Environmental and biological monitoring of occupational exposure to organic micropollutants in gasoline.

An exposure risk assessment of workers in a refinery production unit was undertaken. Gasoline and its main components were investigated through environmental and biological monitoring. Measured variables were environmental benzene, toluene, pentane and hexane; benzene and toluene in blood and urine; tt-MA (metabolite of benzene) in urine. Multivariate statistical analysis of the data showed that worker's exposure to the above substances fell within the limits specified by organisations such as ACGIH. Also, biological values complied with reference values (RV) for non-occupationally-exposed population. Different values of biological variables were determined by separating smokers from non-smokers: smokers had hematic and urinary benzene values significantly higher than non-smokers. During a 3-yr sampling, it was possible to identify a significant decrease of benzene in the workplace air and of hematic benzene for non-smokers. The most exposed department, one in which tank-lorries were loaded, needs further investigation and extended monitoring.     

Profile analysis of organic micropollutants in the environment of a coal burning area, NW Greece

The concentrations and profiles of dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyls and polynuclear aromatic compounds in various environmental matrices are presented in this study. The examined environmental matrices are total suspended particles, fly ash and soil collected in NW Greece, an area characterized by intensive coal burning for electrical power generation. Moreover, the occurrence of organic micropollutants in soot after an accidental fire was examined and the possible impact on the outdoor environment was evaluated. Results were statistically treated to obtain information on representative PCDD/F profiles in each matrix and to compare these profiles with the compositional patterns of possible sources from literature. Coal combustion, fly ash and vehicle exhausts appeared to be the most possible sources in local atmosphere.     

水环境中微囊藻毒素检测技术研究进展

随着世界各国对微囊藻毒素的重视,中国也在相关水质标准里新增了微囊藻毒素这项指标.因此,水环境中微囊藻毒素的检测和控制变得非常重要,而检测更是控制的基础.比较详细地综述了目前国内外在微囊藻毒素检测方面的各种不同的研究方法和成果;并在总结这些研究的基础上,展望了微囊藻毒素检测的发展方向.     

Monitoring of organic pollutants in marine environment by semipermeable membrane devices and mussels: accumulation and biochemical responses

This study involves the monitoring of organic pollutants using transplanted mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) as bioindicator organisms and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) as passive samplers. Mussels and SPMDs were deployed to marinas, shipyards and shipbreaking yards on the coastal area of Turkey and retrieved after 60 days. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticide (OCP) compounds were analysed with high-resolution GC-MS. Total PAH concentrations in SPMDs and mussels ranged from 200 to 4740 ng g sampler^?1 and from 7.0 to 1130 ng g^?1 in wet weight (ww). PCB and OCP concentrations in SPMDs changed between 0.04–200 and 4.0–26 ng g sampler^?1, respectively. The highest PCB (190 ng g^?1 ww) and OCP (200 ng g^?1 ww) concentrations in mussels were measured at shipyard stations. A strong correlation was observed between the PAH and PCB concentrations in SPMDs and mussels. Enzyme assays (acetylcholinesterase, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathion reductase and carboxylesterase activities) were performed as biomarkers to reveal the effects of pollution on the mussels. There was no clear relationship found between the enzyme levels and the pollutant concentrations in mussels. Integrated biomarker responses were calculated to interpret the overall effect of pollutants.

     

Calibration of the Chemcatcher passive sampler for the monitoring of priority organic pollutants in water

An integrative passive sampler consisting of a C18 Empore disk receiving phase saturated with n-octanol and fitted with low-density polyethylene diffusion membrane was calibrated for the measurement of time-weighted average concentrations of hydrophobic micropollutants, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides, in water. The effect of temperature and water turbulence on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters characterising the exchange of analytes between the sampler and water was studied in a flow-through system under controlled conditions. It was found that the absorption of test analytes from water to the sampler is related to their desorption to water. This allows for the in situ calibration of the uptake of pollutants using offload kinetics of performance reference compounds. The sampling kinetics are dependent on temperature, and for most of the tested analytes also on the flow velocity. Sampler-water partition coefficients did not significantly change with temperature.     

Use of passive sampling devices for monitoring and compliance checking of POP concentrations in water

Background

The state of the art of passive water sampling of (nonpolar) organic contaminants is presented. Its suitability for regulatory monitoring is discussed, with an emphasis on the information yielded by passive sampling devices (PSDs), their relevance and associated uncertainties. Almost all persistent organic pollutants (POPs) targeted by the Stockholm Convention are nonpolar or weakly polar, hydrophobic substances, making them ideal targets for sampling in water using PSDs. Widely used nonpolar PSDs include semi-permeable membrane devices, low-density polyethylene and silicone rubber.

