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Enhancing bioremediation of diesel oil and gasoline in soil amended with an agroindustry sludge.

This paper presents a study of the bioremediation of diesel oil and gasoline by a series of controlled laboratory tests. Sludge from an agroindustry was used to enhance bioremediation of both gasoline and diesel oil mixed with a soil mass to compare its efficiency with that of a mineral fertilizer. Effects of soil microbiology and soil mixtures were investigated by means of evolution of CO2, microorganism populations at 90 days, pH at 65 and 95 days, mineral nitrogen, and gas chromatographic analysis of the benzene, toluene, methyl tertiary butyl ether, C8, and C9+total aromatics at the end of the experiments. Treatments containing sludge showed better soil conditions after 170 days of treatment (inorganic nitrogen and microbiota activity) compared with gasoline and diesel oil without amendments. Samples had no detectable traces of the measured hydrocarbons at 170 days of treatment.

Agriculture↗

In vitro relative toxicity screening of combined particulate and semivolatile organic fractions of gasoline and diesel engine emissions.

Engine technology modifications designed to reduce engine emissions are likely to alter the physicochemical characteristics of the emissions. These changes may alter the biological effects of the emissions, but these effects cannot currently be predicted from the physical and chemical properties. Rapid in vitro toxicity screening techniques to compare the biological effects of emission samples would be useful as preliminary guides to assess the relative health impact of modified technology. Here, we demonstrate that selected responses of cultured human lung epithelial cells and rat alveolar macrophages can discriminate among combined particulate matter (PM) and semivolatile organic compound (SVOO fractions of emissions collected from normal- and high-emitter, in-use gasoline and diesel vehicles. Macrophages were more susceptible to cytotoxicity than epithelial cells. Samples from gasoline vehicles (except a vehicle that produced visible white smoke) generally caused greater effects than the diesel engine samples. However, low concentrations of diesel emission samples were more potent stimulators of peroxide production than gasoline emission samples. The same rank order of potency applied to suppression of this response at high concentrations. A diesel PM fraction was much less toxic to both types of cells than the combined PM +SVOC fractions, consistent with a role for the SVOC fraction in cytotoxicity. However, the rank order of potency from the in vitro assays in general did not correspond with the previous rankings from in vivo comparisons of the same samples. Thus, while the in vitro assays may provide mechanistic information, revealing cell type-specific responses, they did not accurately reflect in vivo comparative toxicity in their current form.

Air Pollutants↗

Gasoline vapor exposures at a high volume service station.

Gasoline vapor concentrations were measured at a high volume service station for one week in May, 1983, for service station attendants, self-service customers and for various area locations. To facilitate the retention of highly volatile, low-molecular weight gasoline vapor components, 100/50 mg charcoal adsorption tubes were used with flow rates of 100 cc/min for long-term exposure samples and 900 cc/min for short-term exposures. Methylene chloride was selected as the desorption solvent. Desorbed hydrocarbons were analyzed and quantitated by capillary column gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector and a 0-100 degrees C temperature program. The data proved that the predominant ambient air hydrocarbons are those of C4 and C5 compounds. Monitoring results showed that the total gasoline vapor TWA exposures for service station attendants ranged from 0.6 to 4.8 ppm with a geometric mean of 1.5 ppm. Short-term personal samples collected while refueling ranged from not detectable to 38.8 ppm with a geometric mean of 5.8 ppm.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Exposure to diesel and gasoline engine emissions and the risk of lung cancer.

Pollution from motor vehicles constitutes a major environmental health problem. The present paper describes associations between diesel and gasoline engine emissions and lung cancer, as evidenced in a 1979-1985 population-based case-control study in Montreal, Canada. Cases were 857 male lung cancer patients. Controls were 533 population controls and 1,349 patients with other cancer types. Subjects were interviewed to obtain a detailed lifetime job history and relevant data on potential confounders. Industrial hygienists translated each job description into indices of exposure to several agents, including engine emissions. There was no evidence of excess risks of lung cancer with exposure to gasoline exhaust. For diesel engine emissions, results differed by control group. When cancer controls were considered, there was no excess risk. When population controls were studied, the odds ratios, after adjustments for potential confounders, were 1.2 (95% confidence interval: 0.8, 1.8) for any exposure and 1.6 (95% confidence interval: 0.9, 2.8) for substantial exposure. Confidence intervals between risk estimates derived from the two control groups overlapped considerably. These results provide some limited support for the hypothesis of an excess lung cancer risk due to diesel exhaust but no support for an increase in risk due to gasoline exhaust.

Adult↗

Detection and identification of gasoline in tissues by capillary GC using pattern recognition techniques.

