietary intake of selenium by the general adult population in Belgium. %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Thiry, Céline %A L De Temmerman %A Ann Ruttens %K ADOLESCENT %K Adult %K Aged %K Belgium %K Diet %K Eating %K Female %K Food Analysis %K Humans %K Male %K middle aged %K Nutritional Requirements %K nutritional status %K Selenium %K Surveys and Questionnaires %K Young adult %X

The total selenium content of about 800 food products purchased in Belgium was determined and combined with food records to determine the nutritional selenium status of Belgian people. The largest selenium concentrations (>1 mg kg(-1)) were found in Brazil nuts and offal, of which the consumption is limited. Usually consumed food groups with the highest selenium concentrations were fish and shellfish (0.2-0.9 mg kg(-1)), eggs, poultry meat, cheese, mushrooms and pasta (approximately 0.2 mg kg(-1)). The mean dietary selenium intake was calculated to be 60 µg day(-1), which is at the lower end but within the range recommended by the Superior Health Council in Belgium (60-70 µg day(-1)), and adequate according to the 55 µg day(-1) recommended by the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) of the European Commission. The major sources of selenium intake are meat and meat products (31%), fish and shellfish (20%), pasta and rice (12%), and bread and breakfast cereals (11%).

%B Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %V 30 %P 278-85 %8 2013 %G eng %N 2 %1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23194404?dopt=Abstract %& 278 %R 10.1080/19440049.2012.746474 %0 Generic %D 2013 %T Selenium in Belgian crops and soils versus its intake by Belgian adults. %A Nadia Waegeneers %A C. Thiry %A L. De Temmerman %A Ann Ruttens %B ICOBTE (International Conference on the Biogeochemistry of Trace Elements %C Athens, USA %8 16/6-20/6 %G eng %0 Thesis %D 2013 %T Totaal selenium in hoofdhaar van personen met chronisch vermoeidheidssyndroom en/of fibromyalgie: een pilootstudie %A Ronny Machiels %A Nick Wouters %A L De Temmerman %A Nadia Waegeneers %K CVS %K fibromyalgie %K hoofdhaar %K Selenium %I Groep T %C Leuven, België %P 75 %8 2013 %G eng %0 Journal Article %J Journal of Geochemical Exploration %D 2012 %T Arsenic speciation in food in Belgium. Part 1: fish, molluscs and crustaceans %A Ann Ruttens %A A.C. Blanpain %A L De Temmerman %A Nadia Waegeneers %K Dietary exposure %K Freshwater fish %K HPLC-ICP-MS %K inorganic arsenic %K seafood %X

A series of 350 food products, belonging to various food groups and bought on the Belgian market, were analysed for total As and 5 different As species, i.e. the inorganic species AsIII and AsV, monomethyl arsonic acid (MA), dimethyl arsinic acid (DMA), and arsenobetaine (AB). This paper reports the results obtained for the food group ‘fish’, containing 98 samples of fish, molluscs and crustaceans from seawater as well as freshwater origin. In all samples AB was the dominant As species detected. DMA, MA, AsIII and AsV were found in lower concentrations in some of the organisms under investigation. Mussel, shrimp and scampi were the only marine organisms in which inorganic arsenic was present in quantifiable amounts, with concentrations generally in the range 0.005–0.022 mg/kg whole weight (W.W). These results are in agreement with several other literature data that also report very low concentrations of inorganic arsenic in these organisms, but they contradict some other studies reporting much higher values. Our study therefore confirms the existing inconsistency among different studies regarding inorganic arsenic concentrations in seafood. The main reason for the observed differences remains unclear.

%B Journal of Geochemical Exploration %V 121 %8 Jan-10-2012 %G eng %& 55 %R 10.1016/j.gexplo.2012.07.003 %0 Journal Article %J Environ Pollut %D 2012 %T Impact of atmospheric deposition of As, Cd and Pb on their concentration in carrot and celeriac. %A L De Temmerman %A Ann Ruttens %A Nadia Waegeneers %K Air Pollutants %K Apium graveolens %K Arsenic %K Atmosphere %K Cadmium %K Daucus carota %K Environmental Monitoring %K Lead %K Soil Pollutants %X

Root crops, carrot and celeriac, were exposed to atmospheric deposition in a polluted versus reference area. An effect was observed on the As, Cd and Pb concentrations of the leaves and the storage organs. The concentrations in the whole storage organs correlated well with atmospheric deposition, which shows that they even could be used for biomonitoring. Nevertheless, leaves remain much more appropriate. The results revealed also a significant increase of the As and Cd concentration in the consumable part of the storage organs as a function of their atmospheric deposition. As such the experiments allowed deriving regression equations, useful for modeling the atmospheric impact of trace elements on the edible parts of root crops. For Pb, however, there was hardly any significant impact on the inner parts of the storage organs and as such the transfer of Pb in the food chain through root crops can be considered to be negligible.

