化学物质对室内空气的污染

随着国内人民生活水平的提高，百姓对居室内标准的要求越来越高。装修材料含有一定的有害化学物质，可使室内不同程度地受其污染，直接影响居民的身体健康，这已引起各发达国家和国内有关部门的重视。文章主要就室内化学物质的来源、种类、污染现状和对人体健康的影响作了简要概述，同时还介绍了室内空气中化学物质的简易测试方法。     

室内空气污染现状与特征研究

对几种典型室内空气质量进行监测，并就室内装修对空气质量的影响进行了研究，结果表明，室内空气质量状况不容乐观，PM10是不同类型室内空气的共同特征污染因子，PM10和细菌总数是公共场所的特征污染因子，室内装修是造成甲醛和苯系物等挥发性有机物污染的主要原因。     

关于室内装修污染与控制的探讨

文章对居室内装修带来的污染来源进行了分析和探讨，并提出了控制及防范措施。     

室内空气污染调查

为了解室内空气污染状况，广州市环境监测中心站对刚装修不久的10套私人居室和5家单位办公室的室内空气进行了监测。结果表明，甲醛、苯、NH3、NOx浓度超标，最高超标倍数分别为：甲醛22.0倍，苯3.01倍，NH3 2.58倍，NOx0.30倍。指出，这些污染物主要来源于装修材料和建筑材料，会对人体健康造成危害。提出，为防止室内空气污染，应从源头抓起，装修时尽量选用低毒或无毒的材料，装修后的居室或办公室要保持通风，以降低室内污染物浓度，进驻前请有关权威部门进行监测评估。另外可在室内摆放绿色植物，以吸附一些有毒化合物。     

建设环保健康住宅防止室内空气污染

由于现代建筑的密闭性和化学品的广泛使用而引起的室内污染问题日益严重．应从建筑总体规划、城市微气候改善等方面人手，将建筑科学与环境科学和生态学有机结合起来，做出健康舒适的室内外环境设计．室内装修中应选用绿色环保型材料，减少劣质材料对人体的长期危害；在厨房的灶具位置设计中应考虑提高排油烟的效率；衣橱不应设计在卧室内避免衣物杀虫剂对人体的慢性毒害；合理使用家用电器，减少电磁辐射对人体的影响；使用中央空调引起的室内空气污染问题应引起足够的重视；受春季沙尘暴和冬季重污染的影响，应在新建住宅中安装向室内输送新鲜空气的净化装置；在建筑工程或室内装修完工后，应进行室内环境空气质量的验收．     

关注室内装修中的甲醛污染

文中主要阐述了室内装修中甲醛污染的产生、危害及其防治。     

彩釉砖的辐射水平及其放射防护管理

简述了我国国产彩釉砖的辐射水平、室内装修彩釉砖的限值以及它对人体产生辐射的途径，提出了放射防护管理措施和存在的问题。     

贵阳室内氡时空分布特征研究

为了全面分析室内氡的时空分布特征、来源和影响因素,选择了贵阳市不同地理位置的居民住宅、办公场所和公共场所,进行了为期一年的室内氡监测。贵阳市室内氡的平均浓度为(72.7±1.6)Bq/m3,低于室内空气污染国家标准,达标率98.5%。其中居民住宅、办公场所和公共场所的室内氡浓度分别为(93.46±86.93)、(74.68±40.74)、(61±26.93)Bq/m3。研究表明,室内涂料、装修程度和通风效果、小区环境等对室内氡浓度高低有显著影响,室内氡也随季节变化而发生波动。对于居民住宅和公共场所氡的室内外来源相对重要性不同。居民住宅内新楼和旧楼不同楼层室内氡的来源、影响因素和分布特征有显著差异。     

荷兰重视有害化学物质控制

荷兰政府对有害化学物质的排出迁移非常重视,建立对污染物质调查系统（ＩＥＩ）收集情报,不久将制定污染物质排出登录制度（ＰＲＴＲ）。目前控制的有害化学物质约有９００种,不但要求对点源的６０种化学物质公开其总量,并对农业、运输部门面源的排出也进行预测,作为...     

