纳米二氧化硅和铅复合暴露对 斑马鱼幼鱼甲状腺内分泌系统的毒性影响

纳米颗粒(NPs)因其广泛的应用而备受关注。NPs会改变重金属(如Pb)在生物体内的富集和毒性作用。因此,研究选择国际公认的模式动物斑马鱼(Danio rerio)为研究对象,开展纳米二氧化硅(nano-SiO₂)对Pb在鱼体内的积累和甲状腺内分泌系统干扰的研究。受精2 h后的斑马鱼胚胎,单独暴露于环境相关浓度的Pb(如0, 5, 10和20 μg/L)或与无效应浓度nano-SiO₂(如25 μg/L)复合暴露至144 h。结果表明：和nano-SiO₂复合暴露后,斑马鱼幼鱼体内Pb的含量显著高于同浓度下Pb单独暴露(P<0.05)。此外,Pb或nano-SiO₂单独暴露都不会显著改变斑马鱼幼鱼体内甲状腺激素(T4和T3)的含量(P>0.05);但当两者复合暴露后,斑马鱼幼鱼体内T4和T3含量显著低于对照组或同浓度下Pb单独暴露组 (P<0.01和P<0.05)。在Pb单独或与nano-SiO₂复合暴露下,tshβ基因的表达都显著上调,但ttr和tg基因的表达都显著下调,并且复合暴露造成基因表达水平的改变较同浓度下Pb单独暴露相比更明显(P<0.05)。上述结果指出,nano-SiO₂会增加Pb在生物体内的富集,从而对斑马鱼幼鱼的甲状腺内分泌系统造成更严重的影响。     

铜绿微囊藻对有机毒物菲的生理生态响应研究

选取富营养化湖泊蓝藻水华常见优势种铜绿微囊藻（Microcystis aeruginosa,M. aeruginosa）为研究对象,采用室内暴露培养实验考察多环芳烃（Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,PAHs）化合物菲（Phenanthrene,Phe）对铜绿微囊藻生长及生理特性的影响效应和作用机制。研究结果表明,低浓度Phe（0.05~0.2 mg/L）对铜绿微囊藻细胞生长有不同程度的促进作用,0.2 mg/LPhe促进作用最为显著（P＜0.05）;高浓度Phe（0.5~1.0 mg/L）显著抑制铜绿微囊藻生长（P＜0.05）。铜绿微囊藻典型生理指标细胞光合作用率（Fv/Fm）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷氨酰胺还原酶（GR）酶活性以及丙二醛（MDA）含量同步分析结果显示,低浓度Phe通过增强SOD、GR酶活性,降低铜绿微囊藻细胞内MDA含量,提高藻细胞光合作用率,进而促进细胞增殖;高浓度Phe则通过降低SOD、GR酶活性,增加藻细胞内MDA产量,减弱细胞光合作用,从而抑制细胞生长。对不同暴露时刻藻细胞的生长抑制率进行回归分析可得EC50（半抑制浓度）随着污染暴露时间增加而减低,1day EC50为1.27 mg/L,12day EC50降至0.65 mg/L,即高剂量Phe（0.5~1.0 mg/L）对微囊藻细胞生长的抑制作用随时间延长逐渐增强。结合低剂量浓度下Phe对铜〖JP+2〗绿微囊藻生长的促进作用分析,湖泊生态系统Phe污染长期暴露对铜绿微囊藻生长生理特性及优势种的形成和维持具有不可忽视的作用。其中,铜绿微囊藻细胞主要生理指标SOD与GR对Phe污染胁迫反应灵敏,可用作评价PAHs等有机毒物对浮游藻类生理生态影响的生物标记物     

