Comparison of IEUBK model predictions and actual blood lead values at a former battery recycling site

This paper presents an evaluation of US EPA's integrated exposureuptake biokinetic model for lead (IEUBK model) using data obtained during emergency removal operations at a former lead-acid battery recycling plant and the surrounding community. Data employed in the study include soil lead and interior dust lead, air lead levels collected at the site perimeter, drinking water lead levels at the community water main and blood lead data collected from an annual blood lead monitoring programme conducted over a four year period during the remediation activities.Geometric mean soil and dust concentrations were found to be a better predictor of blood lead than arithmetic mean data. However, weight based dust lead data were believed to be an inappropriate measure of dust lead levels. Estimates of household dust lead concentrations based upon surface loading data (g m^–2) yielded blood lead predictions which were more consistent with data collected in the blood lead monitoring programme     

Effect of marble dust on plants around Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKIA) in Jaipur, India

The paper describes the effect of marble dust on plants in and around Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKIA) Jaipur, Rajasthan (India). Trees species growing in and around VKIA area were selected and various morphological characteristics were studied such as leaf area dry weight ratio (LADWR), Dust retaining capacity (DRC) and Chlorophyll content. In the study the effects of marble dust on selected tree species was observed. LADWR was recorded maximunm 217.90 cm2 g(-1) dry wt. in Polyalthia longifolia in VKIA and minimum 98.74 cm2 g(-1) dry wt. in Ficus religiosa in Nindar whereas The DRC was observed maximum 178.51 mg cm(-2) in Azadirachta indica in VKIA as well as minimum recorded 66.41 mg cm(-2) in Thevetie pervvianain in Vidyadher Nagar. However the Total Chlorophyll Content was also determined and it was found maximum in Bougainvillea i.e. 2.949 mg g(-1) (fresh wt.) in VKIA whereas minimum for Nindar i.e. 0.784 mg g(-1) (fresh wt.) in Ficus religiosa.     

Human health risk from Pb in urban street dust in northern UK cities

The presence of Pb in the environment can cause significant health problems. These issues are exasperated when the lead is in a more amenable form for potential ingestion. This study investigates the potential human health risk from Pb in urban street dusts. The lead levels in urban street dust in major city centres in northern UK have been compared to levels determined in 35 cities around the world. With a few exceptions, it was noted that the mean Pb levels in this study exceeded those found in other cities worldwide. Samples (n = 15) of urban street dust were collected across five city centres, and specifically in areas in which pedestrians are likely to concentrate, as well as near historical buildings. Typical total lead concentrations across all sampling sites ranged from 306 to 558 mg/kg. The human health risk was assessed using oral bioaccessibility testing of the urban street dust. The mean oral bioaccessibility data, irrespective of site and sample location, were in the range 43 ± 9 %. The total and bioaccessible concentrations of lead were compared to the estimated tolerable daily intake (TDI_oral) values based on unintentional soil/dust consumption. It is noted, in all cases, that the maximum estimated lead daily intake exceeded the TDI_oral. An alternative approach for assessing the daily intake is proposed based on the actual measured air quality in selected cities on the same day as the sampled urban dust.     

Pollution tolerance and distribution pattern of plants in surrounding area of coal-fired industries

Higher concentration of SO2 and particulate matters was reported in surrounding areas of coal-fired industries which influences the distribution pattern of plants. Sensitive plant species are abolished from such areas, however, only pollution tolerant species survive under stress conditions. The present study was designed to investigate the vegetation composition around coal-fired industries i.e. brick industries. To categorise plants as sensitive or resistant air pollution tolerance index (APTI) value was calculated. Out of 99 plants studied, Ricinus communis with APTI 81.10 was found to be the most resistant wild plant showing uniform distribution at all the polluted sites. On the other hand, Lepidium sativum with APTI 5.27 was recorded as the most sensitive plant and found to be present only at the less polluted sites.     