%B Environ Pollut %V 166 %P 187-95 %8 2012 Jul %G eng %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22513000?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.03.032 %0 Journal Article %J Sci Total Environ %D 2011 %T A dynamic model to calculate cadmium concentrations in bovine tissues from basic soil characteristics. %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ann Ruttens %A L De Temmerman %K Animal Feed %K Animals %K Cadmium %K Cattle %K environmental exposure %K Models, Biological %K Models, Chemical %K Soil %K Soil Pollutants %K Water Pollutants, Chemical %K water supply %X

A chain model was developed to calculate the flow of cadmium from soil, drinking water and feed towards bovine tissues. The data used for model development were tissue Cd concentrations of 57 bovines and Cd concentrations in soil, feed and drinking water, sampled at the farms were the bovines were reared. Validation of the model occurred with a second set of measured tissue Cd concentrations of 93 bovines of which age and farm location were known. The exposure part of the chain model consists of two parts: (1) a soil-plant transfer model, deriving cadmium concentrations in feed from basic soil characteristics (pH and organic matter content) and soil Cd concentrations, and (2) bovine intake calculations, based on typical feed and water consumption patterns for cattle and Cd concentrations in feed and drinking water. The output of the exposure model is an animal-specific average daily Cd intake, which is then taken forward to a kinetic uptake model in which time-dependent Cd concentrations in bovine tissues are calculated. The chain model was able to account for 65%, 42% and 32% of the variation in observed kidney, liver and meat Cd concentrations in the validation study.

%B Sci Total Environ %V 409 %P 2815-23 %8 2011 Jun 15 %G eng %N 14 %1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21529892?dopt=Abstract %& 2815 %R 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.04.005 %0 Journal Article %J Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %D 2010 %T Dietary cadmium intake by the Belgian adult population. %A Vromman, V %A Nadia Waegeneers %A C Cornelis %A I De Boosere %A M Van Holderbeke %A Vinkx, C %A E Smolders %A A Huyghebaert %A Pussemier, L %K ADOLESCENT %K Adult %K Aged %K Belgium %K Beverages %K Cadmium %K Diet %K Edible Grain %K Environmental Pollutants %K food %K Food Analysis %K Food Contamination %K Humans %K middle aged %K NUTRITION SURVEYS %K Plant Tubers %K Risk Assessment %K Solanum tuberosum %K Young adult %X

The aim of this study was to estimate the dietary cadmium (Cd) intake of the Belgian adult population, to compare this dietary Cd exposure to the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) recently established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and to determine the major food groups that contribute to dietary Cd exposure in Belgium. Food consumption data were derived from the 2004 Belgian food consumption survey (two 24 h recalls, 3083 participants). Cadmium concentrations in food items (n = 4000) were gathered from the control program of the Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain for the period 2006-2008. Dietary intake per individual was calculated from consumption data and median Cd concentrations. The population mean, median and 95th percentile of the dietary intake values were 0.98, 0.85 and 2.02 µg kg⁻¹ body weight per week respectively. Two percent of the Belgian adult population has a dietary Cd intake above the recent TWI of 2.5 µg kg⁻¹ body weight established by EFSA in 2009. Cereal products and potatoes contribute for more than 60% to Cd intake.

%B Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %V 27 %8 2010 Dec %G eng %N 12 %& 1665 %R 10.1080/19440049.2010.525752 %0 Journal Article %J Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %D 2009 %T Accumulation of trace elements in cattle from rural and industrial areas in Belgium. %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Pizzolon, J-C %A Hoenig, M %A L De Temmerman %K Animals %K Arsenic %K Belgium %K Cadmium %K Cattle %K Copper %K Food Contamination %K Industry %K Kidney %K Lead %K Liver %K Maximum Allowable Concentration %K Meat %K Metals, Heavy %K Zinc %X

Trace element concentrations were determined in meat, kidney and liver tissue of cattle, which had resided more than 18 months in areas historically contaminated by emissions from the non-ferrous metal industry or in regions with normal background metal contamination levels in Belgium. Trace element levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Lead, arsenic and cadmium concentrations in meat were low for all cattle. Concentrations in kidneys were, respectively, 1.8-, 2.2- and 2.5-fold higher in cattle from the contaminated areas compared to animals from reference areas. The European maximum level for cadmium in kidney was exceeded by 75% of the kidneys from contaminated areas and 47% of the kidneys from reference areas. Lead, arsenic and cadmium concentrations in bovine livers from contaminated areas were increased by a factor of 2.3. Zinc levels in livers and kidneys were within normal ranges, but 20% higher in the contaminated areas compared to reference areas. Copper levels in livers were high in all areas. Dairy cattle accumulated significantly higher levels of cadmium in kidneys and of lead in liver and kidneys than did beef cattle.

%B Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %V 26 %P 326-32 %8 2009 Mar %G eng %N 3 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19680905?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1080/02652030802429096 %0 Journal Article %J Sci Total Environ %D 2009 %T Assessment of the chemical contamination in home-produced eggs in Belgium: general overview of the CONTEGG study. %A Ilse Van Overmeire %A Pussemier, L %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Hanot, V %A Windal, I %A Boxus, L %A Covaci, A %A Eppe, G %A Scippo, M L %A Sioen, I %A Bilau, M %A Gellynck, X %A De Steur, H %A Emmanuel Tangni %A Goeyens, L %K Animals %K Belgium %K Chickens %K Dioxins %K Eggs %K Environmental Pollutants %K Feces %K Female %K Food Contamination %K Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers %K Humans %K Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated %K Mycotoxins %K Pesticides %K Polychlorinated Biphenyls %K Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons %K Seasons %K Soil %X

This overview paper describes a study conducted for the Belgian Federal Public Service of Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment during 2006-2007. Home-produced eggs from Belgian private owners of hens were included in a large study aiming to determine concentration levels of various environmental contaminants. By means of the analyses of soil samples and of kitchen waste samples, obtained from the same locations, an investigation towards the possible sources of contaminants was possible. Eggs, soils, faeces and kitchen waste samples were checked for the presence of dioxins, PCBs (including dioxin-like PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, trace elements, PAHs, brominated flame retardants and mycotoxins. The study design, sampling methodology and primary conclusions of the study are given. It was found that in some cases dioxin-like compounds were present at levels that are of concern for the health of the egg consumers. Therefore, measures to limit their contamination in eggs, produced by hens of private owners, were proposed and deserve further attention.