三峡水库“水华”成因初探

2004年3月、5月、7月、8月、10月和2005年5月对长江干流29个站点进行了5次调查。2004年3月（旱季）在三峡库区坝前（秭归）发现藻类“水华”，藻类密度达2.73×106 cells/L，优势种类为拟多甲藻。2004年8月（雨季）和2005年4月（旱季）沿香溪河下游及河口区以及香溪河口到三峡大坝干流江段进行了2次6个断面分层调查，两次调查中在香溪河下游以及香溪河口区发现了严重的藻类“水华”，藻类密度高达1.87×107 cells/L 和1.67×107 cells/L，优势种分别为蓝隐藻（1.84×107 cells/L）和美丽星杆藻 (1.34×107 cells/L)。相关分析结果表明：三峡库区干流藻类数量和生物量与水库的出水流量有着显著的负相关(Spearman，r=-1.000, r=-0.900, p<0.05)，而与可溶性营养盐（NO3 N, PO4 P, SiO3 Si）的浓度无显著的相关性；在2004年7~8月（雨季）香溪河下游及河口区浮游植物生物量与主要营养盐（NO3 N, PO4 P,SiO3 Si）的浓度呈显著负相关（Spearman,p<0.01, p<0.05,p<0.01, n=21）；在2005年4月（旱季）该河段藻类密度与主要营养盐（NO3 N N,SiO3 Si）呈显著负相关 (Spearman, p<0.05，p<0.01,n=28)，但与PO4 P无显著的相关性。香溪河口到秭归的坝前库区河段藻类数量与主要营养盐（NO3 N, PO4 P,SiO3 Si）没有显著相关性(Spearman, │r│<0.2, n=20)。然而香溪河下游及河口区主要营养盐（NO3 N, PO4 P, SiO3 Si）浓度却低于长江干流。可以推断三峡库区蓄水后干流和支流发生“水华”的最主要原因是筑坝后库区内水动力条件的改变而非营养盐浓度较高。随着三峡工程的全面完工，库区内水体滞留时间的进一步延长，三峡库区水体富营养化趋势将会进一步加剧。     

稻鸭、稻鱼共作对稻田P素动态变化的影响

以稻鸭和稻鱼生态系统为研究对象,通过大田试验研究了稻田P的动态变化及转化规律,及其对环境的影响。结果表明,施P后土壤和田面水P含量立即达到最大值,一周后迅速降低。相对于空白（CK）,养鸭处理（RD）和养鱼处理（RF）田面水总P浓度、溶解P浓度、土壤速效P含量和水稻吸P量显著增加,而土壤全P含量有所增加。研究还表明,水稻吸P量与田面水溶解P、土壤速效P显著相关。对田面水P素径流流失的潜在环境效应分析表明,施P后的一周左右是控制P素流失的关键时期;由于养鸭养鱼能提高稻田P含量,在稻鸭、稻鱼共作期间,要注意避免农田排水和防止因降雨引起的田面水外溢。同时,由于鸭子和鱼能提高土壤有效养分含量,降低化肥的施用量,进而降低了化肥损失所造成的环境危害。     

性腺发育及年龄对养殖中华鲟抗氧化力的影响

以养殖的子一代（n=21）中华鲟为对象,研究了性腺发育及年龄对其抗氧化力的影响。结果表明：（1）1998年生子一代雌性(未达性成熟,性腺处于慢速发育阶段)和雄性(接近性成熟,性腺处于开始快速发育阶段)的睾酮和雌二醇/睾酮差异显著,雌性血清丙二醛水平显著低于雄性,而超氧化物歧化酶和谷胱甘肽过氧化酶的活力及超氧化物歧化酶/丙二醛值虽高于雄性,但二者间不存在显著性差异,雌性和雄性的丙二醛与超氧化物歧化酶/丙二醛之间相关性极显著（r=-0915,-0818,P＜001);（2）雌二醇/睾酮值与丙二醛显著负相关,与超氧化物歧化酶/丙二醛显著正相关（r=-0635,r=0709,P＜005）,与超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化酶无显著相关性;（3）4个年龄组（4、8、11、12龄,未达性成熟）的超氧化物歧化酶和丙二醛无显著性差异,12龄组的谷胱甘肽过氧化酶显著低于其余3组,而超氧化物歧化酶/丙二醛显著高于其余3组,谷胱甘肽过氧化酶和丙二醛与年龄呈负相关（r=-0547,P＜001;r=-0519,P＜005）,超氧化物歧化酶/丙二醛与年龄呈正相关（r=0569,P＜001）。这表明进入性腺快速发育阶段的雄性氧化应激水平明显高于处于性腺慢速发育阶段的同龄雌性;随着年龄增长,未达性成熟中华鲟的抗氧化力水平逐渐增强;使用以上指标作为亚健康群体的筛选指标和氧化应激的生物标志物时,应充分考虑监测群体性腺发育和年龄因素,以使参考指标更准确     

