FST4608 - 3: FOOD SAFETY

TITLE : RISK ANALYSIS OF XYLENE IN FOOD PRODUCTS

LECTURER: DR. MAIMUNAH SANNY

GROUP MEMBERS:

NO. NAME NO. MATRIC

1. AINA NABILAH BINTI MOHD HAZIM 200847

2. DAFFA MADRI ATHA 201438

TRIGGERS
● Products affected are 300g packets of Kania Gravy Granules for meat and for chicken
with best before dates of October and November 2017
● Two batches found containing xylene, which occurs in petroleum and crude oil
● Exposure causes irritation to mouth, throat, nose and lungs
● Severe cases lead to heart problems, liver and kidney damage, and coma

FILA TABLE

Facts Ideas Learning issues Action plan

(Known/ given (Opinions/ idea (What you need to (What you need to
info) derived from the know) do)
facts)

According to the The gravy granules Can food products Review research
Food Standards might have been be contaminated articles of xylene as
Agency, two contaminated from from pesticides pesticide residues
batches of Kania pesticide residues or containing xylene? and its’ ADI (if any)
Gravy Granules accidentally added
were found to
contain xylene,
which is found
naturally in
petroleum and
crude oil (FSA).

A family suffered Xylene has low - Should Make a risk

stomach cramps, acute toxicity foods assessment of xylene
headaches, containing in food and food
dizziness and xylene be products
breathing avoided?
difficulties shortly
after eating the - Can foods
gravy with their that contain
dinner at the end of natural-
last month. occurring
xylene be
eaten?
 Xylene exposure Exposure to xylene - Can - Make survey
can cause irritation can cause adverse exposure to using Food
of the mouth, health effects. xylene lead Frequency
throat, nose, and to death? Questionnair
lungs, as well as - What is the e (FFQ)
cardiac difficulties, PTWI/ - Review
liver and kidney PTMDI of research
damage, and coma xylene articles of
in severe cases. contaminant xylene in
s and ADI food and
of xylene in food products
food or food
products?

1. What approach/technique/tool will you be using to demonstrate to consumers that

chicken is safe for consumption?
2. Demonstrate how you are going to use the approach/technique/tool to achieve the
objective? (risk assessment)
Risk Assessment
- Hazard Identification
Xylene (dimethylbenzene) is a colorless, flammable liquid that is used as a solvent
in the printing, rubber, and leather industries and as a cleaner and paint thinner. It occurs
naturally in petroleum and coal tar. Xylene is absorbed following oral, dermal, or inhalation
exposure; can be stored in adipose tissue; and is eliminated in the urine after conjugation
with glycine.

Xylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon widely used in industry and medical technology

as a solvent. It is a colorless, sweet-smelling liquid or gas occurring naturally in petroleum,
coal and wood tar, and is so named because it is found in crude wood spirit (Gr. xy`lon-
wood).[1] It has a chemical formula of C6 H4 (CH 3)2 and is referred to as “dimethyl
benzene” because it consists of a six-carbon ring to which two methyl groups are bound. It
exists in three isomeric forms: ortho-, meta- and para-xylene.

Human exposure to xylene by either oral or inhalation routes can cause death due
to respiratory failure accompanied by pulmonary congestion (Sandmeyer, 1981). Non-
 lethal levels of xylene vapor may cause eye (Carpenter et al., 1975), nose, and throat
(ATSDR, 1993) irritation, and contact with liquid may result in dermatitis (Sittig, 1985).
Chronic occupational exposure to xylene has been associated with headaches, chest pain,
electrocardiographic abnormalities, dyspnea, cyanosis of hands, fever, leukopenia,
malaise, impaired lung function, and confusion (Hipolito, 1980).

Exposure to xylene can occur via inhalation, ingestion, eye or skin contact. It is
primarily metabolized in the liver by oxidation of a methyl group and conjugation with
glycine to yield methyl hippuric acid, which is excreted in the urine. Smaller amounts are
eliminated unchanged in the exhaled air. There is a low potential for accumulation.[4,5]
Xylene causes health effects from both acute (<14 days) and also chronic (>365 days)
exposure. The type and severity of health effects depends on several factors, including the
amount of chemical you are exposed to and the length of time you are exposed for.
Individuals also react differently to different levels of exposure.