Results and discussion

The inter-laboratory variation of equilibrium partition constants between PSD and water is mostly 0.2?C0.5 log units, depending on the exact matrix used. The sampling rate of PSDs is best determined by using performance reference compounds during field deployment. The major advantage of PSDs over alternative matrices applicable in trend monitoring (e.g. sediments or biota) is that the various sources of variance including analytical variance and natural environmental variance can be much better controlled, which in turn results in a reduction of the number of analysed samples required to obtain results with comparable statistical power.

Conclusion

Compliance checking with regulatory limits and analysis of temporal and spatial contaminant trends are two possible fields of application. In contrast to the established use of nonpolar PSDs, polar samplers are insufficiently understood, but research is in progress to develop PSDs for the quantitative assessment of polar waterborne contaminants. In summary, PSD-based monitoring is a mature technique for the measurement of aqueous concentrations of apolar POPs, with a well-defined accuracy and precision.     

室内环境中挥发性有机物释放过程的数学模型

根据组成结构,将室内环境中释放挥发性有机物(VOCs)的建筑装饰材料划分为单层干材料、单层湿材料、多层组合材料等类型,总结了这三种材料的VOCs释放特征、传输过程和数学模型研究现状,分析了模型的特点和适用范围,指出了模型研究发展的趋势,对应用中模型的选择提出了指导性建议.     

Concentration of organic micropollutants in the atmosphere of Trieste, Italy

Purpose

PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PAHs, ubiquitous environmental pollutants which are part of the POPs, are mainly produced by anthropogenic activities as well as by natural processes. Occurrences of these pollutants in different sites in Trieste are presented. PCDD/Fs distribution and their possible emission sources are discussed.

Methods

Air samples were collected in different sites near the industrial area, in the city center, and in a background area, using a high-volume sampler equipped with a quartz fiber filter and a PUF. Each sampling lasted a week.

Results

The concentrations of the organochlorinated pollutants are consistent with literature data (??PCDD/Fs and ??dl-PCBs were 5?C38?fg TEQ/Nm³ and 4?C31?fg TEQ/Nm³, respectively), and an apparent seasonal trend was found with slightly higher concentrations in the winter and lower levels in both summer campaigns. Moreover, the isomer profile of each sampling campaign was compared to the fingerprint of a sintering plant, a cement plant, and an incinerator, the main industrial activities in Trieste.

Conclusions

The organic micropollutants were detected in levels consistent with literature data. The results show that the pollutants are uniformally distributed in the atmosphere of Trieste. PCDD/F fingerprints in each site remained almost identical during summer and winter, confirming the yearly prevalence of the emissions from the nearby sintering plant.     

环境水体微污染有机物及其去除技术研究进展

水体有机污染物因其生物毒性对人体健康和生态环境造成了严重的危害。随着环保技术的发展,高浓度有机污染物已得到很好的去除。检测水平的不断提高使微量有机污染物日益受到广泛关注。为了深入地研究微污染有机物及其去除技术,对微污染有机物的种类、性质和危害进行了详细阐述,并综述了国内外生物法、膜处理技术、高级氧化技术、吸附技术对微污染有机物的去除效果,总结了各种技术的优缺点。     

Occurrence and distribution of atmospheric organic micropollutants in conifer needles

The distribution of some chlorinated hydrocarbons(p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE,α-HCH,γ-HCH,HCB) in spruce (Picea abies) needles was investigated. A comparision of concentrations in the wax with that of the remaining needle and time-resolved washing of the needle-surface shows the distribution behaviour of these substances.     

A national reconnaissance for selected organic micropollutants in sediments on French territory

To collect a large data set regarding the occurrence of organic substances in sediment, this study presents the examination of 20 micropollutants, as a national survey. The list of target compounds contains two alkylphenols, three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) not commonly included in monitoring programmes, six pesticides or metabolites, five pharmaceutical compounds, two hormones, one UV filter and bisphenol A. The selective and sensitive analytical methods, based on quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) or gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-ToF-MS), allow the quantification at limits comprised between 0.5 and 23 ng/g, depending on the compound. The paper summarizes the analytical results from 154 sampling points. Of the 20 target compounds, 9 were determined at least once, and the sediments contained a maximum of 7 substances. The most frequently detected were PAHs (frequency, 77 %; max., 1,400 ng/g). The pharmaceutical compounds, hormones and pesticides were rarely detected in the samples; the most frequently detected was carbamazepine (frequency, 6 %; max., 31 ng/g). In some cases, the levels of PAHs and bisphenol A exceed the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) values.     