玄武湖轮虫夏季水平分布及其与环境因子的关系

2010年7月对南京玄武湖3个区域（荷花区、湖岸区、敞水区）轮虫的水平分布进行调查,并分析其与环境因子的关系。本次调查共检出轮虫25种,全湖轮虫优势种为裂痕龟纹轮虫、多肢轮虫、端生三肢轮虫和微型三肢轮虫。荷花区种类最多,且分布有蛭态类轮虫,但3个区域中轮虫优势种组成相似。3个区域轮虫丰度差异显著（〖WTBX〗P〖WTBZ〗<005）,敞水区最高（12 700.3±3 726.4 ind./L）,湖岸区（11 648.0±4 342.4 ind./L）次之,荷花区最低（8 646.9±3 798.5 ind./L）。3个区域的pH、悬浮物烧失量、总溶解氮和总悬浮颗粒物有显著差异（〖WTBX〗P<005）,而水温、总氮、总磷和总溶解磷则无显著差异（P〖WTBZ〗>005）。冗余分析表明,与轮虫水平分布相关的重要环境因子为pH、浮游甲壳动物丰度、总悬浮物、悬浮物烧失量和总溶解氮     

退耕还湖后菜子湖湿地土壤理化性质及微生物量变化

以不同退耕年限下菜子湖湿地土壤和邻近原始湿地及仍耕作油菜地为研究对象,分析退耕还湖后土壤理化性质和微生物量碳氮变化。研究结果表明：随着退耕还湖年限增加,土壤容重逐渐降低,土壤含水量和粘粒含量逐渐增加,土壤有机质和全氮含量逐渐增加,而土壤全磷含量降低;表层土壤微生物量碳含量为33377~70075mg/kg,表层土壤微生物量氮含量为3080~6401 mg/kg,且均有退耕还湖后升高趋势;土壤微生物量碳与土壤有机质、全氮、pH呈极显著相关（P<001）,与土壤粘粒含量显著相关（P<005）;土壤微生物量氮与土壤有机质、全氮、容重呈极显著相关（P<001）,与pH显著相关（P<005）。分析表明,退耕还湖后随着人类活动干扰压力的减弱和湿地水文条件的恢复,自然植被也逐渐恢复,土壤理化性质朝原始湿地方向改善,促使土壤微生物量升高,但总体仍未达到原始湿地状况     

稻鸭、稻鱼共作对稻田P素动态变化的影响

以稻鸭和稻鱼生态系统为研究对象，通过大田试验研究了稻田P的动态变化及转化规律，及其对环境的影响。结果表明，施P后土壤和田面水P含量立即达到最大值，一周后迅速降低。相对于空白（CK），养鸭处理（RD）和养鱼处理（RF）田面水总P浓度、溶解P浓度、土壤速效P含量和水稻吸P量显著增加，而土壤全P含量有所增加。研究还表明，水稻吸P量与田面水溶解P、土壤速效P显著相关。对田面水P素径流流失的潜在环境效应分析表明，施P后的一周左右是控制P素流失的关键时期；由于养鸭养鱼能提高稻田P含量，在稻鸭、稻鱼共作期间，要注意避免农田排水和防止因降雨引起的田面水外溢。同时，由于鸭子和鱼能提高土壤有效养分含量，降低化肥的施用量，进而降低了化肥损失所造成的环境危害。     

邹城东滩矿区复垦土壤微生物量碳与#br# 基础呼吸的特征

探究复垦土壤微生物量碳与基础呼吸的特征及其演变归因,有助于监测复垦土壤质量演变,并为提高复垦土壤质量提供科学依据。利用“空间代替时间”的方法研究了邹城东滩矿区复垦土壤微生物量碳（MBC）与基础呼吸（SBR）随复垦年垦的变化及其与土壤环境因子的关系。结果表明：复垦土壤MBC和微生物熵（qSMBC）随复垦年限呈增加趋势;复垦土壤SBR均显著高于对照,土壤代谢熵（qCO2）随复垦年限趋于降低,复垦后土壤微生物量逐渐恢复,同时土壤微生物对碳源利用效率逐渐提高,说明土壤环境逐渐有利于土壤微生物的生长。土壤MBC与碱解氮、总氮和有机碳呈极显著正相关（p＜0.01）,反映土壤养分缺乏是复垦后土壤微生物生长的主要限制因素。土壤代谢熵（qCO2）与土壤碱解氮、速效磷和MBC均呈极显著负相关（p＜0.01）与pH呈显著正相关（p＜0.05）,说明氮磷等元素的缺乏以及较高的土壤pH环境是限制微生物生长的重要因素。这些对全面监测复垦后土壤质量的演变,并指导今后的复垦工作具有重要理论与实践意义。 关键词： 采煤塌陷区;土壤微生物量碳;土壤微生物熵;基础呼吸     

