Soil uranium,basement radon and lung cancer in Illinois,USA

Using counties as the sampling unit, a significant association between the chemical form of uranium occurring in soils with basement radon levels was found (Spearman r, 0.266; p > |r|, 0.007). Uranium atoms dispersed throughout the soil matrix are efficient emanators of Rn to soil gas, whereas Rn that is trapped diffuses very slowly from the several U-bearing minerals in Illinois soils and does not contribute significantly to explaining basement Rn. Basement Rn level is correlated with annual incidence of male and female lung cancers. Dispersed U is correlated with annual incidence of lung cancer in females with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.162 (p > |r|, 0.104) and males of 0.177 (p > |r|, 0.075).     

一些致突变剂与致癌剂分子流行病学的研究进展

分子流行病学是一种新兴的并迅速发展的研究领域。它结合了内剂量、生物有效剂量、生物效应和个体易感性效应等流行病方法学的实验检测方法,如接触性生物标记：尿中的代谢物、DNA加合物;蛋白质加合物和彗星实验参数检测的DNA损伤;效应性生物标记：染色体畸变、姊妹染色单体交换、策核、次黄嘌呤－鸟嘌呤磷酸核糖转移酶基因（HPRT）的突变,编码p53或p21蛋白的肿瘤基因的活化;易感性生物标记：CYP1A1、GSTM1、GSTT1、NAT2等基因的多态性。但无论什么实验都需要人类监测的可靠根据。直到现在仍不能解释基因型、接触性生物标记与效应性生物标记之间的关系。     

环境空气中短链氯化石蜡研究进展

短链氯化石蜡(SCCPs)是碳链长度为10至13个碳原子的正构烷烃氯代衍生物。SCCPs具有持久性、生物累积性、长距离迁移能力、以及毒性作用。SCCPs已被《关于持久性有机污染物的斯德哥尔摩公约》增列为持久性有机污染物审查范围内,引起了全球关注。SCCPs在环境各介质及生物体内均有检出,近年来,在室内空气和灰尘中也检出了大量SCCPs,其已成为人体暴露的一个重要来源。本文就大气环境及室内空气与灰尘中氯化石蜡(CPs)的采样与分析方法、污染水平与来源,及人体暴露概况进行了综合阐释,以期为我国大气和室内环境中CPs的研究工作提供参考。     

Environmental behavior of antibiotic monensin: preliminary studies in Argentina

The increase of intensive bovine production systems in Argentina involves the use of therapeutic agents and growth promoters that reach the environment through animal excreta. The growth promoter most widely used in Argentina is monensin, an ionophore polyether antibiotic produced by Streptomyces cinnamoniensis. Here, the behavior of monensin in different solid environmental matrices is analyzed, and preliminary results that suggest a strong dependence of monensin retention with the organic matter content of the matrix are discussed.     

Preliminary Report on Radon Concentration in Drinking Water and Indoor Air in Kenya

A screening survey has been carried out to determine activity concentrations of radon (²²²Rn) in drinking water and indoor air in various locations in Kenya. The concentration of ²²²Rn in water was measured using a liquid scintillation counter (LSC). Three different passive integrating devices were used in the measurements of ²²²Rn in air. In the short-term measurements, radon is absorbed in activated charcoal and the analyses were carried out using either LSC or gamma ray spectrometry. The long-term measurements were carried out using solid-state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD). The mean and maximum values of ²²²Rn concentrations in water are 37 and 410 Bq L^–1 and 100 and 1160 Bq m^–3, respectively, in air. The highest values were obtained from groundwater sources and in the basements of buildings. When these values are compared with the internationally recommended reference levels, there are indications of existence of radon problems in some of the water sources and the dwellings tested in this survey.     

Arsenic and fluoride in the groundwater of Mexico

Concentrations of arsenic and fluoride above Mexican drinking water standards have been detected in aquifers of various areas of Mexico. This contamination has been found to be mainly caused by natural sources. However, the specific processes releasing these toxic elements into groundwater have been determined in a few zones only. Many studies, focused on arsenic-related health effects, have been performed at Comarca Lagunera in northern México. High concentrations of fluoride in water were also found in this area. The origin of the arsenic there is still controversial. Groundwater in active mining areas has been polluted by both natural and anthropogenic sources. Arsenic-rich minerals contaminate the fractured limestone aquifer at Zimapán, Central México. Tailings and deposits smelter-rich fumes polluted the shallow granular aquifer. Arsenic contamination has also been reported in the San Antonio-El Triunfo mining zone, southern Baja California, and Santa María de la Paz, in San Luis Potosí state. Even in the absence of mining activities, hydrogeochemistry and statistical techniques showed that arsenopyrite oxidation may also contaminate water, as in the case of the Independencia aquifer in the Mexican Altiplano. High concentrations of arsenic have also been detected in geothermal areas like Los Azufres, Los Humeros, and Acoculco. Prevalence of dental fluorosis was revealed by epidemiological studies in Aguascalientes and San Luis Potosí states. Presence of fluoride in water results from dissolution of acid-volcanic rocks. In Mexico, groundwater supplies most drinking water. Current knowledge and the geology of Mexico indicate the need to include arsenic and fluoride determinations in groundwater on a routine basis, and to develop interdisciplinary studies to assess the contaminant's sources in all enriched areas.     