Dietary and residential exposures are possible from inert ingredient uses of xylene,
but the chemical’s volatility and ready biodegradation reduce the potential for exposures
of concern. In evaluating the active ingredient (A.I.) use of the chemical in a ready-to-use
aquatic weed herbicide containing 98% xylene, EPA’s RED concluded “Due principally
to its high vapor pressure, no residues of xylene are expected to occur on harvested crops
as a result of irrigation with xylene-treated waters”, and “Thus, the Agency has no risk
concerns for dietary exposure from use of xylene in irrigation water.” This conclusion also
applies to the inert ingredient food use of xylene because the amount per acre of xylene
that is applied to crops as an A.I. (98% of the pesticide formulation) exceeds the amount
applied as an inert ingredient (typical range is between 5 and 15% of the pesticide
formulation). Contributions to drinking water are not anticipated because of the
chemical’s volatility and ready biodegradation. Therefore, dietary (food and drinking
water) risks of concern are not expected from the use of xylene as an inert ingredient
in pesticide formulations.

- Hazard Characterization (comparing exposure with threshold)

 Animal studies show xylene has low acute toxicity for effects of concern, with oral
NOAELs from 500 to 1,000 mg/kg/day and LOAELs from 1,000 to 2,000 mg/kg/day, and
an inhalation NOAEL of 460 ppm and a LOAEL of 1,300 ppm. Development or
reproductive toxicity effects from inhalation exposures occurred at lower doses than those
from oral exposure. The inhalation NOAELs for development or reproductive effects range
from 250 to 1,000 ppm and the LOAELs range from 500 to 775 ppm. According to the
ATSDR, “In general, developmental studies in animals reported adverse fetal effects only
at concentrations that caused maternal toxicity.”

Oral (NTP, 1986) and topical (Berenblum, 1941; Pound, 1970) carcinogenic studies
with xylene in laboratory showed no significant increase in tumor incidence was observed
in rats or mice of both sexes following oral administration of technical grade xylene, giving
negative results. Therefore, EPA (1994a) has placed xylene in weight-of-evidence group
D (or group 4), not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.
ADI = NOAEL / 10 x 10
 - Exposure Assessment
Some food items that have been found to contain trace amounts of xylenes and
other aromatic hydrocarbons include:

- Meat products (31 µg/kg)

- Poultry (33 µg/kg)
- Eggs (7 µg/kg)
- Milk (4 µg/kg)
- Bread (9 µg/kg)
- Green vegetables (2 µg/kg)
- Potatoes (9 µg/kg)
- Nuts (63 µg/kg)

Food Consumption Statistics in Malaysia (Total Population)

No. Type of Estimate SE 95% Estimated Prevalence 97.5

food d mean Confidence populatio (%) Percentile
intake Interval n (g/day)
(g/day) (Mean)
 Lower Upper