%B Sci Total Environ %V 407 %P 4403-10 %8 2009 Jul 15 %@ 9789074968003 %G eng %N 15 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19095291?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.10.066 %0 Journal Article %J Sci.Total Environ. %D 2009 %T Brominated flame retardants in Belgian home-produced eggs: levels and contamination sources %A Covaci,A. %A Roosens,L. %A Dirtu,A.C. %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ilse Van Overmeire %A Neels,H. %A Goeyens,L. %K Belgium %K Eggs %K Hexabromocyclododecane %K Home-produced %K human exposure %K POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS %X

The extent and the sources of contamination with brominated flame retardants (BFRs), such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), in home-produced eggs from free-foraging chicken of Belgian private owners were investigated. Various factors, such as seasonal variability, exposure of chickens through diet (kitchen waste) and soil, and elimination of BFRs through eggs and faeces were assessed. PBDEs were more important than HBCD in terms of concentrations and detection frequency. Concentrations of PBDEs and HBCD in Belgian home-produced eggs were relatively low and comparable with reported levels from other European countries and the US. The concentrations of PBDEs (sum of 13 congeners, including BDE 209) ranged between not detected and 32 ng/g lipid weight (lw), with medians of 3.0 and <2.0 ng/g lw for the autumn 2006 and spring 2007 campaigns, respectively. When present, BDE 209 was the major PBDE congener (45% of sum PBDEs). When BDE 209 was not detected, the PBDE profile was composed of PentaBDE (BDE 99 and BDE 47), with, in some cases, higher contribution of OctaBDE (BDE 183 and BDE 153). HBCD was also detected (<0.4 and 2.9 ng/g lw for the autumn 2006 and spring 2007 campaigns, respectively), but at lower detection frequency. The highest HBCD value was 62 ng/g lw. The similarity between profiles and seasonal variations in the concentrations of BFRs in soil and eggs indicate that soil is an important source, but not the sole source, for eggs laid by free-foraging chicken. The contamination of eggs with PBDEs and HBCD appears to be of low concern for public health and the contribution of eggs to the total daily intake of PBDEs appears to be limited (10% for chicken owners and 5% for the average Belgian consumer)

%B Sci.Total Environ. %V 407 %P 4387 - 4396 %8 15/7/2009 %G eng %N 15 %1 33763 %& 4387 %R http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.09.057 %0 Journal Article %J Environ Pollut %D 2009 %T Comparison of concentrations of mercury in ambient air to its accumulation by leafy vegetables: an important step in terrestrial food chain analysis. %A L De Temmerman %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Claeys, Natacha %A Roekens, Edward %K Air %K Air Pollutants %K Allium %K Brassica %K Environmental Monitoring %K Food Chain %K Food Contamination %K Lettuce %K mercury %K Plant Leaves %K Vegetables %X

A biomonitoring network with leafy vegetables was established near a chlor-alkali plant in order to compare the accumulation of mercury to the atmospheric total gaseous mercury (TGM) concentration. Based on data obtained in the reference area the 'normal' mercury concentration in vegetables is between 0.6 and 5.4 microg kg(-1) FW. The effect detection limits (EDLs) are between 1.2 and 11.0 microg kg(-1) FW and the biological detection limits (BDLs), the lowest [TGM] that can be detected significantly, are between 3 and 4 ng m(-3). The accumulation rate is lowest for lettuce and high for curly kale that proved to be an excellent accumulator and as such it is very useful for biomonitoring purposes. A comparison made in the 1980s between biomonitoring results with grass and the mercury concentration in leafy vegetables from private gardens nearby proved to be valid when applied to the current biomonitoring results with vegetables.

%B Environ Pollut %V 157 %P 1337-41 %8 2009 Apr %G eng %N 4 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19118931?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.envpol.2008.11.035 %0 Journal Article %J Sci Total Environ %D 2009 %T Mycotoxin analyses in some home produced eggs in Belgium reveal small contribution to the total daily intake. %A Emmanuel Tangni %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ilse Van Overmeire %A Goeyens, L %A Pussemier, L %K Animals %K Belgium %K Chickens %K Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid %K Eggs %K Environmental Pollutants %K Female %K Food Contamination %K Humans %K Mycotoxins %K Risk Assessment %K Seasons %K Soil %K Trichothecenes %X

Low levels of deoxynivalenol (DON, range: 2.6-17.9 ng/g) and its metabolite de-epoxy-DON (DOM-1, range: 2.4-23.7 ng/g) were found in 20 home-produced egg samples collected in Belgium during autumn 2006 (from 10 breeders) and spring 2007 (same breeders). DON intake assessment showed that the consumption of these eggs may contribute to less than 1% of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake of 1 microg/kg body weight established by FAO/WHO. None of the egg samples analyzed had quantifiable levels of zearalenone (ZEA), alpha-zearalenol, beta-zearalenol, ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT). Intake of DON, ZEA, OTA and CIT via the consumption of home produced eggs seems not to be a matter of concern. Despite this, we recommend to continue in screening other eggs allowing to increase the sample size and the subsequent conclusion for mycotoxin contamination in eggs. As home produced food is generally not submitted to any compliance control and may be consumed in large quantities by their producers and other household members, it is worthwhile to further pay attention to the quality of feed as well as the environment in which the hens live.