Endocrine disrupters in the aquatic environment

Possible mechanisms to explain endocrine effects on reproduction and sex differentiation are presented for selected pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, industrial chemicals and plant sterols which are known to be present in the aquatic environment. Disruptions of the hormonal coordination can be induced by xenobiotics on various levels of the hierachically organised endocrine system of vertebrates. Phthalate plasticisers, for example, may disrupt the pituitary control of gonadal functions; prenatal/larval exposure to synthetic estrogen impairs sex differentiation and neuroendocrine sexual determination of the central nervous system; phenylurea herbicides block the androgen receptor; the biotransformation of weakly estrogenic plant sterol components of paper mill wastewater (e.g. βsitosterol) may lead to androgenic compounds. The effect of hypolipidemic drugs on lipid homeostasis (peroxysom proliferation) is transmitted via a receptor protein that seems to be closely related to the endocrine system both functionally as well as phylogenetically; possible interferences with the neuroendocrine control of sex differentiation are also discussed. In invertebrates, tributyltin is known to effect the biosynthesis of steroidal sexual hormones. PCBs are suspected to be competitive inhibitors of the steroid catabolism. In order to identify potential risks caused by chemicals to the reproductive capacities of aquatic animals and to the quality of drinking water, methods should be established to detect endocrine disrupters at the various levels of the endocrine system.     

Passive sampling of selected pesticides in aquatic environment using polar organic chemical integrative samplers

Purpose  

Polar chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) were examined for their sampling efficiency of 12 pesticides and one metabolite commonly detected in surface waters. Laboratory-based calibration experiments of POCISs were conducted. The determined passive sampling rates were applied for the monitoring of pesticides levels in Lake Amvrakia, Western Greece. Spot sampling was also performed for comparison purposes.     

Effect of housing geometry on the performance of Chemcatcher passive sampler for the monitoring of hydrophobic organic pollutants in water

Passive sampling of pollutants in water has been gaining acceptance for environmental monitoring. Previously, an integrative passive sampler (the Chemcatcher) was developed and calibrated for the measurement of time weighted average concentrations of hydrophobic pollutants in water. Effects of physicochemical properties and environmental variables (water temperature and turbulence) on kinetic and thermodynamic parameters characterising the exchange of analytes between the sampler and water have been published. In this study, the effect of modification in sampler housing geometry on these calibration parameters was studied. The results obtained for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons show that reducing the depth of the cavity in the sampler body geometry increased the exchange kinetics by approximately twofold, whilst having no effect on the correlation between the uptake and offload kinetics of analytes. The use of performance reference compounds thus avoids the need for extensive re-calibration when the sampler body geometry is modified.     

Modelling and field application of the Chemcatcher passive sampler calibration data for the monitoring of hydrophobic organic pollutants in water

Passive sampling of dissolved pollutants in water has been gaining acceptance for environmental monitoring. Previously, an integrative passive sampler consisting of a C18 Empore disk receiving phase saturated with n-octanol and fitted with low density polyethylene membrane, was developed and calibrated for the measurement of time weighted average (TWA) concentrations of hydrophobic pollutants in water. In this study, the exchange kinetics were modelled to obtain a better understanding of the mechanism of the accumulation process and to enable the measurement of TWA concentrations of hydrophobic pollutants in the field. An empirical relationship that enables the calculation of in situ sampling rates of chemicals using performance reference compounds was derived and its application was demonstrated in a field study in which TWA aqueous concentrations estimated from sampler data for target analytes were compared with TWA concentrations obtained from spot samples of water collected regularly during the sampler deployment period.     

Survey regarding the occurrence of selected organic micropollutants in the groundwaters of overseas departments

To collect a complete dataset regarding the occurrence of organic substances in groundwater, this study presents the examination of 66 organic contaminants in the groundwater of overseas departments, including pesticides, pharmaceutical compounds, hormones and some industrial substances. The selective and sensitive analytical methods are described. These techniques begin with solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by analysis using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-ToF-MS). The paper summarises the analytical results from 40 sampling points collected during two campaigns in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte and Guiana, representing 80 samples. Of the 66 target substances, 36 were determined at least once. Among the most frequently detected are bisphenol A (frequency, 96 %; max., 7,400 ng/L), caffeine (frequency, 91 %; max., 1,240 ng/L), pentachlorophenol (frequency, 55 %; max., 418 ng/L), and carbamazepine (frequency, 56 %; max., 22 ng/L). The results do not put in evidence that the origin of the sample or climatic characteristics of these regions influence the dilution and release of micropollutants.     

Rejection of emerging organic micropollutants in nanofiltration-reverse osmosis membrane applications.

