4-Ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol in wines: Estimating non-microbial sourced contributions and toxicological considerations

Analyses of commercially available wines suggested non-Brettanomyces sources of 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol. Grapes, enological additions, exposure to plastics, and oak-barrel aging were potential inputs considered. Investigations of whole grape bunch samples from two major red wine Vitis vinifera cultivars (L. cv. Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir), a commercial mannoprotein additive, and three commercial enological tannin additions indicated they are not likely significant sources of these compounds. Studies on 15 commercial oak barrelled red wines from six Vitis vinifera cultivars (L. cv. Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dunkelfelder, Merlot, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir), and a review of volatile phenol extraction from toasted oak wood, suggested that oak-aging may produce concentrations of up to 50 μg L^?1 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol. Thus, following potential Brettanomyces-sourced aroma impacts in wine using 4-ethylphenol and/or 4-ethylguaiacol concentrations as proxies should only be considered reliable at analyte levels > 100 μg L^?1. A review of worldwide 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol concentrations in wine, consumption patterns, and available toxicological data also suggested that levels of 4-ethylphenol being observed in wines worldwide do not warrant concerns about acute or long-term effects. While little is known about the toxicology of 4-ethylguaiacol, it is unlikely that elevated concentrations will pose any health-related concerns.     

Use of sensitive methods for detection of DNA damage on human lymphocytes exposed to p,p′-DDT: Comet assay and new criteria for scoring micronucleus test

Wide distribution, stability and long persistence in the environment of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), probably the best-known and most useful insecticide in the world, imposes the need for further examination of the effect of this chemical on human health and especially on the human genome. In this study, peripheral blood human lymphocytes from a healthy donor were exposed to 0.025 mg/L concentration of p,p′-DDT at different time periods (1, 2, 24 and 48 h). For the assessment of genotoxic effect, the new criteria for scoring micronucleus test and alkaline comet assay were used. Both methods showed that p,p′-DDT induces DNA damage in low concentration used in this research. Results of micronucleus test showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) genotoxic effect of p,p′-DDT on human lymphocytes compared with corresponding control and a different exposure time. A comet assay also showed increased DNA damage caused in p,p′-DDT-exposed human lymphocytes than in corresponding control cells for the tail length. Results obtained by measuring the level of DNA migration and incidence of micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear buds (NBUDs) indicate the sensitivity of these tests and their application in detection of primary genome damage after long-term exposure to establish the effect of p,p′-DDT on human genome.     

Concentration of some heavy metals in organically grown primitive,old and modern wheat genotypes: Implications for human health

The concentration of six HMs (Cd, Cr, Co, Pb, Hg and Ni) was analysed in 321 organically grown winter and spring wheat genotypes from six genotype groups, i.e. selections, old landraces, primitive wheat, spelt, old cultivars and cultivars. Also the potential risk of individual toxic HM to human health was estimated by using the Hazard Quotient (HQ). Significantly the lowest grain concentration of Cd was found in primitive wheat as compared to all other investigated genotype groups. Intake of HM by consumption of whole wheat grain was not found to pose a health risk to human for any of the investigated genotype groups. The bio-concentration factor of Cd for the different genotype groups indicated a lower ability to accumulate Cd for primitive wheat as compared to other genotype groups. The primitive wheat was found the most promising and might be of interest in future wheat breeding programs to develop wheat genotypes with low HMs concentration in the grain.     

Assessment of susceptibility of olive cultivars to the Bactrocera oleae (Gmelin, 1790) and Camarosporium dalmaticum (Thüm.) Zachos & Tzav.-Klon. attacks in Calabria (Southern Italy)

