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PubMed1992

Variability in organochlorine analysis in fish: an interlaboratory study and its implications for environmental monitoring and regulatory standards.

Samples of muscle, from four types of fish, that had been spiked at 0.25 and 1.0 mg/kg with hexachlorobenzene (HCB), gamma BHC (lindane), technical chlordane, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDD were analyzed by eight laboratories. Some laboratories could not reliably detect organochlorine compounds even though they were registered as national testing laboratories. The analytical accuracies of laboratories that were able to reliably detect the spiked compounds were very variable and exceeded acceptable limits. Within-laboratory precision was generally acceptable. There was significant interlaboratory variability among the estimates of percent lipid for each fish type. This variability negated the use of percent lipid for standardization of organochlorine concentrations for comparison between studies. The results highlight the need for standard analytical protocols that are regularly tested by interlaboratory studies. They also indicate that interchangeability of data between studies is limited due to low analytical accuracy. Therefore, comparison of analytical data to absolute environmental and regulatory standards is difficult. The use of "latitudinal confidence ranges" when setting regulatory standards is recommended.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Comet assay application in environmental monitoring: DNA damage in human leukocytes and plant cells in comparison with bacterial and yeast tests.

Urban airborne particulate is a complex mixture of air pollutants, many of which have not been identified. However, short-term mutagenesis tests together with chemicophysical parameter analysis are able to better assess air quality and genotoxic load. The findings of continuous monitoring (January 1991-August 1998) of urban air genotoxicity of a Po Valley town (Italy) on Salmonella typhimurium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are reported. During this period, various measures (catalytic devices, unleaded fuels, annual vehicle overhaul, etc.) to improve air-dispersed pollutant control were enforced. However, a continuous presence of genotoxic compounds is shown and more qualitative than quantitative changes are evident. We also demonstrate the ability of the Comet assay to detect DNA-damaging agents in airborne particulate samples. We applied the test to human leukocytes and, with major improvements, to plant cells (Allium cepa roots and epigean tissues of Impatiens balsamina). The first findings on human leukocytes confirm the sensitivity of this assay, its peculiarity and its applicability in assessing genotoxicity in environmental samples. The capability of plants to show the response of multicellular organisms to environmental pollutants largely counterbalances a probable lowering in sensitivity. Moreover, application of the Comet test to epigean tissues could be useful in estimating the bioavailability of and genotoxic damage by air pollutants, including volatile compounds (ozone, benzene, nitrogen oxides, etc.) to higher plants.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1992

Some considerations regarding reference materials and their role in environmental monitoring. Plenary lecture.

After a brief introduction indicating the principal function of reference materials (RMs) in ensuring that the analytical measurement programme is performing reliably, the availability, different types and sources of information on RMs are described. Next, the correspondence of available RMs to present sample demands is discussed, particularly with regard to the adequacy of matrices and analytes, the availability of RMs for 'difficult' trace elements, and the preparation and certification of speciation RMs. The role of RMs in quality control is indicated, and their usage and certain problems which can thereby arise, including total dissolution, homogeneity and their representativeness in relation to samples, are discussed. The application of truly representative RMs in low-level trace element work, as a means of quality control of sampling and storage procedures, is mentioned. Strategies open to the analyst in the total absence of certified RMs are presented, and the importance of publication of independent results by alternative methods for such materials, as a means of establishing consensus values, is stressed. In the situation where results for a particular analyte obtained by different groups for the same (but not identical) biomedical or environmental system differ markedly, a progressive multi-stage exchange scheme is proposed, which is designed to reveal whether the differences arise from analytical factors, sampling effects or real system differences.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Environmental monitoring using acetylcholinesterase inhibition in vitro. A case study in two Mexican lagoons.

Cholinesterase inhibition is considered a specific biomarker of exposure and effect for organophosphorous pesticides. Its use for monitoring has been hindered, particularly in tropical countries where organophosphates are widely used for malaria and dengue control, because of the frequent lack of suitable controls. An in vitro technique is proposed as a biochemical method for monitoring pollutant mixtures in sediment toxicity tests. Brain homogenate from the fish Oreochromis niloticus is used as the enzyme source. Optimum incubation time, extraction solvent and effect of crude oil on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are reported. The method described was used in sediments from two Mexican lagoons, located in an oil extraction area where pesticides are used in agriculture and vector control campaigns. AChE inhibitions from 3 to 21% were found in these lagoons, even in the presence of high concentrations of petroleum.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed2004

Sonochemically fabricated enzyme microelectrode arrays for the environmental monitoring of pesticides.

