Effects of Injection Systems and Plastic Mulches on Distribution and Emissions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cis</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trans</Emphasis>-1,3-Dichloropropene and Chloropicrin

The concentration and distribution of a soil fumigant in the subsurface of field plots are two key factors in the determination of the fumigant efficacy. Subsurface concentrations of the biologically active compounds cis- and trans-1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and chloropicrin (CP) were determined in soil at two adjacent injection traces and midpoint between the two traces in plastic-covered field beds after injection of the fumigant Telone C35 by conventional chisels or by a coulter rig (Avenger coulters). Two of the four beds were covered with metallic polyethylene film (MPE) and the remaining two were covered with virtually impermeable film (VIF). Three hours after chisel injection, concentrations of the three compounds at the two adjacent injection traces in the two beds were highly variable. Large concentrations of the compounds were detected at the side traces, whereas the compounds were not detected at the middle traces (bed centers) in the two chisel-injected beds covered with MPE or VIF. Initial concentrations of the three compounds at the two adjacent injection traces in the two Avenger-coulter-injected beds were more uniform than in the chisel-injected beds but still variable. Also, the three compounds had diffused horizontally to midpoint between the two injection traces in all four beds, generally in smaller concentrations. Concentrations of the three compounds in the shallow subsurface soil layer (0.5–30 cm) in the beds became progressively more uniform and then declined slowly. Volatilization losses from the two Avenger-coulter-injected beds and the chisel-injected bed covered with VIF were low. Combination of Avenger coulter injection and VIF provided better retention of the compounds in this soil layer and, thus, likely would provide better fumigant efficacy and crop yield.     

Toxicity of Chiral Pesticide <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rac-</Emphasis>Metalaxyl and <Emphasis Type="Italic">R-</Emphasis>Metalaxyl to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia magna</Emphasis>

Chirality in pesticides has become a challenge because of enantiomers’ different toxicities to non-target organisms. Acute and chronic toxicities of Rac-metalaxyl and R-metalaxyl to Daphnia magna were determined and compared. The 48-h LC50 for Rac- and R-metalaxyl to Daphnia magna were 51.5 and 41.9 mg/L. In a 14-day chronic test, the lowest-observed-effective concentration (LOEC) and no-observed-effective concentration (NOEC) of Rac-metalaxyl were 2 and 1 mg/L, respectively, whereas those of R-metalaxyl were 1 and 0.1 mg/L. Body length, days-to-first-brood and number of broods per female were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by R-metalaxyl at >1.0 mg/L, but affected by Rac-metalaxyl at ≥2.0 mg/L.     

Effects of Pentachlorophenol on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Galba pervia</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tubifex sinicus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chironomus plumousus</Emphasis> Larvae

The 24-h median lethal concentrations of pentachlorophenol to Chironomus plumousus, Tubifex sinicus and Galba pervia were 0.302, 0.977 and 0.293 mg/L, respectively. Bioconcentration factors of C. plumousus, T. sinicus and G. pervia to pentachlorophenol were 108, 367 and 85 at 0.02 mg/L pentachlorophenol, respectively. As pentachlorophenol concentration increased, the G. pervia egg hatching rates became lower, and the total hatched time became longer. Pentachlorophenol teratogenesis was demonstrated by observing the deformation of C. plumousus larvae mentum.     

Distribution of Metals in the Tissues of Benthic, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euryglossa orientalis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cynoglossus arel.</Emphasis>, and Bentho-Pelagic, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Johnius belangerii.</Emphasis>, Fish from Three Estuaries,Persian Gulf

Concentrations of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe and Zn were determined in the muscle, liver and gills of three commercial benthic and pelagic fish species (Johnius belangerii, Euryglossa orientalis and Cynoglossus arel) from three estuaries in the northwest Persian Gulf. Metals levels varied significantly depending on the tissues, species and locations. Generally, the results showed that liver accumulate higher concentrations of the metals in comparison to muscle and gills, except in few cases. Among the species, E. orientalis showed the highest levels of Co, Cu, Ni and Fe, while the highest concentrations of Pb and Zn were observed in C. arel. J. belangerii accumulated the highest level of Pb element.     