长沙市典型园林植物叶片的滞尘等级与模式识别研究

基于长沙市10种典型植物叶片的多个滞尘指标,运用模糊数学理论构建植物的滞尘等级与识别模型,实现绿化植物滞尘综合量化评判方法的探究.首先,常规方法采集叶样后,运用打孔称质量法测量叶表面积参数,显微观察法计算植物叶表气孔与绒毛密度,干洗法测量单位叶面积最大滞尘量与自然滞尘量.然后,运用模糊聚类理论对10种植物滞尘指标进行滞...     

Influence of temperature on the heavy metals accumulation of five vegetable species in semiarid area of northwest China

The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible effects of temperature on cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) accumulation in five vegetable species collected at different sites (Shuichuan, Beiwan, Dongwan and Wufe) in northwest China. The meteorological data of air and soil temperatures were recorded daily during the period from sowing to harvest for the five vegetables. The air and soil temperatures affected the capacity of pumpkin, cabbage, brassica napus and Chinese cabbage to accumulate Zn, Cd, Cu and Pb. Principal component analysis showed that temperature, photosynthetic and physiological factors all contributed to the soil–plant transfer properties of DTPA-extractable heavy metals. Temperature played a more important role in Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn accumulation in four vegetables in this semiarid area. However, the enormous surface area of spinach was likely to elevate heavy metal loads owing to atmospheric deposits. For most vegetables studied, there was a striking dissimilarity in the uptake and translocation ability of Cd, Zn and Cu in soil, but similar accumulation to translocation for Pb in soil.     

Particulate matter bio-monitoring through magnetic properties of an Indo-Burma hotspot region

Present study aimed to investigate the bio-monitoring study of particulate matter (PM) pollutants of 12 roadside plant species, in Aizawl, Mizoram, India (an Indo-Burma hot spot region). While, the second part was ascribed to the bio-magnetic monitoring stidies. Pertaining to first part of study, highest dust deposition was noted for Ramrikawn (RKN-Med) site on Ficus bengalensis (1.2?mg?cm^?2) and lowest in Bauhinia variegate (0.8?mg?cm^?2). Further, increased concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Cu and Zn) was recorded at RKN-Med site. Roadside plant leaves of F. bengalensis recorded maximum accumulation of Fe (26.1?mg?kg^?1) and Cu (19.5?mg?kg^?1) while Cassia auriculata (12.1?mg?kg^?1) showed lowest accumulation of Fe. B. variegate (1.88?mg?kg^?1) recorded lowest accumulation of Cu. Zn was recorded maximum (48.2?mg?kg^?1) in Mangifera indica while B. variegate showed lowest accumulation of 11.3?mg?kg^?1 Cu at Ramrikawn site. In relation to second part of the study, M. indica, Ficus benghalensis, Psidium guajava and Artocarpus heterophyllus were found to be efficient in bio-magnetic monitoring because all the magnetic properties (magnetic susceptibility, anhysteretic remanent magnetisation and isothermal remanent magnetisation) were high and significantly correlated with ambient PM (R²?=?0.424 to R²?=?0.998) thus may act as proxy for ambient PM.     

Garden soil and house dust as exposure media for lead uptake in the mining village of Stratoni,Greece

The relationships between two exposure media, garden soil and house dust, were studied for Pb uptake in Stratoni village in northern Greece, an industrial area of mining and processing of sulphide ore. Lead data for the two media were assessed in terms of total and bioaccessible content, measurement and geochemical variability, and mineralogical composition. It was found that total Pb was enriched in house dust samples by a factor of 2 on average. Total Pb concentration in soil samples had a maximum of 2,040 mg/kg and reached a maximum of 7,000 mg/kg in house dust samples. The estimated variability due to measurement uncertainty was dominated by the sampling process, and the proportion of sampling variance was greater for soil samples, indicating a higher degree of Pb heterogeneity in soil on the given spatial scale of sampling strata. Although the same general spatial trend was observed for both sampling media with decreasing Pb concentration by increasing distance from the ore-processing plant, Pb in dust samples displayed the highest concentrations within a 300–600-m zone from the ore-processing facility. The significant differences which were observed in Pb speciation between the studied media were explained by differences in mineralogical composition of outdoor soil and indoor dust. Lead-enriched Fe and Mn oxides predominated in soil samples while fine galena grains (<10–20 μm diameter) were the major Pb-bearing phase in dust samples. The integrated exposure uptake biokinetic model was used to predict the risk of elevated blood lead levels in children of Stratoni. Model prediction indicated an average probability of 61 % for blood-Pb to exceed 10 μg/dl. The results underline the importance of house dust in risk assessment and highlight the effect of outdoor and indoor conditions on the fate of Pb in the particular environment of Stratoni.     

