Pesticides, selected elements, and other chemicals in adult total diet samples, October 1979-September 1980

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducts Total Diet Studies to determine the dietary intake of selected pesticides, industrial chemicals, and elements (including radionuclides). These studies involve the retail purchase and analysis of foods representative of the diets of infants, toddlers, and adults. The individual food items are separated into a number of food groups, each of which is analyzed as a composite. This report summarizes the results for adult Total Diet samples collected in 20 cities between October 1979 and September 1980. The average concentration, range of concentrations, and calculated average daily intake of each chemical found are presented by food group. The average daily intakes of the chemicals are similar to those found in the several preceding years and are within acceptable limits. The results for samples collected during the same period that represent the diets of infants and toddlers are reported separately.     

Pesticides, selected elements, and other chemicals in infant and toddler total diet samples, October 1978-September 1979

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducts Total Diet Studies to determine the dietary intake of selected pesticides, industrial chemicals, and elements (including radionuclides). These studies involve the retail purchase and analysis of foods representative of the diets of infants, toddlers, and adults. The individual food items are separated into a number of food groups, each of which is analyzed as a composite. This report summarizes the results for infant and toddler Total Diet samples collected in 10 cities between October 1978 and September 1979. The average concentration, range of concentrations, and calculated average daily intake of the chemicals found are presented by food group. The average daily intakes of the chemicals are similar to those found in the several preceding years and generally are within acceptable limits. The results for samples collected during the same period that represent the adult diet are reported separately.     

Pesticides, selected elements, and other chemicals in infant and toddler total diet samples, October 1979-September 1980

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducts Total Diet Studies to determine the dietary intake of selected pesticides, industrial chemicals, and elements (including radionuclides). These studies involve the retail purchase and analysis of foods representative of the diets of infants, toddlers, and adults. The individual food items are separated into a number of food groups, each of which is analyzed as a composite. This report summarizes the results for infant and toddler Total Diet samples collected in 10 cities between October 1979 and September 1980. The average concentration, range of concentrations, and calculated average daily intake of each chemical found are presented by food group. The average daily intakes of the chemicals are similar to those found in the several preceding years and generally are within acceptable limits. The results for samples collected during the same period that represent the adult diet are reported separately.     

Pesticides, selected elements, and other chemicals in adult total diet samples, October 1980-March 1982

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducts Total Diet Studies to determine the dietary intake of selected pesticides, industrial chemicals, and elements (including radionuclides). These studies involve the retail purchase and analysis of foods representative of the diets of infants, toddlers, and adults. The individual food items are separated into a number of food groups, each of which is analyzed as a composite. This report summarizes the results for adult Total Diet samples collected in 27 cities between October 1980 and March 1982. The average concentrations, range of concentrations, and calculated average daily intake of each chemical found are presented by food group. The average daily intakes of the chemicals are similar to those found in the several preceding years and are within acceptable limits. The results for samples collected during the same period that represent the diets of infants and toddlers are reported separately.     

Pesticides, selected elements, and other chemicals in infant and toddler total diet samples, October 1980-March 1982

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducts Total Diet Studies to determine the dietary intake of selected pesticides, industrial chemicals, and elements (including radionuclides). These studies involve the retail purchase and analysis of foods representative of the diets of infants, toddlers, and adults. The individual food items are separated into a number of food groups, each of which is analyzed as a composite. This report summarizes the results for infant and toddler Total Diet samples collected in 13 cities between October 1980 and March 1982. The average concentration, range of concentrations, and calculated average daily intake of each chemical found are presented by food group. The average daily intakes of the chemicals are similar to those found in the several preceding years and generally are within acceptable limits. The results for samples collected during the same period that represent the adult diet are reported separately.     

