Metal contents and potential health risk assessment of crops grown in a former mining district (Romania)

ABSTRACT

The Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contents in home-grown crops in a former mining district were determined in order to evaluate the non-carcinogenic long-term potential health risk related to crop consumption. The potential health risk was investigated by estimating the daily intake and the hazard quotients. For all crop categories, the daily intake and the target hazard quotient were below the threshold values for Cd, Cu, and Zn. The daily intake of Pb exceeded the oral reference dose, while the target hazard quotient for vegetables was above 1, indicating a potential health risk. The total target hazard quotient for the individual metals decreased in the following order: Pb>Cd>Cu>Zn. This study confirmed that the daily consumption of crops grown in contaminated soils could pose health risks to humans.     

Pesticide residues in Italian Ready-Meals and dietary intake estimation

The investigations carried out during 2005 by state-run Italian laboratories within the framework of controls seeking pesticide residues monitoring in foodstuffs involve quantifying the levels of such residues in fruit and vegetable produce and their processed products: oil, wine and fruit juices. The Italian Ready-Meal Residue Project, promoted by the pesticides working group of Italian Environmental Agencies, seeks to asses the quantity of pesticides in pre-prepared (ready-to-eat) lunches (comprising a first course, side dish, fruit, bread and wine), and to quantify the amounts consumed and compare with the acceptable daily intake ADIs.The data provided by 16 laboratories which analyzed 50 complete meals in 2005 (samples taken on 8 February, 26 May, 24 October, 21 December 2005) showed residues in 39 lunches, with an average number of 2.4 pesticides in each meal and a maximum of 10 pesticides. The most frequently found substances were: pirimiphos-methyl (20 times), procymidone (17), pyrimethanil (7), iprodione (7), cyprodinil (7), fenitrothion (6), diphenylamine (6), chlorpyrifos (6), metalaxyl (5) and chlorpyrifos-methyl (5).The distribution of residues among each dish of the meal was also examined, and the results showed that: 77.3% of the residues were present in the fruit, 14.9% in the wine, 3.0% in the main course, 2.8% in the bread and 2.1% in the side dish. Assuming that two meals are consumed per day, the daily intake of pesticide residues was calculated on a daily basis, in relation to normal body weight (60 kg for an adult, 40 kg for a teenager, 20 kg for a child) and compared with the ADI values established by the European Union. In the case of adults, the average daily intake of pesticides in relation to ADI was 2.6% with a maximum of 73.3%; for teenagers it was 4.9% with a maximum of 109% and for children it was 9.8% with a peak of 219%.     

Occurrence of perfluorooctanoate and perfluorooctanesulfonate in the Korean water system: implication to water intake exposure

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) measured in surface running waters indicated the existence of different emission sources in eight main city basins. The tap water reflected the contamination pattern and levels in their corresponding source water basins. The daily intakes through tap water consumption ranged from <0.01 to 0.73 ng kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ for perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and <0.01 to 0.08 ng kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ for perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS). Tap water intake-derived exposure accounted for 8.6%-101% (for PFOA) and while <10% (for PFOS) of total daily exposure, which was estimated from Korean serum concentrations using a pharmacokinetic model. Our findings indicate that tap water intake could be an important contributor to PFOA exposure in Korean populations; accordingly, additional efforts are necessary to improve the removal efficiency of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in the water purification process. However, more fundamentally the aim would be to reduce the discharge of PFCs from potential sources within the basin.     

SALMONID SMOLT SURVIVAL RELATIVE TO TURBINE EFFICIENCY AND ENTRAINMENT DEPTH IN HYDROELECTRIC POWER GENERATION1

ABSTRACT: The hypotheses that fish survival probabilities may be lower (1) at less than peak operating turbine efficiency; (2) at deeper entrainment depth; and (3) with the deployment of extended‐length intake guidance screens, are not supported by results on yearling chinook salmon smolts (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) at Lower Granite Dam, Snake River, Washington. Estimated 96 h survival probabilities for the six test conditions ranged from 0.937 to 0.972, with the highest survival at turbine operating towards the lower end of its efficiency. A blanket recommendation to operate all Kaplan type turbines within ± 1 percent of their peak efficiency appears too restrictive. Cavitation mode survival (0.946) was comparable to that at peak operating efficiency mode (0.937), as was the survival between upper (0.947) and mid depths (0.937). Survival differed only slightly among three turbine intake bays at the same depth (0.937 to 0.954), most likely due to differential flow distribution. Extended‐length intake fish guidance screens did not reduce survival. However, the sources of injury somewhat differed with depth; probable pressure and shear‐related injuries were common on fish entrained at mid‐depth, and mechanically‐induced injuries were common at upper depth. Operating conditions that reduce turbulence within the turbine environment may enhance fish survival; however, controlled experiments that integrate turbine flow physics and geometry and the path entrained fish traverse are needed to develop specific guidance to further enhance fish passage survival.     

深圳海滩塑料垃圾及其重金属污染分析

海洋塑料垃圾污染是一个全球性环境问题,为了解海岸线上塑料垃圾及其重金属污染情况,本研究在深圳海岸线上选取5个典型海滩,分析海滩塑料垃圾的组成和来源,并研究塑料垃圾的重金属含量及其浸出行为,评估其潜在的摄入风险.结果表明：塑料和泡沫塑料是海滩垃圾最主要的组成成分,占比高达72%;人类海岸活动是海滩塑料垃圾最主要的来源,占比高达80.58%;塑料垃圾中Zn、Ba、Pb的含量较高,其中Zn的平均值达到500mg/kg以上;在模拟胃酸溶液中,Zn的浸出浓度最高（0.7605~2.6283mg/L）,Mn浸出率最高（16.22%~83.45%）,Sb的浸出量和浸出率均为最低.基于海滩塑料垃圾样品中重金属最大可浸出率的摄入风险评估表明,塑料样品中的重金属不会造成健康风险.本研究提供的基础数据资料有助于海洋塑料垃圾的管理.     