Blood, brain, lung, and gastric contents of a drowning victim recovered from an automobile in which there was a strong odor of gasoline were examined for the presence of gasoline. Heated headspace, capillary column gas chromatography (GC) was employed for the analysis of the samples with simple pattern recognition being used to complete the determination. A mathematical discussion of the probability of artifact components or other organic compounds in the samples causing results which could falsely appear to be gasoline is discussed.

Adult↗

Neuropsychological symptoms among tanker drivers exposed to gasoline.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of neuropsychological symptoms over periods of one week and one month among tanker drivers as related to exposure to gasoline (methyl-tert-buthyl ether 10%). Milk delivery drivers acted as controls. In addition to exposure to gasoline, age, chronic diseases, perceived health, working time, work history in the occupation of driver and alcohol consumption were scrutinized for their associations with the symptoms. The target group for the study consisted of 101 road tanker drivers from three Finnish oil companies all around Finland. The control group was 100 milk delivery drivers from two milk companies from the same localities in Finland as the tanker drivers. Standardized symptom interviews were conducted for all drivers. The differences in the occurrences of neuropsychological symptoms between tanker drivers and controls were not statistically significant. The age of the drivers, chronic diseases and perceived health were connected to the occurrence of symptoms among drivers. The results of this study do not exclude the possibility that vulnerable groups exhibit an increased sensitivity to gasoline.

Adult↗

Gasoline exposure in motor vehicle accident fatalities.

Three cases are described in which deaths after motor vehicle accidents occurred as a result of positional asphyxia associated with exposure to gasoline. The deceased individuals were aged 16, 34, and 35 years, respectively (M:F = 1:2) and had all been in the back seat of motor vehicles involved in rollover accidents that had resulted in spilling of gasoline with contamination of the cabins. Major components of gasoline were detected in blood and tissues by headspace gas chromatography. Postmortem toxicologic investigations of such cases, which include analyses for volatile hydrocarbons, may therefore produce additional significant information.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Gasoline immersion injury.

Chemical burns and pulmonary complications are the most common problems encountered in the patient immersed in gasoline. Our patient demonstrated a 46-percent total-body-surface area, partial-thickness chemical burn. Although he did not develop bronchitis or pneumonitis, he did display persistent atelectasis, laryngeal edema, and subsequent upper airway obstruction. This had not previously been reported in gasoline inhalation injuries. Hydrocarbon hepatitis secondary to the vascular endothelial damage is apparently a reversible lesion with no reported long-term sequelae. Gasoline immersion injuries may be a series multisystem injury and require the burn surgeon to take a multisystem approach to its diagnosis and treatment.

Adult↗

Fate of MTBE and DCPD compounds relative to BTEX in gasoline-contaminated aquifers.

The aim of this communication is to provide preliminary results on MTBE monitoring, and at the same time to propose some new tracers of gasoline pollution in groundwater. An overview is presented on benzene-toluene-ethylbenzene-xylene (BTEX), methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), and dicyclopentadienes (DCPD) contents in gasoline formulations. Their specific fate in gasoline-contaminated aquifers are consistent with their physical-chemical properties.

Benzene↗

An analysis of the health benefits associated with the use of MTBE reformulated gasoline and oxygenated fuels in reducing atmospheric concentrations of selected volatile organic compounds.

To assess the health benefits gained from the use of cleaner burning gasoline, an analysis was conducted of changes in the atmospheric concentration of eight VOCs: acetaldehyde, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, ethylbenzene, formaldehyde, POM, toluene, and xylenes resulting from the use of reformulated gasoline and oxyfuel containing the additive MTBE. Modeled ambient air concentrations of VOCs were used to assess three seasonally-based scenarios: baseline gasoline compared to (a) summer MTBE:RFG, (b) winter MTBE:RFG, and (c) MTBE oxyfuel. The model predicts that the addition of MTBE to RFG or oxyfuel will decrease acetaldehyde, benzene, 1,3-butadiene and POM, but increase formaldehyde tailpipe emissions. The increased formaldehyde emissions, however, will be offset by the reduction of formaldehyde formation in the atmosphere from other VOCs. Using a range of plausible risk estimates, the analysis predicts a positive health benefit, i.e., a decline in cancer incidence associated with use of MTBE:RFG and MTBE oxyfuel. Using EPA cancer risk estimates, reduction in 1,3-butadiene exposure accounts for the greatest health benefit while reduction of benzene exposure accounts for the greatest health benefits based on alternative risk estimates. An analysis of microenvironment monitoring data indicates that most exposures to VOCs are significantly below levels of concern based on established margin-of-safety standards. The analysis does suggest, however, that health effects associated with short-term exposures to acetaldehyde and benzene may warrant further investigation.