Copper Accumulation and Tolerance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysanthemum coronarium</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorghum</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">sudanense</Emphasis> L.

In the present study, the growth of Chrysanthemum coronarium L. and Sorghum sudanense L. and their copper accumulation were studied using hydroponic experiments. Results showed that the root elongation, dry biomass yield, and chlorophyll content in both plant species decreased significantly with the increasing level of Cu in solution. The concentrations of Cu in the two plants increased greatly with the increasing Cu level in the treatments. However, most of the Cu was accumulated in roots, and only a small portion was translocated into shoots. Compared with S. sudanense, the shoots of C. coronarium had a significantly higher concentration of Cu. The total amount and percentage of water-soluble Cu, and the nonprotein thiol were also higher in the shoots of C. coronarium. In the roots, however, S. sudanense accumulated more Cu than C. coronarium. The treatments with 5 to 50 μmol L⁻¹ Cu significantly increased the uronic acid content in the roots of S. sudanens, but did not have any significant effect for C. coronarium. Higher concentrations of Cu bound to the cell wall and uronic acid in the roots of S. sudanense were speculated to be the main reason to restrain Cu translocation from roots to shoots.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcystis aeruginosa</Emphasis> on the rotifer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachionus calyciflorus</Emphasis> at different temperatures

Rotifers are one of the smallest metazoans. They serve as a model organism for ecotoxicological studies. More than 60% of the lakes in China are increasingly eutrophic and they are susceptible to blooms of Microcystis aeruginosa. We investigated the effects of M. aeruginosa on the survival and reproduction of Brachionus calyciflorus using the life table method at different temperatures. The findings showed that concentration of M. aeruginosa significantly affected the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), net reproductive rate (R₀), average lifespan (L) and offspring number (p < 0.05). Temperature also significantly affected the generation time (T), average lifespan (L) and offspring number (p < 0.05). Moreover, the interaction between temperature and concentration had statistically significant effects on offspring number (p < 0.05). M. aeruginosa suppressed the survival and reproduction of B. calyciflorus, particularly at a concentration of 10⁶ cells/mL. The r_m values of the rotifers exposed at 10⁶ cells/mL decreased more than 200% compared with those of the control group. However, at a lower concentration, 10⁴ cells/mL, M. aeruginosa may supply appropriate nourishment to rotifers. In addition, at concentrations of 10⁵ and 10⁶ cells/mL, the inhibition of rotifers by M. aeruginosa heightened with increasing temperature.     

Mercury and Selenium Content in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Otolithes ruber</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psettodes erumei</Emphasis> from Khuzestan Shore,Iran

In this paper the level of selenium and mercury is analyzed in edible part and liver of Psettodes erumei and Otolithes ruber two commercial fish in Persian Gulf. The average concentration of Hg and Se in edible parts of P. erumei was 0.077 ± 0.062 and 0.044 ± 0.018 (μg g⁻¹ww), and in liver was 0.127 ± 0.122 and 0.132 ± 0.610 (μg g⁻¹ww) respectively. In O. ruber, the average concentration of Hg and Se in edible parts was 0.348–0.27 and 0.06 ± 0.021 (μg g⁻¹ww) and in liver was 0.176 ± 0.174 and 0.093 ± 0.022 (μg g⁻¹ww), respectively. P. erumei has higher mean molar ratio Se/Hg (1.98) compared to O. ruber (0.88).     

Effects of trans-10,cis-12 CLA on liver size and fatty acid oxidation under energy restriction conditions in hamsters

Objective

Little evidence exists concerning the effects of trans-10,cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) under energy restriction. Thus, the effects of this CLA isomer on adipose tissue size, liver composition, as well as on expression and activity of carnitine-palmitoyl transferase I (CPT-I) and acyl CoA oxidase (ACO), in hamsters fed an energy-restricted diet were analyzed.

