Cadmium levels in poultry meat
A survey of cadmium (Cd) levels in poultry meat from polluted area of Eastern Slovakia is presented. Samples of poultry tissue (72 samples of breast muscle, leg muscle, liver and heart) were analysed for the presence of Cd on atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Unicam Solar 939). Mean values of cadmium in breast and leg muscle, liver and heart were 0.019; 0.021; 0.061; 0.099 mg/kg, respectively. On the basis of presented results of cadmium analyses it follows that its levels in poultry meat are below the highest permissible hygienic limits for Cd (muscle 0.1mg/kg; internal organs 0.5 mg/kg - Codex Alimentarum of the Slovak Republic No. 981/1996). The presented results are higher than those in unpolluted areas. The regular monitoring and control of poultry meat guarantee that a consumer is protected against unfavourable higher values of cadmium.
Health risk assessment of heavy metals for Egyptian population via consumption of poultry edibles.
| Exposure to heavy metals through poultry consumption may lead to health risks in Egypt, especially in areas with expanding industrial and agricultural activities. Lead (Pb), Cadmium (cd), Aluminum (Al) and Nickel (Ni) concentrations were determined in poultry muscle and liver using ZEEnit 700P Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer with Graphite Furness. Mean concentrations of Pb and Cd in poultry muscle and liver exceeded the maximum tolerable limit set by the European communities. However, Al and Ni concentrations were below the guideline limits. According to the Egyptian standardization, only 33% and 66% of liver and muscle samples from Assiut exceeded the limit, respectively. The estimated weekly and daily intakes in the examined samples were below the FAO/WHO Guidelines limits. Meanwhile, Target Hazard Quotients (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI) were calculated to estimate the human health risk of Egyptian population. In this study, THQ and HI were more than 1 for Cd when compared with their reference dose (RfD) in poultry edibles from both Assiut and Qena. The study emphasizes the potential public health risk of Cd contamination from poultry consumption to the local inhabitants in Egypt.
Mechanical behaviour and durability of high volume fly ash cementitious composites
The purpose of this research is to separate different morphological particles of ASTM class F fly ash, and study their effect on mechanical behaviour and durability of high volume cementitious mixtures. In this research wet separation of raw fly ash is carried out, which resulted in three layers of different morphological particles. The first layer of particles float, comprise of about 1-5% of fly ash, is identified as cenospheres or hollow spheres. The second layer of particles is measured to be 55-60% of raw fly ash and consisting of porous spherical and rounded particles rich in Si and Al. The third layer particles is measured to be about 35-40% of raw fly ash. High volume fly ash cementitious composites containing second or third layer particles are tested under compression and bending, highlighting a higher strength and ductility in comparison to cementitious ones containing raw fly ash particles. KEYWORDS. Cementitious matrix; Raw fly ash; Second layer particles; Third layer particles.