Collection and ion chromatographic determination of ammonia and methylamines in air

A method is described for the collection of ammonia (NH3), monomethylamine (MMA), dimethylamine (DMA), and trimethylamine (TMA) from air and their subsequent determination by ion chromatography. Samples are collected with 800-mg silica gel sampling tubes at a flow rate of 1 L/min for 10 minutes or at 100 mL/min for up to 7.5 hours. Samples collected with sulfuric acid-treated tubes can be stored at room temperature for at least 21 days with no loss in recovery. Untreated samples can be stored in a refrigerator up to 32 days. The method has been validated from 2 to 50 ppm v/v when a 10 L air sample is taken. No loss in recovery was observed when sampling up to 23 L of air at 100% relative humidity. The recovery and total precision (95% confidence level) for NH3, MMA, DMA, and TMA were 91 +/- 12.5%, 93 +/- 10.3%, 92 +/- 9.6% and 84 +/- 17.6%, respectively.     

Development of a sampling and analytical method for 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane in workplace air

The use of 2,2-dichloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane (compound number: HCFC-123) is growing in industry as a substitute for ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Recently, liver-related illnesses have been reported from industries handling HCFC-123. However, information on worker exposure to the material is limited, and an acceptable sampling/analytical method is not available. The aim of this study was to develop a widely applicable sampling and analytical method to determine worker exposures to airborne HCFC-123 and to evaluate the performance of the method. A solid sorbent tube, containing two sections (400 mg in the front and 200 mg in the back) of activated coconut-shell charcoal was chosen for sampling airborne HCFC-123 vapor. The breakthrough volumes were 13.6 L at 3597 +/- 210.1 ppm (with a sampling airflow rate of 0.046 L/min) and 17.0 L at 1841 +/- 4.5 ppm (with sampling airflow rate of 0.046-0.050 L/min). Samples of HCFC-123 in the charcoal tube were stable for 7 days either at room temperature or in a refrigerator and a migration occurred within 14 days at room temperature. It is recommended that the HCFC-123 sample in activated charcoal tubes be stored either at room temperature or in a refrigerator and be analyzed within 7 days. The HCFC-123 in the charcoal tubes was desorbed into dichloromethane and analyzed using gas chromatography/ flame ionization detection. The limit of detection was 0.23 mg/sample, and the average desorption efficiency was 99.0%. The total coefficient of variation was 0.060, and the method accuracy was 16.6%. In conclusion, the performance of the sampling and analytical method developed for the determination of airborne HCFC-123 concentrations was acceptable to the NIOSH sampling and analytical criteria.     

Extraction of bioactive amines from grated Parmesan cheese using acid,alkaline and organic solvents

Ion-pair-HPLC, post-column derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde and fluorimetric detection is the method of choice for the separation and quantification of bioactive amines in foods. However, there is still no consensus on which methodology is the most appropriate for the extraction of the amines from different food matrices. The efficiency of chloridric, trichloroacetic, perchloric, sulfosalicylic and acetic acids, borate buffer, methanol and ethanol in the extraction of ten bioactive amines from grated Parmesan cheese was investigated. Extraction efficiency was affected by the levels of amines present in the sample and by the type, concentration and temperature of the extractor, and the method used. When selective extraction of amines from grated cheese was desired, the polyamines—spermine and spermidine—were better recovered by HCl; agmatine was better extracted by borate buffer or HCl; the aliphatic amines—putrescine and cadaverine—were more efficiently extracted by borate buffer and HCl; whereas the aromatic amines—tyramine and phenylethylamine—and the indolamines—tryptamine and serotonin—were better recovered with organic solvents. For the adequate extraction of most of the amines from the grated cheese matrix, 1.0 m HCl was chosen, providing good recoveries for most of the amines. Furthermore it is a relatively simple, inexpensive and rapid procedure.     