Methods

Hamsters were fed a high-fat diet for 7 wk and then subjected to 25% energy-restricted diets supplemented with 0.5% linoleic acid or 0.5% trans-10,cis-12 CLA for 3 wk. Serum insulin, free-triiodothyronine and non-esterified fatty acid levels, liver triacylglycerol, protein and water contents, and CPT-I, ACO, and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) expressions and enzyme activities were assessed.

Results

Energy restriction reduced liver size, serum levels of insulin, free-triiodothyronine, and non-esterified fatty acid and increased CPT-I activity. Liver composition was not modified. No differences were found between both restricted groups, with the exception of CPT-I and ACO oxidative enzyme activities, which were greater in hamsters fed the CLA diet.

Conclusions

Energy restriction does not cause trans-10,cis-12 CLA to induce liver hyperplasia. Although this CLA isomer increases liver CPT-I and ACO activities, this effect does not result in reduced hepatic triacylglyerol content or decreased adipose tissue size. Consequently, this CLA isomer seems not to be a useful tool for inclusion in body weight loss strategies followed during obesity treatment.     

Chronic Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus radiata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus globulus</Emphasis> Kraft Mill Effluents and Phytosterols on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Daphnia magna</Emphasis>

Two kraft pulp mill effluents were compared in terms of their chronic toxicity to Daphnia magna. One resulted from pulping Pinus radiata and the other came from a parallel processing of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus (mixed kraft pulp mill effluent). The concentration of phytosterols found in the mixed kraft pulp mill effluent was higher than in the effluent from Pinus radiata, with values of 0.1082 and 0.02 μg/L, respectively. The phytosterols per se are responsible for 12.9% and 8.1% of the deviation from the natural shape, while the kraft pulp mill effluents account for 25.6%–27.8% of shape deviation. The role of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol is discussed in relation to endocrine disruption.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlamydia</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">trachomatis</Emphasis> and placental inflammation in early preterm delivery

Chlamydia trachomatis may infect the placenta and subsequently lead to preterm delivery. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis and signs of placental inflammation in women who delivered at 32 weeks gestation or less. Setting: placental histology and clinical data were prospectively obtained from 304 women and newborns at the Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. C. trachomatis testing of placentas was done retrospectively using PCR. C. trachomatis was detected in 76 (25%) placentas. Histological evidence of placental inflammation was present in 123 (40%) placentas: in 41/76 (54%) placentas with C. trachomatis versus 82/228 (36%) placentas without C. trachomatis infection (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2–3.5). C. trachomatis infection correlated with the progression (P = 0.009) and intensity (P = 0.007) of materno-fetal placental inflammation. C. trachomatis DNA was frequently detected in the placenta of women with early preterm delivery, and was associated with histopathological signs of placental inflammation.     

Differential effect of corn oil-based low <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> structured fat on the plasma and hepatic lipid profile in an atherogenic mouse model: comparison to hydrogenated <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis> fat

Background  

Trans fat are not desirable in many aspects on health maintenance. Low trans structured fats have been reported to be relatively more safe than trans fats.     

The Effect of some Selected Pesticides on the Growth and Reproduction of Fresh Water <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clarias gariepinus</Emphasis>

Studies were carried out to determine the toxicity of some selected pesticides on fresh water fish in a tropical environment. The uptake of the pesticides lindane, pentachlorophenol (PCP), and propoxur, which are frequently used on farms, and in industries as well as by loggers and timber men on wood were studied in concrete ponds at the University of Cape Coast, in Ghana. The fish used for the study were Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus, and Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus. They were obtained from cultured ponds in the Cape Coast and Mankessim districts in the Central Region and Weija Dam, in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Single high lethal concentration (SD) or acute treatment and cumulative/chronic (or multiple minor) lethal concentration (CD) treatment were employed in administering the pesticides to the fish via water. Gas chromatograph electron capture detector analysis was done on the dead fish to see the extent of ingestion. The LC₅₀ values obtained for lindane on the three fish samples were as follows: Chrysicthys – 0.38 mg L⁻¹; Oreochromis – 0.42 mg L⁻¹, and Clarias – 1.2 mg L⁻¹. Mortalities occurred in fish within 3–5 days of application. For the PCP on Chrysicthys, Oreochromis, and Clarias species the LC₅₀ values were 0.42, 0.32 and 0.64 mg L⁻¹, respectively, for over a 2- to 3-day period. For a three-time influx period of propoxur the LC₅₀ for Chrysicthys, Oreochromis, and Clarias, were 22.0, 30.40, and 45.04 (all in mg L⁻¹), respectively. The results obtained indicated that the pesticides had adverse effects on the general growth and reproduction of fish as shown by gonadosomatic indices.     

