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This research project aims to determine the extent that aromatic hydrocarbons and phthalates can be absorbed from food.
<p>Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), phthalates and monoaromatic hydrocarbons (MAH) are widely considered to have the potential to cause adverse health effects in humans.
<p>Although some data exist for dietary exposure to these chemicals, the relationship between human dietary intake, metabolism and excretion, in particular the extent to which dietary intake is absorbed, is less well characterised. The objectives of this project are:<br> <ul>
<li>To augment data on dietary exposure by measuring human dietary exposure to these chemicals for individuals via the duplicate diet method.
<li>To study the relationship between dietary intake, metabolism, and excretion of PAH, phthalates and MAH
<li>To make a preliminary assessment of how such relationships vary between males matched for age and Body Mass Index (BMI).
Fourteen male volunteers will be recruited and divided into two groups according to age. For each individual, two separate experiments will be held, with organic contaminant intake (via the duplicate diet study) and urinary and faecal excretion measured separately in both.
<p>In the first experiment, the subject's normal diet will be administered, while in the second, the effect of a 'low contaminant' diet will be studied.
<p>The purpose of the second experiment is to identify excretion of these compounds due to non-dietary sources.
<p>Careful interpretation of intake and excretion data from both experiments is expected to provide an estimate of non-absorbed dietary intake.
<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.