食品中多种生物胺同时测定方法研究进展

生物胺是低分子量有机碱,存在于蛋白质丰富的食品尤其是发酵食品中。人体摄入过量的生物胺会引起过敏反应,严重的还会危及生命。另外,食品中生物胺含量与食品质量具有一定的相关性。本文对近年来食品生物胺的检测方法进行了综述。重点介绍了高效液相色谱、毛细管电泳、生物传感器和薄层色谱等方法的特点及其在食品生物胺测定中的应用。     

Toxicity of model aliphatic amines and their chlorinated forms

Aliphatic amines can be found in many wastewater effluents from industry, agriculture, pharmacy, and food processing. Amines can induce toxicological responses that are relevant in biochemical treatment processes, as well as in natural waters. This research compared the toxicity and inhibition caused by three aliphatic amines (n-propylamine, ethylmethylamine, and trimethylamine) and their chlorinated derivatives. The chemistry of chlorine interactions with these compounds was characterized by using membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS). Acute toxicity assays were conducted by using a Microtox system with Phosphobacterium phosphoreum (also known as Vibrio fischeri) for the aliphatic amine compounds and their corresponding chlorinated derivatives, as identified by MIMS. Inhibition tests were conducted by using the oxygen utilization rate test with an enhanced nitrifier culture. The median effective concentration (EC50) values for chloropropylamine, chloroethylmethylamine, and chlorodimethylamine obtained by Microtox with a contact time of 15 min were 12.68, 19.72, and 15.92 microM, respectively. The EC50 values of these aliphatic chloramines from the Microtox test decreased by roughly one order of magnitude as a result of chlorination. Inhibition of nitrifiers also was observed in these amines. Trimethylamine and n-propylamine caused greater inhibition to nitrifiers than did ethylmethylamine under similar concentrations. Nitrifier inhibition from these amines increased after chlorination. The results of these tests indicated that aliphatic amines and their chlorinated derivatives could induce environmentally relevant toxicity responses in treatment settings and in receiving waters.     

Asbestos exposures to truck drivers during World Trade Center cleanup operations

This article presents results of asbestos air sampling conducted to assess the exposure to truck drivers working at the World Trade Center site. Sampling consisted of a combination of area and personal monitoring of 49 truck drivers and included optical and electron microscopic analyses. Three sampling periods were conducted: October 1-7, 2001, October 17-26, 2001, and April 13-23, 2002. Area sample locations were selected to estimate airborne concentrations around the perimeter of the site, on top of the pile, and in the pit. Air samples were collected using a 50-mm conductive cowl and a 25-mm mixed cellulose ester filter at flow rates ranging from 0.5-2 L/min. Samples were analyzed using a combination of phase contrast microscopy (PCM) NIOSH method 7400, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) NIOSH method 7402, and the direct method specified under the Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act. Sample times and flow rates were adjusted to prevent overloading while maximizing sample volume. Personal sampling results suggest that asbestos fiber exposures to truck drivers at the site were low. Exposures based on TEM results generally ranged from less than detectable to 0.1 structures per cubic centimeter (s/cm(3)). TEM-based results further indicate that the majority of asbestos fibers were chrysotile and less than 5 microm in length. PCM-based estimates were generally higher than the TEM results. This is likely due to the counting of nonasbestos fibers. This conclusion is supported by the NIOSH 7402 TEM results, which did not detect asbestos fibers longer than 5 micro m. Area sample results were generally less than the personal results (except for the sample collected on top of the rubble pile) and decreased over the course of the cleanup. Our results show low airborne asbestos concentrations and a predominance of short fibers. Given these low concentrations, evidence of short fibers, and the short duration of the exposure (less than 10 months to complete the cleanup), it is likely that truck drivers working at the site are not at an increased risk for asbestos-related disease.     