长江、赣江鲢幼鱼耳石核区元素指纹特征分析及其在群体识别中的应用研究

采用激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子质谱分析技术（LA-ICP-MS）对2012、2014及2016年采自长江、赣江的鲢幼鱼耳石核区微量元素（Sr、Ba、Mg、Na、Si、Cr、Mn、Ca、Zn）进行了测定分析。结果显示:长江、赣江鲢幼鱼耳石核区4种微量元素与钙元素的比值（Sr∶Ca、Ba∶Ca、Si∶Ca、Mg∶Ca）在同一水体年际间基本不变,但不同水体（长江、赣江）鲢幼鱼群体间存在显著性差异,其中,Si∶Ca和Sr∶Ca比值对群体识别的贡献率最大。应用这4种元素比值的线性判别分析（LDFA）对长江鲢幼鱼群体整体判别成功率为92.11%,其中对2012年、2014年、2016年样本的判别成功率分别为：92.31%、93.33%、90.91%;对赣江鲢幼鱼群体整体判别成功率为92.31%,其中对2012、2014、2016年样本的判别成功率分别为：80.00%、96.77%、93.75%。研究表明,这4种元素比值可以作为识别长江和赣江鲢群体的环境元素指纹,LA-ICP-MS耳石元素指纹分析技术用于识别长江、赣江鲢群体确实有效可行。     

Genotoxic effects of binary mixtures of xenoandrogens (tributyltin, triphenyltin) and a xenoestrogen (ethinylestradiol) in a partial life-cycle test with Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

A partial life-cycle test with the model fish Danio rerio was performed in order to evaluate the genotoxic potential of binary mixtures of xenoandrogenic (tributyltin--TBT; triphenyltin--TPT) and an estrogenic compound (ethinylestradiol--EE2). Five days post-fertilisation larvae were diet-exposed to environmental relevant concentrations of TBT and TPT (25 ng/g-100 ng/g), and water-exposed to ethinylestradiol (3.5 ng/L) for a four-month period; binary mixtures of TBT plus EE2 and TPT plus EE2 were run in parallel. The erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) assay in circulating erythrocytes was used to evaluate genotoxicity in the end of the four-month exposure period. A significant increase (p<0.05, Kruskall-Wallis non-parametric ANOVA) in ENA frequency, in comparison with control animals, was observed in those animals exposed to TBT and TPT (the highest doses only), and to EE2 and the binary mixtures, although neither synergistic nor additive effects of the tested compounds were evident. Overall, the results clearly indicate that chronic exposure to low levels of TBT, TPT, EE2 and binary mixtures of TBT plus EE2 and TPT plus EE2 are genotoxic to zebrafish, which may suggest that wild fish populations may be under increased DNA damage in areas contaminated by these endocrine disrupting chemicals.     

阳澄西湖叶绿素a的时空分布及其与环境因子的关系

根据2015年3月~2016年2月对阳澄西湖水体叶绿素a和水质理化因子的逐月监测结果表明,阳澄西湖叶绿素a浓度存在着明显的季节变化,其全年变化范围为11.93μg/L~66.67μg/L,平均值为27.54μg/L±20.34μg/L。最小值出现在2016年1月,最大值出现在2015年8月。叶绿素a在空间分布上也存在着差异,叶绿素a在断面Ⅰ浓度最高,其次是断面Ⅱ和断面Ⅳ,断面Ⅲ最低。根据综合营养状态指数法计算阳澄西湖营养状态,得出综合营养状态指数范围为50.7~59.3,年平均值为55.6,水体总体处于"轻度富营养"状态。综合pearson相关系数和逐步回归方程,结果表明叶绿素a与水温呈极显著正相关,与溶解氧呈极显著负相关,与透明度呈极显著负相关。结合生产实践对阳澄西湖总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)和氮磷比(N/P)取对数进行pearson相关性分析并建立一元线性回归方程,结果表明叶绿素a浓度与总氮无相关关系,与总磷呈极显著正相关,与氮磷比呈极显著负相关,阳澄西湖可能是一定程度的磷限制湖泊。     

