Assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in cheese from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are among the most toxic environmental pollutants. Food, especially animal based, has been described as the major source for human exposure to PCBs. We investigated PCB levels (congeners 10, 28, 52, 153, 138, and 180) in cheese from 14 cities of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The fat was extracted using sodium sulfate and petroleum ether, and PCBs purification was conducted using florisil and hexane. The identification and quantification were made in a gas chromatograph with microelectron capture detector (GC-microECD). PCB congeners were found (lower bound data as ngg(-1) fat) in the following rank: 52 (15.75)>180 (4.91)>28 (3.43)>153 (3.00)>10 (2.38)>138 (1.37). Summation operatorPCB contamination ranged from 0 to 78.32 ngg(-1) fat. Differences in PCB levels between industrialized (33.32 ngg(-1) fat) and homemade (26.58 ngg(-1) fat) cheese and between two different regions (36.19 vs. 26.95 ngg(-1) fat) were not statistically significant. For university students, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of PCBs from cheese ranged from 0 to 3.13 pgkg(-1) b.w. EDI was significantly higher for industrialized than homemade cheese, and for cheese from Mountain/Porto Alegre region than from Santa Maria/South/Western region. No sample exceeded maximum level of PCBs allowed in dairy products in the European Community.     

Use of Oxidation Onset Temperature Measurements for Evaluating the Oxidative Degradation of Isotatic Polypropylene

The widespread use of polymeric materials in many applications requires polymers that are weather resistant. The aim of this study is to examine the usefulness of oxidation onset temperature measurements as a tool for evaluating oxidative degradation of isotatic polypropylene. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to measure the oxidation onset temperature in formulations of isotatic polypropylene containing different concentrations of light and thermal stabilizers after aging in a Weather-Ometer. Oxidation onset temperature gave better results than oxidation induction time for evaluating the degradation of isotatic polypropylene during aging in a Weather-Ometer. However, both tests showed a poor correlation with the appearance of cracks seen by optical microscopy.     

Methods of characterizing the distribution of exhaust emissions from light-duty, gasoline-powered motor vehicles in the U.S. fleet

Mobile sources significantly contribute to ambient concentrations of airborne particulate matter (PM). Source apportionment studies for PM10 (PM < or = 10 microm in aerodynamic diameter) and PM2.5 (PM < or = 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter) indicate that mobile sources can be responsible for over half of the ambient PM measured in an urban area. Recent source apportionment studies attempted to differentiate between contributions from gasoline and diesel motor vehicle combustion. Several source apportionment studies conducted in the United States suggested that gasoline combustion from mobile sources contributed more to ambient PM than diesel combustion. However, existing emission inventories for the United States indicated that diesels contribute more than gasoline vehicles to ambient PM concentrations. A comprehensive testing program was initiated in the Kansas City metropolitan area to measure PM emissions in the light-duty, gasoline-powered, on-road mobile source fleet to provide data for PM inventory and emissions modeling. The vehicle recruitment design produced a sample that could represent the regional fleet, and by extension, the national fleet. All vehicles were recruited from a stratified sample on the basis of vehicle class (car, truck) and model-year group. The pool of available vehicles was drawn primarily from a sample of vehicle owners designed to represent the selected demographic and geographic characteristics of the Kansas City population. Emissions testing utilized a portable, light-duty chassis dynamometer with vehicles tested using the LA-92 driving cycle, on-board emissions measurement systems, and remote sensing devices. Particulate mass emissions were the focus of the study, with continuous and integrated samples collected. In addition, sample analyses included criteria gases (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide/nitrogen dioxide, hydrocarbons), air toxics (speciated volatile organic compounds), and PM constituents (elemental/organic carbon, metals, semi-volatile organic compounds). Results indicated that PM emissions from the in-use fleet varied by up to 3 orders of magnitude, with emissions generally increasing for older model-year vehicles. The study also identified a strong influence of ambient temperature on vehicle PM mass emissions, with rates increasing with decreasing temperatures.     

