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Children's exposure to mycotoxins and risk characterization using urinary biomarkers in São Paulo, Brazil

Sher Ali1, Bruna Battaglini Franco1, Vanessa Theodoro Rezende2

  • 1Department of Food Engineering, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|September 25, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Children in Brazil are exposed to multiple mycotoxins, with preschoolers showing high risks for aflatoxin M1, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted food safety policies and surveillance to protect child health.

Area of Science:

  • Food Science
  • Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mycotoxin contamination in food poses a significant risk to human health, particularly in vulnerable populations like children.
  • Previous studies have indicated potential mycotoxin exposure in Brazil, but comprehensive data across different age groups is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the co-exposure levels of various mycotoxins in preschoolers, schoolers, and adolescents in São Paulo, Brazil.
  • To evaluate the estimated daily intake (EDI) and associated health risks (Hazard Quotient, Margin of Exposure) for different age groups.
  • To provide data for informing age-specific risk management and food safety policies.

Main Methods:

  • Urine samples were collected from 104 children (3-17 years) in São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to quantify biomarkers for aflatoxin M1, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, T-2/HT-2 toxins, and zearalenone.
  • Estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and margin of exposure (MoE) were calculated under different exposure scenarios.

Main Results:

  • Urinary zearalenone and its metabolites were most frequently detected, followed by fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, and ochratoxin A.
  • Co-exposure to 2-6 mycotoxins was prevalent (63%), especially in schoolers (69%).
  • Preschoolers exhibited high UB-EDI values exceeding safety limits for aflatoxin M1, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone. Hazard quotients exceeded 1 for ochratoxin A and zearalenone in preschoolers and schoolers. Margin of exposure values for aflatoxin M1 indicated potential carcinogenic concerns across all age groups.

Conclusions:

  • Children in Brazil experience significant co-exposure to multiple mycotoxins, with preschoolers being particularly vulnerable.
  • Current exposure levels for several mycotoxins exceed established safety thresholds, necessitating urgent public health interventions.
  • Age-specific surveillance and strengthened food safety policies are crucial to mitigate mycotoxin risks in children.

Keywords:
BiomarkersChildrenExposureMycotoxinsRiskUPLC-MS/MSUrine

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