Within the framework of research concerning the application of techniques alternative to chemical pesticides for control of parasites, the C.R.A. Experimental Institute for Olive Growing for many years has been performing a large investigation in order to detect sources of genetic resistance in olive germplasm. In the present study we observed the behavior related to the olive fly (Bactrocera oleae) infestation and Camarosporium dalmaticum infection of ten olive cultivars farmed under the same agronomic and climatic conditions in Calabria, Southern Italy. The sampling and the data collecting were carried out in three different ripening times.The drupe amount of oleuropein and cyanidine was detected by laboratory analyses in order to verify a possible correlation between these molecules and the level of infestation/infection of the above-mentioned parasites. The obtained data were submitted to analysis of variance. In relation to the fungal infection the results displayed that cvs Tonda nera dolce showed the lowest susceptibility, while the cv Giarraffa turned out to be the most susceptible. The less susceptible cultivars to the phytophagous were Tonda nera dolce and Bhardi Tirana. Since the less susceptible cultivar to olive fly attacks are the same observed in relation to the susceptibility to olive fruit rot, it is suggested a relation between the olive fly infestation and the fungal infection. It suggests the utility to achieve these results both to transfer directly to the farmers' world and to emphasize ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation.     

Determination of hypoxia and dietary copper mediated sub-lethal toxicity in carp, Cyprinus carpio, at different levels of biological organisation

Hypoxic events frequently occur in the aquatic environment in association with micro pollutants, including heavy metals. Only a few studies are however available on the uptake and biological responses of heavy metals under hypoxic conditions. To elucidate the phenomenon, mirror carp Cyprinus carpio L. (16.13-16.22 g) were exposed chronically to dietary copper (Cu; 250 and 500 mg kg dry wt.⁻¹) for 30 d under normoxic (8.25 mg O₂ L⁻¹) and hypoxic (∼3 mg O₂ L⁻¹) conditions and adopting an integrated approach, sub-lethal biomarker responses were determined at different levels of biological organisation. Level of oxidative DNA damage (as determined by modified Comet assay) showed strong significant difference following exposure to dietary Cu level under normoxic (1.6-fold) as well as under hypoxic condition at both Cu levels (2.1 and 2.5-folds respectively). Significant difference was also observed for haematological parameters (i.e. increased red and white blood cells, haematocrit value and haemoglobin concentration). Quantitative histology revealed alterations in tissues (i.e. liver and gills) for hypoxic and all dietary Cu treatment groups under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions suggesting a compensatory response to these organs (p < 0.05). The order of Cu accumulation in tissues (as determined by ICP-OES) was liver > intestine > kidney > gill. Interestingly, SGR under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions reduced with elevating Cu levels (p = 0.019). Overall, the results provide evidence for enhanced toxicological responses in fish following exposure to Cu either alone or in combination with hypoxic condition and lends support to the evolving viewpoint that many water quality guidelines should be revisited in terms of new ecotoxicological criteria.     

Can Hediste diversicolor (Nereidae, Polychaete) be considered a good candidate in evaluating PAH contamination? A multimarker approach

The aim of this study was to develop a preliminary characterization of the biological responses of Hediste diversicolor to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) under controlled laboratory conditions. In order to test the effects of PAH exposure, a battery of biomarkers was applied to the polychaetes by exposing them to sublethal concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene (0.1 and 0.5 mg L⁻¹) for 10 d under laboratory conditions. The battery of biomarkers tested included oxidative stress biomarkers (glutathione content, enzymatic activities of catalase, glutathione S-transferases, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidases), total oxyradical scavenging capacity (TOSC) toward peroxyl and hydroxyl radicals and activity of acyl CoA oxidase (AOX) as a marker of peroxisome proliferation measured in the entire body; lipofuscin and neutral lipid accumulations and levels of Ca²⁺-ATPase activity analyzed in the intestinal epithelium; lysosomal membrane stability and genotoxic effects measured as DNA strand breaks and frequency of micronuclei in coelomocytes. Chemical analyses were also carried out to verify the polychaete’s benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) bioaccumulation levels after the exposure period. The results obtained indicate that B[a]P caused significant changes in most of the parameters measured in H. diversicolor. Biological responses to the organic compound were particularly significant for the biomarkers measured in the intestinal epithelium and in coelomocytes, emphasizing that these tissues were more affected during our experimental conditions. Considering the key trophic role of this benthic species in estuarine and coastal ecosystems, this study confirmed that H. diversicolor is an appropriate bioindicator of organic contamination.     

