Elena Fattore

Determination of aromatic amines by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in water samples

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) has been introduced as a rapid and sensitive quantitative method for the detection of some aniline derivatives (o-toluidine, p-chloroaniline, 2,4-dichloroaniline, 2,5-dichloroaniline, 3,4-dichloroaniline and 3,5-dichloroaniline) in environmental water samples. Many parameters for optimisation of the extractive method, such as linearity, sensitivity, equilibration time, precision, and different operating conditions (pH, salt) have been evaluated. After a comparison of the commercially available SPME fibers, a carbowax–divinylbenzene 65 μm polymeric phase was chosen. Linearity was excellent in the concentration range 0.05–5 μg/l, and the method showed good reproducibility (coefficient of variation of around 5%). The detection limits differ substantially for the various compounds analysed, but all were below any other limit of detection for these compounds in the literature. The addition of salt (sodium chloride) at pH 7.6 significantly improved the amount of analytes extracted by the fiber. Operating under basic conditions (pH 11), we did not observe a better sensitivity of the method. To evaluate its applicability on a real aqueous matrix, various groundwater samples collected in an industrially polluted area north of Milan, Italy, were analysed.

Human health risk in relation to air quality in two municipalities in an industrialized area of Northern Italy

Air quality is one of the major environmental issues related to human health, and people and authorities are increasingly aware and concerned about it, asking to be involved in decisions whose fallout can have consequences on their health. The objectives of the present study were to provide quantitative data on the impact of air pollution on the health of people living in two small municipalities in a highly industrialized, densely populated area of Northern Italy. We applied the approach proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) using the AirQ 2.2.3 software developed by the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health, Bilthoven Division. Daily concentrations of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter≤10 μm (PM10) and ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) were used to assess human exposure and health effects in terms of attributable proportion of the health outcome, annual number of excess cases of mortality for all causes, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Long-term effects were estimated for PM2.5 as years of life lost. Considering short-term effects, PM2.5 had the highest health impact on the 24,000 inhabitants of the two small towns, causing an excess of total mortality of 8 out of 177 in a year. Ozone and nitrogen dioxide each caused about three excess cases of total mortality. Results on long-term effects showed, respectively, 433, 180, and 72 years of life lost for mortality for all causes, cardiopulmonary diseases and lung cancer, in a year. These results are consistent with other reports of the impact of air quality on human health and the AirQ software seems an effective and easy tool, helpful in decision-making.

Assessment of the dietary exposure to non-dioxin-like PCBs of the Italian general population

The dietary intake of non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) has been estimated using the sum of six indicator PCBs (Sigma(6)(PCBs)) in the Italian general population. Data from a national food consumption survey were combined with the mean concentration values of the individual six indicator PCBs (IUPAC Nos. 28, 52, 101, 138, 153, and 180) in foodstuffs available on the European market. Mean concentrations were estimated from the raw data set provided by the European Commission (DG SANCO). The purpose was to describe the distribution of NDL-PCB dietary intake in the Italian population, and to investigate to what extent the variability in dietary habits may cause higher exposures to the aforesaid contaminants. Results indicated a mean dietary intake of Sigma(6)(PCBs) corresponding to 24.6, 16.1, and 10.9 ng kg-bw(-1) day(-1) for toddlers (0.5-6 years old, excluding breastfeeding), children (7-12 year old), and adults (13-94 years old), respectively. Fish and fishery products and milk and dairy products were the major contributors to the total dietary intake. The highest exposures due to variation in dietary habits were in general two-three times higher than the corresponding mean values and they were generally due to a higher fish consumption rate. The NDL-PCB dietary intake decreased with age until about 10-12 years; afterwards it appeared to remain constant. The tolerable daily intake (TDI) has not been established for these contaminants; however, action and maximum allowed levels in feeding stuffs and food recently established by the European Commission for dioxin-like PCBs could also protect consumers from exposure to NDL-PCBs.

Sterols in sediment samples from Venice Lagoon, Italy

Abstract Sterols of different origin were analysed in sediment samples collected in the Venice Lagoon. The purpose of the study was to investigate the degree of sewage contamination within the Lagoon using fecal sterols (coprostanol, epicoprostanol and coprostanone) and to analyse the pattern of the sterols to plot the origin of the organic matter. Sedimentary coprostanol at Canal Grande within the city of Venice was more than one order of magnitude higher than other stations in the Lagoon and two orders higher than in a sediment sample collected in the open sea. The cholesterol/coprostanol ratio, like the percentage of coprostanol in total sterols at this sample site was very similar to values in sewage sludge. The different pattern of sterols at station 2 which had the largest amount of total sterol indicates a difference in the origin of the organic material. Nevertheless the sterols used as tracer of terrestrial vascular plants did not show any particular trend at this station, receiving fresh water inputs. (3-Sitosterol and cholestanol reached the highest levels at the station within the Chioggia basin.