Tissue distribution and temperature-dependence of Anguilla anguilla L. EROD activity following exposure to model inducers and relationship with plasma cortisol, lactate and glucose levels

Anguilla anguilla L. ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) elevation by 2.7 microM beta-naphthoflavone (BNF) 3 days water exposure, or 4 mg/kg ip exposure, was studied in four different organs--liver, kidney, gills, and intestine. The results demonstrated a significant increase in liver EROD activity for the two previous conditions, whereas kidney EROD activity only increased during the intraperitoneal exposure. A. anguilla was also exposed during 8, 16, and 24 h to water contaminated with 2.7 microM BNF or benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) at 20 degrees C and 25 degrees C. Both compounds significantly increased liver EROD activity from 8 up to 24 h. There was no significant difference in liver EROD activity elevation by both compounds, either at 20 degrees C or 25 degrees C. Liver EROD activity was demonstrated to be one of the first warning systems concerning the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water. A. anguilla 3 h exposure to diesel oil water-soluble fraction (DWSF) significantly increased plasma cortisol and significantly decreased plasma lactate. A prolonged exposure beyond 3 h, i.e. 4 h, 2, 3, 4, and 6 days to the previous conditions demonstrated a significant liver EROD activity elevation from Day 2 up to 6, and a significant increase in erythrocytic nuclear abnormalities (ENA) at Day 6.     

Spatial variations of heavy metals contamination in sediments from Odiel river (Southwest Spain)

The presence of heavy metal concentrations was examined in surface sediments from 27 sites within the Odiel river in the southwest Spain suffering inputs from industrial and mining activities. The interest is specially focused on the final delta located in the Odiel Natural Park, which constitutes a feeding ground of international importance for migrating birds. The behavior of 10 heavy metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Fe, Hg) is conditioned by chemical properties of sediments such as acidity and carbonate or the presence of sulfate Very acidic sediments in the medium course of river contribute to the lower presence of metal as a consequence of leaching process. However, tidal action raises the pH in the marshes of the delta with correlative metal accumulation. In accordance with the Müller [Umschan 79 (1979) 133-149] scale for geoaccumulation index, the entire watercourse could be considered polluted by Zn and Pb, while Cu exhibits a high presence in the delta marshes of the river.     

Newborns and low to moderate prenatal environmental lead exposure: might fathers be the key?

This study is part of the BioMadrid Project, a bio-monitoring study designed to assess pollutants in the environment surrounding children born in the Madrid region. Our aim in this report is to evaluate the association between prenatal lead exposure and fetal development using three biological samples (maternal and paternal blood lead at around 34 weeks of gestation as well as cord blood lead levels), three biomarkers of effect in cord blood peripheral lymphocytes (micronucleus in binucleated cells, nucleoplasmic bridges, and nuclear buds), and different anthropometrical characteristics at birth. Maternal and cord blood lead were not associated with newborn measurements or genotoxicity biomarkers. In contrast, increases in father blood lead were coupled with lower weight (mean difference (MD), ?110.8 g; 95 % confidence intervals (95%CI), ?235.6 to 6.00; p?<?0.10) and shorter abdominal (MD, ?0.81 cm; 95%CI, ?1.64 to 0.00; p?<?0.05) and cephalic (MD, ?0.32 cm; 95%CI, ?0.65 to 0.00; p?<?0.05) circumferences at birth as well as with the presence of nucleoplasmic bridges (odds ratio, 1.03; 95%CI, 1.00 to 1.06; p?<?0.05) and nuclear buds (odds ratio, 1.02; 95%CI, 0.99 to 1.04; p?<?0.10). These associations were mainly confined to female babies, in whom paternal lead was also inversely associated with length. Our results support the hypothesis that paternal lead exposure may be affecting the development of newborns.     

Assessment comparison of commercial TiO2 and TiO2 sol-gel on the degradation of caffeine using artificial radiation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The presence of endocrine disrupting compounds in water receptor bodies, such as drugs, currently has in scientific field a great focus of studies...     