家庭生活用水与室内氡浓度研究与进展

文章论述了家庭生活水的氡浓度水平、生活用水对室内氡的贡献、水的使用过程中室内氡行为以及含氡水的使用与辐射照射剂量的关系等问题。指出家庭生活水的氡浓度高时,是室内氡的一个不可忽视的来源。对氡浓度特别高的家庭用水,建议先用活性炭等进行吸附后再使用。     

The effects of groundwater table and flood irrigation strategies on soil water and salt dynamics and reed water use in the Yellow River Delta, China

Vegetation management in shallow groundwater table environments requires an understanding of the interactions between the physical and biological factors that determine root-zone soil salinization and moisture. In this study, the effects of groundwater depth and flood irrigation strategies on water and salt dynamics and reed water use were analyzed in the shallow groundwater region of the Yellow River Delta in China using the HYDRUS-1D model. The results indicated that there is a conflict between water, salt stress, and reed water use with variations in groundwater depth. A water table depth of 3.5 m is the minimum limit to maintain a safe level of soil salinity, but at this depth, the environmental stress on reeds is worsened by the decrease in soil water storage. Maintaining the flood pulses on the wetland, especially during May, may be critical for restoring the reed wetland in the Yellow River Delta.     

A Seven Months Prospective Study of the Respiratory Effects of Exposure to Ash from Popocatepetl Volcano, Mexico

This paper describes the 7 month follow-up of 35 non-smoker farmers exposed to suspended particles of volcanic ash of Popocatepetl volcano in central Mexico during a series of small explosive eruptions which occurred the last week of 1994 and the first week of 1995 as well as several smaller eruptions until April 1995. There was concern about the effect that the ash might have on the airways. Spirometric parameters and respiratory symptoms were recorded at the baseline and 7 months after the exposure. Analysis of spirometric data showed a significant low forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) that occurred during the major exposure period. This finding was possibly acute exposure-related because 7 months later, FVC and FEV1 increased to the normal predicted values. Self-reported respiratory and ocular symptoms showed a similar pattern. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that short exposure to volcanic ash is associated with reversible inflammation of the airways. The reversibility was explained by the small total ash volume as well as by the non-fibrogenic nature of the Popocatepetl ash, because the content of free silica was less than 3.5%.     

Environmental human silver exposure

Environmental exposure to silver (Ag) was assessed in occupationally non-exposed adult human population by analyzing Ag in the hair (H?·?Ag) and whole blood (WB?·?Ag). H?·?Ag was analyzed in 311 (123 men, M; 188 women, W); while WB?·?Ag was determined in 235 of these individuals (90 M, 145 W). Women had more H?·?Ag than men (M 0.05 vs. W 0.076), whereas WB?·?Ag concentrations in men and women were not significantly different. A natural distribution of the median derivatives was utilized to generate the dataset to fit the logistic sigmoid curve to assess the current human body burden of environmental Ag population exposure for M and W separately. The H?·?Ag (µg?g^?1) below 0.0105 for M and 0.0145 for W, reflects low level of environmental Ag exposure. The adaptive physiological saturation phase followed where H?·?Ag rose rapidly, first for M and then for W in parallel with biological assay. Both parallel saturation curves converged and plateaued at 0.215 for M and 0.965 for W (µg?g^?1). The current level of human environmental Ag exposure is low, but cases of high Ag exposure occurred sporadically. In conjunction with the medical histories overt clinical neural toxicity may be expected for H?·?Ag at 4?µg?g^?1and higher. There were no significant correlation between the H?·?Ag and WB?·?Ag.     

Study of atmospheric electrical conductivity,SO2, NO2, aerosols SPM (>10 μ) and RSPM (<10 μ) in Mysore city,India

It is well known that atmospheric electrical conductivity is mainly due to the presence of small ions. Near the surface of the earth, radon and its daughter products predominantly produce small ions. In the presence of aerosol particles, the small ion concentration is reduced due to attachment of small ions to aerosol particles which decreases mobility and conductivity in the atmosphere. The ion pair production rate is estimated from the measured radon and its progeny concentrations and correlated with electrical conductivity of the atmosphere. Measurement of concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM), SO₂, and NO₂ of air was also carried out. Data showed that reduced electrical conductivity was related to concentration of airborne SPM.     