%B Sci Total Environ %V 407 %P 4411-8 %8 2009 Jul 15 %G eng %N 15 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19041117?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.10.060 %0 Journal Article %J Sci Total Environ %D 2009 %T PCB and organochlorine pesticides in home-produced eggs in Belgium. %A Windal, I %A Hanot, V %A Marchi, J %A Huysmans, G %A Ilse Van Overmeire %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Goeyens, L %K Animals %K Belgium %K Chickens %K Eggs %K Environmental Pollutants %K Feces %K Female %K Food Contamination %K Humans %K Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated %K Pesticides %K Polychlorinated Biphenyls %K Risk Assessment %K Seasons %K Soil %X

The level of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and persistent organochlorinated pesticides (OC) in home-produced eggs was investigated in Belgium. The concentration of dichlorodiphenytrichloroethane (DDT) is above the norm for 17% of the eggs collected during the spring on 58 different locations. For PCB, aldrin, dieldrin, and chlordane, 3-5% of the samples are above the norm too. These levels are surprisingly high for compounds banned for about 30 years. Higher concentrations in home-produced eggs are expected compared to battery eggs because of contact with the environment and especially the soil. For ten selected locations, the concentration in soils, excreta and feed was measured, but no simple correlation between egg and feed or soil level could be established. Hexachlorohexane, endosulfan, endrin, methoxychlor and nitrofen were not detected in any sample.

%B Sci Total Environ %V 407 %P 4430-7 %8 2009 Jul 15 %G eng %N 15 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19150570?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.11.063 %0 Journal Article %J Sci Total Environ %D 2009 %T PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in home-produced eggs from Belgium: levels, contamination sources and health risks. %A Ilse Van Overmeire %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Sioen, I %A Bilau, M %A De Henauw, S %A Goeyens, L %A Pussemier, L %A Eppe, G %K Animals %K Belgium %K Benzofurans %K Chickens %K Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated %K Dioxins %K Eggs %K Environmental Pollutants %K Feces %K Female %K Food Contamination %K Humans %K Polychlorinated Biphenyls %K Risk Assessment %K Seasons %K Soil %X

This paper discusses the dioxin TEQ levels as determined by the chemically activated luciferase gene expression assay (CALUX) and by HRGC-HRMS in eggs, soils, faeces and kitchen waste samples obtained in the CONTEGG study. The samples were collected in each Belgian province at private homes and in small gardens where chickens are held. The CALUX levels for eggs sampled in autumn were higher than the levels in eggs obtained at the same locations in spring (median values of 5.86 and 4.08 pg CALUX TEQ/g fat, respectively). The total WHO-TEQ levels in eggs, determined by HRGC-HRMS, ranged from 3.29 to 95.35 pg TEQ/g fat in autumn and from 1.50 to 64.79 pg TEQ/g fat in spring. In the soils on which the chickens forage, levels of 2.51-11.35 pg I-TEQ/g in autumn and 2.00-7.86 pg I-TEQ/g in spring were found. The congener pattern of PCDD/Fs in the eggs, soils and faeces was dominated by OCDD, in addition to 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HeptaCDD, OCDF and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HeptaCDF. The predominant dioxin-like PCBs were PCB118, PCB 105 and PCB 156. The dioxin-like PCBs contributed on average 47%, 14% and 20% to the total WHO-TEQ in eggs, soils and faeces, respectively. Kitchen waste samples were very low-contaminated with dioxin-like compounds. The present results showed a good agreement between egg and soil TEQ levels for PCDD/Fs but not for dioxin-like PCBs. This study showed that current soil levels found in some private gardens do not lead to egg levels below the current EU maximal level of 6 pg total TEQ/g fat for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. The consumers of the analysed eggs attained 5-79% of the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) of 14 pg TEQ/kg bw for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs by exposure to their home-produced eggs only.

%B Sci Total Environ %V 407 %P 4419-29 %8 2009 Jul 15 %G eng %N 15 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19155055?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.11.058 %0 Journal Article %J Sci Total Environ %D 2009 %T Trace elements in home-produced eggs in Belgium: levels and spatiotemporal distribution. %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Hoenig, Michel %A Goeyens, Leo %A L De Temmerman %K Animals %K Arsenic %K Belgium %K Chickens %K Eggs %K Environmental Pollutants %K Female %K Food Contamination %K Humans %K Metals, Heavy %K Seasons %K Soil %K Spectrophotometry, Atomic %X

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper and zinc in home-produced eggs, soils and kitchen waste samples of private chicken owners in Belgium, and to determine spatiotemporal differences in trace element contents in eggs. Eggs were sampled in all provinces of Belgium in autumn 2006 and spring 2007. A total number of 59 private chicken owners participated in the study. Trace elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry except for mercury, which was determined by atomic absorption of mercury vapour. The mean fresh weight concentrations in eggs in autumn and spring respectively were <8.0 and <8.0 microg/kg for arsenic, 0.5 and <0.5 microg/kg for cadmium, 116 and 74 microg/kg for lead, 0.43 and 0.52 mg/kg for copper, 20.3 and 19.2 mg/kg for zinc, and 3.15 and 4.44 microg/kg for mercury. Analysis of variance determined significant differences in some trace element concentrations in eggs among seasons and regions in Belgium. Average concentrations of arsenic, cadmium and mercury corresponded well with values measured in other countries, while copper and zinc concentrations were within the same order of magnitude as in other countries. Average lead concentrations were high compared to concentrations in eggs from other countries and correlated well with lead concentrations in soil, indicating that the soil is an important source. Other sources of trace elements in eggs might be home-grown vegetables and forage (grass and herbs), and indirectly, air pollution.