Effects of Nitrite and Toxic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcystis Aeruginosa</Emphasis> PCC7806 on the Growth of Freshwater Rotifer <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachionus Calyciflorus</Emphasis>

Over the last two centuries, anthropogenic activities have increased the nitrogen amount in aquatic ecosystems, which has resulted in increased occurrences of blooms of cyanobacteria. This study investigated the effects of nitrite and the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa on population growth in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. The rotifer was treated for 12 days with nitrite alone (medium containing 0, 3, 6, 10 mg NO₂ ⁻ –N L⁻¹), M. aeruginosa alone (medium containing 0 mg NO₂ ⁻–N L⁻¹ + 5.0 × 10⁵ cell ml⁻¹ M. aeruginosa precultured at 0, 3, 6, 10 mg NO₂ ⁻–N L⁻¹), and nitrite in combination with M. aeruginosa (medium containing 3, 10 mg NO₂ ⁻–N L⁻¹ + 5.0 × 10⁵ cell ml⁻¹ M. aeruginosa precultured at corresponding nitrite concentrations). We observed that a nitrite concentration of 10 mg NO₂ ⁻–N L⁻¹ markedly inhibited the growth of B. calyciflorus; however, rotifer growth declined slightly in the presence of M. aeruginosa precultured at 6 mg NO₂ ⁻–N L⁻¹. Furthermore, reduced population growth of B. calyciflorus was observed when it was treated with both nitrite and M. aeruginosa compared to nitrite alone or M. aeruginosa alone. These results suggested that a high tolerance of B. calyciflorus to nitrite levels may be attributed to the absence of specific respiratory structures and pigments; and that the increased toxicity of nitrite in combination with M. aeruginosa may have been due to increased production of microcystin. It is also possible that nitrite and microcystin could act in a synergistic way in causing toxicity.     

Selective Bactericidal Potential of Rice (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryza sativa</Emphasis> L. var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">japonica</Emphasis>) Hull Extract on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcystis</Emphasis> Strains in Comparison with Green Algae and Zooplankton

We examined the selective inhibitory potential of rice hull extract on the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, in comparison with inhibitory effects on two green algae (Ankistrodesmus convolutus and Scenedesmus quadricauda) and a zooplankton (Daphnia magna) species. The inhibitory effect of rice hull extract, measured by algal growth or zooplankton survival using four different concentrations of extract (1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg L⁻¹), was highest on Microcystis strains (average: 98%, range: 95%–99%), followed by D. magna (average: 22%, range: 10%–47%), A. convolutus (average: 20%, range: 16%–24%), and S. quadricauda (average: 8%, range: 0%–15%). Rice hull extract had only a small effect on the growth of the green algae and Daphnia, particularly in the range 1–100 μg L⁻¹, and the inhibitory effect was somewhat diminished even at the 1,000 μg L⁻¹ level, at the end of the experimental period, especially for Daphnia. Our study indicates that rice hull extract has a strong specific algicide potential when used to combat M. aeruginosa.     

Toxicity of Fuel Oil Water Accommodated Fractions on Two Marine Microalgae, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Skeletonema costatum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorela spp</Emphasis>

In this paper, the acute toxicity of four fuel oils including F120, F180, F380 and No.-20 was evaluated by exposing the marine microalgae Chlorela spp. (Chlorophyta) and Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyta) in the fuel oil water accommodated fractions (WAF). The bioassay showed that F180 WAF was the most toxic to both microalgae. The 96 h EC₅₀ value of F180 WAF for Skeletonema costatum and Chlorela spp. was 9.41 and 13.63 mg/L expressed in concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons, respectively. WAFs of F120, F180 and F380 were more toxic to Skeletonema costatum than to Chlorela spp. In contrast, No.-20 WAF did not show significant toxicity for both Skeletonema costatum and Chlorela spp.     