Proteomic analysis of male zebrafish livers chronically exposed to perfluorononanoic acid

Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), a synthetic perfluorinated carboxylic acid and fluorosurfactant, is a known environmental contaminant found in people and wildlife. To understand the hepatotoxicity mechanism of PFNA, male zebrafish (n = 200) were exposed to differing concentrations of PFNA (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/L) for 180 days. A two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) approach coupled with MALDI–TOF-MS/MS analysis was employed to detect and identify the differential expressed proteins. A total of 57 proteins were successfully identified and categorized into functional classes that included metabolism (amino acid metabolism, TCA cycle and pyruvate metabolism, gluconeogenesis and glycolysis, protein metabolism and modification, and nucleotides metabolism), structure and motility, stress and defense, signal transduction, and cell communication. Our proteomic analyses added new perspective to PFNA hepatotoxicity in zebrafish. Results regarding mRNA levels demonstrated that the involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) could not sufficiently explain the hepatotoxicity mechanism of PFAAs in zebrafish. The extensive protein variations indicated that multiple cellular pathways were involved in and suggested that multiple protein molecules should be simultaneously targeted as an effective strategy to counter PFNA toxicity. Other potential modes should be further investigated.     

Analytical developments and preliminary assessment of human exposure to organophosphate flame retardants from indoor dust

A new and efficient analytical method was developed and validated for the analysis of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) in indoor dust samples. This method involves an extraction step by ultrasonication and vortex, followed by extract clean-up with Florisil solid-phase extraction cartridges and analysis of the purified extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Method recoveries ranged between 76 and 127%, except for volatile OPFRs, such as triethyl phosphate (TEP) and tri-(n-propyl) phosphate (TnPP), which were partially lost during evaporation steps. The between day precision on spiked dust samples was <14% for individual OPFRs, except for TEP, tri-iso-butyl phosphate (TiBP) and tri (2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP). Method limit of quantifications (LOQ) ranged between 0.02 μg/g (TnPP and tris(1-chloro-2-propyl phosphate (TCPP)) and 0.50 μg/g (TiBP). The method was further applied for the analysis of indoor dust samples taken from Flemish homes and stores. TiBP, TBEP and TCPP were most abundant OPFR with median concentrations of 2.99, 2.03 and 1.38 μg/g in house dust and of 1.04, 3.61, and 2.94 μg/g in store dust, respectively. The concentration of all OPFRs was at least 20 to 30 times higher compared to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs). Estimated exposure to OPFRs from dust ingestion ranged for individual OPFRs between <1 and 50 ng/kg body weight for adults and toddlers, respectively. The estimated body burdens were 1000 to 100 times below reference dose (RfD) values, except for the scenario with high dust ingestion and high concentrations of TBEP in toddlers, where intake was only 5 times below RfD. Exposure of non-working and working adults to OPFRs appeared to be similar, but in specific work environments, exposure to some OPFRs (e.g. TDCPP) was increased by a factor >5.     