Effect of ambient air sulphur dioxide on sulphate accumulation in plants

Present study deals with the relationship between ambient air sulphurdioxide and sulphate content in leaf of selected tropical plant species, Ficus religiosa. The study reveals a positive correlation between ambient air sulphur dioxide and sulphate in the leaves. Two way ANOVA finds the obtained values to be highly significant (p < 0.001). Amount of sulphate in leaves shows positive correlation with sulphur dioxide in air (p < 0.001) during most part of the study A marked reduction of sulphate content in leaf was found during October when reduction in ambient air sulphur dioxide was recorded.     

Analysis of air pollution at Shuaiba industrial area in Kuwait

A study has been conducted over a period of one year on measurements of air pollution in the Shuaiba Industrial Area (SIA) of Kuwait. The study included analysis of pollutant behaviour relative to the wind speed and direction. SIA comprises several large scale industries including three petroleum refineries, two power plants, two fertilizer plants, a cement plant, a chlorine and soda plant, a commercial harbour and two large oil loading terminals. Measurements of 15 parameters have been carried out every 5 minutes using a mobile laboratory fitted with an automatic calibrator and a data storage system. The pollutants studied include methane, non‐methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NO, NO₂, and NO _x ), sulphur dioxide, ozone and suspended dust. Meteorological parameters monitored simultaneously include wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, and barometric pressure. The air quality data collected using the mobile laboratory have been used to calculate the diurnal and monthly variations in the major primary and secondary pollutants. Distribution levels of these pollutants relative to wind direction and speed have also been used in the analysis. The results show large diurnal variations in some pollutant concentrations. Generally, two types of concentration variations have been found, depending on whether the species is a primary or a secondary pollutant. Diurnal variations with two maxima were observed in the concentrations of primary pollutants including NO, SO₂, NMHC, CO and suspended dust, whereas a single maximum was observed for secondary pollutants such as O₃and NO₂. The monthly variations of SO₂and NO _x showed maximum values during the warm months. However, ozone showed a quite marked seasonal variation with maxima during spring and late summer and a minimum during the early summer. The results also indicated a common source for NO _x , SO₂, NMHC, CO and suspended dust to the North‐West (NW) of the monitoring station. Moreover for NO _x and SO₂, another less significant source is to the South‐South‐West (SSW) and South‐West (SW) of the monitoring station.     

Salt stress induced alteration in growth characteristics of a grass Pennisetum alopecuroides

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stresses that adversely affect crop productivity and quality. The present investigation was carried out to study the alterations in the growth characteristics of a grass species, Pennisetum alopecuroides under the influence of sodium chloride (NaCl) salinity. From the results it is clear that shoot length of Pennisetum alopecuroides was increased by 13.17% at 100 mM NaCl concentration while the root length was observed to be increased at 50 mM NaCI concentration by 26.93%.Maximum height of the plant was observed by 18.23% at 50 mM while shoot to root ratio was higher at 300 mM concentrations by 29.17% increase over the control. Moreover, the maximum percent increase in leaf area was recorded as 11.17% (100 mM). Fresh weight was increased by 50.92% at 100 mM while dry weight of the experimental grass was increased by 33.64% at the same concentration of salt to the rooting medium while moisture percentage was increased to a maximum by 24.61% at 50 mM. It appears that the grass species studied exhibit a moderate salinity tolerance as far as linear growth of plant is concerned.     