%B Sci Total Environ %V 407 %P 4397-402 %8 2009 Jul 15 %G eng %N 15 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19046597?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.10.031 %0 Journal Article %J Sci Total Environ %D 2009 %T Transfer of soil contaminants to home-produced eggs and preventive measures to reduce contamination. %A Nadia Waegeneers %A De Steur, Hans %A L De Temmerman %A Van Steenwinkel, Sarah %A Gellynck, Xavier %A Viaene, Jacques %K Animals %K Belgium %K Chickens %K Dioxins %K Eggs %K Female %K Food Contamination %K Humans %K Lead %K Perception %K Risk Assessment %K Seasons %K Soil Pollutants %X

Uptake studies have shown that chickens foraging on soils contaminated with environmental pollutants accumulate these compounds into their eggs. Home-produced eggs thereby show higher contamination levels than commercially produced eggs. It was the aim of this study to identify the major source of two environmental pollutants in home-produced eggs, i.e. dioxins and lead, to formulate preventive measures to reduce the contamination levels of such eggs, and to assess the feasibility of the formulated measures in terms of the perception and behavior of private egg producers towards such measures. The major source of dioxins and lead in eggs, i.e. the soil, was identified by transfer calculations of the pollutants from the feed and soil towards eggs. Preventive measures to reduce soil intake or geophagy and hence egg contamination levels, were formulated and their feasibility evaluated through interviews with private chicken owners. The results show that a paved surface inside the henhouse, an indoor feeding place and providing a sufficient surface area per chicken were considered the most appropriate in terms of feasibility and willingness to apply the measures by the private chicken owners. To enhance the effect of the measures, a combination of measures supported and promoted at policy level is considered as a good strategy to reduce contamination levels in home-produced eggs.

%B Sci Total Environ %V 407 %P 4438-46 %8 2009 Jul 15 %G eng %N 15 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19162298?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.12.041 %0 Generic %D 2008 %T Analysis of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in home produced eggs: levels and sources. %A Ilse Van Overmeire %A G. Eppe %A Nadia Waegeneers %A L. Pussemier %A Goeyens,L. %A L De Temmerman %A Joris Van Loco %E Stuart Harrad %K analysis %K Dioxin %K Dioxin-like PCB %K Dioxins %K Eggs %K environmental %K International %K LEVEL %K levels %K ON %K organic %K PCB %K Pcbs %K symposium %K UK %X not available %B 28th International Symposium on Halogenated Environmental Organic Pollutants and POPs %S Organohalogen Compounds %V 70 %P 000898 %8 0/0/2008 %G eng %N Stuart Harrad %1 1956 %2 August 17-22, 2008 %& 000898 %0 Generic %D 2008 %T Brominated flame retardants in Belgian home-produced eggs: Levels, sources and contamination pathways. %A Covaci,A. %A Dirtu,A.C. %A Roosens,L. %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Ilse Van Overmeire %A Neels,H. %A Goeyens,L. %K Belgian %K Eggs %K Europe %K Flame Retardants %K Home-produced eggs %K LEVEL %K levels %B SETAC Europe 18th Annual Meeting %I NA %C NA %8 0/0/2008 %G eng %N society of environmental toxicology and chemistry %1 1993 %2 May 25-29, 2008 %0 Journal Article %J Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %D 2008 %T Cadmium in the food chain near non-ferrous metal production sites. %A Vromman, V %A Saegerman, C %A Pussemier, L %A A Huyghebaert %A L De Temmerman %A Pizzolon, J-C %A Nadia Waegeneers %K Adult %K Belgium %K Cadmium %K environmental exposure %K Environmental Pollutants %K Environmental Pollution %K Food Chain %K Food Contamination %K Humans %K Risk Assessment %X

Dietary cadmium (Cd) exposure was estimated for adults living in Cd-contaminated areas close to non-ferrous metal plants and compared with dietary Cd exposure in the general Belgian adult population. To evaluate the contamination levels of locally produced food items, 35 fruit samples, 97 vegetable samples, 98 samples of potatoes and 53 samples of meat, liver and kidney of cattle, which had resided for more than 18 months in the contaminated area, were analyzed for Cd. Mean Cd concentrations in fruit and vegetables were 1.1- to 9-fold higher than in samples from other regions at ambient Cd levels. Mean Cd concentrations in bovine meat, liver and kidney were 2-fold higher compared to samples from animals in other regions of Belgium. The estimated dietary intake was 31.3 and 63.3 microg day(-1) for average and large consumers, respectively, in the contaminated area, compared to 17 and 38.3 microg day(-1), respectively, for the general adult population. Excessive consumption of locally produced food items in areas close to non-ferrous metal plants could result in Cd intake levels exceeding the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI).

%B Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess %V 25 %8 2008 Mar %G eng %N 3 %R 10.1080/02652030701509980 %0 Report %D 2008 %T CONTAMINATIE VAN EIEREN AFKOMSTIG VAN KIPPEN GEHOUDEN BIJ PARTICULIEREN %A L. Goeyens %A Ilse Van Overmeire %A V. Hanot %A Windal, I %A L. Pussemier %A P. Vermeir %A Nadia Waegeneers %A L. De Temmmerman %A K. Tangni %A H. Neels %A A. Covaci %A G. Maghuin-Rogister %A M.L. Scippo %A S. De Henauw %A I. Sioen %A M. Bilau %A C. Matthys %A X. Gellynck %A J. Viaene %A H. De Steur %A S. Vansteenwinkel %K contaminatie %K eieren %X