秀丽线虫转基因品系在环境暴露评价与毒理学研究中的应用

目前,模式动物秀丽线虫已被广泛应用于环境暴露评价和环境毒理学研究中.在系统介绍了各种秀丽线虫转基因品系在环境暴露与毒性评价以及环境毒理研究中的应用进展基础上,分析了秀丽线虫转基因品系在环境暴露与毒性评价研究中的灵敏性与直观性的特点.最后,讨论了秀丽线虫转基因品系在环境暴露与毒性评价以及环境毒理研究中尚存在的问题和可能的...     

化学品环境暴露评估模型研究进展

各国政府高度重视化学品生产使用引发的环境问题,研发了一系列环境暴露预测模型,包含了点源暴露到面源暴露各种排放模式,局部暴露、区域暴露及洲际暴露的各种预测尺度,筛选评估到确认水平的不同评估层级,用于评估化学品的潜在风险。本文从模型功能、机理出发,综述了化学品环境暴露评估涉及的排放估计、水/土/气、多介质以及食物链评估模型,以期为推动我国化学品环境暴露模型的研发提供参考。     

化学品环境暴露评估模型研究进展

各国政府高度重视化学品生产使用引发的环境问题,研发了一系列环境暴露预测模型,包含了点源暴露到面源暴露各种排放模式,局部暴露、区域暴露及洲际暴露的各种预测尺度,筛选评估到确认水平的不同评估层级,用于评估化学品的潜在风险。本文从模型功能、机理出发,综述了化学品环境暴露评估涉及的排放估计、水/土/气、多介质以及食物链评估模型,以期为推动我国化学品环境暴露模型的研发提供参考。     

Headspace and small-chamber studies of airborne diacetyl release from selected food flavoring mixtures: activity coefficients and air modeling implications

Laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate airborne release of diacetyl from selected mixtures simulating butter flavorings added to foods. The test materials included diacetyl (97% purity); 0.015%, 0.15%, 1.5%, and 3.0% diacetyl in a water/propylene glycol mixture; 1.5% diacetyl in deionized water or soybean oil; and 3% or 6% diacetyl in a commercial steam distillate from milk fermentation known as “butter starter distillate.” Diacetyl was quantified by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Expected concentration-dependent emission patterns based on liquid diacetyl content were demonstrated, but were significantly altered by mixture composition. Soybean oil and deionized water more readily released diacetyl when compared with starter distillate, propylene glycol solutions, and pure diacetyl. Measured diacetyl concentrations under static headspace and dynamic flow-chamber conditions were compared to estimated concentrations utilizing Raoult's law with published and fitted activity coefficient corrections for each mixture, indicating that published coefficients often understated the measured concentrations. It is concluded that headspace (static) and small-chamber (dynamic) measurements of airborne diacetyl provide data to assist in validating model-estimated airborne diacetyl concentrations by using mixture-specific activity coefficients. Implications of these empirical data for validating exposure estimates for diacetyl based on near-field/far-field modeling in workplace settings are discussed.     

Remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with organic chemicals using stabilized nanoparticles: Lessons from the past two decades

▪ Overviewed evolution and environmental applications of stabilized nanoparticles. ▪ Reviewed theories on particle stabilization for enhanced reactivity/deliverability. ▪ Examined various in situ remediation technologies based on stabilized nanoparticles. ▪ Summarized knowledge on transport of stabilized nanoparticles in porous media. ▪ Identified key knowledge gaps and future research needs on stabilized nanoparticles. Due to improved soil deliverability and high reactivity, stabilized nanoparticles have been studied for nearly two decades for in situ remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with organic pollutants. While large amounts of bench- and field-scale experimental data have demonstrated the potential of the innovative technology, extensive research results have also unveiled various merits and constraints associated different soil characteristics, types of nanoparticles and particle stabilization techniques. Overall, this work aims to critically overview the fundamental principles on particle stabilization, and the evolution and some recent developments of stabilized nanoparticles for degradation of organic contaminants in soil and groundwater. The specific objectives are to: 1) overview fundamental mechanisms in nanoparticle stabilization; 2) summarize key applications of stabilized nanoparticles for in situ remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated by legacy and emerging organic chemicals; 3) update the latest knowledge on the transport and fate of stabilized nanoparticles; 4) examine the merits and constraints of stabilized nanoparticles in environmental remediation applications; and 5) identify the knowledge gaps and future research needs pertaining to stabilized nanoparticles for remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. Per instructions of this invited special issue, this review is focused on contributions from our group (one of the pioneers in the subject field), which, however, is supplemented by important relevant works by others. The knowledge gained is expected to further advance the science and technology in the environmental applications of stabilized nanoparticles.     