河西走廊极端干旱区PM10质量浓度分布特征及其与气象要素关系研究

利用敦煌和酒泉2007—2011年的PM10质量浓度资料和风速、气温、相对湿度、气压、天气现象等相关气象要素资料,分析了河西走廊西部极端干旱区不同下垫面环境PM。0质量浓度的时空分布特征,结果表明,下垫面是沙地环境的敦煌PMl0质量浓度年平均值为128．9lμg·m-1,明显高于绿洲环境酒泉的76．1mg·m-1两站均是春季大于其他季节,尤以4月最为显著,敦煌和酒泉分别达到272．1lμg·m0和151lμg·m-2;PMl0质量浓度的不同分布特征与气象因素有密切的关系,尤其受沙尘天气的影响较大,其最大值可以反映沙尘天气的强度,非沙尘日PMl0质量浓度在不同下垫面条件下虽有一定相差,但空气质量状况均在“良”以上。两站PM10质量浓度日变化差异较大,敦煌四季的日变化特征均不特别显著,变化比较平稳,基本都呈单峰单谷型分布,最大值出现在17：00时左右,最小值出现在6：00左右;酒泉春、秋季日变化基本一致,呈单峰型,最大值出现在正午时段;夏季日变化规律性不明显,变化幅度比较平缓;冬季呈双峰双谷型,最大值和次大值分别出现在16：00和2：00左右,最小值和次小值分别出现在10：00和0：00左右。进一步分析发现,在沙尘日和非沙尘日PM10质量浓度明显不同,其对应的压、温、湿、风及能见度也有一定规律,沙尘日的日均风速和日最大风速大于非沙尘日,相对湿度、气压和能见度小于非沙尘日。两站的气温、气压、相对湿度、风速等气象要素与PM10质量浓度均有一定相关性,但PM10质量浓度的分布最终是受各要素综合影响的结果,敦煌和酒泉,PM值与PM10质量浓度日均值的相关性都很显著,相关系数分别为0．8961和0．9152,远高于其他各单气象要素与PM10质量浓度的相关性。两站沙尘日的昂M均值分别是非沙尘日2-3倍,因此气象影响指数能有效的区别沙尘日和非沙尘日。IPM的分布也能较好的反映PMl0质量浓度的分布,因此可用抽d来量化评价PM10质量浓度。     

Tessaria absinthioides: a possible bio‐monitor for Cd,Pb, and Cu,in the middle and lower basin of the loa river,North Chile

Some ecotoxic metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cu in Tessaria absinthioides were quantified to study its possible use as a bio‐indicator and/or bio‐monitor of these metals. This plant was chosen for its abundance in the area under study, along Chile and even in southern Latin America. For Cd, Pb, and Cu in all three parts of the plant (leaves, stems and roots) a different concentration pattern in each sampling areas was observed. In sampling areas Coya Sur and La Cascada copper and cadmium concentration decrease in order: leaves > roots > stems. In samples collected in Xalquincha the lowest concentrations of Cd and Pb were observed in stems. A maximum of cadmium concentration (9ug/gd.w. in leaves) was found in samples from La Cascada, a inflow to river Loa in Calama. High concentrations of lead were found in roots and leaves. Collected data demonstrate that the main pathway for cadmium is from ground water via roots into the plant. Some data obtained for lead and copper indicate that the influence of dust particles adsorbed on leaves and stems can be higher than uptake from ground water.     

露天矿排土场边坡自然恢复规律及其环境解释

露天矿排土场边坡水土流失严重,易发生地质灾害,急需开展生态恢复和土地复垦研究。为了解排土场边坡植物群落演替规律以及植物对生境因子的响应关系,本研究以阜新露天矿不同恢复年限排土场边坡为对象,调查不同坡向和坡位的植物组成、数量、高度和盖度,采用双向指示种法（TWINSPAN）对植物群落进行分类;同时分析边坡土壤物理、化学和生物学性质,采用去趋势典范对应分析（DCCA）方法研究群落分布格局与环境因子的关系。结果表明,排土场边坡共出现27种植物,物种数量小于平台。植物群落在阴坡和阳坡呈现出不同的演替格局,阴坡演替顺序为狗尾草（Setaira viridis）＋茵陈蒿（Artemisia capillaries）＋铁杆蒿（Artemisia sacrorum）→狗尾草＋铁杆蒿＋白蒿（Artemisia anethoides）→铁杆蒿＋狗尾草;恢复10 a后,铁杆蒿在中上坡位占据优势地位,植物种类和数量下降,植物群落呈逆向演替。阳坡演替顺序为蒺藜（Tribulus terrestris）＋旱稗（Echinochloa hispidula）＋狗尾草→狗尾草＋蒺藜＋白蒿→狗尾草＋页蒿（Carum carvi）＋白蒿,植被演替进程缓慢。DCCA排序表明,第一轴主要反映植物群落随坡位、土壤水分、氮元素有效性和周转的变化规律,其与土壤pH值和脲酶紧密相关;第二轴主要反映植物群落随着恢复年限和土壤磷素有效性的梯度变化,其与土壤容重、速效磷、蔗糖酶和碱性磷酸酶紧密相关。排土场边坡必须采取人工恢复措施,土壤酶活性对植物群落分布影响较大。     

