Improvement of Vicia-micronucleus test for assessment of soil quality: a proposal for international standardization

The Viciafaba root tip micronucleus test is one of the most employed plant genotoxicity assays, and has been used on various types of contaminated materials. This test has been standardized by AFNOR, the French member organization of ISO. However, this test is usually performed with a water extraction step but soil genotoxicity assessment would be more relevant when performed directly in the soil itself. In order to harmonize these protocols, an ISO standard for the V.faba micronucleus test in both liquid phase (exposure of plants to different liquid matrix, including soil water extracts) and solid phase (direct exposure of plants to the soil) would be very useful. In this context, we compared two exposure durations in the solid phase (48 h and 5 d) for the V.faba micronucleus test with two different well-known genotoxicants, maleic hydrazide and copper sulfate. We concluded that these two durations induced equivalent sensitivity: the micronucleus frequency was significantly increased with 5 μmol maleic hydrazide per kg dry soil and with 2 mmol copper sulfate per kg dry soil with both exposure durations. However, exposing roots to soil during 48 h is more practical. Moreover, organically and conventionally cultured seeds were employed to determine whether the seed provenance influenced the test sensitivity. Organic seeds were less sensitive to copper, possibly because copper-based treatments are permitted, and often applied, in organic farms. Therefore, in the absence of completely non-treated seeds, organically-cultured seeds did not appear to offer any advantages over conventional seeds.     

Transcriptional response of stress genes to metal exposure in zebra mussel larvae and adults

Development of stress markers for the invader freshwater zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is of great interest for both conservation and biomonitoring purposes. Gene expression profiles of several putative or already established gene expression stress markers (Metallothionein, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Glutathione S transferase, Glutathione peroxidase, Cytochrome c oxidase, the multixenobiotic resistance P-gp1, and heat shock proteins HSP70 and HSP90) were analyzed by quantitative Real-Time PCR in adults and pediveliger larvae after exposure to metals (Hg, Cu, Cd). A defined pattern of coordinated responses to metal exposure and, presumably, to oxidative stress was observed in gills and digestive gland from adults. A similar, albeit partial response was observed in larvae, indicating an early development of stress-related gene responses in zebra mussel. The tools developed in this study may be useful both for future control strategies and for the use of zebra mussel as sentinel species in water courses with stable populations.     

Health implication among occupational exposed workers in a chromium alloy factory, Thailand

IntroductionNationalStatisticalOffice ,Thailand (NSO ,2 0 0 0 )reportedthattheneedformetalmanufacturingindustriesandassociatedproductionsectorhasincreasedatanextremelyrapidrate ,especiallyinthecentralpartofThailand .Itisestimatedthattherearemorethan 10 0 …     

Benzene and lead exposure assessment among occupational bus drivers in Bangkok traffic

IntroductionAirpollutionproblemsasaresultoffastgrowthinthetotalnumberofvehiclesinurbancitiesareontheincrease .PreliminaryepidemiologicalexposureassessmentsuggestthatthedetrimentaleffectofairpollutiongeneratedbyvehiculartrafficindevelopingcitieslikeBangkok…     

不同冷却方式下高温后圆钢管再生混凝土界面黏结性能对比分析

为研究自然冷却(自冷)和喷水冷却(水冷)两种方式对高温后圆钢管再生混凝土界面黏结性能的影响差异,以冷却方式、历经最高温度(T)和再生粗骨料取代率(r)为变化参数,设计并完成了21个试件的静力推出试验,观察了试件的破坏过程及形态,获得了荷载-滑移曲线,对比分析了不同冷却方式对高温后圆钢管再生混凝土短柱物理特征、界面破坏过程及黏结性能指标的影响。结果表明：与自冷试件相比,水冷试件的质量烧失率明显减小、初始滑移发生更晚,且在荷载-滑移曲线下降段中,水冷试件表现得更平缓。在自冷方式下,随着历经最高温度的增大,试件的界面黏结强度先减小后增大,但在水冷方式下,界面黏结强度先增大后减小;与自冷试件相比,T超过400℃后水冷试件的界面黏结刚度开始退化,在600℃时界面黏结刚度退化较大;无论是自冷还是水冷,随着历经最高温度的增大,界面黏结耗能系数不断减小。     

广州人群尿液有机磷阻燃剂的暴露与健康风险

针对广州480名普通群众,利用尿液作为检测基质,研究人体内有机磷酸酯阻燃剂(OPFRs)代谢物的浓度水平,暴露的潜在来源,阐明其健康风险,并与其他包括邻苯二甲酸酯在内的多种有机污染物的健康风险对比筛选出高风险污染物.结果表明,广州居民体内普遍检出OPFRs代谢物,其平均浓度为6.59ng/mL,尤其是二-β,β-氯乙基...     