Dietary patterns,plasma vitamins and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trans</Emphasis> fatty acids are associated with peripheral artery disease

Background

To investigate the association between dietary patterns (DP), plasma vitamins and trans fatty acids (TFAs) with the likelihood of peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for the years 1999–2002 were used. PAD was diagnosed by ankle brachial index assessment. Plasma concentrations of vitamins were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Vitamin D levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Analysis of covariance, principal components analysis (PCA) and adjusted logistic regression were applied, accounting for the survey design and sample weights.

Results

Of the 4864 eligible participants, 2482 (51.0%) were men and 269 (5.5%) had prevalent PAD. PCA uncovered three DPs which accounted for 56.8% of the variance in dietary nutrients consumption including DP1 (fatty acids and cholesterol), DP2 (minerals, vitamins and fiber), and DP3 (polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFA]). PAD patients had a significantly higher serum concentrations of trans 9-octadecenoic acid and trans 9, trans 12-octadienoic acid as well as lower plasma levels of vitamin D, retinol, retinyl stearate and retinyl palmitate (p?<?0.001 for all comparisons). In models adjusted for age, race, diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension, smoking and energy intake, individuals in the highest quartile of the DP1 had higher odds for PAD compared with those in the lowest quartile [(odds ratio (OR): 6.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.00–20.63 p?<?0.001], while those in the highest quartile of DP2 and DP3 had lower odds of PAD relative to those in the lowest quartile (OR:0.28, OR:0.44, respectively; p?<?0.001 for both comparisons).

Conclusion

We found that quality of diet, plasma vitamins and TFAs are associated with the likelihood of PAD. If confirmed in prospective studies, the possibility that dietary factors, plasma vitamins and TFAs might be valuable for preventing or delaying the clinical progression of PAD, should be investigated in intervention trials.

     

Fertilizer Industry Effluent Induced Biochemical Changes in Fresh water Teleost, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Channa striatus</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bloch</Emphasis>)

The industrial activities pose threat to the life of aquatic organisms in many ways. This research communication presents an account of the impact of fertilizer industry effluent upon the levels of protein and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.28, LDH), a terminal key enzyme in glycolytic pathway, in different organs of a fresh water teleost fish, Channa striatus (Bloch). The fish exposed to different sublethal concentrations of fertilizer industry effluent (3.5, 4.7 and 7.0% v/v) equivalent to 1/20th, 1/15th and 1/10th of LC₅₀ value (70% v/v) for varying treatment periods (96 h and 15 days) exhibited decrease in the level of protein (8–76%) in different organs of the effluent treated fish. At highest effluent concentration (7% v/v) treatment for short (96 h) or long (15 days) duration, the liver of the fish registered significant (p < 0.001) decrease (62–76%) in protein content as compared to control, whereas other organs of the fish showed only 38–52% decrease in the level of protein. The industrial effluent also caused marked reduction in the activity of LDH in different fish tissues when compared to the control. The treatment of fish with 7% effluent concentration for 96 h caused 78% decrease (p < 0.001) in the LDH activity in fish muscle whereas after 15 days the effect was maximum in fish brain as it exhibited 86% decrease (p < 0.001) in LDH activity as compared to control. The effect of effluent on the activity of LDH and protein content in different body tissues of the fish was dependent on concentration and duration of exposure. The significant reductions in the activity of LDH and level of protein in fish tissues due to treatment with the fertilizer industry effluent indicated the possibility of impairments in energy metabolism and protein turnover, respectively, in C. striatus.     