Fluoride distribution in the environment along the gradient of a phosphate-fertilizer production emission (southern Brazil)

Airborne fluoride was determined in the rainwater, surface soil and groundwater along a gradient of emission of a phosphate fertilizer factory in Rio Grande, southern Brazil. Concentrations of fluoride in rainwater and groundwater achieved 3 mg l⁻¹ and 5 mg l⁻¹, respectively, and were dependent on pH. The fluoride deposited from emissions accumulated in a superficial horizon of soil in quantities comparable to those in the manufactured end-products—up to 23,000 mg kg⁻¹. Fluoride distribution in the environment is controlled by physical–chemical parameters of emission, rain intensity and soil properties. The highest fluoride concentrations were registered at a close distance of up to 2 km from the factory. The distribution of fluoride in groundwater resembled the same distribution in rainwater due to the high permeability of the local soils. Fluoride penetration to the groundwater also depended on the type of vegetation cover. The groundwater in woodland areas was less affected by contamination of fluoride than in the grassland areas, most probably because of the influence of eucalyptus throughfall, which increases the pH of wet precipitates.     

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)污染及其毒性研究进展

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯(DEHP)作为重要的增塑剂被广泛应用于涂料、食品包装、医疗器材、儿童玩具等产品中。研究表明DEHP在水、土壤、空气等各个环境要素以及食物、饮用水中已被普遍检出,并对环境产生潜在的危害。本文通过分析国内外DEHP的环境暴露和毒性效应的研究成果,总结了DEHP在室外大气、室内空气、土壤、地表水、地下水、食品和饮用水中的污染现状,并对DEHP的替代产品进行总结;此外,本文深入探讨了DEHP对水生生物和陆生生物的生态毒性效应,以及对生殖发育、肝脏、呼吸系统和神经系统等的健康毒性效应。最后,结合DEHP在环境暴露调查和毒性效应研究方面的不足,指出需要进一步加强我国DEHP的环境暴露调查,制定相关环境基准值与标准限值,开展慢性生态毒性效应和人体健康毒性效应等方面的研究。     

Occurrence of benzotriazoles (BTRs) in indoor air from Albany,New York,USA, and its implications for inhalation exposure

Despite the widespread use of benzotriazoles as corrosion inhibitors in many household goods, studies on the occurrence of these compounds in indoor air are scarce. In this study, five benzotriazole derivatives were measured in 83 indoor air samples collected from various locations in Albany, New York, USA. Benzotriazoles were found in a majority of the indoor air samples, and the concentrations of their sum in bulk (vapor plus particulate phases) indoor air ranged from below the method limit of quantification to 492 ng·m^?3 (geometric mean: 5.8 ng·m^?3). The highest geometric mean concentration was found in air samples collected in parking garages (155 ng·m^?3), followed by barbershops (13.6), public places (11.5), auto repair shops (5.2), automobiles (4.5), homes (4.5), offices (3.7), and laboratories (2.8). Inhalation exposure to benzotriazoles was calculated on the basis of the measured geometric mean concentrations and air inhalation rate. The highest exposure dose was found for teenagers, with a geometric mean inhalation exposure dose of 79 ng·day^?1. The body-weight normalized exposure dose, however, was the highest for infants, at 3.2 ng·(kg bw)^?1·day^?1.     

我国10城市冬季大气颗粒物中多环芳烃污染及呼吸暴露风险评价

大气中颗粒物和多环芳烃对环境与人体健康危害较大,已引起社会各界的广泛关注。以我国10个城市2013年12月和2014年1月大气中空气动力学直径小于10μm的颗粒物(PM10)为研究对象,采用硅胶-氧化铝层析柱净化分离、气质联用仪分析的方法测定了27种多环芳烃(PAHs)的浓度水平,分析其谱分布及空间分布,并通过呼吸暴露途径估算了癌症病发增量(ILCRs)和人群归因危险度百分比(PAF)。结果表明,27种物质的总浓度为13.72~2 002 ng·m-3;在10个城市中晋中总浓度最高,厦门最低。PAHs空间污染水平呈现北方高于南方、东部沿海城市浓度相对较低的趋势。温度与总浓度有相关性。在27种PAHs中,占主导地位的单体为荧蒽(FLA,7.56%~19.8%),芘(PYR,6.72%~13.8%),艹屈(CHR,12.8%~19.6%)和苯并(k)荧蒽(Bk F,8.59%~15.5%),4者占到多环芳烃总浓度的42.1%~64.3%。根据研究区域苯并[a]芘(Ba P)人口加权浓度估算ILCRs范围为8.94×10-6~4.77×10-4,据此计算的PAFs为0.487%~13.2%,均值为3.44%,高于全国平均水平1.6%。上述研究结果为大气颗粒物中PAHs的研究提供重要的数据基础。