School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies (SCOITS),

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068

POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH (PGDEOH)

PROJECT (MEVP- 001)

Study on Environmental Toxicants in Food

Name Raheeb V
Enrolment Number 2004623147
RC code 13: Bangalore
Name of the Programme PGDEOH- POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN
ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH
Course code MEVP-001
Title of the Project Study on Environmental Toxicants in
Food
Address Varamangalath (H)Nhangattiri (PO)
Mattaya, Thrithala, Palakkad (D), Kerala (S)
Pin:679303
PH: +91 8129832088
Mail ID Raheebfoodtech@gmail.com
 Annexure ⅠⅠⅠ

CERTFICATE OF ORGINALITY

This is to certify that the project titled “ Study on Environmental Toxicants in Food “

Is an original work of the student and is being submitted in partial fulfilment for the
award of the Post-Graduate Diploma in Environmental and Occupational Health
(PGDEOH) of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). This report has not
been submitted earlier either to this University or to any another
University/Institution for the fulfilment of the requirement of a course of study.

Signature of Supervisor Signature of Student

Place: Pattambi, Palakkad district, Kerala Place: Pattambi, Palakkad district, Kerala

Date: 18/02/2022 Date: 18/02/2022

 DECLARATION BY THE CANDIDATE

I, hereby declare that the project report entitled “Study on Environmental Toxicants

in Food “submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of degree of PGDEOH- POST

GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH to Indira

Gandhi National Open University, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi is original work carried

out by me under the guidance and supervision of Mr. FASALU RAHMAN M

No part of this project work has been submitted for any other degree or diploma to

this or any other university.

Signature of Supervisor Signature of Student

Place: Pattambi, Palakkad(D), Kerala(S) Place: Pattambi, Palakkad (D), Kerala(S)

Date: 18/02/2022 Date: 18/02/22

 STUDY ON ENVIRONMENTAL
TOXICANTS IN FOOD

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Review of the Literature

3. Methodology

4. Result and Discussion

5. Conclusion

6. Limitations

7. Suggestions for Further Work

8. Reference

9. Appendices
Introduction

Several contaminants threaten food safety, including toxic metals and organic

halogenated compounds found in the environment; chemicals used in food

production, such as pesticides and veterinary drugs; contaminants formed

during food production and cooking; contaminants arising from food

packaging; and natural toxins in food. In the 2010 Eurobarometer, consumers'

views of food-related dangers were explored. Pesticides in fruits, vegetables,

and grains were the source of the most concern, with 72 percent of

respondents saying they were very or somewhat concerned. Fewer people

were concerned about residues such as antibiotics and hormones in meat (70

percent), pollutants such as mercury and dioxins (69 percent), bacterial food

poisoning (62 percent), or gaining weight (62 percent) (47 percent).

Environmental pollutants can cause developmental toxicity and endocrine

disruption, with fetuses and children being particularly sensitive groups.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one pollutant that has received a lot of attention, and

there is some scientific debate over the health hazards of BPA at low doses.

BPA is a chemical that is used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.

The majority of human exposure comes from packaged foods and beverages.

BPA binds to estrogen receptors and affects endocrine function through

various methods. In the human adrenocortical cell line H295R, the effects of
BPA on steroidogenic pathways were studied. At non-toxic levels of BPA, the

secretion of steroidogenic hormones and intermediates was altered. The

effects were mediated through the inhibition of CYP17 and CYP21, as well as

the downregulation of steroidogenic gene expression. This could be another

mechanism at work when it comes to BPA's endocrine-disrupting effects.

Review of the Literature

Since 1906, when the first federal food and drug law was signed into law,

maintaining an adequate and safe food supply has been a significant aim of the

federal government. Chemicals like salt, sugar, and wood smoke have been

employed to preserve meals in the past. Chemicals are widely used in modern

food technology, not just for preservation but also to create appealing colors,

flavors, smells, and textures. Most developed countries currently have food laws

that allow the use of such chemicals in food under certain conditions that have

been determined to be safe. These substances are classified as purposeful

additives and are not considered adulterants or pollutants. Other chemicals may

find their way into food as a result of their use in food processing, handling, or

production. Such compounds may be legal if they can be avoided through

appropriate production methods and the quantities involved are deemed safe.
These substances are referred to as accidental additions. The regulation governs

the presence of both of these kinds of chemicals in food. Natural sources, as well

as industry and agriculture, are all sources of environmental pollutants.