Pesticide, metal, and other chemical residues in adult total diet samples. (XIV). October 1977-September 1978

Residues of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and selected industrial chemicals and metals have been reported since 1964 through the Total Diet Study conducted by the Food and Drug Administration. This report, which is the fourteenth in the series, includes data for the adult diet market basket samples collected from October 1977 through September 1978 in 20 cities throughout 4 geographical areas. All items from each market basket were separated into 12 food classes for analysis, and the averages and ranges of the residues found are presented in various formats. In addition to the 240 composites analyzed, the individual items making up the dairy composites and the meat-fish-poultry composites were analyzed separately for 4 market baskets. The results of a recovery study in which composites were fortified with the more commonly reported residue compounds are also presented as a part of this report. Results for the infant and toddler Total Diet market baskets for the same period are published in a separate report.     

Pesticide, heavy metal, and other chemical residues in infant and toddler total diet samples. (IV). October 1977-September 1978

The Food and Drug Administration has conducted the Total Diet Study since 1964. The program originally focused on the average total diet of the young adult male but was eventually expanded to include the average total diets of infants and toddlers. This report is the fourth in the infant and toddler series and represents residues found in market basket samples, i.e., items comprising the average 2-week diet of infants and toddlers, collected in 10 different cities throughout 4 geographic areas of the United States from October 1977 through September 1978. The results are based on analyses of food composites representing 11 food classes into which all the food items were separated. Averages and ranges are reported for residues of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and selected metals and industrial chemicals. Recovery results are also included for various representative compounds added to a variety of food classes. The results for the adult market basket samples for the same reporting period are presented in a separate report.     

Pesticide, metal, and other chemical residues in adult total diet samples. (XIII). August 1976-September 1977

Since 1964, the Food and Drug Administration has reported residues of pesticides and other chemicals in the average diet of the United States' heartiest eater, the young adult male, through the Total Diet Study. This report is the thirteenth in the series and includes results of analyses for 25 market basket samples collected from August 1976 through September 1977 in 20 different cities throughout 4 geographical areas. All food items were divided into 12 different composite food classes, and 25 composites, 1 from each market basket, were prepared and analyzed for each food class. Averages and ranges of pesticide and chemical residues are presented in various formats, together with results for the following heavy metals: zinc, cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, and selenium. Individual items making up the dairy composites and the meat-fish-poultry composites were analyzed separately for 4 market baskets and are presented as a part of this report. Recovery studies of pesticides and chemicals added to each of the various food classes are also included.     

Pesticide, heavy metal, and other chemical residues in infant and toddler total diet samples. (III). August 1976-September 1977

The Total Diet Study has been conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, since 1964 to monitor the diet of adults, and more recently the infant and toddler diet, for residues of pesticides and other chemicals. This report presents the residues found in 12 infant and toddler market baskets, i.e., items comprising the average 2-week diet of infants and toddlers, collected in 12 major cities in 4 geographical areas from August 1976 through September 1977. The analyses for each market basket were performed on composites of each of 11 food classes, and the results are presented in a variety of formats. In addition to chemical residues, the market baskets were also analyzed for 6 heavy metals: arsenic, lead, selenium, zinc, cadmium, and mercury. Results of recovery studies conducted with residue compounds of various types are also included in this report. The results for the adult market baskets for the same period are published as a separate report.     

FDA Total Diet Study, April 1982-April 1984, dietary intakes of pesticides, selected elements, and other chemicals

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducts the Total Diet Study to determine dietary intakes of selected pesticides, industrial chemicals, and elements (including radionuclides). The current study, which reflects significant redesign implemented in April 1982, involves retail purchase of foods representative of the "total diet" of the U.S. population, preparation for "table-ready" consumption, and individual analyses of 234 items depicting the diets of 8 population groups. The dietary revision was based on 2 nationwide food consumption surveys. The data presented represent 8 food collections (also termed "market baskets") in regional metropolitan areas during the 2-year period. Dietary intakes of over 100 analytes are presented for the 8 population groups, which range from infants to elderly adults. Intakes of selected population groups are compared with representative previous findings. As in the past, average daily intakes are within acceptable limits.     