Toxicity of Sediment-Associated Pesticides to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chironomus dilutus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyalella azteca</Emphasis>

Two hundred sediment samples were collected and their toxicity evaluated to aquatic species in a previous study in the agriculturally dominated Central Valley of California, United States. Pyrethroid insecticides were the main contributors to the observed toxicity. However, mortality in approximately one third of the toxic samples could not be explained solely by the presence of pyrethroids in the matrices. Hundreds of pesticides are currently used in the Central Valley of California, but only a few dozen are analyzed in standard environmental monitoring. A significant amount of unexplained sediment toxicity may be due to pesticides that are in widespread use that but have not been routinely monitored in the environment, and even if some of them were, the concentrations harmful to aquatic organisms are unknown. In this study, toxicity thresholds for nine sediment-associated pesticides including abamectin, diazinon, dicofol, fenpropathrin, indoxacarb, methyl parathion, oxyfluorfen, propargite, and pyraclostrobin were established for two aquatic species, the midge Chironomus dilutus and the amphipod Hyalella azteca. For midges, the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of the pesticides ranged from 0.18 to 964 μg/g organic carbon (OC), with abamectin being the most toxic and propargite being the least toxic pesticide. A sublethal growth endpoint using average individual ash-free dry mass was also measured for the midges. The no–observable effect concentration values for growth ranged from 0.10 to 633 μg/g OC for the nine pesticides. For the amphipods, fenpropathrin was the most toxic, with an LC₅₀ of 1–2 μg/g OC. Abamectin, diazinon, and methyl parathion were all moderately toxic (LC₅₀s 2.8–26 μg/g OC). Dicofol, indoxacarb, oxyfluorfen, propargite, and pyraclostrobin were all relatively nontoxic, with LC₅₀s greater than the highest concentrations tested. The toxicity information collected in the present study will be helpful in decreasing the frequency of unexplained sediment toxicity in agricultural waterways.     

Quantitative determination of conjugated linoleic acid isomers by silver ion HPLC in ewe milk fat

The aim of this research was to validate a method for the quantification of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers in the fat of ewe's milk. The isomers in the form of methyl ester (FAME) are separated by silver ion high performance liquid chromatography (Ag⁺HPLC) and the quantification was based on the measurement of the integrated area under the 231 nm peaks, using external CLA reference standards. The response linearity is maintained in a wide range of concentrations and the quantification limit estimated was of 0.005 μg/injection for the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 isomers. Referred to the samples this limit would be 0.008 mg/g of fat in the usual working conditions. In the precision assay an RSDr of 2.14% for the isomer cis-9,trans-11 was calculated and for the rest of the CLA isomers varied between 2.08 and 7.5%. The recovery assays were performed adding CLA cis-9,trans-11 triglyceride and the mean recovery was 96%. The method proposed allows the determination of the individual content of different CLA isomers using one single technique, HPLC and supposes saving time and resources.     

Biological monitoring of workers exposed to<Emphasis Type="Italic"> N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dimethylformamide in synthetic leather manufacturing factories in Korea

Objectives To investigate the relationship between N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) exposure and excretion of urinary N-acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)cysteine (AMCC) and N-methylformamide (NMF) in workers at synthetic leather manufacturing factories in Korea, for the first time.Methods One-hundred forty-four male workers at nine synthetic leather manufacturing factories were surveyed. Exposure to DMF was evaluated through breathing zone air sampling followed by analysis via a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The levels of NMF and AMCC were determined by a GC with a flame thermionic detector (GC-FTD). Urine samples were collected at the end of the workshift.Results and Conclusions Geometric mean of workplace air DMF and urinary NMF was 8.8 ppm and 47.5 mg/l, respectively, and the level of DMF and NMF was significantly correlated. The biological exposure limit for NMF (15 mg/ml) was exceeded in 89.5% of urine samples, and 37.9% of air samples exceeded the environmental DMF exposure limit (10 ppm), indicating a serious health risk to the employees of the synthetic leather industry in Korea. Exposure to 10 ppm DMF in the workplace air corresponded to a urinary NMF concentration of 53.4 mg/l. Alcohol intake the day before urine was sampled influenced NMF excretion into urine (40.5 mg/l NMF for the no-alcohol group and 94.6 mg/l for the group consuming more than 63.0 g alcohol/day). We could not find a significant relationship between air DMF and urinary AMCC concentration. Exposure to 10 ppm DMF corresponded to an AMCC concentration of 8.0 mg/l in the urine samples collected on the same day as the air was sampled.