Inhibition of growth of freshwater microalgae by long-chained aliphatic amines employed in solvent extraction processes

The influence on algal growth by six long-chained aliphatic amines, used in industrial solvent extraction processes, was investigated by a conventional algal assay and, in addition, a simple assay where algae were grown in liquid medium in 250 l cultures on microtitration plates. Loss of solvent extractants from processes to ambient water represent a potential environmental problem. The primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary amines (with one exception) had EC50-values based on growth rate (ECr) or algal biomass (ECb) at 0.01–0.3 mg/L (20–800 nM). This makes long-chained aliphatic amines about a thousand times more toxic than short-chained amines—on a molar basis. The difference in toxicity was interpreted as being due to different modes of action between the two groups of amines. The diatomAsterionella formosa and the blue-green algaAnabaena flos-aquae were more sensitive to the amines than the green-algaeSelen-astrum capricornutum, Monoraphidium pusillum orChlorella emersonii. The maximum ECmax/ECmin ratio recorded was 19.5, for the primary amine.Anabaena flos-aquae was more sensitive by a factor 2–4 when grown under nitrogen fixation conditions than when supplied with combined nitrogen. Compared to other aquatic organisms, the algae show a particular sensitivity to amines. The microtitration test system was less sensitive than the flask test system. The low sensitivity of the microtitration test system is not an inherent property, but due to the use of an insensitive technique (visual inspection) for detection of algal biomass. The ECr50 and ECb50-values in the flask test system were both heavily time-dependent.     

Asthma in chemical workers exposed to aliphatic polyamines

Following the identification of an index case of occupationalasthma, we assessed the respiratory morbidity in 12 workersexposed to aliphatic polyamines in a chemical factory and in60 unexposed workers in three other workplaces. Many amine workersreported symptoms of chronic cough (7/12), chronic phlegm (9/12),wheezing (4/12) and exertional breathlessness (3/12). Thesewere significantly more frequent in exposed than in unexposedworkers (P<0.01). They also had significantly greater diurnalvariation in peak expiratory flow rates (DV-PEFR) than the unexposedworkers (P<0.01). All four amine workers with wheezing reportedonset of symptoms after employment at the factory, and all hadDV-PEFR greater than 15%, compared to only one control worker(P<0.01). A second case of occupational asthma was confirmedby bronchial challenge test. The study indicated a very highrisk of asthma and chronic airways disease and a need for stringentmeasures to protect the health of industrial workers exposedto aliphatic amines in Singapore.     

A sampling and analytical method for airborne m-phenylenediamine (MPDA) and 4,4'-methylenedianiline (MDA)

A method has been developed and validated for monitoring worker exposure to airborne m-phenylenediamine (MPDA) and 4,4'-methylenedianiline (MDA) in an epoxy resin manufacturing operation. Aerosol and vapor MPDA and MDA are collected on an acid-coated, glass-fiber filter to stabilize them as their amine salts. The amines are extracted from the filter with a mixture of acetonitrile in aqueous base and then treated with acetic anhydride to form the diacetamide derivatives. Studies were performed on the acetylation reaction to establish sample work-up conditions. The derivatives are analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The method was tested for precision and accuracy using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) criteria for a valid industrial hygiene method. The method may be used with confidence to measure from 0.90 to 755 micrograms of MPDA and/or 0.36 to 55 micrograms of MDA in a total air volume of 200 to 630 L, sampling at a rate of 1.5 to 2.0 L/min. Collected samples remain stable on filters for at least 1 week before analysis. The method will not suffer from interference from high relative humidity or other process volatiles, including diglycidyl ether of bisphenyl A and bis(2,3-epoxycyclopentyl) ether. Test atmospheres of the process materials were prepared in the laboratory for validation of the overall sampling and analytical method. This method can be applied to most aromatic amines and is recommended for monitoring both ambient and workplace air.     