An examination of the total analysis of major elements in soil samples

Recently conventional chemical analyses were mostly replaced by instrumental analysis. Although results from both methods were examined in details after the samples had been solubilized or extracted by appropriate techniques, the solubilization method was considerably altered so as to be convenient for the following analysis. In atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), for example, fusion technique was mostly inadequate because of the higher salts concentration in the obtained solution. The use of H₂SO₄ must also be avoided in acid digestion for SO₄ ^2- precipitates with Sr²⁺ or La³⁺ which must be added to eliminate interferences in the succeeding procedure. Therefore, it is essential to consider the whole scheme including sample treatments to evaluate the suitability of instrumental analysis. In this experiment, the suitability of the methods which have been employed in our laboratory was examined by analyzing 9 rock standards.     

Lead, fluoride, and other elements in bonemeal supplements

The Pb, Cd, F, Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Ti, and Zn content of 20 commercial bonemeal supplements was determined. Samples were mineralized with nitric and perchloric acids prior to determination of all elements except F, for which a diffusion method was used. Pb and Cd were determined by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, F was measured using an ion selective electrode, and all other elements were determined by inductively coupled argon plasma spectroscopy. The mean recoveries of Pb and F were 97 and 99%, respectively. The concentration range of Pb was 1.5-8.7 microgram/g. Cd was quantitated in only one sample at a level of 2.5 microgram/g; all other samples were estimated to contain less than 0.05 microgram Cd/g. The concentration of F ranged from 261 to 921 microgram/g.     

Concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonamides in Canadian total diet study composite food samples collected between 1992 and 2004

Canadian Total Diet Study composite samples collected from 1992 to 2004 (n = 151) were analyzed for a series of perfluorooctanesulfonamides that are likely breakdown products or manufacturing residuals associated with perfluorooctylsulfonyl phosphate esters. These esters have been incorporated into coatings for paper and paperboard used in food packaging. N-Ethylperfluorooctanesulfonamide (N-EtPFOSA), perfluorooctanesulfonamide, N,N-diethylperfluorooctanesulfonamide, N-methylperfluorooctanesulfonamide, and N,N-dimethylperfluorooctanesulfonamide were extracted using solvent extraction and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Perfluorooctanesulfonamides were detected in the picograms per gram to low nanograms per gram of wet weight range in all food groups tested-baked goods and candy, dairy, eggs, fast food, fish, meat, and foods to be prepared in packaging. The highest concentrations of total perfluorooctanesulfonamides were observed in fast food composites (from less than the method detection limit to 27300 pg/g of wet weight). Concentrations of N-EtPFOSA appeared to decrease over the sampling period (1992-2004) in French fries and other fast food composites; no such trend was apparent in freshwater fish, marine fish, and shellfish composites. A basic estimate of dietary exposure to perfluorooctanesulfonamides suggests that Canadians (>12 years old) are exposed to approximately 73 ng/person/day from these foods.     

Trace and nutrient elements in manure, dung and compost samples in Austria

In Austria, farm animals are estimated to produce about 20×10⁶ ton of excrements annually. In order to predict possible changes of the inorganic compositions of the target soils from various organic fertilizers, mean compositions of excrements, composts and sewage sludges have been compiled on a dry weight basis. Although the high amounts of K and P were beneficial, there were some high concentrations of Na in biogas residues and pig manures. Intense additions of Cu, Zn, and Se are reflected in high loads in the respective excrements, and these amounts in some instances exceeded the threshold limits for soil contamination. Selenium addition to arable soils can be regarded as beneficial, however, as Austria is a low Se area. Composts and sewage sludges were higher in Al and lithophilic trace elements than were the excrements. Factor analysis traced phosphates as the main source of Cd. Cr in processed matrices was significantly higher, and abrasion from tools should be considered in future investigations. Other unwanted trace elements, like Ni, Pb, As and Hg, were found at a rather low concentration.     

Rare earth elements and other trace elements in wastewater treatment sludges

In order to evaluate the possibility of contamination of soil with trace elements by the application of sludges to soil, the contents of rare earth elements (REEs; La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) and other trace elements (Be, As, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Bi, and U) in wastewater treatment sludges were determined. In sludges of night soil treatment plants (night soil sludges) and sludges of wastewater treatment plants in the food industry (food industry sludges), the distribution patterns of REEs normalized versus average REEs in the continental crust were almost flat. It was considered that the REE patterns of uncontaminated sludges reflected the pattern of the continental crust. The crust-normalized REE patterns of sludges of wastewater treatment plants in the chemical industry (chemical industry sludges) and municipal sewage sludges did not always show flat plots. The sludges that did not show a flat REE pattern were considered to be contaminated with some of the REEs.