Microbiological pollutants, such as dangerous bacteria, bacterial toxins, and

fungal toxins, make up a large portion of naturally occurring contaminants in

food (Aflatoxin is a fungal toxin of mycotoxin that can be found in peanuts and

grains.) Organic compounds, metals, complexes, and radionuclides fall under

the second category of environmental pollutants. This study only considers

environmental pollutants introduced into food as a result of human activities

such as agriculture, mining, and industry. The contamination of food by the

environment is a result of our modern, high-tech culture. We generate and

consume vast quantities of many different compounds, some of which are

harmful. It is estimated that 70,000 chemicals are currently in commercial

production in the United States, with 50 of those chemicals producing more than

1.3 billion pounds each year. is generated by the manufacture and distribution

of chemicals (l) (l). During the production, use, and disposal of these substances,

there are opportunities for losses to the environment. According to the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are more than 30,000 chemical

and radioactive waste disposal sites in the United States. Approximately 1,200

to 2,000 of these are considered dangerous to human health (2). Food

contamination can take two forms in the environment: long-term, low-level

contamination caused by the progressive diffusion of persistent chemicals

through the environment, and relatively shorter-term, higher-level

contamination caused by industrial accidents and waste disposal.

Polychlorinated biphenyls are an example of low-level pollution (PCBs). This

class of chemicals was widely employed in transformers and capacitors, as well

as heat-transfer fluids, dyes, carbon paper, insecticides, and plastics (3). Even

though production ceased in 1977, PCBs are still common, low-level

contamination in many foods, particularly freshwater fish. Polybrominated

biphenyls (PBBs) in dairy products and meat are an example of the second form

of contamination. PBBs, a fire retardant, ended up in animal feed by accident.

Milk was polluted when dairy cattle were fed tainted feed. There are no absolute

distinctions between the two types of food contamination. PBBs, for example,

have now established themselves as long-term, low-level pollutants in Michigan

due to their high stability and resistance to decay. PBB residues left in pastures

and farm buildings have contaminated animals grown on farms affected by the

original feed pollution.

Mycotoxins

When some fungi grow on crops and

harvested foods, mycotoxins are a

naturally occurring sort of toxin. And now,

as a result of climate change, new issues

have arisen. Although hundreds of

mycotoxins are screened for regularly, aflatoxins and ochratoxin A are two of

the most common in dry foods and ingredients.

Aflatoxins

Aflatoxins are a form of mold that can appear before harvest in hot, humid
settings or during storage in bad conditions. Aflatoxins are dangerous not just to
those who eat them, but also to those who prepare them.

Type of Mycotoxin (the strains Aspergillus

contaminant flavus and Aspergillus parasitic us)

Peanuts, tree nuts, corn, rice, spices,

Affected foods
vegetable oils, cocoa beans

Effects on health Genotoxic, hepatotoxic & carcinogenic

Maximum
residue limit in Differs per food category
the EU
Arsenic

Arsenic is a naturally occurring

element that can be found in
water, air, and soil, making it a
component of practically every
crop. Organic and inorganic
arsenic must be distinguished
because organic arsenic contains
carbon and is reasonably safe to
consume, whereas inorganic arsenic is exceedingly dangerous.

Type of contaminant Natural element

Grains, rice, water, coffee, fish, dairy,

Affected foods
vegetables and algae

Effects on health Carcinogenic & causing skin lesions

Maximum residue limit

Differs per food category
in the EU
Coumarin

Coumarin is a fragrant natural

chemical found in high
concentrations in cassia
cinnamon. It can also be found
in trace amounts in Ceylon
cinnamon and a few other
plants. Cassia cinnamon is now
preferred by many
manufacturers over Ceylon
cinnamon because of its more distinct flavor and lower price. The European
Food Safety Authority (EFSA) determined in 2004 that consuming up to 0.1 mg
of coumarin per day is safe.

Type of contaminant Natural plant compound

Cassia cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon,

Affected foods
tonka beans, sweet clover

Liver damage impaired cognitive

Effects on health
development

Maximum residue
n/a
limit in the EU
Ethylene Oxide

The presence of ethylene oxide in sesame seeds from India was reported to RASFF
by Belgium in September 2020. Because the EU imports more than half of its sesame
seeds from India, this sparked worry among EU member states. Because sesame
seeds are a common ingredient in dry goods with long shelf life, 500 more reports
of contamination were filed across the EU in February 2021, resulting in thousands
of product recalls.

Type of contaminant Chemical disinfectant

Affected foods Sesame seeds

Effects on health Genotoxic carcinogen

Maximum residue limit in the EU 0.05 mg/kg

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

METHODOLOGY ADOPTED: - The goal of this study is to learn more about

environmental toxins in food.