城市绿地滞尘作用机理和规律的研究进展

城市绿地的滞尘作用是城市绿地重要的生态功能之一。综述了城市绿地的滞尘机理、变化规律。城市绿地的滞尘机理主要分为3种方式：滞留、附着和粘附;城市绿地滞尘能力与滞尘时间、城市环境、植物种、植物群落结构等因素存在密切的联系。不同植物滞尘能力的差异很大,总体规律表现为乔木植物〉灌木植物〉草本植物;但就单位叶面积来说,滞尘能力均以草本植物〉灌木植物〉乔木植物〉藤本植物;主要原因是垂直高度不同,灌草能有效截留地面的扬尘（城市中灰尘的主要来源）。研究表明,同种类植物种在封闭式环境条件下叶片滞尘量明显低于开敞式环境条件下的滞尘量,因此,在城市不同环境中的植物滞尘能力表现为工业区〉商业交通区〉居住区〉清洁区。随着季节和滞尘时间的变化,每种植物都存在一个滞尘限度,如果无雨水或人为干扰,最终达到一个动态平衡。从城市绿地群落的垂直结构看,乔—灌—草型的绿地具有相对较好的滞尘作用,是目前较为理想的绿地类型;另外,在城市绿地面积明显不足的情况下,以藤本植物为主的垂直绿化将成为城市绿化发展的新方向。同时,在城市绿地滞尘机理、规律以及植物滞尘能力评价等方面仍需要进一步深入研究。     

Environmental health in minority and other underserved populations: Benign methods for identifying lead hazards at day care centres of New Orleans

This study tests the hypothesis that exterior sources of lead dust are more important than interior sources in the route of exposure of children. Benign field methods were used to distinguish between potential and actual lead exposure problems. Utilising hand wipe and surface wipe techniques, hand and environmental samples were obtained from selected day care centres at different locations within New Orleans. Previous research has shown that soil lead is determined by location within the city. Private and public day care centres were selected from inner and outer city areas to estimate the extent of hand lead exposure. To measure and identify the extent of environmental lead exposure, hand wipes were taken before and after playing outdoors. Results of preliminary findings show that outdoor lead dust is a more potent contaminant of hands than indoor lead dust. An association was found between the amount of lead on children's hands after playing outdoors and the lead content in the exterior dust and soil. Although two girls out of forty children had exceptionally high hand lead quantities after playing outdoors, in general, boys have higher hand lead levels than girls. The private inner-city day care centre had a severe contamination problem in its outdoor play area. By contrast, the outdoor play area of the public inner city day care centre is of such a high quality that the quantity of lead dust is independent of location in the city.     

Lead contamination of UK dusts and soils and implications for childhood exposure: An overview of the work of the Environmental Geochemistry Research Group,Imperial College,London, England 1981–1992

Over the course of the last decade, research conducted by the Imperial College Environmental Geochemistry Research Group has focused on the nature and effects of lead in UK dusts and soils. An initial nationwide reconnaissance survey demonstrated that approximately 10% of the population is exposed to lead levels in excess of 2,000 g g^–1 in house-hold dust. Subsequent exposure studies revealed that for 2 year old children in the UK urban environment, approximately 50% of lead intake was from dust ingested as a result of hand-to-mouth activity. Follow-up computer controlled scanning electron microscopy (CCSEM) analysis of urban household dust and particulate material wiped from children's hands showed that important sources of dust lead include lead-based paint, road dust and soils. CCSEM identification of specific soil lead tracer particles (from minewaste contaminated soils) in dusts and on children's hands further documented the important role of soil as a source of exposure. Speciation studies of soil lead of this origin indicated that the form of the lead, which is largely influenced by the soil environment, is the primary control on bioavailability. It appears that although lead of minewaste origin may be present at elevated levels in dusts and soils, it does not necessarily contribute to elevated blood lead levels when the lead is present in relatively insoluble form.     