This paper describes the development of a novel sonochemically fabricated microelectrode based acetylcholinesterase and polyaniline carbon/cobalt phthalocyanine biosensor for the ultra-sensitive determination of pesticides. Arrays of this type are fabricated using microelectrode templates with population densities of 2 x 10(5) cm(-2). The enzymatic response of the sensors is inhibited upon incubation with the pesticide and in this report it is shown that paraoxon may be determined down to concentrations of 1 x 10(-17) M. This sensitivity has thus far not been achieved and mechanisms accounting for the enhancement of the sensitivity reported here are discussed.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2003

Environmental monitoring of asbestos products manufacturing units--a case study.

Air borne asbestos dust concentration and occupational health environment of workers in a asbestos products manufacturing unit was monitored, and compared with the standards. Study reveals that overall airborne asbestos concentration in the unit is well within the limit, but the workers, which were exposed to air borne asbestos dust, showed a marked increase in deterioration of lung function as compared to the control population, which was not exposed to this dust. Further more, the population which was exposed to airborne asbestos dust along with other predisposing factors like cigarette smoking, showed a marked deterioration of lung function as compared to the population exposed only to air borne asbestos dust.

Asbestos↗
PubMed2004

A field evaluation of a piezo-optical dosimeter for environmental monitoring of nitrogen dioxide.

Measurements of 8-hour time-weighted average NO(2) concentrations are reported at 7 different locations in the region of Dunkirk over 5 consecutive days using PiezOptic monitoring badges previously calibrated for the range 0-70 ppb together with data from chemiluminescent analysers in 5 sites (4 fixed and one mobile). The latter facilities also provided data on ozone and NO concentrations and meteorological conditions. Daily averages from the two pairs of badges in different types of sampling cover in each site have been compared with data from the chemiluminescent analysers, and found largely to agree within error margins of +/-30%. Although NO(2) and ozone concentrations were low, rendering detailed discussion impossible, the general features followed expected patterns.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1996

Analytical toxicology: from environmental monitoring to residue analysis.

Analytical toxicology is more than analytical chemistry. Although it does imply much analytical work, it should not stop with a statement about the more or less accurate level of a certain chemical in some biological or ecological matrix. The toxicologist performing analytical toxicology has to make clear which conclusions can be drawn from his/her analysis, and maybe even more important, which conclusions cannot be drawn. Generally, the analytical toxicologist has to find the balance between a very reliable analysis (which is often quite laborious and expensive) and the time and money available for performing the analysis; often the two demands are contradictory. In future, particular attention has to be paid to the quality assurance of toxicological analyses, to a more international collaboration, and to the development of new analytical approaches.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Environmental monitoring technology.

As a consequence of the new geopolitical environment, missions of military forces have changed. Soldiers are now primarily involved in peacekeeping or humanitarian missions. Even the radiological threat has changed. Now there is greater concern about exposure to low-level radiation (LLR) as opposed to that from thermonuclear warfare. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) defines LLR as radiation deriving from all but nuclear weapon sources, regardless of the intensity of the radiation. LLR raises new questions about physical dosimetry requirements of military forces in managing radiological situations. After presenting a list of potential radiological threats, this paper discusses questions raised by LLR, defines problems in operational terms, and suggests possible solutions. Finally, the new French military dosimeter is presented as the first attempt to create a military dosimeter useful for both peacetime and wartime.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Microbial environmental monitoring in the dental surgery room].

The aim of our study is to analyse the contamination level of air, water and hard surfaces before and after works activities in a dental clinic. Four different methods are detected for the sampling of the hard surfaces: contact plates, nitrocellulose membranes, swab and mask system, bioluminometer. Our results are overall satisfactory, but few critical situations related to some practice, were observed. In comparing the four methods of sampling the hard surfaces, the use of bioluminometer although referring to indirect indices, appears to give results comparable to those obtained with the contact plates and nitrocellulose membranes, which determine the microbiologic count. Contact plates and nitrocellulose membranes appear to be of more friendly use and show same results.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed2001

Toxicity testing in environmental monitoring: the role of enzymatic biosensors.