10 Bread 28.63 1.11 26.44 30.82 19337037 78.25 136.00

12 Bun 11.69 0.94 9.83 13.54 19403690 46.33 62.00

20 Fried 4.57 0.39 3.80 5.34 19464144 50.65 25.20

chicken

22 French fries 2.37 0.20 1.97 2.77 19309067 36.58 12.81

23 Mashed 1.75 0.14 1.48 2.03 19324591 31.15 11.96

potatoes

26 Nugget 1.36 0.17 1.04 1.69 19462149 20.98 10.25

27 Chicken 33.01 1.23 30.60 35.42 19499772 94.46 118.00

28 Quail 0.16 0.03 0.10 0.22 19495580 3.98 1.91

29 Duck 0.49 0.10 0.30 0.69 19472532 6.54 3.94

30 Meat 5.34 0.54 4.29 6.40 19397341 45.85 34.17

31 Mutton 1.05 0.12 0.80 1.29 19364971 17.17 8.54

33 Chicken ball 0.70 0.04 0.61 0.79 19464146 31.82 5.69

34 Ham2 - - - - 7626839 10.59 -

35 Bacon2 0.27 0.06 0.15 0.38 7613331 5.85 2.56

36 Luncheon 1.07 0.19 0.70 1.44 7605872 12.38 10.56

meat2

37 Pork2 13.54 1.27 11.04 16.04 7673080 58.84 85.42

53 Chicken 29.49 1.16 27.21 31.77 19608711 95.17 108.00

eggs

54 Duck eggs - - - - 19474880 4.01 -

55 Quail eggs 0.12 0.02 0.08 0.16 19445611 4.45 0.99

56 Salted eggs 2.06 0.17 1.72 2.39 19499343 29.33 13.81

57 Nuts 2.26 0.16 1.94 2.59 19470321 45.73 16.00

58 Ground nuts 1.86 0.27 1.33 2.39 19374901 36.21 10.04

 62 Fresh milk 5.21 0.79 3.66 6.75 19460554 7.24 56.95

63 Commercial 26.79 2.20 22.46 31.12 19462286 29.57 200.00

milk

64 Yoghurt/ 6.64 0.87 4.93 8.36 19393243 17.12 56.95

lassi/ tairu

65 Milk powder 2.83 0.20 2.43 3.23 19475346 19.79 28.00

66 Evaporated 1.30 0.14 1.02 1.58 19446586 14.70 17.08

milk

67 Cheese 0.53 0.08 0.36 0.69 19318005 13.29 4.56

68 Green leafy 66.02 2.34 61.43 70.62 19435818 94.77 320.00

vegetables

73 Cabbage 18.98 0.78 17.45 20.52 19370412 77.67 100.00

123 Yoghurt 16.19 1.59 13.07 19.32 19404009 14.00 167.85

drink

136 Ice cream 3.28 0.22 2.85 3.71 19416461 38.45 25.63
(with milk)
2 Among non-muslim population only - RSE more than 25%

Exposure Assessment of Xylene in Food and Food Products *TBC

Food containing Estimated Concentratio Exposure (mg/day) Exposure

xylene Malaysian n of xylene (mg/kg.bw)
Food
Intake
 Mean Mean (mg/kg) Mean consumption x Exposure x 1
(g/day) Mean concentration day/ 60 kg
(mg/day)

Bread 28.63

- Risk Characterisation
In a wide range of agricultural and residential pesticide treatments used in and
around the home, xylene is employed as an inert component. Xylene has been extensively
researched, and the public has access to a wealth of information, studies, and assessments,
including the ATSDR and IRIS. Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency just
finished a RED on the use of xylene as an A.I. aquatic herbicide.
Because of the chemical's volatile nature and fast absorption, xylene exposure via
household pesticide products is predicted to be similar to a series of acute, occasional
exposures. Because of xylene's volatile characteristics, inhalation and cutaneous exposures
from outdoor residential usage are expected to be low. Inhalation exposure can occur when
using bug sprays and foggers indoors. The flammability potential of xylene limits the
amount of the chemical that can be used in indoor pesticide products. Product labels usually
state that there is a fire hazard and that users should provide appropriate ventilation or
operate outside, with the added benefit of limiting inhalation exposure.

3. How the insight obtained determines your next plan of action/What actions would
you take to manage the risk? (risk management)
- Communicate with food companies
-

Inhalation: If xylene gases are breathed, transfer the person to fresh air as quickly
as possible and seek medical attention. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the person
is not breathing; if breathing is difficult, administer oxygen. Until medical help arrives,
keep the victim warm and quiet.
 If xylene or a solution containing xylene is consumed, the victim should be given
several glasses of water to drink. Get medical care right away. Until medical help arrives,
keep the victim warm and quiet. If the person is unconscious, do not provoke vomiting
because it is linked to the risk of pulmonary aspiration.

4. What advice would you give to the public? (risk communication)

- Educate through social media
Respiratory Protection: Positive-pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus
(SCBA) is recommended in response situations that involve exposure to potentially unsafe
levels of xylene vapor.

In cases of ingestion, do not induce emesis. The use of activated charcoal for
hydrocarbon absorption is limited, but it may have some effect, especially in cases of mixed
overdose. If the victim is alert, asymptomatic, and has a gag reflex, administer a slurry of
activated charcoal at 1 gm/kg (usual adult dose 60-90 g, child dose 25-50 g). A soda can
and a straw may be of assistance when offering charcoal to a child.