室内装修后苯、甲苯、二甲苯和甲醛污染调查

对青岛市装修后房屋空气进行调查,按照装修时间分装修时间1周～6个月、7个月～1年、1年以上三个组,对三组室内空气中苯、甲苯、二甲苯和甲醛进行监测,发现室内装修时间短时苯、甲苯、二甲苯的浓度较高,甲醛浓度较低;随装修时间增长,苯、甲苯、二甲苯的浓度很快降低,但甲醛的浓度呈升高趋势。     

地面水中氨,硝酸盐,亚硝酸盐,氯化物,正磷酸盐,总硬度和硅酸盐的同时测定

用AQUA800辨别分析仪同时测定地面水中的氨、硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐、氯化物、正磷酸盐、总硬度和硅酸盐,是一种简便、迅速、准确、可靠的测定方法,样品无需预处理,精密度试验其变异系数分别为1．24％、2．18％、2．02％、2．67％、2．35％、3．57％、4．78％,加标回收率分别为103．5％、101．0％、95．0％、99．2％、97．6％、101．5％、98．0％,方法检测限分别为氨0．022mg／L,硝酸盐0．015mp／L,亚硝酸盐0．002tug／L,氯化物0．47mg／L,正磷酸盐0．015mg／L,总硬度17．6mg／L,硅酸盐0．55mg/L,能满足地面水中辨别分析仪同时测定氨、硝酸盐、亚硝酸盐点化物、正磷酸盐、总硬度和硅酸盐分析测定的要求。     

山西省大气降水水质评价

为了解山西省大气降水水质状况、主要污染物及区域分布规律，山西省水文部门于1984年开始对大气降水进行监测。在全省9个地市布设测点，分别为：太原市、大同市、长治市、榆次市、临汾市以及吕梁、忻州、阳泉、运城地区。监测项目为H^2 、电导率、Ca^2 、Mg^2 、K^2 、Na^2 、NH4^2 、SO4^2-、NO3^-、Cl^-、CO3^-、HCO3^-、F^-。结果表明，除吕梁、忻州地区外。山西省各地市均有酸雨发生，但酸雨发生的频率不高，全省年平均为3．3％；酸雨的酸性程度也不高，对生态可造成明显影响的降水次数不多；山西省酸雨为典型的硫酸型，酸雨中硫酸与硝酸的质量浓度比值远高于全国平均值。     

Metal concentrations in deciduous tree leaves from urban areas in Poland

Accumulation of metals in deciduous tree foliage fromurban areas in western-south Poland was monitored duringthe vegetation season of 2000 year. Concentrations of Al,Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti and Znwere measured in birch, willow, linden and maple leavesusing the ICP-AES method. Seasonal variations of metalconcentrations and their relations with sampling sitewere investigated. The most dynamic accumulation of Al,Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb was observed for examined species. Thehighest differences in element concentrations forinvestigated sites were found for Ba, Cd, Mn and Ni.Interelement correlations were investigated. In allfoliar samples synergistic relationships between Al–Crand Ca-Sr were found. Statistically significant negativecorrelations were observed only for Cd and Ti in birch leaves.     

A New Mathematical Approach in Environmental and Life Sciences: Gene–Environment Networks and Their Dynamics

An important research area in life sciences is devoted to modeling, prediction, and dynamics of gene-expression patterns. As clearly understood in these days, this enterprise cannot become satisfactory without acknowledging the role of the environment. To a representation of past, present, and most likely future states, we also encounter measurement errors and uncertainties. This paper surveys and improves recent advances in understanding the foundations and interdisciplinary implications of the newly introduced gene–environment networks, and it integrates the important theme of carbon dioxide emission reduction into the networks and dynamics. We also introduce some operational and managerial issues of practical working and decision making, expressed in terms of sliding windows, quadrants (modules) of parametric effects, and navigating (controlling) between such effects and directing them. Given data from DNA microarray experiments and environmental records, we extract nonlinear ordinary differential equations that contain parameters that have to be determined. For this, we employ modern (Chebychevian) approximation and (generalized semi-infinite) optimization. After this is provided, time- discretized dynamical systems are studied. A combinatorial algorithm with polyhedra sequences allows to detect the region of parametric stability. Finally, we analyze the topological landscape of gene–environment networks with its structural (in)stability. By embedding as a module and investigating CO₂ emission control and figuring out game theoretical aspects, we conclude. This pioneering work is theoretically elaborated, practically devoted to health care, medicine, education, living conditions, and environmental protection, and it invites the readers to future research.      

Metal Pollution in the Environment of Minas Gerais State – Brazil

Intense mining activities in Minas Gerais State – Brazil brings out tons of waste to the environment. Considerable concentrations of toxic elements penetrate the soil, ground waters and rivers. This endangers the environment quality not only in the surrounding areas but also in ichthyofauna and in more distant areas of cattle raising and agricultural activities. After seasonal floods, veterinary clinic studies have shown that most animals raised in this region are affected by symptomatologic nervous diseases, still not clearly diagnosed, which suggests intoxication. These pathologies are mostly noted after floods. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis was applied to determine Al, As, Au, Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Nd, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Th and Zn in environmental samples. The obtained results show that the water and sediment contaminated with heavy metals and toxic elements from the Das Velhas River upstream basin, the mining region, carry contamination to the ichthyofauna and farming region within a distance of approximately 400 km.     