The coefficient of variation of each element determined among the 10 samples of night soil sludges and the 14 samples of sewage sludges ranged from 34 to 77% and from 26 to 84%, respectively. Among the 10 samples of food industry sludges and the 10 samples of chemical industry sludges, the coefficient ranged from 60 to 143% and from 67 to 172%, respectively. The variations of the content of each element among the food industry sludges or the chemical industry sludges were larger than those among the night soil sludges or the sewage sludges.

The contents of Be, As, Cs, REEs, and U in all the sludges were lower than or the same as those in a field soil. Some of the food and chemical industry sludges contained larger amounts of Ag, Cd, and Sb than the soil. All the night soil sludges and sewage sludges contained much larger amounts of Ag and Bi than the soil.     

The methylmercury to total mercury ratio in selected marine,freshwater, and terrestrial organisms

Total and methylmercury concentrations were determined in muscle and organ tissue from a wide variety of marine and terrestrial organisms spanning several trophic levels. Sediment and water samples from many of the tissue sampling sites were also analyzed to assess the degree of mercury contamination to which the animals were exposed. The methylmercury to total mercury ratios were examined to determine whether this ratio is indicative of elevated exposure to organic or inorganic mercury and how it varies relative to tissue type and position in the food chain. As an ancillary study, a subset of these tissues was analyzed as 1) wet tissue, and 2) freeze-dried, ball-milled tissue to determine whether the form of sample preparation can adversely affect mercury analysis. Results indicate that the methylmercury to total mercury ratios generally approach unity only in muscle tissue of higher food chain carnivorous fish residing in waters that are relatively uncontaminated with respect to inorganic mercury species. Herbivorous terrestrial mammals and low food chain marine organisms tend to have very low methylmercury to total mercury ratios. Marine animals placed higher on the food chain, such as crabs and lobsters, exhibit somewhat higher methylmercury to total mercury ratios and can exhibit a large variation in this ratio between, organ tissue and muscle tissue of the same animal. The samples analyzed as both wet and freeze-dried, ball-milled tissue indicate that freezedrying and ball-milling in no way result in mercury loss or contamination and, in fact, result in better replicate analyses and create a sample sufficiently stable to be archived for several years without refrigeration.     

Atmospheric input and origin of selected elements in Walker Branch Watershed,Oak Ridge,Tennessee

The elemental composition and relative contribution to input of precipitation and aerosols have been determined for the Walker Branch Watershed in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, U.S.A. Comparison of elemental ratios in rain to those in local soils indicates that Cu, Hg, and Pb are enriched with respect to soil by a factor of 30 to 170 and must have a non-soil source. Due to inherent problems encountered in determining elemental deposition velocities, elemental input by dry deposition was calculated using literature value upper and lower limits. If the higher deposition velocities are chosen, dry deposition could constitute from 62 to 96% of the total input for selected elements to the watershed. Enrichment factor and chemical mass balance calculations have been applied to aerosol data in an attempt to distinguish between atmospheric particulates derived from soil, automobiles, and three nearby coal-fired steam plants. Elemental deposition by wet and dry fallout has also been calculated using published deposition velocities. Mass balance calculations indicate that no more than 5% of the total aerosol load can be attributed to the three coal-fired steam plants. The steam plants can, however, account for up to 20% of individual elements collected in air above the watershed.     

Trace metal concentrations in selected biological,sediment, and water column samples in a Northern New England river

A baseline ecosystem study was undertaken in a relatively non-industrialized New England river to determine trace metal levels of Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations in water column, sediment, fish, mollusks and aquatic macrophytes. Additional analyses were completed on fish and mollusks for Hg. Results showed metal concentrations in the study area were in general agreement with literature values. Both mollusks and aquatic macrophytes exhibited the highest levels of accumulated metals.