Aleksandra Pawlaczyk

Facile and durable antimicrobial finishing of cotton textiles using a silver salt and UV light

In this study, we present facile antimicrobial finishing of cotton textiles. Screen printing was used for surface-finishing of cotton using a printing paste containing silver nitrate. UVC irradiation was applied to convert silver nitrate into a color product, thus also changing the color of the textiles. The color, its strength and stability of samples, depend on absorbed UVC energy and the formula of the printing paste. Scanning electron microscopy with the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry revealed formation of silver particles on cotton threads; X-ray diffraction analysis and the time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry did not provide clear information on these products. Microbiological studies revealed that the samples inhibited proliferation of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Washing fastness tests confirmed resistance of the samples to at least 50 washings. Additionally, the inhibition zones increased as the number of washing cycles increased, which is unique for such samples. This work also presents an approach to the design of antimicrobially finished workwear.

Trace elements in seminal plasma of men from infertile couples.

Introduction An analysis of lead, zinc, cadmium and other trace elements in semen of men from infertile couples was performed to determine the association between abnormal semen parameters and enviromental or occupational exposure to some trace metals. Material and methods Presence of manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, molybdenum, cadmium, tin and lead was measured in seminal plasma of 34 men from infertile couples using spectrometry with time-of-flight analysis. Correlations among sperm parameters and trace metals were determined using cluster analysis and Pearsons correlation coefficient. Results Abnormally high concentrations of lead, cadmium, zinc and cobalt were found in 23 seminal plasma of men from infertile couples. The most consistent evidence was determined for an association between high cadmium concentration in seminal plasma and sperm count, motility and morphology below reference limits (p < 0.01). A correlation of significantly increased tin level and reduced sperm count in semen of men with limited fertility potential was observed (p = 0.04). Conclusions In our study we observed a correlation of tin level with sperm count in semen of men with limited fertility potential.

Human hair analysis in relation to similar environmental and occupational exposure

The aim of this work was to assess the influence of various factors on the elemental composition of the investigated hair samples. The studied population consisted of students of Faculty of Chemistry at Lodz University of Technology and included 95 subjects. The following elements: Co, Cr, Cu, Li, Sr, Pb were determined by inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry ICP-TOF-MS. The obtained results were elaborated using Statistica ver. 10.0 software. Statistically significant differences were observed for the content of Cr, Li, Pb and Sr as the impact of sex, and Sr-as the effect of cosmetic treatment. Based on the calculated Spearman correlation coefficients, a statistically significant correlation between the concentration of pairs of metals were found for Pb=f(Co, Cr, Cu); Sr=f(Cu); Li=f(Cr), Cr=f(Li, Pb), Co=f(Pb) and Cu=f(Pb, Sr). A statistically negative correlation was obtained for Sr-Li. In the population two groups were distinguished: males and females; smokers and non-smokers.

The influence of mercury content on the structural changes of bioindicator surfaces

The influence of mercury content on the structural changes of bioindicator surfaces This work examines the recommended chemical analytical method for the identification and detecting mercury from the environmental media. The aim of this study was to establish a correlation between mercury content in different biological indicators like: human hair, mushrooms, lichen, moss and needle samples, and the changes in the structure of the investigated material. We have explored the possibilities of using the SEM method in environmental studies to investigate a variety of biological samples coming from areas at different pollution state. We have combined the information from the quantity measurements with the qualitative analysis. The total content of Hg was determined using the Automatic Mercury Analyzer SP-3D. The accuracy of the applied method was verified by an analysis of proper certificate materials: Mixed Polish Herbs INCT-MPH-2, Lichen CRM 482, Pine needles 1575a and Human Hair NCS ZC 81002. The obtained results proved a direct influence of the content of mercury and environmental pollution on the damage of the structure of the studied samples.

Characterization of Particles Transmitted by Wind from Waste Dump of Phosphatic Fertilizers Plant Deposited on Biological Sample Surfaces

There are many methods available aiming at studying atmospheric contamination but often their application is limited by problems connected with sample preparation difficulties or an insufficient amount of material for analysis. Therefore, there is an increasing necessity of applying methods which enable a direct solid sample characterization and provide information concerning the state of environmental pollution (SzczepaniakB SzczepaniakB Szynkowska, 2005). Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry are powerful methods allowing a direct observation, comparison and characterization of different spectrum of materials. What is more, a large depth of field gives an opportunity to investigate even three-dimensional objects, which is especially significant in observation of usually very heterogeneous biological samples (Goldstein et al., 1992; Seyama S Seyama, 2003; Szynkowska, 2005). The techniques mentioned above are considered a relatively fast and basically non-destructive approach, which can be successfully used as a complementary method to the wet chemical analysis requiring sample homogenization and dissolution (KempsonS Szynkowska et al., 2008a; Szynkowska et al., 2008b; Williamson et al., 2004). Additionally, XRD technique can be applied in environmental monitoring research to identify crystalline phases of studied samples. Phosphogypsum deposited in the phosphatic fertilizer waste disposal place in Wiślinka near Gdansk (Northern Poland) is a main by-product of a wet process of phosphoric acid production. During the wet process phosphoric acid is produced by the reaction of phosphate rock with sulfuric acid, and then used for the production of phosphatic fertilizers. Phosphoric acid and phosphogypsum obtained in the wet process contain a number of impurities like calcium sulfate dehydrate and HF. For every ton of phosphoric acid obtained even up to 5 tons of this waste by-product are produced. The chemical

The impact of demographic factors, behaviors and environmental exposure to mercury content in the hair of the population living in the region of Lodz (central Poland)

The aim of this work was to access the influence of different factors such as sex, age, fish consumption, hair dyeing or smoking habit on the content of mercury in human hair samples. The research was carried on 444 samples (102 males and 342 females) collected from the population of people living in the region of Lodz (central Poland). The content of mercury in human hair samples was determined using the Mercury Analyzer MA 3000 (Nippon Instruments, Japan). The obtained results were elaborated using Statistica ver. 10.0 software. The mean value of mercury in investigated human hair samples was found to be 0.174±0.137mg/kg. We observed the statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) between the content of Hg in hair of the studied population and factors such as gender, age, and fish consumption. However, no statistically significant differences were found in relation to cosmetic treatment such as hair dyeing or smoking.

The mercury analysis in airborne particles emitted from coal-combustion processes

The mercury analysis in airborne particles emitted from coal-combustion processes Determination of trace elements in combusted materials has always been an interesting field of environmental studies. Particulate matter, in particular, is a serious problem which, can lead to air pollution especially by heavy metals emissions in urban and industrial areas. There is a considerable concern about the elevated level of mercury released during combustion and the proportion of anthropogenic mercury in the environment. Nowadays, small-scale installations have been identified as a significant source-pathway for mercury pollution, particularly those that use coal. A total amount of mercury was determined using Mercury Analyzer. The investigated material consists of bottom ash, fly ash, slag, soot or dust. The obtained results varied according to the type of the material and plant. The developed methodology was checked by carrying out the analysis of certificate material of Soil NCS ZC 73001 and the reference material of Soil-7.