Kelp as a Bioindicator: Does it Matter Which Part of 5 M Long Plant is Used for Metal Analysis?

Kelp may be useful as a bioindicator because they are primary producers that are eaten by higher trophic level organisms, including people and livestock. Often when kelp or other algae species are used as bioindicators, the whole organism is homogenized. However, some kelp can be over 25 m long from their holdfast to the tip of the blade, making it important to understand how contaminant levels vary throughout the plant. We compared the levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and selenium in five different parts of the kelp Alaria nana to examine the variability of metal distribution. To be useful as a bioindicator, it is critical to know whether levels are constant throughout the kelp, or which part is the highest accumulator. Kelp were collected on Adak Island in the Aleutian Chain of Alaska from the Adak Harbor and Clam Cove, which opens onto the Bering Sea. In addition to determining if the levels differ in different parts of the kelp, we wanted to determine whether there were locational or size-related differences. Regression models indicated that between 14% and 43% of the variation in the levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, manganese, mercury, and selenium was explained by total length, part of the plant, and location (but not for lead). The main contributors to variability were length (for arsenic and selenium), location (mercury), and part of the plant (for arsenic, cadmium, chromium and manganese). The higher levels of selenium occurred at Clam Cove, while mercury was higher at the harbor. Where there was a significant difference among parts, the holdfast had the highest levels, although the differences were not great. These data indicate that consistency should be applied in selecting the part of kelp (and the length) to be used as a bioindicator. While any part of Alaria could be collected for some metals, for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and manganese a conversion should be made among parts. In the Aleutians the holdfast can be perennial while the blade, whipped to pieces by winter wave action, is regrown each year. Thus the holdfast may be used for longer-term exposure for arsenic, cadmium, chromium and manganese, while the blade can be used for short-term exposure for all metals. Cadmium, lead and selenium were at levels that suggest that predators, including people, may be at risk from consuming Alaria. More attention should be devoted to heavy metal levels in kelp and other algae from Adak, particularly where they may play a role in a subsistence diets.     

Assessing perceptions about ecosystem health and restoration options in three east coast estuaries

Increasingly public and governmental agencies are concerned aboutrevitalizing coastal environments. Understanding how the publicuses these areas, and what they see as the most important improvements to these regions is critical to their assessment andmanagement. Uses of three estuaries, and perceptions of possiblemanagement and restoration options, were examined for people whowere interviewed in the New York/New Jersey Harbor, Manasquan Inlet, and Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. Nearly 90% of the people interviewed listed pollution as New Jersey's most important environmental problem. Most people (68%) used the habitat for outdoor sports, but rated communing with nature, walking, and the provision of open `green' space as the most valued uses. Pollution prevention was the most often mentioned habitat improvement desired, and people rated removing pollution, cleaning up garbage, and creating more fish breeding habitat the highest. There were significant locational differences inhow people used the estuaries, and in how they thought they should be improved. People from Barnegat Bay ranked most uses higher than did people from elsewhere, while the people from Manasquan Inlet rated the importance of most remediation and restoration actions higher. Many of the improvements fall withinenvironmental management, including (rank order from high to low)creating more fish breeding habitat, improving native vegetation,improving habitat for birds, increasing plant diversity,improving habitat for butterflies, and enlarging adjacentmarshes. The data provide clear support for the importance ofthese coastal habitats for communing with nature and having open`green space' spaces, and for providing recreationalopportunities. To enhance their value, people want to removepollution and improve both the habitat quality and the educational and recreational facilities.     

