Foods, general health effects

When PET is extracted with water no detectable quantities of ethylene glycol or terephthaUc acid can be found, even at elevated extraction temperatures (110). Extractable materials are generally short-chained polyesters and aldehydes (110). Aldehydes occur naturally iu foods such as fmits and are produced metabohcaHy iu the body. Animal feeding studies with extractable materials show no adverse health effects. 

Because of the great diversity of phytochemicals in fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, only the major structural classes in the most common food plants, have been selected for discussion (see below and Figs. 15.2 and 15.3, for example, phytochemicals). These are also the phytochemicals for which there is generally the greatest information on food composition and health effects. 

Another advantage cited for organic electronics is their perceived low environmental impact and high expected consumer safety. This assumption is generally based on the notion that plastics are easily recycled and are considered safe to humans and animals. However, the materials used are often completely new compositions with poorly understood health and safety attributes. The assumption that all plastics are completely safe for humans is inaccurate, as is exemplified by recent concerns about the toxicity of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).39 In contrast, most inorganic nanoparticle materials are already on the consumer market and have extensive historical data on their safety in a variety of applications. Some materials, such as zinc oxide, are even considered reasonably safe for ingestion and therefore are commonly used in food and cosmetics. However, the health effects and interactions of nanoparticles on the human body are still a topic of debate.40... 

Human Health At present, studies on the impact of POPs on human health are very limited in China. Most of the existing literature is focused on dietary studies, as the food chain is considered a major pathway for POPs to effect human health. Information on human health effects such as body burden and metabolism is insufficient and generally extrapolated from modeling data because few doctors have been involved in research on POPs exposures in China. Other exposures through respiration and skin as well as air and soil are seldom studied. 

The animal studies for oral exposure to heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide are almost all limited to some extent by the number of doses used, the lack of appropriate statistics, or the small number or lack of controls. No information was located regarding the health effects of inhalation or dermal exposure, with the exception of a dermal LDso in rats. Exposure of the general population via the inhalation and dermal routes may result from contaminated soil or vapors from treated houses. Some exposures from contaminated soil or water may occur in populations located near hazardous waste sites in which these chemicals have been stored or from food grown in contaminated soil. 

Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) UL is the highest average daily nutrient intake level that is likely to pose no risk of adverse health effects to almost all individuals in the general population. As intake increases above the UL, the potential risk of adverse effects may increase. The UL is not intended to be a recommended level of intake. ULs are useful because of the increased availability of fortified foods and the increased use of dietary supplements. The UL applies to chronic daily use. For some nutrients, there may be insufficient data on which to develop a UL. 

The results of the extensive intake evaluations in the United States and in other countries demonstrated that intakes which were well below the acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and regulatory bodies in other countries, as well as the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JFECFA). The studies have also included evaluations of possible associations between aspartame and headaches, seizures, behavior, cognition, and mood as well as allergic-type reactions and use by potentially sensitive subpopulations, has continued after approval. Evaluation of the anecdotal reports of adverse health effects were the first ones done for a food additive, and revealed that the reported effects were generally mild and also common in the general population. 

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