Biological toxicity testing is a rapidly expanding field involving numerous bioanalytical techniques. The enzymatic biosensors are valuable screening tools to identify pollutants and/or toxic agents in the environment and/or in food matrices, thus representing a valid alternative to animal testing in analytical toxicology. Inhibition based biosensors here presented have been proved to represent alternative assays for the toxicity evaluation of warfare agents and endocrine disrupting chemicals as well as algal toxins (phycotoxins) in the contamined sea foods (mainly clams and other mollusks). Results obtained by inhibition studies performed by means of several enzymatic biosensors indicate the reliability of the proposed method and the possibility to extend such an experimental approach to other toxicants as a simple, rapid and cheap biotest, to be used easily also "on the spot".

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Development of an automated sample preparation module for environmental monitoring of biowarfare agents.

An automated sample preparation module, based upon sequential injection analysis (SIA), has been developed for use within an autonomous pathogen detection system. The SIA system interfaced aerosol sampling with multiplexed microsphere immunoassay-flow cytometric detection. Metering and sequestering of microspheres using SIA was found to be reproducible and reliable, over 24-h periods of autonomous operation. Four inbuilt immunoassay controls showed excellent immunoassay and system stability over five days of unattended continuous operation. Titration curves for two biological warfare agents, Bacillus anthracis and Yersinia pestis, obtained using the automated SIA procedure were shown to be similar to those generated using a manual microtiter plate procedure.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative study of airborne viable particles assessment methods in microbiological environmental monitoring.

A comparative study was done among available assessment methods to measure airborne viable particles in controlled rooms. Active methods were compared (sieve/nozzle impactor, slit-to-agar, centrifugal, filtration, and impinger). The comparative study was carried out by means of a two-way (factors: day and method) analysis of variance, after to logarithmical transformation of experimental results in order to fulfill the normality test of the variables. Statistically significant differences were found among the results of the five methods (P < 0.0001). In a post hoc study, by means of Tukey's test, no differences were found among centrifugal, filtration, and impinger methods. Differences were found among all the other methods (P < 0.05). It is concluded that centrifugal, filtration, and impinger methods (in which numerical results were higher than in the others) may be the most suitable methods for microbiological monitoring of a clean room. The mean results among the three selected active methods were compared with results on the settle plate (SP) (the passive method). A relationship was established between results of the passive method (CFU/h/plate 90 mmø) and the results of active methods (CFU/m3 air). By means of a lineal regression study, it was obtained a relation factor of 22.7; (95% CI: 19.7, 25.7). This factor is only valid for values between 3 and 16 in CFU/h/plate 90 mmø, and it is put on record that the experimental study took place in a room that fulfills Class D clean room specifications (WHO standards) in microbiological terms.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational respiratory allergopathies: environmental monitoring, air allergens, prevention].

The prevalence of allergic diseases has increased over recent years. Several epidemiological studies have been undertaken to determine the prevalence and the incidence of asthma and/or rhinitis caused by occupational allergens, and to investigate the factors that may affect their occurrence. In the last decade, with the development of methods to measure airborne allergens concentrations. Studies have been undertaken to examine the relationship between the levels of airborne allergens and the development of symptoms. In this paper we have reviewed the main studies published on the topic, and focused our attention on three aeroallergens (wheat flour proteins, latex and laboratory animal allergens), that have been thoroughly investigated in literature, from both clinical, epidemiological and laboratory aspects, which highlighted the major responsible allergens and tried to set up the dose-response relationship for symptoms and for sensitization. These studies cannot be directly compared to each other because of differences in the methods; however they seem to suggest that low levels of airborne allergens may be sufficient to sensitize individuals. In contrast, the evidence for a dose-response relationship between exposure and symptoms is indirect and not always clear. Further epidemiological studies are necessary. In occupational medicine the presence of asthma or of another allergic disease in a severe form is suggested as a criterion for excluding workers from their job. Workers that do not manifest allergic symptoms but are atopic should be informed about the risk of developing occupational respiratory diseases, and periodic check-ups are strongly recommended. Medical controls must not be disconnected from environmental controls. Standardized methods of measurement of airborne allergens for environmental control need to be set in order to allow comparison between studies and to adopt primary prevention measures.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2004

Barramundi as an indicator species for environmental monitoring in North Queensland, Australia: laboratory versus field studies.