Acetaldehyde↗

The atmospheric aerosol-forming potential of whole gasoline vapor.

A series of sunlight-irradiated, smog-chamber experiments confirmed that the atmospheric organic aerosol formation potential of whole gasoline vapor cna be accounted for solely in terms of the aromatic fraction of the fuel. The total amount of secondary organic aerosol produced from the atmospheric oxidation of whole gasoline vapor can be represented as the sum of the contributions of the individual aromatic molecular constituents of the fuel. The urban atmospheric, anthropogenic hydrocarbon profile is approximated well by evaporated whole gasoline, and thus these results suggest that it is possible to model atmospheric secondary organic aerosol formation.

Aerosols↗

RNA-based stable isotope probing and isolation of anaerobic benzene-degrading bacteria from gasoline-contaminated groundwater.

Stable isotope probing (SIP) of benzene-degrading bacteria in gasoline-contaminated groundwater was coupled to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of DNA fragments amplified by reverse transcription-PCR from community 16S rRNA molecules. Supplementation of the groundwater with [(13)C(6)]benzene together with an electron acceptor (nitrate, sulfate, or oxygen) showed that a phylotype affiliated with the genus Azoarcus specifically appeared in the (13)C-RNA fraction only when nitrate was supplemented. This phylotype was also observed as the major band in DGGE analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene fragments amplified by PCR from the gasoline-contaminated groundwater. In order to isolate the Azoarcus strains, the groundwater sample was streaked on agar plates containing nonselective diluted CGY medium, and the DGGE analysis was used to screen colonies formed on the plates. This procedure identified five bacterial isolates (from 60 colonies) that corresponded to the SIP-identified Azoarcus phylotype, among which two strains (designated DN11 and AN9) degraded benzene under denitrifying conditions. Incubation of these strains with [(14)C]benzene showed that the labeled carbon was mostly incorporated into (14)CO(2) within 14 days. These results indicate that the Azoarcus population was involved in benzene degradation in the gasoline-contaminated groundwater under denitrifying conditions. We suggest that RNA-based SIP identification coupled to phylogenetic screening of nonselective isolates facilitates the isolation of enrichment/isolation-resistant microorganisms with a specific function.

Azoarcus↗

Leaded gasoline abuse: the role of tetraethyl lead.

Volatile substance abuse is practised worldwide however reports of the abuse of leaded gasoline have been limited to northern Canada, southwestern USA and the Australian Outback. Chronic, heavy abuse of leaded gasoline results in an encephalopathy, cerebellar and corticospinal symptoms and signs, dementia, mental status alterations, and persistent organic psychosis. Much of this is due to the hydrocarbons of gasoline while the tetraethyl lead contributes to the altered mental status and is responsible for the persistent psychosis. Lead chelation therapy is not rational and has not been shown to benefit these patients.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Acute myopathy associated with gasoline sniffing.

Acute myopathy and myoglobinuria with markedly elevated creatine kinase (CK) activity developed in an 18-year-old boy on two occasions after gasoline sniffing. No signs of CNS involvement were seen, and the symptoms receded in a few days. The amount of lead in blood and urine exceeded the reference value for subjects with occupational exposure. The component of gasoline that was responsible for the myopathy remains unknown. Acute myoglobinuria appears to be a rare complication of gasoline sniffing.

Acute Disease↗

Desulfurization of gasoline.

Although gasoline blending streams exhibit widely varying sulfur concentrations, significant quantities of low-sulfur motor gasoline cannot be manufactured by reallocation of existing components without substantial sacrifices in the useful properties of the remaining fuels having normal sulfur levels. To meet the anticipated demand for low-sulfur unleaded gasoline which may be required for catalyst-equipped automobiles it will be necessary to install process equipment based on known hydrotreating technology. The effects which this construction program would exert on the activities, abilities and needs of one petroleum refiner are sketched for two degrees of sulfur removal. The impacts of installing the process facilities which would be necessary are discussed in terms of time requirements, capital needs, and added energy expenditures.

Automobiles↗

Customer exposure to MTBE, TAME, C6 alkyl methyl ethers, and benzene during gasoline refueling.

