Biosystems and Environmental Engineering Research Group, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Sci Total Environ. 2021 Jan 20;753:141819. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141819. Epub 2020 Aug 20.
The occurrence and health risks of toxic organic contaminants (TOCs) in the funeral industry are relatively under-studied compared to other industries. An increasing body of literature reports TOCs including emerging contaminants in the funeral industry, but comprehensive reviews of the evidence are still lacking. Hence, evidence was analysed to address the proposition that, the funeral industry constitutes several hotspot reservoirs of a wide spectrum of TOCs posing ecological and human health risks. TOCs detected include embalming products, persistent organic pollutants, synthetic pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and illicit drugs. Human cadavers, solid wastes, wastewaters and air-borne particulates from autopsy, thanatopraxy care facilities (mortuaries, funeral homes), cemeteries and crematoria are hotspots of TOCs. Ingestion of contaminated water, and aquatic and marine foods constitutes non-occupational human exposure, while occupational exposure occurs via inhalation and dermal intake. Risk factors promoting exposure to TOCs include unhygienic burial practices, poor solid waste and wastewater disposal, and weak and poorly enforced regulations. The generic health risks of TOCs are quite diverse, and include; (1) genotoxicity, endocrine disruption, teratogenicity and neurodevelopmental disorders, (2) development of antimicrobial resistance, (3) info-disruption via biomimicry, and (4) disruption of ecosystem functions and trophic interactions. Barring formaldehyde and inferential evidence, the epidemiological studies linking TOCs in the funeral industry to specific health outcomes are scarce. The reasons for the lack of evidence, and limitations of current health risk assessment protocols are discussed. A comprehensive framework for hazard identification, risk assessment and mitigation (HIRAM) in the funeral industry is proposed. The HIRAM includes regulatory, surveillance and control systems such as prevention and removal of TOCs. Future directions on the ecotoxicology of mixtures, behaviour, and health risks of TOCs are highlighted. The opportunities presented by emerging tools, including isotopic labelling, genomics, big data analytics (e.g., machine learning), and in silico techniques in toxicokinetic modelling are highlighted.
与其他行业相比，殡仪馆行业中有毒有机污染物（TOCs）的发生及其健康风险相对研究较少。越来越多的文献报道了殡仪馆行业中的 TOCs，包括新兴污染物，但仍缺乏对这些证据的综合评估。因此，我们分析了证据，以证明殡仪馆行业构成了广泛 TOCs 的几个热点储存库，这些 TOCs 对生态和人类健康构成了风险。检测到的 TOC 包括防腐产品、持久性有机污染物、合成农药、药品、个人护理产品和非法药物。人体尸体、固体废物、来自尸检、防腐护理设施（殡仪馆、殡仪馆）、公墓和火葬场的废水和空气传播颗粒是 TOCs 的热点。摄入受污染的水以及水生和海洋食品构成非职业性人类暴露，而职业性暴露则通过吸入和皮肤摄入发生。促进接触 TOCs 的风险因素包括不卫生的埋葬习俗、固体废物和废水处理不当以及脆弱和执行不力的法规。TOCs 的一般健康风险相当多样化，包括：（1）遗传毒性、内分泌干扰、致畸性和神经发育障碍，（2）抗生素耐药性的发展，（3）通过仿生学的信息干扰，以及（4）生态系统功能和营养相互作用的破坏。除了甲醛和推断性证据外，将殡仪馆行业中的 TOCs 与特定健康结果联系起来的流行病学研究很少。讨论了缺乏证据的原因和当前健康风险评估协议的局限性。提出了殡仪馆行业中危害识别、风险评估和缓解（HIRAM）的综合框架。HIRAM 包括监管、监测和控制系统，例如 TOC 的预防和去除。强调了混合物的生态毒理学、行为和 TOCs 的健康风险方面的未来方向。强调了新兴工具（包括同位素标记、基因组学、大数据分析（例如机器学习）和毒代动力学建模中的计算技术）带来的机会。