State of the art
Reeds in 2002 werden er eieren van hobby-kippen met vrije uitloop uit de Antwerpse agglomeratie geanalyseerd, omdat men vermoedde en vreesde dat historische dioxineverontreinigingen aanleiding konden geven tot ernstige, zelfs gevaarlijke, contaminaties. De analyseresultaten (FAVV 2002, Pussemier et al. 2004) brachten aanzienlijke overschrijdingen aan het licht; de congeneerprofielen wezen in de richting van milieucontaminatie (aanwezigheid van hoger gechloreerde congeneren), maar lieten niet toe het mechanisme van de verontreiniging te ontrafelen. Meteen ontstond er bezorgdheid omtrent de veiligheid van dergelijke eieren.
In 2004 werd een meer gedetailleerde studie uitgevoerd door de chemische departementen van het Centrum voor Onderzoek in Diergeneeskunde en Agrochemie (CODA) en het Wetenschappelijk Instituut Volksgezondheid (WIV). Er werd aandacht besteed aan lipofiele organische contaminanten (zoals dioxines en pesticiden) en aan anorganische contaminanten (zoals zware metalen). Bovendien werd er bij de bemonstering naar gestreefd eieren te verzamelen van het ganse Belgische grondgebied en niet enkel van “risico-gebeiden”. De invloed van het milieu op de gehaltes van de contaminanten was duidelijk merkbaar; een vergelijking met vrije uitloop eieren van commerciële bedrijven toonde aan dat eieren van kippen gehouden door particulieren hogere gehaltes vertoonden en dit over vrijwel de hele lijn (Van Overmeire et al. 2006). Een ruwe risico-analyse leerde dat een grote consumptie van dergelijke eieren overeenkwam met een significante fractie, uitzonderlijk zelfs met een overschrijding, van de tolerable weekly intake (TWI) voor dioxines (EU 2001). Verhoogde zware metaalconcentraties werden ook waargenomen, maar het risico daarvan was veel minder uitgesproken.
Bovenop de vastgestelde verhogingen van de contaminatie in eieren van hobby-kippen met vrije uitloop uit ons land waren er ook heel wat meldingen van “problemen” in het buitenland.
De verhoogde verontreinigingen waren hoofdzakelijk te wijten aan omgevingsfactoren en ook aan verontreinigd voer (Schuler et al. 1997; Hayward et al. 1999; Harnly et al. 2000; Pless-Mulloli et al. 2001; Schmid et al. 2002; Diletti et al. 2005, Pirard et al. 2005, Kijlstra et al. 2007). Een uitvoerige studie van de contaminatie in eieren van kippen, die door particulieren worden gehouden, lag dus voor de hand, ook omdat de veiligheid ervan niet wordt gecontroleerd door de overheid.

Objectieven van de studie
De studie spitst zich toe op vier prioritaire doelstellingen:

In deze studie wordt er aandacht besteed aan persistente organische polluenten (POPs), zoals gechloreerde en gebromeerde dioxines en polychlorobifenyls (PCBs), pesticiden, polyaromatische koolwaterstoffen en fluorverbindingen, aan toxines en aan anorganische contaminanten zoals zware metalen, arseen en dergelijke.

Een overzicht van de verontreinigingen
Op de eerste plaats moet worden vastgesteld dat een deel van de geanalyseerde eieren overschrijdingen van de geldende normen vertoont. Dit is het geval voor dioxines en dioxineachtige PCBs, voor merker-PCBs, voor het pesticide DDT en ook voor de metalen lood en kwik.
De dioxinegehaltes varieerden van 1.5 tot 95.4 pg TEQ per g vet, met gemiddelde waarden van 19.7 en 21.0 in de herfst en de lente. In vergelijking met de vigerende norm van 6 pg TEQ per g vet voor dioxines en dioxine-achtige PCBs betekent dit een niet te verwaarlozen overschrijding in de meeste gevallen.
De DDT-gehaltes waren veel te hoog voor enkele van de monsters; hier moet evenwel aan toegevoegd worden dat de overschrijdingen in slechts ~10 % van de gevallen voorkwamen. 
De hoogste concentratie (1 enkel monster) bedroeg meer dan 4 keer de norm van 500 ng per g vet voor de som van DDT en zijn afgeleide verbindingen. Voor dit specifieke monster zijn er aanwijzingen dat de bron van de contaminatie zich in het kippenhok zelf bevindt; naar alle waarschijnlijkheid werd er in het verleden gebruik gemaakt van DDT voor de bestrijding van luizen.
Voor de 7 indicator PCBs werden respectievelijk 1 overschrijding tijdens de herfstcampagne en 2 overschrijdingen tijdens de lentecampagne vastgesteld; de norm is 200 ng per g vet.
Gebromeerde en gefluoreerde verbindingen, evenals polyaromatische koolwaterstoffen en andere courante pesticiden (met uitzondering van DDT) werden niet of nauwelijks aangetroffen.
Wat de toxines betreft, werd de nadruk gelegd op de detectie van mycotoxines, die mogelijk aanwezig zijn in de keukenresten die aan de kippen worden gevoerd, met name de Fusarium toxines, deoxynivalenol of DON, zearalenon of ZEA en hun metabolieten. Enkel de concentraties aan DON en aan ZEA waren hoger dan de respectievelijke kwantificeringslimieten, maar alles bij elkaar nog zeer laag.
De metaalconcentraties van de eieren werden vergeleken met de vroeger geldende normen.
Enkel voor lood werden er meerdere overschrijdingen vastgesteld; voor kwik was er 1 overschrijding.
De resultaten van deze studie bevestigen in grote lijnen wat eerder werd geobserveerd. Men kan geenszins uitsluiten dat sommige contaminanten in vrij hoge concentraties voorkomen.
Verder is in het eindverslag aangegeven hoe de geografische distributie er uitziet en tevens welke verbanden eventueel kunnen gelegd worden met de eventuele contaminatiebronnen, zoals bodem en voer. De toepassing van het transfermodel (Kijlstra et al. 2007) voor lood evenals voor dioxines toont duidelijk aan dat geofagie, namelijk het oppikken van bodempartikeltjes door de kippen, de grootste oorzaak van verontreiniging is.