Ambient levels of volatile organic compounds in the vicinity of petrochemical industrial area of Yokohama,Japan

Urban ambient air concentrations of 39 aromatic (including benzene, toluene, and xylenes) and aliphatic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured in Yokohama city, Japan. Yokohama city was selected as a case study to assess the amount of VOC released from Industrial area to characterize the ambient air quality with respect to VOC as well as to know the impact of petrochemical storage facilities on local air quality. For this purpose, ambient air samples were collected (from June 2007 to November 2008) at six selected locations which are designated as industrial, residential, or commercial areas. To find out the diurnal variations of VOC, hourly nighttime sampling was carried out for three nights at one of the industrial locations (Shiohama). Samples were analyzed using gas chromatographic system (GC-FID). Results show strong variation between day and nighttime concentrations and among the seasons. Aliphatic fractions were most abundant, suggesting petrochemical storage facilities as the major source of atmospheric hydrocarbons. High concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX) were observed at industrial locations. BTEX showed strong diurnal variation which is attributed to change in meteorology. During our campaign, low ambient VOC concentrations were observed at the residential site.     

Maternal body mass, proportional weight gain, and fetal growth in parous women

Summary. This study is designed to examine the impact of maternal body mass index (BMI), proportional weight gain, and other variables on fetal growth. From a 10% random sample of 5722 Norwegian and Swedish para one and two women (n = 561), three hundred and sixty-nine women for whom prepregnant weight and height were recorded and for whom four fetal ultrasound measurements were taken at 17,25,33, and 37 weeks of gestation, were divided into low, average, and high body mass index groups (weight/height²). Fetal growth rate (mm/day) was determined by taking the mean of three measurements of the sagital and transverse diameters of the fetal abdomen (MAD) in each of three study time periods: weeks 17 to 25, first period; weeks 25 to 33, second period; weeks 33 to 37, third period. Proportional weight gain (kilograms gained within a specific time period/prepregnant weight) was measured in those same intervals. Fetal growth rate was significantly slower in the first and second periods, and significantly faster in the third time period for women with a low BMI, compared with those of average BMI. Fetal growth also significantly increased with increases in proportional weight gain in the second and third periods, but not in the first. Fetal growth appears to be independently associated with maternal BMI and proportional maternal weight gain.     

Selected resin acids in effluent and receiving waters derived from a bleached and unbleached kraft pulp and paper mill

Water samples were collected on three dates at 24 sites influenced by effluent from Georgia-Pacific's Palatka Pulp and Paper Mill Operation, a bleached and unbleached kraft mill near Palatka, Florida, USA. The sampling sites were located within the mill retention ponds, Rice Creek, and the St. John's River. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for abietic, dehydroabietic, and isopimaric acids, all of which are potentially toxic by-products of pulp production. Isopimaric acid concentrations greater than 12 mg/L were measured at the mill's effluent outfall but were less than 20 microg/L at the end of Rice Creek. This result indicates that the waters of Rice Creek provide dilution or conditions conducive for degradation or sorption of these compounds. Large differences in resin acid concentrations were observed between sampling events. In two sampling events, the maximum observed concentrations were less than 2 mg/L for each analyte. In a third sampling event, all of the compounds were detected at concentrations greater than 10 mg/L. Data from the three sample dates showed that resin acid concentrations were below 20 microg/L before the confluence of Rice Creek and the St. John's River in all cases.     

Mineral oil metal working fluids (MWFs)-development of practical criteria for mist sampling