沙尘与大雾天气对京津石空气质量影响

采用北京、天津、石家庄2001-2010年沙尘与大雾天气的统计数据以及城市空气污染指数（API）,分析北京、天津、石家庄3市空气污染指数变化特征及大雾和沙尘天气下北京、天津、石家庄3市空气质量情况,进而得出沙尘大雾天气对京津石空气质量的影响。结果表明：2001-2010年间北京、天津、石家庄3市API总体呈下降趋势,天津、石家庄相对于北京空气质量改善较为明显,且空气质量夏季〉秋季〉春冬季。沙尘天气条件下,北京、天津、石家庄3市API平均值分别为255、179和167,空气质量出现良的比率天津为24%,北京、石家庄为10%左右,出现重污染的比率北京高达50%以上,天津和石家庄均在20%左右;3市沙尘天气高频次均出现在3-5月份,但北京沙尘天气发生次数远大于天津和石家庄。大雾天气条件下,北京、天津、石家庄3市API平均值为185、130和167,空气质量出现优或良的比率：天津〉石家庄〉北京,北京和石家庄出现重污染的比率均接近30%,天津不到10%,所以大雾天气对3市空气质量影响较小,大雾天气频次的变化波动并未对该地区空气质量的年际变化造成显著影响,3市高频次大雾天气集中在10-12月份,对该时段内空气污染呈现加重趋势有一定的贡献。所以沙尘和大雾天气均对北京、天津和石家庄空气质量存在不利影响,其中对北京影响最为严重,对天津影响最轻。整体上沙尘对3市的空气质量影响较大,大雾天气影响较小。     

Cross‐sectional epidemiological study on arsenic excretion in urine of children and workers in Greece

An investigation was undertaken to study the exposure of children in areas with different air pollution and of adults working in three different plants (lead processing, battery plant, oil refinery) using arsenic in urine as a biological parameter. The arsenic excretion of the children are in agreement with the air pollution in the investigated areas. The workers in the lead processing plant are found to have the highest urine excretion values of the three worker collectives. The mean excretion values is nearly ten times higher than that found in the normal population.     

Drought stress induced changes in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in genus Avena

Seven species of genus Avena viz., Avena sativa, Avena strigosa, Avena brevis, Avena vaviloviana, Avena abyssinica, Avena marocana and Avena sterilis were used to study the impact of drought stress on lipid peroxidation and other antioxidant enzymes. Maximum increase in the catalase activity was recorded in A. vaviloviana (129.97%) followed by A. sativa (122.82%) and A. brevis (83.38%) at vegetative stage; however at flowering stage the maximum increase was reported in A. sativa (25.62%) followed by A. sterilis (20.46%) and A. brevis (18.53%). At vegetative stage drought, maximum increase in peroxidase activity was recorded in A. sativa (122.82%) followed by A. brevis (83.38%) and A. sterilis (49.78%). Flowering stage drought, showed maximum increase in A. Sativa (27.09%) followed by A. marocana (23.50%) and A. sterilis (20.46%). A. sativa and A. sterilis showed stress tolerance at both the stages by accumulating higher percentage of peroxidase followed by A. brevis at vegetative and A. marocana at flowering stage. Level of lipid peroxidation in terms of Malondialdehyde (MDA) content was increased in the leaves when plants were subjected to moisture stress. The rate of increase in lipid peroxidation occurs irrespective of stage however; maximum increase was recorded in A. strigosa at both the stages. Avena species which showed high level of MDA content, indicates more lipid peroxidation and more membrane permeability and are comparatively more susceptible for water stress than those which produce less Malondialdehyde (MDA) content at higher magnitude of water stress such species have better capability for moisture stress tolerance.