Measurements of benzene and formaldehyde in a medium sized urban environment. Indoor/outdoor health risk implications on special population groups

In the present study, the results of a measurement campaign aiming to assess cancer risk among two special groups of population: policemen and laboratory technicians exposed to the toxic substances, benzene and formaldehyde are presented. The exposure is compared to general population risk. The results show that policemen working outdoor (traffic regulation, patrol on foot or in vehicles, etc.) are exposed at a significantly higher benzene concentration (3-5 times) than the general population, while the exposure to carbonyls is in general lower. The laboratory technicians appear to be highly exposed to formaldehyde while no significant variation of benzene exposure in comparison to the general population is recorded. The assessment revealed that laboratory technicians and policemen run a 20% and 1% higher cancer risk respectively compared to the general population. Indoor working place air quality is more significant in assessing cancer risk in these two categories of professionals, due to the higher Inhalation Unit Risk (IUR) of formaldehyde compared to benzene. Since the origin of the danger to laboratory technicians is clear (use of chemicals necessary for the experiments), in policemen the presence of carbonyls in indoor air concentrations due to smoking or used materials constitute a danger equal to the exposure to traffic originated air pollutants.     

Microsatellite analysis provides efficient confirmation of fetal trophoblast isolation from maternal circulation

Fetal trophoblasts can be found in maternal circulation from an early stage of pregnancy and thus provide a potential source of DNA for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. We have developed a two-step method for trophoblast isolation between the 8th and 12th week of pregnancy. Blood was sampled from 14 women undergoing termination of pregnancy or spontaneous abortion. Immunomagnetic beads precoated with HLA class I and II, and with anti-cytokeratin-18 monoclonal antibodies, were used to remove CD8+ and other maternal cells, and to select for fetal trophoblasts, respectively. Microsatellite analysis was performed on DNA extracted from the isolated, maternal, paternal and placental cells after PCR amplification. Recovery of the trophoblasts was confirmed in 13/14 cases (93%) by the identification of an identical microsatellite pattern for fetal and placental cells. Further evidence was the presence of heterozygous alleles of both maternal and paternal origin. The correct prediction of gender in all five male fetuses was an additional confirmation of trophoblast recovery. We conclude that trophoblasts can be effectively isolated from maternal blood in the first trimester, and by using polymorphic microsatellite markers to confirm sample purity, this method has potential future application in prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Toxic metal content of particulate matter (PM10), within the Greater Area of Athens

This study presents results from a yearlong particulate matter measurement campaign, conducted across the Greater Athens Area, at four locations, between 1st June 2001 and 31st May 2002. The collected PM(10) 24-h samples were analyzed for nine toxic metals and metalloids (Pb, As, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, V, Cu, Hg). Concerning the five elements regulated by the European Union, annual average concentrations of Pb were found below the limit values at all sites, Cd and Ni concentrations were lower than the prospective assessment thresholds at all sites, concentrations of As exceeded the assessment threshold at two sites, while concentrations of Hg were found below detection limits in all samples. Concentration levels of Mn and V were in compliance with the values proposed by the World Health Organization. The seasonal and spatial variability of metal concentrations was examined and site-specific correlation analysis was conducted for the identification of metals with similar origin. The association between trace metals and NO(x) concentrations was explored to account for the impact of automotive sources, at two traffic-impacted sites. Cu was the metal most closely linked with the road transport sector. The relation of concentration levels with the prevalence of winds from different sectors was studied in an effort to investigate the transport of metal particles from various zones of the city. Finally, factor analysis was carried out to extract the main components responsible for the variance of the dataset and to attribute them to specific source categories, with vehicle-related sources being important in all cases.     

Could energy equilibrium and greenhouse gas emissions in agroecosystems play a key role in crop replacement? A case study in orange and kiwi orchards

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The development of agriculture is linked to energy resources. Consequently, energy analysis in agroecosystems could be a useful tool for monitoring...     

Assessment and prediction of exposure to benzene of filling station employees

In the present study, the exposure to benzene of employees working in two filling stations (one urban and one rural) was estimated, through the method of passive sampling. Additional data (30′ measurements of benzene exposure through active sampling to employees dealing with different activities, meteorological and traffic data) were collected. The measurements campaign was performed in both summer and wintertime to determine the seasonal variation of the exposure pattern.In addition, a set of artificial neural networks (ANNs) was developed to predict benzene exposure pattern for the filling station employees based on active sampling data and the parameters related to the employees’ exposure. The quantification of the contribution of each parameter to the overall exposure pattern was also attempted.The results showed that although vapour recovery technologies are installed in the refuelling systems and benzene emissions are significantly reduced compared to the past, filling station employees are still highly exposed to benzene (52–15 μg m⁻³). Benzene exposure is strongly correlated to car refuelling (exposure levels up to 85 μg m⁻³), while activities like car washing or working in cash machine inside an office contribute to lower exposure levels (up to 44 and 24 μg m⁻³ respectively). In rural filling station, exposure levels were in general lower compared to the urban ones, due to the smaller amount of gasoline that was traded and the absence of any significant traffic effect or urban background concentration. The developed ANN seemed to be a promising technique in the prediction of the exposure pattern giving very good results, and the quantification of the parameters affirmed the importance of the refueling procedure to the exposure levels.     

Analysis of the recycling potential of used automotive oil filters using the Life Cycle Assessment approach

The aim of this study is to evaluate whether a specific recycling system for used oil filters (UOFs) is environmentally viable by considering all steps of the product's life cycle. In that aspect an analysis of the environmental impacts regarding different waste management scenarios of UOFs in Greece is presented using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. Waste scenarios varied from maximum feasible recycling and recovery of metals and used lubricant oil, to disposal of UOFs to landfills without any prior treatment. In order to perform this analysis, the principles of ISO 14040 were followed and a relevant LCA software was used (SimaPro 7.2). Additionally, the results of a previous work conducted by the authors were deployed, including some experimental measurements undertaken so as to evaluate and quantify the factors affecting the recovery of the lubricant oil contained in used automotive filters. Indicatively, it was estimated that a maximum of 1340 tons of used oil and 1810 tons of steel are disposed every year in Greece, as a result of the non-effective management of used automotive filters.     

Spatial planning framework,a challenge for marine tourism development: location of diving parks on Rhodes island,Greece

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Dive tourism has been growing constantly in recent years, contributing to socio-economic development of coastal zones and islands. In Greece new users...     

Spatial typologies of Greek coastal zones and unregulated Urban growth

Coastal zones attract a large number of people and productive activities. This puts pressure on ecosystems and affects the organization of local economies, having an impact on social cohesion and coherence. The complexity of coastal socio-spatial systems and the fact that coastal zones, and, more particularly, islands that are considered vulnerable areas (that is, parameters: such as sea level rising, desertification, built-up areas excessive expansion etc) and important for the overall operation of the state imply the significance of a further study of the subject. The paper deals with the principal socio-spatial pressures on coastal zones and islands that are caused by unregulated urban growth. The incompetent spatial planning framework, the “loose” political system, related to urban growth, and the socio-economical characteristics are considered as the principal reasons for built-up areas excessive dispersion. Here, delineation of the coastal zone is proposed, using physico-geographical and man-made variables. Soil Sealing dataset is used to illustrate where built-up areas dispersion and basic metrics can be applied. Furthermore, an overview of the planning spatial framework is attempted, so that the particularities of urban growth can be interpreted.