Not all mineral oil metalworking fluids (MWFs) in common use form stable airborne mists which can be sampled quantitatively onto a filter. This much has been known for some time but no simple method of identifying oils too volatile for customary filter sampling has been developed. Past work was reviewed and experiments were done to select simple criteria which would enable such oils to be identified. The sampling efficiency for a range of commercial mineral oil MWF were assessed by drawing clean air through spiked filters at 2 l. min(-1) for periods up to 6 h before analysis. The physical properties of MWF are governed by their composition and kinematic viscosity was found to be the most practical and easily available index of the potential for sample loss from the filter. Oils with viscosities greater that 18 cSt (at 40 degrees C) lost less than 5% of their weight, whereas those with viscosities less than 18 cSt gave losses up to 71%. The losses from the MWF were mostly aliphatic hydrocarbons (C(10)-C(18)), but additives such as alkyl benzenes, esters, phenols and terpene odorants were also lost. The main recommendation to arise from the work is that filter sampling can be performed on mineral oils with viscosities of 18 cSt (at 40 degrees C) or more with little evaporative losses from the filter. However, sampling oils with viscosities less than 18 cSt will produce results which may significantly underestimate the true value. Over a quarter of UK mineral oil MWFs are formulated from mineral oils with viscosities less than 18 cSt (at 40 degrees C). The problem of exposure under-estimation and inappropriate exposure sampling could be widespread. Further work is being done on measurement of mixed phase mineral oil mist exposure.     

应用人体测量法评估湖南省宜章县0～7岁农村儿童的营养状况

目的应用人体测量法评估宜章县0～7岁农村儿童营养状况。方法采用横断调查设计，随机抽样，获得2969名0～7岁儿童，以身长和体重作为衡量儿童营养状况的指标，采用Z值法以WHO参考人群为标准评估该儿童群体的营养状况。结果年龄别身高（HA）Z值的标准差波动在1．13～1．33，年龄别体重（WA）Z值的标准差波动范围较大在1．02～1．43，特别是1岁以内的儿童。与WHO参考分布相比，该儿童群体的HAZ值和WAZ值显著左移约1个单位，身高别体重（WH）Z值左移0．4个单位，生长迟缓、低体重和消瘦的患病率分别为20．1％、21．6％和6．8％。营养不良患病情况在出生后3个月龄内较低，6月龄后患病率迅速上升，在15月龄左右达到20％～30％，此后有所下降但维持在较高水平上。低体重与生长迟缓和消瘦问有显著的相关关系，Pearson相关系数分别为0．815和0．636（P〈0．01），发育迟缓与消瘦间没有发现显著的相关关系。结论该县农村儿童的整体营养状况受到不良影响，相对于WHO参考人群营养不良患病率较高，低的HA和WA可能是该地区农村儿童的主要问题。     

大气细菌粒子浓度的时间分布特征及最佳采样时间的研究

用ＭＦ－４５型和ＨＴＫ－２０１型空气微生物采样器分别在北京、天津和沈阳三地观测了不同季节和一天中大气细菌粒子的浓度及其变化。结果表明：京、津二地春季大气细菌粒子浓度高，分别为２０５３个／ｍ３和２５５６个／ｍ３；夏季低，分别为９９５个／ｍ３和１０６４个／ｍ３。沈阳秋季大气细菌粒子浓度高，为１０１０８个／ｍ３；冬季低，为１２９４个／ｍ３。一天中，大气细菌粒子浓度呈双峰型变化，６：００～７：００和１８：００时大气细菌粒子浓度高，１１：００～１３：００和１：００～２：００时大气细菌粒子浓度低。根据大气细菌粒子浓度的季节变化和一天中大气细菌粒子浓度的时间分布特征，经过京、津、沈三地一天中分别１２次、８次、６次和４次不同采样时间组合的大气细菌粒子浓度的数理统计分析，大气细菌粒子浓度的监测拟集中在一年冬、春、夏、秋四季的中间月份，即１月、４月、７月、１０月进行；一天中采样８次的时间序列可为７：００、１０：００、１３：００、１６：００、１９：００、２２：００、１：００、４：００一天采样４次的时间序列可为５：００、１１：００、１７：００、２３：００。白天采样４次的时间序列可为春、秋季６：００、９：００、１２：００、１５：００?     

