Herbicide and nutrient monitoring in surface waters and groundwater of a paddy district in northern Italy.

Italy is the leading rice producer in Europe and the second in the Mediterranean basin (after Egypt), with most of the production concentrated in a large paddy area between the Lombardy and Piedmont regions (northern Italy). In this area, irrigation of rice was traditionally carried out by wet seeding and continuous flooding; in the last fifteen years, this technique has been gradually replaced by dry seeding followed by a delayed flooding (DFL) or by an alternation of flooding and dry periods (FTI), which are economically more advantageous. This study presents the results of an extensive monitoring campaign designed and carried out in 2021 in a representative paddy district of the Lomellina area (Pavia, northern Italy) to assess the impact of the actual rice cropping strategies on surface water and groundwater quality, with particular attention to two widely used herbicides (MCPA and clomazone) and to nutrient losses (e.

Oral bioaccessibility of toxic and essential elements in raw and cooked commercial seafood species available in European markets.

The oral bioaccessibility of several essential and toxic elements was investigated in raw and cooked commercially available seafood species from European markets. Bioaccessibility varied between seafood species and elements. Methylmercury bioaccessibility varied between 10 (octopus) and 60% (monkfish).

Effects of steaming on contaminants of emerging concern levels in seafood.

Seafood consumption is a major route for human exposure to environmental contaminants of emerging concern (CeCs). However, toxicological information about the presence of CeCs in seafood is still insufficient, especially considering the effect of cooking procedures on contaminant levels. This study is one among a few who evaluated the effect of steaming on the levels of different CeCs (toxic elements, PFCs, PAHs, musk fragrances and UV-filters) in commercially relevant seafood in Europe, and estimate the potential risks associated with its consumption for consumers.

Occurrence of cyclic imines in European commercial seafood and consumers risk assessment.

Cyclic imines constitute a quite recently discovered group of marine biotoxins that act on neural receptors and that bioaccumulate in seafood. They are grouped together due to the imino group functioning as their common pharmacore, responsible for acute neurotoxicity in mice. Cyclic imines (CIs) have not been linked yet to human poisoning and are not regulated in the European Union (EU), although the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) requires more data to perform conclusive risk assessment for consumers.