Fates of cadmium introduced into channels microcosm

Five 10 μg Cd·l^?1 were continuously input to aquatic microcosm channels for one year. Cadmium accumulation in both biotic and abiotic components was determined. Cadmium inputs and outputs equilibrated within approximately 20 days of initial Cd inputs. Most community components accumulated Cd proportional to Cd water concentrations. Equilibrium Cd concentrations of sediments, aufwuchs, macrophytes, chironomids, and mosquito fish exposed to 10 μg Cd·l^?1 were 0.59, 55, 250, 40, and 40 μg Cd·g^?1, dry weight, respectively. Cadmium was rapidly eliminated from all biotic components when Cd inputs were terminated. Cadmium concentrations were similar to those in control channels within a few weeks in the aufwuchs community to a few months in macrophytes after Cd inputs were terminated. Cadmium uptake fluxes by the aufwuchs community and mosquito fish were first order, with respect to Cd concentration in the water. The rate constants for uptake and depuration for the aufwuchs community were 0.42 and 0.66 d^?1, respectively (concentration basis). The rate constants for uptake and depuration of Cd by mosquitofish were approximately 25 and 0.004 d^?1, respectively (concentration basis). Cadmium concentrations in organic headpool sediments had not significantly decreased six months after cessation of Cd inputs, which indicates that the abiotic half time for contaminated organic sediments is very long. Half times for elimination from channel sand sediments were 72 and 38 d for 5 and 10 μg·l^?1 exposure, respectively, after Cd inputs were terminated Cd concentrations in macroinvertebrates varied seasonally. The carrying capacity of the channels microcosm limited the number of samples of secondary and tertiary consumers which could be sampled. It was concluded that concluded that experimental channels of the size described here were not appropriate as screening tools for the fates of trace contaminants, but were effective for the study of trace contaminants, especially in conjunction with mathematical modeling efforts and less complex laboratory studies.     

Birth outcomes of infants born in areas with elevated ambient exposure to incinerator generated PCDD/Fs

The purpose of this study was to determine if elevated ambient exposure to incinerator generated polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) may affect birth outcomes of exposed infants born in Taipei metropolitan areas, Taiwan. The relationships between exposure to elevated PCDD/Fs concentration and various birth outcomes including birth weight, gestational age, and proportion of females were cross-sectionally assessed in 1991 (one year before the incinerator started to operate) and 1997 (five years later), respectively. We used the US EPA Industrial Source Complex Model-Sort Term modeling technique to determine the ambient PCDD/Fs concentrations in the study areas, in which 40 districts with annual averaged PCDD/Fs exposure of > or = 0.03 pg TEQ/m3 were considered as the exposed areas and another 40 districts with an estimated concentration of zero were randomly selected as reference areas. Information on birth outcomes was retrieved from the Taiwan's Birth Registry. A total of 6697 and 6282 neonates were included in the analysis for 1991 and 1997, respectively. After controlling for potential confounders, the results showed that the odds ratios (ORs) of low birth weight (< 2500 g) for higher exposures were 0.94 (> 0.05 pg TEQ/m3) and 091 (0.03-0.05 pg TEQ/m3) in 1991 and were 1.07 (> 0.05 pg TEQ/m3) and 1.06 (0.03-0.05 pg TEQ/m3) in 1997. The corresponding ORs were 1.05/0.86 (1991) and 1.12/1.22 (1997) for preterm (< 37 completed weeks of gestation), as well as 0.95/1.00 (1991) and 0.95/0.90 (1997) for female births. The above ORs were all close to unity and were statistically insignificant. When birth weight was analyzed as a continuous variable, the difference in mean birth weight between exposed group (> 0.03 pg TEQ/m3) and reference group decreased from 3.02 g in 1991 to -5.87 g in 1997. Analysis of continuous data also showed that the mean difference in gestational age between exposed and reference areas decreased from 0.05 weeks in 1991 to -0.09 week (p<0.05) in 1997. This study tends to conclude that the incinerator generated dioxin poses little effects on birth weight and female birth, but might pose small effects on gestational age. If the observed adverse effects turn out to be real, the measures now taken for improvement of abatement of waste gases seem to be a wise thing to do.     

Phthalates and their metabolites in breast milk--results from the Bavarian Monitoring of Breast Milk (BAMBI)