Comparison of the substrate effect on voc emissions from water based varnish and latex paint

BACKGROUND, AIMS AND SCOPE: The building materials are recognised to be major contributors to indoor air contamination by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The improvement of the quality of the environment within buildings is a topic of increasing research and public interest. Legislation in preparation by the European Commission may induce, in the near future, European Union Member States to solicit the industries of paints, varnishes and flooring materials for taking measures, in order to reduce the VOC emissions resulting from the use of their products. Therefore, product characterisation and information about the influence of environmental parameters on the VOC emissions are fundamental for providing the basic scientific information required to allow architects, engineers, builders, and building owners to provide a healthy environment for building occupants. On the other hand, the producers of coating building materials require this information to introduce technological alterations, when necessary, in order to improve the ecological quality of their products, and to make them more competitive. Studies of VOC emissions from wet materials, like paints and varnishes, have usually been conducted after applying the material on inert substrates, due to its non-adsorption and non-porosity properties. However, in real indoor environments, these materials are applied on substrates of a different nature. One aim of this work was to study, for the first time, the VOC emissions from a latex paint applied on concrete. The influence of the substrate (uncoated cork parquet, eucalyptus parquet without finishing and pine parquet with finishing) on the emissions of VOC from a water-based varnish was also studied. For comparison purposes, polyester film (an inert substrate) was used for both wet materials. METHODS: The specific emission rates of the major VOCs were monitored for the first 72 h of material exposure in the atmosphere of a standardized test chamber. The air samples were collected on Tenax TA and analysed using thermal desorption online with gas chromatography provided with both mass selective detection and flame ionisation detection. A double exponential model was applied to the VOC concentrations as a function of time to facilitate the interpretation of the results. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The varnish, which was introduced in the test chamber 23 h after the application of the last layer of material, emitted mainly glycolethers. Only primary VOCs were emitted, but their concentrations varied markedly with the nature of the substrate. The higher VOC concentrations were observed for the parquets of cork and eucalyptus, which indicated that they have a much higher porosity and, therefore, a higher power of VOC adsorption than the finished pine parquet (and polyester film). The paint was introduced in the chamber just after its application. Only primary VOCs were emitted (esters, phthalates, glycolethers and white spirit) but some compounds, like 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol and diethylphthalate, were only observed for paint/polyester, which suggested that they were irreversibly adsorbed by the paint/concrete. Compared with the inert substrate, the rate of VOC emissions was lower for concrete in the wet-stage (first hours after the paint application) but slightly higher later (dry-stage) as a consequence of desorption. CONCLUSIONS: As to varnish, the substrates without finishing, like cork and eucalyptus parquets, displayed a higher power of adsorption of VOCs than the pine parquet with finishing, probably because they have a higher porosity. As concerns paint, the total masses of VOCs emitted were lower for concrete than for polyester, indicating that concrete reduces the global VOC emissions from the latex paint. Concrete is seen to have a strong power of adsorption of VOCs. Some compounds, namely 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol, diethylphthalate and TEXANOL (this partially), were either irreversibly adsorbed by the concrete or desorbed very slowly (at undetected levels). A similar behaviour had not been reported for gypsum board, a paint substrate studied before. RECOMMENDATIONS AND OUTLOOK: The present data suggest that concrete may be a recommendable substrate for paint in an indoor environment. As the nature of the substrate conditions the rate and nature of VOC emissions from wet materials, it must be explicit when emissions from composite materials are reported, in order to allow comparisons and labelling of the product in terms of indoor air quality.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aporrectodea caliginosa</Emphasis>, a relevant earthworm species for a posteriori pesticide risk assessment: current knowledge and recommendations for culture and experimental design

Ecotoxicological tests with earthworms are widely used and are mandatory for the risk assessment of pesticides prior to registration and commercial use. The current model species for standardized tests is Eisenia fetida or Eisenia andrei. However, these species are absent from agricultural soils and often less sensitive to pesticides than other earthworm species found in mineral soils. To move towards a better assessment of pesticide effects on non-target organisms, there is a need to perform a posteriori tests using relevant species. The endogeic species Aporrectodea caliginosa (Savigny, 1826) is representative of cultivated fields in temperate regions and is suggested as a relevant model test species. After providing information on its taxonomy, biology, and ecology, we reviewed current knowledge concerning its sensitivity towards pesticides. Moreover, we highlighted research gaps and promising perspectives. Finally, advice and recommendations are given for the establishment of laboratory cultures and experiments using this soil-dwelling earthworm species.     

Abundance,distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in coastal surface waters of the Colombian Caribbean and Pacific

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Microplastic pollution has become a global concern due to its distribution, high abundance, and negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. These...