Risico-analyse
Meerdere scenario’s werden uitgewerkt om het risico te evalueren.
De gemiddelde consumptie van eieren bij al de gezinnen was 2.84 (± 1.34) eieren per week (of 20.28 g ei/dag) met een minimum van 0.5 (3.57 g ei/dag) en een maximum van 7 eieren per week (50 g ei/dag). In vergelijking met de inname van de algemene Belgische bevolking (De Vriese et al. 2006) is de gemiddelde eiconsumptie bij de deelnemers van het CONTEGGproject twee keer hoger. Beschouwt men enkel de eiconsumptie als bron van de contaminanten en worden alle andere levensmiddelen buiten beschouwing gelaten, dan is de gemiddelde inname eerder laag ten opzichte van de referentiewaarde.
In de dagelijkse voeding zijn er vanzelfsprekend nog andere levensmiddelen aanwezig die contaminanten bevatten en die bij de innameschatting ook in rekening moeten worden gebracht. Voor dioxineachtige componenten zijn dit vooral vis en zeevruchten, vetstoffen en zuivelproducten (Bilau et al., 2008). Voor DDT, een insecticide verboden sinds de jaren ’70, blijven vlees, vis, kip en graanproducten de belangrijkste bronnen van residu’s als gevolg van milieucontaminatie en gebruik in sommige ontwikkelingslanden.
Voor DDT en zijn afbraakproducten zijn vlees, vis, kip en graanproducten de belangrijkste bronnen.
Een innameschatting via het volledige dieet, die enerzijds gebaseerd is op de consumptiegegevens van de biomonitoringstudie van het Vlaams Steunpunt Milieu en Gezondheid en anderzijds op concentratiegegevens, die werden verstrekt door het FAVV, toonde aan dat eieren bijdroegen tot de totale inname van dioxineachtige componenten voor 5 %, 5 % en 3 % bij de adolescenten, moeders en volwassenen, respectievelijk (Bilau et al. 2008). Een gelijkaardige inname-schatting, die is gebaseerd op de consumptie van eieren, met contaminaties zoals in het CONTEGG-project waargenomen, en op de inname van dioxineachtige stoffen via de rest van het dieet, berekend zoals in de biomonitoringsstudie, leidde tot een inname van dioxines door eiconsumptie die varieert van 0.60 tot 12.34 pg TEQ per kg bw en per week, met een gemiddelde waarde van 3.50, wat overeenstemt met een variatie van 4 tot 88 % en een gemiddelde van 25 % van de TWI-waarde.
Vermits deze studie ook informatie verstrekt over de gehaltes aan contaminanten (10 eimonsters geanalyseerd in het laboratorium van de ULg) en de consumpties van eieren (enquêteformulieren) voor 10 individuele gezinnen, werd er ook een innameschatting berekend voor elk van deze gezinnen. Bij deze inschatting werd er rekening gehouden met een gemiddeld lichaamsgewicht van79.1 kg voor mannen en 66.7 kg voor vrouwen, met een gemiddeld gewicht van 51 g per ei en met een vetgehalte van 0.11 g per ei. De waarden, die voortkomen uit deze specifieke aanpak, zijn verontrustend voor de “probleemcontaminanten”.
Voor de 10 vermelde gezinnen bedragen de hoogste innames, enkel via consumptie van eigen eieren, 79 % van de (TWI) van dioxines en dioxine-achtige PCBs, 3.52 % van de provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) van DDT en metabolieten en, tenslotte, 2.31 % van de PTWI van lood. Voor de andere contaminanten zijn de maximale innames lager of gelijk aan 1 % van de richtwaarde. Ofschoon deze gegevens gebaseerd zijn op een zeer beperkt aantal gegevens en daarom allicht moeten beschouwd worden als een worst case situatie, verdienen ze zeker onze aandacht.
Als algemene conclusie geldt het volgende. Ondanks het feit dat de consumptie van eigen eieren evenals de concentraties aan sporenelementen in deze eieren hoger liggen dan het geval is voor de algemene bevolking zal de inname van de beschouwde sporenelementen via de consumptie van eigen eieren niet leiden tot verhoogde gezondheidsrisico’s. In tegenstelling hiermee, weet men zeer goed dat de inname van dioxineachtige contaminanten voor bijna de helft van de Belgische populatie reeds boven de richtwaarde (TWI = 14 pg TEQ per kg lichaamsgewicht) ligt en de consumptie van eigen eieren zal die zeker nog verhogen.

Een kort overzicht van de suggesties 
De objectieven van deze studie omvatten ook het aanvoeren van mogelijke verbeteringen om contaminaties te verlagen of te verhinderen en een evaluatie van de haalbaarheid daarvan.
Alle maatregelen hebben tot doel de opname van grond (geofagie) tijdens het scharrelen te verminderen: (1) de beperking van de scharreltijd, (2) het aanbod van een voldoende grote ruimte, (3) de bevordering van de grasgroei, (4) het aanbrengen van verharde oppervlakken, (5) het overdekken van de voederplaats, (6) het overdekken van de buitenruimte en (7) het aanleggen van een zandbak.
Uit de haalbaarheidsstudie blijkt dat maatregel 2 voor de meesten geen probleem vormt. Er kunnen minder kippen gehouden worden wanneer een uitbreiding niet mogelijk of wenselijk is of de oppervlakte van de ren kan uitgebreid worden. Het aanbrengen van verharde oppervlakten is bij velen reeds gebeurd en het vormt meestal geen probleem om daar werk van te maken wanneer het nog niet is gebeurd. Ook het voorstel om de kippen in het hok te voeren wordt vrij goed aanvaard.
Het beperken van de scharreltijd en het aanleggen van een zandbak worden als moeilijk (zo niet ondoenbaar) ervaren omwille van praktische overwegingen en omwille van de financiële implicaties ervan. De bereidheid om grote uitgaven te doen is vrij gering.