The dose-response relationship for hepatic 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) induction in barramundi (Lates calcarifer) was examined under controlled laboratory conditions for 15 d using farm-reared barramundi. These results were compared with EROD activity measured in barramundi collected from two rivers catchments (impacted and nonimpacted) in northern Queensland, Australia. Barramundi were dosed by intraperitoneal injection with a known cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) inducer, beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF), at 5, 10, and 50 mg kg(-1) using two controls: A vehicle control (corn-oil injected) and an experimental control (no injection). The EROD induction occurred within 4 h in the 5, 10, and 50 mg beta-NF kg(-1) exposures, reaching mean maximum activities of 88.6 (+/-51.9), 85.5 (+/-91.7), and 149.1 (+/-106.4) pmol min(-1) mg protein(-1), respectively. Mean EROD activities remained low in the corn-oil controls (2.1+/-1.8 pmol min(-1) mg protein(-1)) and experimental controls (5.3+/-4.4 pmol min(-1) mg protein(-1)) throughout the study. Barramundi demonstrated a rapid response curve, which was dose dependent (50 > 10 > 5 mg beta-NF kg(-1)) and decreased progressively over time from induction. Measurement of total cytochrome P450 content (nmol mg protein(-1)) was not dose dependent. The EROD activities from field-collected barramundi from the Johnstone River (impacted) and Olive River (nonimpacted) suggest exposure to low-level contaminants in the Johnstone River fish only. With more controlled laboratory and field studies, barramundi have the potential to become a major indicator species in assessing exposure to environmental contaminants in coastal areas throughout northern Queensland, Australia.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Environmental monitoring and control strategy of urban mosquito Culicidae (Diptera: Culicidae) populations in Wrocław].

Among dipterans of medical and veterinary importance, the mosquitoes (Culicidae) play the most important role both as vectors and nuisance insects. Mass occurrence of floodwater mosquito species in the flooded area in Wrocław district (Lower Silesia, Poland) in 1997 has enhanced the already existed problem of mosquito control. A successful model of control strategy for the city based on the currently recommended integrated methodologies with special emphasis on preventive treatment of aquatic larvae with microbial insecticides has been conducted. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis-based formulations replaced chemicals to control Culex pipiens and Culiseta annulata--two dominant species out of eight noticed during field study in Wrocław area in the years 1998-2000. Use of Bti larvicide or other biocontrol agent, conserving biodiversity, requires collecting entomological data, mapping and treating all breeding sources as well as the designing appropriate strategies every year.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Developments in the darkroom: a cross-sectional study of sickness absence, work-related symptoms and environmental monitoring of darkroom technicians in a hospital in Glasgow.

Nine female technicians using both manual and automatic processing methods were matched by age, sex and smoking habits with controls from the occupational therapy department. All were interviewed using a questionnaire about symptoms experienced during the day in question and the preceding month. Sickness absence information for 1987 was obtained, and the working environment was assessed by standard occupational hygiene methods. The technicians and controls had similar numbers of episodes of sickness absence (23 versus 24, respectively) but aggregated substantially more days absence attributed to sickness (204 versus 41). The total number of 'monthly' symptoms experienced by the technicians was greater than the controls (44 versus 30) as was the number of 'daily' complaints (26 versus 6). In all cases, respiratory symptoms were responsible for about one-third of problems, but statistical analysis (Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks tests) showed that the differences were not statistically significant. Occupational hygiene results were all within normal limits.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed2005

Environmental monitoring of heavy metals in Bulgarian Black Sea green algae.

Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb and Cd concentration distribution in six green macroalgae species from the Bulgarian Black Sea coast were determined. The measurement of these metals was carried out during six seasons from 1996 to 2002 using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Samples were collected from eight different sites-Shabla, Kaliakra, Tuzlata, Ravda, Ahtopol and Sinemoretz. The obtained heavy metal (HM) data (mean values microg/g) for all algae are: 650 +/- 100 for Fe, 184 +/- 15 for Mn, 5.6 +/- 0.5 for Cu, 3.3 +/- 0.3 for Pb and 1.1 +/- 0.2 for Cd. The obtained HM contents indicate that different species demonstrate various degree of metal accumulation and the obtained higher values in the northern sector of the studied zone can be attributed to the discharge influence of the big rivers, entering the Black Sea-Danube, Dnyepr, Dnester and local pollutant emissions. All data show that there is no serious contamination in green macroalgae with heavy and toxic metals along the whole Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

Chlorophyta↗