Cadmium-induced DNA damage and mutations in Arabidopsis plantlet shoots identified by DNA fingerprinting

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) test is a feasible method to evaluate the toxicity of environmental pollutants on vegetal organisms. Herein, Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) plantlets following Cadmium (Cd) treatment for 26 d were screened for DNA genetic alterations by DNA fingerprinting. Four primers amplified 20-23 mutated RAPD fragments in 0.125-3.0 mg L⁻¹ Cd-treated Arabidopsis plantlets, respectively. Cloning and sequencing analysis of eight randomly selected mutated fragments revealed 99-100% homology with the genes of VARICOSE-Related, SLEEPY1 F-box, 40S ribosomal protein S3, phosphoglucomutase, and noncoding regions in Arabidopsis genome correspondingly. The results show the ability of RAPD analysis to detect significant genetic alterations in Cd-exposed seedlings. Although the exact functional importance of the other mutated bands is unknown, the presence of mutated loci in Cd-treated seedlings, prior to the onset of significant physiological effects, suggests that these altered loci are the early events in Cd-treated Arabidopsis seedlings and would greatly improve environmental risk assessment.     

Human health effects of residual carbon nanotubes and traditional water treatment chemicals in drinking water

The volume of industrial and domestic wastewater is increasing significantly year by year with the change in the lifestyle based on mass consumption and mass disposal brought about by the dramatic development of economies and industries. Therefore, effective advanced wastewater treatment is required because wastewater contains a variety of constituents such as particles, organic materials, and emulsion depending on the resource. However, residual chemicals that remain during the treatment of wastewaters form a variety of known and unknown by-products through reactions between the chemicals and some pollutants. Chronic exposure to these by-products or residual chemicals through the ingestion of drinking water, inhalation and dermal contact during regular indoor activities (e.g., showering, bathing, cooking) may pose cancer and non-cancer risks to human health. For example, residual aluminium salts in treated water may cause Alzheimer's disease (AD). As for carbon nanotubes (CNTs), despite their potential impacts on human health and the environment having been receiving more and more attention in the recent past, existing information on the toxicity of CNTs in drinking water is limited with many open questions. Furthermore, though general topics on the human health impacts of traditional water treatment chemicals have been studied, no comparative analysis has been done. Therefore, a qualitative comparison of the human health effects of both residual CNTs and traditional water treatment chemicals is given in this paper. In addition, it is also important to cover and compare the human health effects of CNTs to those of traditional water treatment chemicals together in one review because they are both used for water treatment and purification.     

某油田加油站作业人员职业健康状况分析

从加油站作业人员接触的主要职业病危害因素入手,重点对加油站油气防护设施、个人防护用品、工作制度等进行职业卫生现场调查,同时,根据对作业人员职业性健康检查结果和作业场所空气中汽油及苯的浓度检测结果,分析加油站作业人员的健康状况和长期接触成品汽油对作业人员健康的影响。结果表明,加油站人员作业过程中接触的汽油及苯系物对员工健康可能构成危害,但若加强职业健康监护及个体防护,就能有效预防汽油及苯系物所带来的职业危害。     

环境暴露风险评价在大黄堡湿地自然保护区中的应用

我国目前在区域环境质量评价方面存在一定缺陷,常规评价指标无法表征特征污染物对区域生态环境及人体健康造成的暴露风险。以环境暴露风险理论为基础,对大黄堡湿地自然保护区内的大气、水及土壤构建复合环境要素综合评价模型,评价结果显示保护区的综合判别值为12.68×10-5 a-1,高于国际辐射防护委员会(ICRP)推荐的最大可接受值1.0×10-5 a-1,且地域差异比较明显,其中保护区北部农药厂周边地区潜在健康风险最高、东八里庄附近次之、而后蒲棒村周边相对较小。最终根据评估区域内环境暴露风险评价结果提出具有针对性的防范和治理措施,为保护区环境暴露风险的预警和管理提供决策依据。