The measurement of airborne glutaraldehyde by high-performance liquid chromatography

A published method for measuring personal exposure to glutaraldehyde has been evaluated. A change to the composition of the eluent used in the high-performance liquid chromatography analysis is suggested along with a more robust calibration procedure. Test atmospheres of glutaraldehyde were used to show that sampling efficiency is unaffected by humidity changes in the range 20–70% using sampling flow rates of up to 500 ml min⁻¹. Samples can be stored at room temperature for up to 4 weeks after collection. The method has a detection limit of about 3 ppb for a 21. sample equivalent to about 1/65th of the current occupational exposure limit for glutaraldehyde.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Ecotoxicological Characterization of Seawater,Sediment, and Mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis> from the Gulf of Rijeka,the Adriatic Sea,Croatia

The pattern of spatial distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater, sediment, and mussels, potential toxicity of different matrices, and mussel anoxic survival from six sampling sites of the Gulf of Rijeka, the Adriatic Sea, Croatia was examined. The total concentrations of 10 PAHs vary from below detection limit to 305 ng/L in seawater, from 213 to 695 μg/kg dry weight in sediment and from 49.2 to 134 ng/g wet weight in mussel tissue. Combustion is the principal source of PAH contamination in seawater and sediment samples. Sediment samples are distinguished from the majority of seawater and mussel samples by the presence of high molecular weight PAHs, whereas mussels from majority of sampling sites tend to accumulate PAHs of lower molecular weight. The PAH dynamic between different matrices is complex and site specific. Toxicity of seawater and sediment organic extract is correlated with PAH content, indicating that PAHs are the predominant toxic compounds. There is no correlation between toxicity of mussel biological fluids and toxicity of seawater and sediment, or between toxicity of mussel biological fluid and PAH content in mussel, seawater, or sediment. There is a positive correlation between potential toxicity of mussel biological fluids and reduction of anoxic survival time. Mussel anoxic survival is influenced by the presence of complex mixture of toxic contaminants, not only PAHs. The relationship between PAH contents in different marine matrices and their ability to affect mussels revealed specific interactions between an organism and complex mixture of toxic contaminants present in the marine environment.     

Validation of a solvent-free sampler for the determination of low molecular weight aliphatic isocyanates under thermal degradation conditions

During the thermal degradation of 1,6-hexamethylenediiso- cyanate-based (HDI) car paint, the eight most abundant isocyanates generated are isocyanic acid, methyl isocyanate, ethyl isocyanate, propyl isocyanate, butyl isocyanate, pentyl isocyanate, hexyl isocyanate, and 1,6-hexamethylenediisocyanate. For the first time, a method using solvent-free samplers is proposed and validated for the simultaneous sampling of all these isocyanates. The sampling efficiency during thermal degradation of car paint can be affected by the formation of dust and aerosols and by the emission of many chemicals, such as isocyanic acid, anhydrides, amines, and alcohols that consume the reagent or interfere in the derivatization procedure. Sampling was performed using cassettes containing two 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine (MOPIP)-coated glass fiber filters (MFs) (approximately 4.9 mg per filter) and compared with bubblers containing 15 mL of MOPIP solution in toluene (1.0 mg/mL(-1)) and with bubblers backed with MFs. A DIN 53436 laboratory scale furnace was used to generate the isocyanates under thermal degradation conditions. For an aliphatic isocyanate concentration of approximately 42 microg(NCO) m(-3), no significant difference in sampling efficiency was observed between the three techniques studied, thus confirming the sampling efficiency of the MFs. The samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray/tandem mass spectrometry. Quantification was performed in daughter mode monitoring (MOPIP+H)(+) fragments. For concentrations between 0.013 microg(NCO) mL(-1) and 0.52 microg(NCO) mL(-1) for the monoisocyanates, and between 0.026 microg(NCO) mL(-1) and 1.04 microg(NCO) mL(-1) for the HDI, the correlation coefficients were in the 0.9974-0.9996 range (n = 18). Analytical reproducibility and precision were better than 95.4% and 94.9%, respectively, for all the isocyanates. The instrumental detection limits, defined as three times the standard deviation measured at the lowest point on the calibration curve were in the 1.8-3.0 ng(NCO) mL(-1) range (n = 8), which corresponds to about 0.37-0.60 microg(NCO) m(-3) for a 15-L air sample when the filters are desorbed in 3 mL.     