Phthalates have long been used as plasticizers to soften plastic products and, thus, are ubiquitous in modern life. As part of the Bavarian Monitoring of Breast Milk (BAMBI), we aimed to characterize the exposure of infants to phthalates in Germany. Overall, 15 phthalates, including di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP), di-isononyl phthalate (DiNP), three primary metabolites of DEHP [mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MnBP)], and two secondary metabolites of DEHP were analyzed in 78 breast milk samples. We found median concentrations of 3.9 ng/g for DEHP, 0.8 ng/g for DnBP, and 1.2 ng/g for DiBP, while other parent phthalates were found in only some or none of the samples at levels above the limit of quantitation. In infant formula (n=4) we observed mean values of 19.7 ng/g (DEHP), 3.8 ng/g (DnBP), and 3.6 ng/g (DiBP). For MEHP, MiBP, and MnBP, the median values in breast milk were 2.3 μg/l, 11.8 μg/l, and 2.1 μg/l, respectively. The secondary metabolites were not detected in any samples. Using median and 95th percentile values, we estimated an "average" and "high" daily intake for an exclusively breast-fed infant of 0.6 μg/kg body weight (b.w.) and 2.1 μg/kg b.w., respectively, for DEHP, 0.1 μg/kg b.w. and 0.5 μg/kg b.w. for DnBP, and 0.2 μg/kg b.w. and 0.7 μg/kg b.w. for DiBP. For DiNP, intake values were 3.2 μg/kg b.w. and 6.4 μg/kg b.w., respectively, if all values in milk were set half of the detection limit or the detection limit. The above-mentioned "average" and "high" intake values corresponded to only about 2% to 7%, respectively, of the recommended tolerable daily intake. Thus, it is not likely that an infant's exposure to phthalates from breast milk poses any significant health risk. Nevertheless, other sources of phthalates in this vulnerable phase have to be considered. Moreover, it should be noted that for infants nourished with formula, phthalate intake is of the same magnitude or slightly higher (DEHP) than for exclusively breast-fed infants.     

Urinary methyl tert-butyl ether and benzene as biomarkers of exposure to urban traffic

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and benzene are added to gasoline to improve the combustion process and are found in the urban environment as a consequence of vehicular traffic. Herein we evaluate urinary MTBE (MTBE-U) and benzene (BEN-U) as biomarkers of exposure to urban traffic. Milan urban policemen (130 total) were investigated in May, July, October, and December for a total of 171 work shifts. Personal exposure to airborne benzene and carbon monoxide (CO), and atmospheric data, were measured during the work shift, while personal characteristics were collected by a questionnaire. A time/activity diary was completed by each subject during the work shift. Spot urine samples were obtained for the determination of MTBE-U and BEN-U. Median personal exposure to CO and airborne benzene were 3.3 mg/m(3) and 9.6 μg/m(3), respectively; median urinary levels in end-of-shift (ES) samples were 147 ng/L (MTBE-U) and 207 ng/L (BEN-U). The time spent on traffic duty at crossing was about 40% of work time. Multiple linear regression models, taking into account within-subject correlations, were applied to investigate the role of urban pollution, atmospheric conditions, job variables and personal characteristics on the level of biomarkers. MTBE-U was influenced by the month of sampling and positively correlated to the time spent in traffic guarding, CO exposure and atmospheric pressure, while negatively correlated to wind speed (R(2) for total model 0.63, P<0.001). BEN-U was influenced by the month and smoking habit, and positively correlated to urinary creatinine; moreover, an interaction between CO and smoking was found (R(2)=0.62, P<0.001). These results suggest that MTBE-U is a reliable marker for assessing urban traffic exposure, while BEN-U is determined mainly by personal characteristics.     

Upper respiratory symptoms presumably due to studded tire-generated dust

The particulate concentrations in ambient air was elevated in winter seasons in the center of the city of Sendai, presumably due to the extensive use of the studded tires for automobiles; the levels of 493 and 212 μg/m³ were recorded for total particulates and respirable particulates, respectively. The subjective symptom prevalence was investigated by means of self-completion questionnaires in January–February 1984, among the ≥40-yr-old inhabitants of both sexes in the center of Sendai city (annual average total particulate concentration, 28 μg/m³) and also in two whole townships of Wakuya and Tajiri where the air was clean (annual average total particulate concentration, 14 μg/m³). About 17400, 8500, and 6200 respondents were obtained from Sendai, Wakuya, and Tajiri, with an average response rate of 87%. The survey was repeated again in September–October of the same year utilizing one-eighth of the first survey respondents with the response rate of 78%. The analyses of the January–February survey results after adjustment for age and smoking disclosed that prevalence rates of the upper respiratory symptoms such as rhinorrhea, frequent sneezing, phlegm, and sore throat were significantly higher (p < 0.01 ∼ 0.05 depending on the symptoms) among the Sendai population than the control populations in Wakuya and Tajiri in winter. Similar comparative analyses of responses in the September–October survey revealed that the differences in the prevalence rates of the above-stated symptoms did not exist in autumn when the particulate concentrations were low also in Sendai. Possible association of the observed symptoms with elevated particulate concentrations are discussed.