• RESEARCH DESIGN: This study's research design is both 'descriptive' and

'exploratory.'

• DATA Collecting Approaches: The data was gathered utilizing both

primary and secondary data collection methods.

• PRIMARY DATA: The majority of the data was acquired from primary

sources. The following methods were utilized to obtain primary data:

1. Journals from around the world

2. Organizations at a Global Level

• SECONDARY DATA: Secondary data was gathered using the following

methods:

1. Magazines for Textbooks

2. Internet

• TECHNIQUE OF SAMPLING: The respondents were chosen using

convenience sampling (non-Probability).

MS-EXCEL was used to create the charts, and MS-WORD was utilized to

create or write the entire project report.

 • METHOD OF DATA PRESENTATION: Data Analysis & Interpretation –

Classification & Tabulation transforms raw data collected through

questionnaires into useful information by organizing and compiling the

bits of data contained in each questionnaire, i.e., observations and

responses, into understandable and orderly statistics.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Predicting the dangers associated with chemical combinations is one of the

most difficult tasks in toxicology today. Contaminants are consumed as a

combination rather than as isolated components through the food. As a result,

food safety is heavily reliant on the ability to foresee dangers from mixes.

Concentration addition and independent action are the two most commonly

utilized models. The assumption of the mode of action of the chemicals in the

combination is the fundamental difference between the two models. It is

assumed in concentration addition that the compounds share a common mode

of action and can be considered dilutions of one another. In independent

action, the chemicals are believed to act independently via various modes of

action, and the combined effect is anticipated by the individual chemicals'

response probabilities. In a human adrenocortical cell line, we evaluated the

impact of a combination of food-related compounds on steroid release. The

data were compared to the two prediction models' expected impacts. In

general, the substances had an additive effect on hormone secretion, which

was expected by both models.

CONCLUSION

According to the statistics presented here, food contamination by the

environment is a nationwide problem with an unknown scope. Long-term, low-

level exposure to harmful substances in food poses health risks that are

difficult to assess with currently available technologies. There have been no

cases of high-level food contamination resulting in human illness in the United

States. However, in cases where the potential health risks were deemed

unacceptable, regulatory efforts were taken to limit the use of tainted food.

These occurrences resulted in financial losses when contaminated food was

removed from the market.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER WORK

Food safety and contamination attitudes in society are typically based on

history and habit. Even though customers choose their diets based on social

and financial considerations, the responsibility for food safety remains firmly in
the hands of regulatory organizations. These organizations can keep an eye out

for pollutants and enforce laws. Contamination of food has political

ramifications as well. As previously stated, food safety rules are required, as

are food and water contamination monitoring and steps to prevent and

eliminate environmental pollution exposure. Following environmental

pollution-related incidents, it is incumbent on a government to put in place

public health, legal, and ethical frameworks as soon as possible. Society should

be educated about safer crop production and livestock husbandry, as well as

the importance of eating a balanced diet and using safer cooking methods.

Governments should work to decrease urban inequities in environmental

exposures on a national scale. Although some contaminants have localized

impacts, the majority are distributed worldwide. As a result, an international

approach to food safety is required, to reduce environmental and food

contamination while also ensuring global trade in safer food products.

REFERENCE

• S. Stasinos, C. Nasopoulou, C. Tsikrika, and I. Zabetakis, “The bioaccumulation and

physiological effects of heavy metals in carrots, onions, and potatoes and dietary
implications for Cr and Ni: a review,” Journal of Food Science, vol. 79, no. 5, pp. R765–
R780, 2014.View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
• A. Mahmood and R. N. Malik, “Human health risk assessment of heavy metals via
consumption of contaminated vegetables collected from different irrigation sources
in Lahore, Pakistan,” Arabian Journal of Chemistry, vol. 7, pp. 91–99, 2014.View
at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
• M. L. Kaiser, M. L. Williams, N. Basta, M. Hand, and S. Huber, “When vacant lots
become urban gardens: Characterizing the perceived and actual food safety concerns
of urban agriculture in Ohio,” Journal of Food Protection, vol. 78, no. 11, pp. 2070–
2080, 2015.View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar

• Storclz, William J. “C&EN’s Top Fifty Chemical Products and Producers, Chemical and
Engineering News 56(18):33, 1978,
• Allen, J. R., et al. “Residual Effects of Short-Term, Low-Level Exposure of Non-Human
Primates to Polychlorinated Biphenyls,” Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
30:440, 1974.
• National Academy of Sciences, Food Protection Committee. 13adionuclides in Foods,
Washington, D. C., 1973
• Jaroslovsky, Rich. “Contamination of Fishmeal with PCBS Sparks FDA Study of Mishap
at a Ralston Purina Plant,” The Wall Street Journal, p. 46, July 12, 1978

• J. Enault, S. Robert, O. Schlosser, C. de Thé, and J.-F. Loret, “Drinking water, diet,
indoor air: Comparison of the contribution to environmental micropollutants
exposure,” International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, vol. 218, no.
8, pp. 723–730, 2015.View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
• S. E. Nelms, T. S. Galloway, B. J. Godley, D. S. Jarvis, and P. K. Lindeque, “Investigating
microplastic trophic transfer in marine top predators,” Environmental Pollution,
2018.View at: Google Scholar
• WHO FDA, FAO, EFSA
• National Center for Biotechnology Information. NCBI.
• US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health
• Environmental contaminants and animal health. Proceedings of the 26th Symposium
of the Nordic Committee for Veterinary Scientific Cooperation (NKVet)
APPENDICES

• Interview Schedule: As per your convenience

 Annexure - ⅠⅠ

School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies (SCOITS),

Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068

PROFORMA FOR APPROVAL OF PROJECT PROPOSAL (MEVP-001)

Enrolment No.: 2004623147 Study center: 1320
GOVT.SCIENCE COLLAGE BANGALORE
Name: Raheeb V Regional Centre: 13: BANGALORE
Varamangalath (H)Nhangattiri (PO) Mattaya, Thrithala,
Address of the Student Palakkad (D), Kerala (S) Pin:679303
PH: +91 8129832088
Raheebfoodtech@gmail.com
Title of The Project Study on Environmental Toxicants in Food
FASALU RAHMAN M
Name and Address of the Supervisor Mobile No:9746 77 57 57
Melangadi(H),Melepattambi,Palakkad,Kerala
Pin:679303
Is the Supervisor an Academic NO

Signature of Student Signature of Supervisor

Date: 03/02/2022 Date: 03/02/2022

(For Office Use only)

Project Proposal Supervisor
Approved Approved
Not approved Not approved

Comments/Suggestions If any on the Project Proposal

(Signature of Faculty)
School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies (SOITS)
 Annexure ⅠⅠⅠ

CERTFICATE OF ORGINALITY

This is to certify that the project titled “Study on Environmental Toxicants in Food “

Is an original work of the student and is being submitted in partial fulfilment for the
award of the Post-Graduate Diploma in Environmental and Occupational Health
(PGDEOH) of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). This report has not been
submitted earlier either to this University or to any another University/Institution for
the fulfilment of the requirement of a course of study.

Signature of Supervisor Signature of Student

Place: Pattambi, Palakkad district, Kerala Place: Pattambi, Palakkad district, Kerala
Date: 03/02/2022 Date: 03/02/2022
 School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies (SCOITS),
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068

POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH (PGDEOH)

PROJECT SYNOPSIS (MEVP-001)

Study on Environmental Toxicants in Food

Name Raheeb V
Enrolment Number 2004623147
RC code 13: Bangalore
Name of the Programme PGDEOH- POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN
ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH
Course code MEVP-001
Name of the Project Study on Environmental Toxicants in
Food
Address Varamangalath (H)Nhangattiri (PO)
Mattaya, Thrithala, Palakkad (D), Kerala (S)
Pin:679303
PH: +91 8129832088
Mail ID Raheebfoodtech@gmail.com
 STUDY ON ENVIRONMENTAL
TOXICANTS IN FOOD

CONTENTS

1. Introduction

2. Objectives

3. Problem Statement

4. Research methodology

5. Reference
INTRODUCTION

Several contaminants threaten food safety, including toxic metals and organic

halogenated compounds found in the environment; chemicals used in food

production, such as pesticides and veterinary drugs; contaminants formed

during food production and cooking; contaminants arising from food

packaging; and natural toxins in food. In the 2010 Eurobarometer, consumers'

views of food-related dangers were explored. Pesticides in fruits, vegetables,

and grains were the source of the most concern, with 72 percent of

respondents saying they were very or somewhat concerned. Fewer people

were concerned about residues such as antibiotics and hormones in meat (70

percent), pollutants such as mercury and dioxins (69 percent), bacterial food

poisoning (62 percent), or gaining weight (62 percent) (47 percent).