校园学生群体食物汞暴露现状及风险评价——以天津大学为例

通过测定校园学生主要食物中(包括主食、鱼类、肉类、蔬菜等)总汞和甲基汞浓度,同时采集志愿者头发作为生物指示物,结合外暴露和内暴露数据系统评估学生群体的汞暴露风险.校园食堂食物总汞浓度范围为0.57~207.50ng/g(以湿重计),甲基汞浓度范围为0.06~49.20ng/g(以湿重计),与已有研究相比处于较低水平.不同食物中汞浓度水平存在显著差异,如水产品中总汞和甲基汞浓度均比其他食物要高.所调查人发中总汞浓度为0.03~0.77 μg/g,甲基汞浓度为0.02~0.67 μg/g,男性发汞浓度要显著高于女性.人体汞浓度与个人饮食习惯存在一定联系,水产品食用频次较高的人群中发汞浓度也相对较高.男性学生总汞摄入量约为9200ng/d,女性约为7500ng/d.总汞摄入主要通过主食摄入,而甲基汞则主要通过水产品摄入.根据现行人群汞摄入风险评价标准,本研究中校园人群汞暴露风险较低,但水产品食用频次增加仍可能造成大量的汞摄入.     

大专院校取水定额编制方法研究

定额管理是节水管理工作中一种比较科学的管理方法,也是节水管理的必然发展趋势。文章阐述了编制取水定额所应遵循的基本原则,结合大专院校的行业用水特点,综合运用相关分析、主成分分析和聚类分析等统计分析方法,建立了一套制定大专院校取水定额标准的科学体系。该体系具有科学性、实用性和灵活性。运用该体系编制了武汉市大专院校的分类取水定额标准,对于加强城市大专院校行业的节水管理,提高大专院校节水水平具有重要的指导意义,同时对于编制城市其它行业的取水定额具有一定的参考价值。     

奥运期间北京典型交通环境气态污染物特征及人体吸入剂量

为了评估2008年奥运会期间北京市机动车控制措施效果,对不同控制措施阶段北四环道路的气态污染物进行监测,并同步采集车流与气象信息.基于监测结果归纳气态污染物特征,分析控制措施的影响,并计算高峰小时与日间小时平均污染物人体吸入剂量.结果表明,控制措施全面实施期间(Ⅲ阶段)北四环路日间平均车流量下降约22%,其中轻型车流量降低约43%.与之相对应,北四环CO、NOx、NO2的浓度水平范围分别是0.10～3.94,0.002～0.139,0.002～0.099mg.m-3,较奥运前(2008年5月)监测浓度显著下降.其中,奥运赛事期间(Ⅲ-2阶段)CO、NOx、NO2平均浓度降幅最大,分别达到63%,71%和70%.奥运期间(Ⅲ阶段)CO与NOx的单人与总人群的高峰小时和日间平均小时吸入剂量较奥运前(2008年5月)均有显著下降,其中CO单人高峰小时与日间小时平均吸入剂量降幅分别是63%和81%;NOx单人高峰小时与日间小时平均吸入剂量降幅分别是58%和55%.区域总人群的吸入量也同比例下降.奥运期间严格的交通控制措施大幅削减了机动车污染物排放量,从而降低了道路交通环境机动车尾气污染引起的人体吸入剂量.     

Assessing the health risk of heavy metals in vegetables to the general population in Beijing, China

A systematic survey of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations in vegetables from 416 samples (involving 100 varieties) in Beijing was carried out for assessing the potential health risk to local inhabitants. The results indicated that the metal concentrations in vegetables ranged from < 0.001 to 0.479 g/g fresh weight (fw) (As), < 0.001 to 0.101 g/g fw (Cd), < 0.001 to 1.04 g/g fw (Cr), 0.024 to 8.25 g/g fw (Cu), 0.001 to 1.689 g/g fw (Ni), < 0.001 to 0.655 g/g fw (Pb) and 0.01 to 25.6 g/g fw (Zn), with average concentrations of 0.013, 0.010, 0.023, 0.51, 0.053, 0.046 and 2.55 g/g fw, respectively. The results showed that the concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb and Ni in vegetables from open-fields were all significantly higher than those grown in greenhouses. In addition, in local-produced vegetables, all HMs except Zn were significantly higher than those in provincial vegetables. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn from vegetables was 0.080, 0.062, 0.142, 3.14, 0.327, 0.283 and 15.7 g/(kg body weight (bw) d) for adults, respectively. Arsenic was the major risk contributor for inhabitants since the target hazard quotient based on the weighted average concentration (THQw) of arsenic amounted to 44.3% of the total THQ (TTHQ) value according to average vegetable consumption. The TTHQ was lower than 1 for all age groups, indicating that it was still safe for the general population of Beijing to consume vegetables.     

上海市饮用水水源地环境风险评估

在对影响饮用水水源地安全的企业进行调查的基础上,判断企业突发性事故发生的概率和事故发生的后果,建立了上海市饮用水水源地企业环境风险评估指标体系;同时,结合上海市水源地的自然条件及监管情况,建立了上海市饮用水水源地(取水口)综合评估指标体系。评估结果表明,上海市饮用水水源地高风险企业占企业总数的18.7%,17.2%的水源地取水口相对为高风险取水口。