The rejection of emerging trace organics by a variety of commercial reverse osmosis (RO), nanofiltration (NF), and ultra-low-pressure RO (ULPRO) membranes was investigated using TFC-HR, NF-90, NF-200, TFC-SR2, and XLE spiral membrane elements (Koch Membrane Systems, Wilmington, Massachusetts) to simulate operational conditions for drinking-water treatment and wastewater reclamation. In general, the presence of effluent organic matter (EfOM) improved the rejection of ionic organics by tight NF and RO membranes, as compared to a type-II water matrix (adjusted by ionic strength and hardness), likely as a result of a decreased negatively charged membrane surface. Rejection of ionic pharmaceutical residues and pesticides exceeded 95% by NF-90, XLE, and TFC-HR membranes and was above 89% for the NF-200 membrane. Hydrophobic nonionic compounds, such as bromoform and chloroform, exhibited a high initial rejection, as a result of both hydrophobic-hydrophobic solute-membrane interactions and steric exclusion, but rejection decreased significantly after 10 hours of operation because of partitioning of solutes through the membranes. This resulted in a partial removal of disinfection byproducts by the RO membrane TFC-HR. In a type-II water matrix, the effect of increasing feed water recoveries on rejection of hydrophilic ionic and nonionic compounds was compound-dependent and not consistent for different membranes. The presence of EfOM, however, could neutralize the effect of hydrodynamic operating condition on rejection performance. The ULPRO and tight NF membranes were operated at lower feed pressure, as compared to the TFC-HR, and provided a product water quality similar to a conventional RO membrane, regarding trace organics of interest.     

Influence of contaminated particles on the bioaccumulation of hydrophobic organic micropollutants in fish

The influence of contaminated particles on the bioconcentration of hydrophobic chemicals by fish is dependent on the hydrophobicity of the chemicals. This has been shown for polychlorinated benzenes and biphenyls (ranging over three orders of magnitude in octan-1-ol/water partition coefficient) which are sorbed on very low organic carbon content particles. For chemicals with low to moderate hydrophobicity, the amount of the chemical which is sorbed, relative to the amount which is dissolved, determines the influence that contaminated particles have on the uptake of the chemicals by fish. In this present experiment, for lower chlorinated benzenes and biphenyls, the amount dissolved in water are high compared with the amounts which are present in the sorbed state, and the influence of contaminated particles on their uptake by fish is negligible. For more hydrophobic chemicals, which have lower aqueous solubilities, such as penta and hexachlorobenzene, and tri and tetrachlorobiphenyls, contaminated particles can have a much greater influence on the uptake by fish. If the number of contaminated particles is sufficiently high, the low aqueous solubilities, in combination with relatively high rates of desorption or dissolution, enable the particles to act as a source of the hydrophobic chemicals. For extremely hydrophobic chemicals, the rates of dissolution or desorption determine the rates of uptake of the chemical by the fish. Hence, during relatively short periods of exposure, there is no influence of contaminated particles on the bioaccumulation.     

Review on persistent organic pollutants in the environment of Greenland and Faroe Islands

The literature concerning persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment of Greenland and the Faroe Islands covering the period up to 1995 has been revisited. It is difficult to compare data from earlier studies with those from more recent investigations. Thus as the former quantified the content of CBs by comparison to a technical mixture of CBs (e.g. Aroclor 1254), the latter analyses typically are quantified on a single congener level. Single CB congeners have in some cases been determined, but the results were subsequently expressed as total PCB related to an Aroclor standard. For studies based on single CB congener determinations, the highest levels are reported for porpoise blubber from Greenland (700-4500 micrograms/kg wet weight), the conclusion, however being based on two determinations only. In Greenlandic seal blubber and peregrine falcon plasma equal levels of CBs (130-750 micrograms/kg ww) and of DDTs (150-860 micrograms/kg ww) were found. Levels of CBs and DDTs in fish liver were found to be around 40-75 micrograms/kg ww. In sediment samples the CBs were almost all below the detection limit (< 0.02-0.1 microgram/kg dry weight), and thereby being the matrix with the lowest CBs concentration levels. Earlier data based on Aroclor standards showed DDT levels in Greenlandic whale blubber in the range of 2700-4100 micrograms/kg ww and PCB levels of 3700 micrograms/kg-5400 micrograms/kg ww. DDT levels for seal blubber were at the same level (2700-4500 micrograms/kg ww) whereas the PCB level was lower (900-3900 micrograms/kg ww). The PCB level corresponds to the level found in human adipose tissue determined with a similar quantification technique. The lowest levels reported for mammals correspond to walrus blubber, the sum of PCBs and DDTs being in the ranges of 180-360 micrograms/kg ww and 50-90 micrograms/kg ww, respectively. The content of PCBs in scallops was found to be 3 micrograms/kg ww near the Thule Air base.