OBJECTIVES

To determine and understand specific pollutants that are either human-made

or naturally exist in water, air, or soil. Unwanted particles generated in food

during baking, roasting, canning, heating, fermentation, or hydrolysis are

associated with food processing toxins.

PROBLEMSTATEMENT

Environmental pollutants can cause developmental toxicity and endocrine

disruption, with fetuses and children being particularly sensitive groups. Bisphenol

A (BPA) is one pollutant that has received a lot of attention, and there is some

scientific debate over the health hazards of BPA at low doses. BPA is a chemical

that is used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. The majority of

human exposure comes from packaged foods and beverages. BPA binds to

estrogen receptors and affects endocrine function through various methods. In

the human adrenocortical cell line H295R, the effects of BPA on steroidogenic

pathways were studied. At non-toxic levels of BPA, the secretion of steroidogenic

hormones and intermediates was altered. Inhibition of CYP17 and CYP21, as well

as steroidogenic gene expression, were found to be responsible for the effects.

Predicting the dangers associated with chemical combinations is one of the most

difficult tasks in toxicology today. Contaminants are consumed as a combination

rather than as isolated components through the food. As a result, food safety is

heavily reliant on the ability to foresee dangers from mixes. Concentration

addition and independent action are the two most commonly utilized models.
The assumption of the mode of action of the chemicals in the combination is the

fundamental difference between the two models. It is assumed in concentration

addition that the compounds share a common mode of action and can be

considered dilutions of one another. In independent action, the chemicals are

believed to act independently via various modes of action, and the combined

effect is anticipated by the individual chemicals' response probabilities. In a

human adrenocortical cell line, we evaluated the impact of a combination of

food-related compounds on steroid release. The data were compared to the two

prediction models' expected impacts. In general, the substances had an additive

effect on hormone secretion, which was expected. by both models.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Existing data
gathered numerous relevant data from well-known organizations and compared
and thoroughly studied it to determine its relevance.

REFERENCE
• Storclz, William J. “C&EN’s Top Fifty Chemical Products and Producers,
Chemical and Engineering News 56(18):33, 1978,
• Allen, J. R., et al. “Residual Effects of Short-Term, Low-Level Exposure of
Non-Human Primates to Polychlorinated Biphenyls,” Toxicology and
Applied Pharmacology 30:440, 1974.
• National Academy of Sciences, Food Protection Committee.
13adionuclides in Foods, Washington, D. C., 1973
• FDA, FAO, EFSA, WHO
• National Center for Biotechnology Information. NCBI.
• US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health
• Environmental contaminants and animal health. Proceedings of the 26th
Symposium of the Nordic Committee for Veterinary Scientific Cooperation
(NKVet)
FASALU RAHMAN M
Mobile No:9746 77 57 57
Email ID:rahmanmfasalu@gmail.com

Address Objective
Melangadi(H)

Melepattambi A career in reputed organization with challenging opportunities for growth and
shouldering responsibilities in any suitable position to prepare for emerging advance
Palakkad with intent to serve the company.

Kerala Educational Background

Pin:679303 • Completed Btech in Computer science and Engineering in 2017from RCET,

Kerala.
• Completed 12th (Science) in2013 from GHSS, Pattambi.
• Completed SSLC in2011 from GHSS, Pattambi.

Technical Skills Experience

• C • Worked for Exouzia as a .Net programmer in a period of
• C++ 5 Years.
• .NET
• HTML
• CCNA
• .Net
• Php Laravel Projects

Special Skills

B Tech Projects
• Positive attitude
• Willing to accept
responsibilities
Main Project- Road traffic The system is capable of detecting traffic
• Confident,
supportive and congestion management congested area and direct to different route. The
hardworking using VANET system gathers traffic information by vehicle to
• Enthusiastic in infrastructure and vehicle to vehicle
teamwork Skill communication. It is developed using Android
• Social Studio and Visual Studio 2010
Commitment
 Mini project – Indian sign The communication gap between mute and
Languages Known language translator normal people made a separation on them..
capture the sign language of mute people with a
• English camera and then we use the image processing
• Malayalam technique.

Achievements

Personal Profile • Attended international conference in ICASET’17.

Extra-Curricular Activities
Date of Birth:19/05/1994
Nationality: Indian • Presented a paper in international conference ICASET’17 held in Royal College
Gender: Male of Engineering and Technology.
Marital Status:Single
Declaration

I hereby declare that the above given information are true, correct and complete to
the best of my knowledge.

Place: Pattambi
Date:03/02/2022
FASALU RAHMAN M