Contaminant Profiles of Two Species of Shorebirds Foraging Together at Two Neighboring Sites in South San Francisco Bay, California

The San Francisco Bay estuary isused by over one million shorebirds during springmigration and is home to several hundred thousandduring the winter. Most shorebird use occurs in thesouthern reach of the estuary (South Bay). Thereduced water circulation and discharge fromindustrial sources in the South Bay are responsiblefor the highest levels of some trace elements in theestuary. Wintering shorebirds have been found to havestrong site fidelity to areas as small as a fewkilometers in the South Bay, which may increase theirexposure to contaminants near local point sources. Inaddition, different shorebird species foraging at thesame site have been shown to have differentcontaminant burdens. Thus, our objectives were totest whether contaminant burdens differed by species,or whether contaminant burdens differed in shorebirdscollected at adjacent sites. We examined thecontaminant profiles of two species of shorebirds,long-billed dowitchers (Limnodromus scolopaceus)and western sandpipers (Calidris mauri) thatforage together at two sites, Hayward and Newark,separated by 8 km in the South Bay. We usedmultivariate analysis of variance tests to compare thecomposition of 14 elemental analytes in their livertissues and estimated their molar ratios of Hg and Se. Composite samples were used for contaminant analysesbecause of the small body size of the shorebirds. Seven elemental analytes (Ag, Ba, Be, Cr, Ni, Pb, V)were below detection limits in a majority of thesamples so statistical analyses were precluded. Inthe measurable analytes (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Se, Zn),we found no significant intra-site differences ofcontaminant profiles for the two species. We pooledthe samples to examine inter-site differences andfound significant differences in contaminant profilesbetween shorebirds at the neighboring sites (P = 0.03). Shorebirds at Newark had higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of As, Cd, and Se than those at Hayward. Dowitchers at Newark had concentrations of Hg and Se which were highly correlated (P < 0.003) in a mean molar ratio of 1:19, similar tothat reported in other birds. In the larger dowitcherspecies, we also examined exposure to 20organochlorine compounds. Organic analyses showedthat the dowitchers had been exposed to DDE, PCBs,dieldrin and trans-nonachlor, but with no significantdifferences in concentrations between Hayward andNewark (P > 0.05).     

A Gradient Study of 34 Elements in the Vicinity of a Copper-Nickel Smelter in the Kola Peninsula

Concentrations of 34 elements determined by ICP mass spectrometry were studied in surface soil and vegetation along a north–south gradient through the Pechenganickel smelter complex in Kola peninsula, northern Russia. Strong influence from the smelter was evident for Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu, mainly associated with dry deposition of large particles. Also for As, Se, Mo, Sb, Te, Bi, and Pb the smelter or associated sources appeared to be distinct contributors of contamination consisting presumably of smaller particles. Significant but less distinct effects leading to enhanced concentration levels were observed for P, S, V, Cr, Zn, and Tl. In the case of Mn, Rb, Sr, Cs, and Ba the concentrations in vegetation were generally lower near the source, which may be due to cation exchange with protons or heavy metal cations in the soil and subsequent leaching from the root zone. For Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, Ca, Y, Cd, La, Th, and U no particular influence from the smelter complex was observed. Some characteristic differences observed in element concentrations in different plant species and between different years of Pinus sylvestris needles are discussed. The high concentrations observed for many trace elements in the humus horizon indicates that it acts as an active biogeochemical barrier against downward transport of these elements.     

Biomonitoring of Lead, Zinc, and Cadmium in Streams Draining Lead-Mining and Non-Mining Areas, Southeast Missouri, USA

We evaluated exposure of aquatic biota to lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) in streams draining a Pb-mining district in southeast Missouri. Samples of plant biomass (detritus, periphyton, and filamentous algae), invertebrates (snails, crayfish, and riffle benthos), and two taxa of fish were collected from seven sites closest to mining areas (mining sites), four sites further downstream from mining (downstream sites), and eight reference sites in fall 2001. Samples of plant biomass from mining sites had highest metal concentrations, with means 10- to 60-times greater than those for reference sites. Mean metal concentrations in over 90% of samples of plant biomass from mining sites were significantly greater than those from reference sites. Mean concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cd in most invertebrate samples from mining sites, and mean Pb concentrations in most fish samples from mining sites, were also significantly greater than those from reference sites. Concentrations of all three metals were lower in samples from downstream sites, but several samples of plant biomass from downstream sites had metal concentrations significantly greater than those from reference sites. Analysis of supplemental samples collected in the fall of 2002, a year of above-average stream discharge, had lower Pb concentrations and higher Cd concentrations than samples collected in 2001, near the end of a multi-year drought. Concentrations of Pb measured in fish and invertebrates collected from mining sites during 2001 and 2002 were similar to those measured at nearby sites in the 1970s, during the early years of mining in the Viburnum Trend. Results of this study demonstrate that long-term Pb mining activity in southeast Missouri has resulted in significantly elevated concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Zn in biota of receiving streams, compared to biota of similar streams without direct influence of mining. Our results also demonstrate that metal exposure in the study area differed significantly among sample types, habitats, and years, and that these factors should be carefully considered in the design of biomonitoring studies.