We studied customer exposure during refueling by collecting air samples from customers' breathing zone. The measurements were carried out during 4 days in summer 1996 at two Finnish self-service gasoline stations with "stage I" vapor recovery systems. The 95-RON (research octane number) gasoline contained approximately 2.7% methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), approximately 8.5% tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), approximately 3.2% C6 alkyl methyl ethers (C6 AMEs), and 0.75% benzene. The individual exposure concentrations showed a wide log-normal distribution, with low exposures being the most frequent. In over 90% of the samples, the concentration of MTBE was higher (range <0.02-51 mg/m3) than that of TAME. The MTBE values were well below the short-term (15 min) threshold limits set for occupational exposure (250-360 mg/m3). At station A, the geometric mean concentrations in individual samples were 3.9 mg/m3 MTBE and 2. 2 mg/m3 TAME. The corresponding values at station B were 2.4 and 1.7 mg/m3, respectively. The average refueling (sampling) time was 63 sec at station A and 74 sec at station B. No statistically significant difference was observed in customer exposures between the two service stations. The overall geometric means (n = 167) for an adjusted 1-min refueling time were 3.3 mg/m3 MTBE and 1.9 mg/m3 TAME. Each day an integrated breathing zone sample was also collected, corresponding to an arithmetic mean of 20-21 refuelings. The overall arithmetic mean concentrations in the integrated samples (n = 8) were 0.90 mg/m3 for benzene and 0.56 mg/m3 for C6 AMEs calculated as a group. Mean MTBE concentrations in ambient air (a stationary point in the middle of the pump island) were 0.16 mg/m3 for station A and 0.07 mg/m3 for station B. The mean ambient concentrations of TAME, C6 AMEs, and benzene were 0.031 mg/m3, approximately 0.005 mg/m3, and approximately 0.01 mg/m3, respectively, at both stations. The mean wind speed was 1.4 m/sec and mean air temperature was 21 degreesC. Of the gasoline refueled during the study, 75% was 95 grade and 25% was 98/99 grade, with an oxygenate (MTBE) content of 12.2%.

Air Pollutants↗

Exposure to MTBE, TAME and aromatic hydrocarbons during gasoline pump maintenance, repair and inspection.

The exposure of gasoline pump repairers and inspectors to gasoline was studied at service stations and repair shops in Finland in April-June 2004. The average air temperature ranged from 7 degrees C to 16 degrees C and wind speed from 2.5 to 7 m/s. The gasoline blends contained mixtures of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME), the total content of oxygenates being 11-12%. The content of benzene was <1%. Breathing zone air was collected during the work task using passive monitors. The mean sampling period was 4.5 h. The mean TWA-8 h concentrations for MTBE, TAME, hexane, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene were 4.5, 1.3, 0.55, 0.23, 2.2, 0.26 and 1.1 mg/m3, respectively. None of the individual benzene concentrations exceeded the binding limit value for benzene (3.25 mg/m3). The sum concentration of MTBE and TAME in urine was between 8.9 and 530 nmol/l in individual post-shift samples. The individual sum concentrations of the metabolites tert-butyl alcohol and tert-amyl alcohol collected the following morning after the exposure ranged from 81 to 916 nmol/l. All individual results were below corresponding biological action levels. Exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons was estimated from post-shift urine samples, with benzene showing the highest concentration (range 4.4 and 35 nmol/l in non-smokers). The exposure levels were similar to those measured in previous studies during unloading of tanker lorries and railway wagons. The results indicated a slightly higher exposure for inspectors, who calibrated fuel pump gauges at the service stations, than for pump repairers. No significant skin exposure occurred during the study.

Adult↗

The legacy of leaded gasoline in bottom sediment of small rural reservoirs.

The historical and ongoing lead (Pb) contamination caused by the 20th-century use of leaded gasoline was investigated by an analysis of bottom sediment in eight small rural reservoirs in eastern Kansas, USA. For the reservoirs that were completed before or during the period of maximum Pb emissions from vehicles (i.e., the 1940s through the early 1980s) and that had a major highway in the basin, increased Pb concentrations reflected the pattern of historical leaded gasoline use. For at least some of these reservoirs, residual Pb is still being delivered from the basins. There was no evidence of increased Pb deposition for the reservoirs completed after the period of peak Pb emissions and (or) located in relatively remote areas with little or no highway traffic. Results indicated that several factors affected the magnitude and variability of Pb concentrations in reservoir sediment including traffic volume, reservoir age, and basin size. The increased Pb concentrations at four reservoirs exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency threshold-effects level (30.2 mg kg(-1)) and frequently exceeded a consensus-based threshold-effects concentration (35.8 mg kg(-1)) for possible adverse biological effects. For two reservoirs it was estimated that it will take at least 20 to 70 yr for Pb in the newly deposited sediment to return to baseline (pre-1920s) concentrations (30 mg kg(-1)) following the phase out of leaded gasoline. The buried sediment with elevated Pb concentrations may pose a future environmental concern if the reservoirs are dredged, the dams are removed, or the dams fail.

Environmental Monitoring↗