%I Wetenschappelijk Instituut Volksgezondheid. Departement Farmaco-bromatologie %C Brussel %P 58 %8 2008 %@ 9789074968003 %G eng %U http://hdl.handle.net/1854/LU-670608 %0 Report %D 2008 %T Contaminatie van eieren afkomstig van kippen gehouden bij particulieren %A Goeyens,L. %A Ilse Van Overmeire %A V. Hanot %A Windal,I. %A L. Pussemier %A P. Vermeir %A Nadia Waegeneers %A L De Temmerman %A Emmanuel Tangni %A Neels,H. %A Covaci,A. %A Maghuin-Rogister,G. %A Marie-Louise Scippo %A S. De Henauw %A Sioen,I. %A Bilau,M. %A Christophe Matthys %A Gellynck,X. %A Viaene,J. %A De Steur,H. %A Vansteenwinkel,S. %K Eggs %K Home-produced eggs %I Federal Public Service Public health Safety of the food chain and environment %C Brussel %P 58 %8 0/0/2008 %@ 9789074968003 %G eng %1 1958 %0 Generic %D 2008 %T Intake of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs consuming home produced eggs versus commercial eggs. %A Sioen,I. %A Bilau,M. %A Ilse Van Overmeire %A G. Eppe %A Nadia Waegeneers %A L. Pussemier %A S. De Henauw %A Goeyens,L. %E Stuart Harrad %K Dioxin %K Dioxin-like PCB %K Dioxins %K Eggs %K environmental %K intake %K International %K ON %K organic %K PCB %K Pcbs %K symposium %K UK %X not available %B 28th International Symposium on Halogenated Environmental Organic Pollutants and POPs %S Organohalogen Compounds %V 70 %P 001483 %8 0/0/2008 %G eng %N Stuart Harrad %1 1957 %2 August 17-22, 2008 %& 001483 %0 Journal Article %J Food Addit Contam %D 2007 %T Contaminants in organically and conventionally produced winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) in Belgium. %A Harcz, P %A L De Temmerman %A De Voghel, S %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Wilmart, O %A Vromman, V %A Schmit, J-F %A Moons, E %A Van Peteghem, C %A S. De Saeger %A Schneider, Y-J %A Larondelle, Y %A Pussemier, L %K Belgium %K Databases, Factual %K Food Analysis %K Food Contamination %K Metals, Heavy %K Mycotoxins %K Pesticide residues %K Triticum %X

A database has been compiled with the levels of important contaminants (mycotoxins, heavy metals and pesticides) measured from 2002 to 2005 in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) grown in Belgium according to the organic and conventional farming systems. Assuming no further change in contaminant levels during cereal processing and during the preparation of foodstuffs, conservative intakes are estimated for the consumers of cereal-based products such as flour, bread, breakfast cereals, dough and pastry. The results show that for the consumer of organic foodstuffs, estimated daily intakes are 0.56 microg deoxynivalenol (DON), 0.03 microg zearalenone (ZEA), 0.19 microg Cd, 0.28 microg Pb and 0.0006 microg Hg kg(-1) body weight, taking into account the average contaminant levels in unprocessed grains and the average cereal products consumptions in Belgium. For the consumers of conventional foodstuffs, the corresponding estimated daily intakes are 0.99 microg DON, 0.06 microg ZEA, 0.17 microg Cd, 0.12 microg Pb and 0.0007 microg Hg kg(-1) body weight. In addition, it appears that for the consumers of conventional products, intakes of some post-harvest insecticides have to be taken into account (0.11 microg chlorpyriphos-methyl, 0.2 microg dichlorvos and 0.24 microg pirimiphos-methyl kg(-1) bw). When expressed as a percentage of the tolerable/acceptable daily intake (TDI/ADI), it seems that the corresponding estimated (conservative) intakes are the highest for DON (56% for organic and 99% for conventional cereal products), ZEA (16% for organic and 32% for conventional cereal products), and Cd (19% for organic and 17% for conventional cereal products), all other estimated intakes of contaminants (including pesticides) being lower than 10% of the TDI/ADI.

%B Food Addit Contam %V 24 %P 713-20 %8 2007 Jul %G eng %N 7 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17613056?dopt=Abstract %R 10.1080/02652030601185071 %0 Generic %D 2007 %T Levels of POPs and metals in home produced free range eggs in Belgium. %A Ilse Van Overmeire %A L. Pussemier %A Huysmans,G. %A V. Hanot %A P. Vermeir %A L De Temmerman %A Nadia Waegeneers %A Goeyens,L. %E Masatoshi Morita %K Eggs %K environmental %K International %K LEVEL %K levels %K ON %K organic %K RANGE %K symposium %X not available %B 27th International Symposium on Halogenated Environmental Organic Pollutants and POPs %S Organohalogen Compounds %V 69 %P 114 %8 0/0/2007 %G eng %N Masatoshi Morita,Professor of Ehime University %1 1954 %2 September 2-7, 2007 %& 114