镉对孕鼠胎盘激素合成功能的毒性效应

为探究孕期低剂量镉暴露对胎盘激素合成功能的毒性效应,选择雌三醇和孕酮激素作为研究对象,基于研究的孕期低剂量镉暴露小鼠模型,通过生物化学方法检测镉暴露小鼠的血液和胎盘中的雌三醇和孕酮激素含量及其合成底物浓度,并通过实时定量PCR法对胎盘中相关激素合成基因的表达水平进行检测.结果表明,孕期低剂量镉暴露可导致小鼠血清和胎盘中...     

基于DFR的2024-T3铝合金当量加速关系试验研究

目的 提出以反映结构材料疲劳性能的DFR为表征参量,研究建立2024-T3铝合金结构在大气自然环境预腐蚀与实验室加速试验预腐蚀后的DFR关系,为腐蚀环境下飞机铝合金结构的疲劳寿命设计提供方法。方法 以2024-T3铝合金试验件为研究对象,分别开展典型海洋大气环境自然暴露腐蚀后的DFR试验以及实验室加速腐蚀试验后的DFR试验,以DFR相等为条件,建立上述2种不同预腐蚀条件之间的DFR当量加速关系。结果 2024-T3铝合金在自然暴露预腐蚀环境与实验室加速预腐蚀后的DFR值随腐蚀时间的增加均有不同程度的下降,万宁和青岛的DFR当量加速值分别为0.642 1、0.701 2 a/d。结论 基于DFR的当量加速关系综合反映了预腐蚀对结构材料疲劳性能退化的影响,而DFR是飞机结构疲劳设计的基本参量,文中建立的当量加速关系可用于指导腐蚀环境下铝合金的疲劳寿命设计分析。     

Exposure to impulse noise at an explosives company: a case study

Impulse noise encountered in workplaces is a threat to hearing. The aim of this study was to assess the occupational exposure to impulse noise produced by detonation of dynamite on the premises of an explosives company. Test points were located on the blast test area (inside and outside the bunker) and in work buildings across the site. Noise propagation measurement was performed during 130 blast tests at nine measurement points. At every point, at least 10 separate measurements of A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level (L_Aeq), maximum A-weighted sound pressure level (L_Amax) and C-weighted peak sound pressure level (L_Cpeak) were made. Noise recorded in the blast test area exceeded occupational exposure limits (OELs). Noise levels measured in buildings did not exceed OELs. Results of the survey showed that for 62% of respondents, impulse noise causes difficulties in performing work. The most commonly reported symptoms include headaches, nervousness and irritability.     

Impact of proposed changes in IESTI equations for short-term dietary exposure to pesticides from Australian and Codex perspective

ABSTRACT

In 2015 a scientific workshop was held in Geneva, where updating the four equations for estimating the short-term dietary exposure (International Estimated Short Term Intake, IESTI) to pesticides was suggested. The impact of these proposed changes on the exposure was studied by using residue data and large portion consumption data from Codex and Australia. For the Codex data, the exposure increased by a median factor of 2.5 per commodity when changing to the proposed IESTI equations. The increase in exposure was highest for bulked and blended food commodities (case 3 equations), followed by medium-sized food commodities (case 2a equations) and small- and large-sized food commodities (case 1 and case 2b equations). For the Australian data, out of 184 maximum residue limit (MRL) large portion combinations showing acute exposures below the acute reference dose (ARfD) with the current IESTI equations, 23 exceeded the ARfD with the proposed IESTI equations (12%). The percentage exceeding the ARfD was higher for the Australian MRL large portion combinations (12% of 184) than for those of Codex (1.3% of 8,366). However, the percentage MRL loss in the Australian dataset may not be representative of all pesticide MRLs since it concerns six pesticides only, specifically selected to elucidate the potential effects of the use of the proposed IESTI equations. For the Codex data, the increase in exposure using the proposed equations resulted in a small increased loss of 2.6% of the 1,110 MRLs estimated by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR): 1.4% of the MRLs were already not acceptable with the current equations, 4.0% of the MRLs were not acceptable with the newly proposed equations. Our study revealed that case 3 commodities may be impacted more by the proposed changes than other commodities. This substantiates one of the conclusions of the Geneva workshop to gather information on bulking and blending practices in order to refine MRL setting and dietary risk assessment for case 3 commodities where possible.