Dietary exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: The prevention program "Nutrition, action and health!"

Introduction: A varied diet represents an effective prevention strategy to reduce the exposure to food allergens and to potentially cancerogenic compounds in foods, as the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). As from the results of a study on dietary exposure to PAHs, a primary prevention program on healthy eating for primary and secondary school was implemented by theDepartment ofDermatology, Department of Systematic Pathology, and the Unit of Hygiene, Department of Preventive Medicine, of the University of Naples Federico II, supported by the Environment Department of the Campania Region. Methods: Two groups of children (6-10 years old) living in the cities of Ercolano (Naples) and Pollica (Salerno) were chosen from 2 local schools. Eaten foods from children were collected during a school week. The intake of 16 PAHs, considered as primary carcinogenic compounds from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was estimated using the Takatsuki et al. analytical method, appropriately modified. Results and conclusions: As reported by scientific literature, our study showed that food represents a significant source of exposure to PAHs. The prevention program provided the publication of an educational booklet entitled ‘‘Nutrition, action and health!’’ on Dietary Guidelines, food allergies and intolerances, food contamination. Starting from September 2005, a series of lessons on food safety will be realized in the participating schools, and the results of the study will be discussed. A ‘‘gameexhibition’’ will be realized and will be available to all the schools.