Genetic damage in urban mice exposed to traffic pollution

Wild rodents (Mus domesticus) were collected in three areas in Rome exposed to different traffic flows to ascertain a possible correlation between genetic damage and heavy metal concentration. The concentration of lead, cadmium and zinc were determined in liver, kidney and bones and two mutagenicity tests (micronucleus test and sperm abnormality assay) were employed. The results obtained showed that the contents of lead and cadmium were higher in animals collected in areas with high traffic flows than in those from control areas. A statistically significant increase of the frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes and of abnormal sperm cells was also obtained in animals collected in sites with high traffic flows. The investigation confirmed the suitability of using wild rodents as bioindicators of environmental pollution and as key-organisms in programs of pollution monitoring and environmental conservation.     

INTEGRATING DEMOGRAPHIC AND LANDSAT (TM) DATA AT A WATERSHED SCALE1

ABSTRACT: Recurrent calls for integrated resource management urge that an understanding of human activities and populations be incorporated into natural resource research, management, and protection efforts. In this paper, we hypothesize that watersheds can be a valuable geography for organizing an inquiry into the relationship between humans and the environment, and we present a framework for conducting such efforts. The framework is grounded in the emerging field of landscape ecology and incorporates demographic theory and data. Demography has been advanced by technological capabilities associated with the 1990 Census. Employing Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, we couple Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) land cover data with census‐derived housing density data to demonstrate the operation of our framework and its utility for better understanding human‐landscape interactions. In our investigation of the Kickapoo Watershed and two sub‐ watersheds, located in southwestern Wisconsin, we identify relationships between landscape composition and the distribution and social structure of human populations. Our findings offer insight into the interplay between people and biophysical systems.     

AN EMPIRICALLY‐BASED SEQUENTIAL GROUND WATER MONITORING NETWORK DESIGN PROCEDURE1

ABSTRACT: A procedure using a simple, empirically‐based model that makes efficient use of available information has been developed for designing a ground water monitoring well network. A moving plume is described by siting wells in a sequential manner, relying upon two‐dimensional concentration data obtained from previously installed wells to determine the locations of future wells. Data sets from two well known, densely monitored natural gradient tracer studies were used to test the procedure. Plumes defined by all information in the original networks were compared to those defined by reduced networks designed by the new procedure. The new procedure tracked the plumes using only a portion of that information. The new procedure could have reduced the number of wells in the original tests by about 50 percent without appreciable loss of plume information as measured by plume location and extent and by tracer mass.     

Preparation of polymeric biosurfactant containing sugar and fatty acid esters

Vinyl sugar ester, 6-O-vinyladipoyl-d-glucose (VAG), was polymerized with vinyl fatty acid esters in dimethylformamide (DMF) with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) to produce new amphiphilic polymers having branches of sugar and fatty acid esters. The influence of structural variations by changing the length of the alkyl chain of fatty acid moiety was examined by measurements of the surface tension and biodegradability.     

Testicular cancer and occupational exposures with a focus on xenoestrogens in polyvinyl chloride plastics

In a case-control study of 148 cases of testicular cancer and 314 healthy controls information was collected on lifetime working histories and specific exposures. The main finding was a six-fold increase in the risk for seminoma, one type of testicular cancer, among plastic workers exposed to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). No overrisks were observed for other plastics than PVC. There may be an aetiological link to xenoestrogens, i.e. chemicals in the environment with oestrogenic properties. Phthalates are used in PVC as plasticizer and have oestrogenic properties that could promote the growth of endocrine sensitive tumour cells. However, this "endocrine disruptors" hypothesis must be further evaluated in experimental models with regard to the causative mechanisms of the oestrogenic tumour promotion.     

Application of a purge and trap TDS-GC/MS procedure for the determination of emissions from flame retarded polymers

Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from different thermoplastic polymers used in electrotechnical applications were investigated using a purge and trap procedure that involved adsorption on Tenax GR. Results were compared to those for an operating TV set monitored in a test chamber. The analyses were in both cases carried out using thermodesorption gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (TDS-GC/MS). Substances identified were monomers, volatile additives, or related compounds. Special attention was given to the detection of halogenated compounds. Their origin was studied using reference samples and synthetic standards.     

Separation of toxaphene by high resolution gas chromatography

A summary is given about the separation of toxaphenes by high resolution gas chromatography (HRGC). The suitability of different stationary phases for isomer and/or enantiomer-selective separations is compared. Multidimensional and tandem techniques are also presented. In addition, problems caused by thermal degradation in the injector and on the column are addressed. Furthermore, a brief survey is included about detection methods such as electron capture detection and different mass spectrometric methods.     

Algal growth inhibition: effect of the choice of growth rate or biomass as endpoint on the classification and labelling of new substances notified in the EU

From the complete base set notifications of new substances currently available, we have investigated what effects the choice of using growth rate or biomass in the algal growth inhibition test has on the relative sensitivity of the three aquatic toxicity tests. Both parameters derived from the algal test were more sensitive than either fish or Daphnia tests. Changes in the classification of substances after the removal of either algae, Daphnia or fish data from the base set, when applying current legal practice, occur in 22.9%, 6.6% and 4.8% of the notifications, respectively. When always using growth rate as a parameter, these numbers change to 15.4%, 9.2% and 7.2%, respectively.     

Determination of T-2 toxin in grain and grain products by HPLC and TLC

The purpose of this study was to investigate the T-2 toxin contaminated grain and grain products consumed especially by Turkish population. The T-2 toxin was detected using the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detector at 208 nm and the identify of T-2 was further confirmed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The recovery was 91 +/- 4.24% for corn flour fortified with the known amount of T-2 toxin (1 ppm). The detection limits of T-2 toxin for the HPLC and the TLC were 25 ng and 50 ng, respectively. A total of 30 commercially available grain and grain product samples were analyzed. Two corn flour samples were found to contain detectable levels of T-2 toxin at a level of 1.60 ppm and 4.08 ppm.