Evaluation of tropical water sources and mollusks in southern Brazil using microbiological, biochemical, and chemical parameters

Florianópolis, a city located in the Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil, is the national leading producer of bivalve mollusks. The quality of bivalve mollusks is closely related to the sanitary conditions of surrounding waters where they are cultivated. Presently, cultivation areas receive large amounts of effluents derived mainly from treated and non-treated domestic, rural, and urban sewage. This contributes to the contamination of mollusks with trace metals, pesticides, other organic compounds, and human pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoan. The aim of this study was to perform a thorough diagnosis of the shellfish growing areas in Florianópolis, on the coast of Santa Catarina. The contamination levels of seawater, sediments, and oysters were evaluated for their microbiological, biochemical, and chemical parameters at five sea sites in Florianópolis, namely three regular oyster cultivation areas (Sites 1, 2, and oyster supplier), a polluted site (Site 3), and a heavily polluted site (Site 4). Samples were evaluated at day zero and after 14 days. Seawater and sediment samples were collected just once, at the end of the experiment. Antioxidant defenses, which may occur in contaminated environments in response to the increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by organisms, were analyzed in oysters, as well as organic compounds (in oysters and sediment samples) and microbiological contamination (in oysters and seawater samples). The results showed the presence of the following contaminants: fecal coliforms in seawater samples (four sites), human adenovirus (all sites), human noroviruses GI and GII (two sites), Hepatitis A viruses (one site), JC Polyomavirus in an oyster sample from the oyster supplier, Giardia duodenalis cysts, and Cryptosporidium sp oocysts (one site). Among organochlorine pesticides, only DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and HCH (hexachlorocyclohexane) were detected in some sediment and oysters samples in very low levels; site 4 had the highest concentrations of total aliphatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, and linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) found either in oysters or in sediment samples. The major concentration of fecal sterol coprostanol was found at site 4, followed by site 3. After 14 days of allocation in the four selected sites, there was a significant difference in the enzymes analyzed at the monitored spots. The detection of different contaminants in oysters, seawater, and sediment samples in the present study shows the impact untreated or inadequately treated effluents have on coastal areas. These results highlight the need for public investment in adequate wastewater treatment and adequate treatment of oysters, ensuring safe areas for shellfish production as well as healthier bivalve mollusks for consumption.     

Birthweight and health and development at the age of 7 years

Summary This study was set up to compare the frequency of health, educational and behavioural problems in a geographically defined birth cohort of 7-year-old children grouped by weight at birth. The study design was based on a multi-stage postal survey, with sampling stratified by birthweight. It took place in the four counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Northamptonshire which make up the former Oxford region. We studied 1319 live births to women resident in the former Oxford region in1985, including all those with birthweights under 1500 g, or whose weight was not recorded, and a sample of those who weighed 1500–2499 g, and of those who weighed 2500 g or more at birth. The children in the sample were traced through the National Health Service Central Register (NHSCR) and self-administered questionnaires were sent to their parents, general practitioners (GP) and teachers. Of the 1169 children who were alive at the age of 7 years and were successfully traced, 805 (75%) were followed up by postal survey. The use of health services, and of additional educational support was higher, and school performance was poorer among children who had weighed less than 1500 g at birth than among children who had weighed 2500 g or more, with the rates for children who had weighed 1500–2499 g falling in between. This survey method identifies the higher rate of health and educational problems in children weighing under 2500 g at birth, particularly those with birthweight under 1500 g, compared with other children. The method could be developed to provide a way of monitoring any changes over time in the prevalence of these problems. This information can be used to assess the health and educational needs of 7-year-old children in the population.