Bone mineral density changes in relation to environmental PCB exposure

Background Bone toxicity has been linked to organochlorine exposure following a few notable poisoning incidents, but epidemiologic studies in populations with environmental organochlorine exposure have yielded inconsistent results. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate whether organochlorine exposure was associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in a population 60–81 years of age (154 males, 167 females) living near the Baltic coast, close to a river contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Methods We measured forearm BMD in participants using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry; and we assessed low BMD using age- and sex-standardized Z-scores. We analyzed blood samples for five dioxin-like PCBs, the three most abundant non-dioxin-like PCBs, and p,p′-dichloro-phenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE). Results In males, dioxin-like chlorobiphenyl (CB)-118 was negatively associated with BMD; the odds ratio for low BMD (Z-score less than −1) was 1.06 (95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.12) per 10 pg/mL CB-118. The sum of the three most abundant non-dioxin-like PCBs was positively associated with BMD, but not with a decreased risk of low BMD. In females, CB-118 was positively associated with BMD, but this congener did not influence the risk of low BMD in women. Conclusions Environmental organochlorine exposures experienced by this population sample since the 1930s in Sweden may have been sufficient to result in sex-specific changes in BMD.

Influence of a municipal solid waste landfill in the surrounding environment: toxicological risk and odor nuisance effects.

The large amounts of treated waste materials and the complex biological and physicochemical processes make the areas in the proximity of landfills vulnerable not only to emissions of potential toxic compounds but also to nuisance such as odor pollution. All these factors have a dramatic impact in the local environment producing environmental quality degradation. Most of the human health problems come from the landfill gas, from its non-methanic volatile organic compounds and from hazardous air pollutants. In addition several odorants are released during landfill operations and uncontrolled emissions. In this work we present an integrated risk assessment for emissions of hazard compounds and odor nuisance, to describe environmental quality in the landfill proximity. The study was based on sampling campaigns to acquire emission data for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene and vinyl chloride monomer and odor. All concentration values in the emissions from the landfill were measured and used in an air dispersion model to estimate maximum concentrations and depositions in correspondence to five sensitive receptors located in proximity of the landfill. Results for the different scenarios and cancer and non-cancer effects always showed risk estimates which were orders of magnitude below those accepted from the main international agencies (WHO, US EPA). Odor pollution was significant for a limited downwind area near the landfill appearing to be a significant risk factor of the damage to the local environment.

Palm oil and palmitic acid: a review on cardiovascular effects and carcinogenicity

We reviewed the scientific literature on the evidence of the relationship between palm oil and adverse effects on human health. Few studies have investigated the effects of palm oil per se, and the main reason why it has been associated with negative health effects is the relatively high content of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), particularly palmitic acid, which in turn have been associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease and some tumours. However, more recent investigations on the topic seem to have reconsidered the negative role of the dietary SFAs as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and show that not only the type of fat, but also that the triglyceride structure plays a role in cholesterolaemia. As regards to a role in cancer, specific studies on dietary palmitic acid or palm oil and the risk of cancer development are scanty, and the evidence is not convincing.

PCDD/Fs in ambient air in north-east Italy: The role of a MSWI inside an industrial area

The stack gases of a municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI), and ambient air were sampled in four locations around the plant for the analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs/Fs). The sampling area was close to an industrial area near Trieste, in north-east Italy. The purpose of the study was to estimate the impact of the MSWI emissions and to distinguish the contribution of these emissions from other potential emission sources in the industrial area. PCDD/F atmospheric concentrations were similar to those generally detected in urban-rural areas with one location about 2-3 times more contaminated than the others. Since the most contaminated location was inside the industrial area but upwind of the MSWI, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to establish whether other sources were the cause. This analysis clearly showed that a local steel plants emission was the main source of PCDDs/Fs in ambient air. This study highlights the usefulness of multivariate data analysis such as PCA to identify, among different potential emission sources, the one really responsible for the contamination.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in River Po sediments

The River Po is the main Italian river draining one of the most populated and industrialised regions in Italy. As part of a monitoring project to assess environmental quality in the River Po, we measured the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in bottom sediments collected along the whole course of the river, from the spring to the delta, downstream from the confluence of its main tributaries. The aim was to investigate the level of contamination in the main Italian river and the contribution of contaminant loads from the subbasins. Composite sediment samples were collected in summer and winter surveys in low-flow water conditions and analysed by HRGC-HRMS for PCDD and PCDF homologue groups and for the 2,3,7,8-substituted congeners. The spatial trend observed in the Po River for PCDD and PCDF concentrations varied depending on the load of contaminants received from the tributaries and the processes of sedimentation. The sum of PCDD and PCDF concentrations, and the toxic equivalent content, ranged from 121 to 814 and from 1.3 to 13 ng/kg dry weight sediment, respectively. These levels of contamination seem lower than in the sediments of rivers draining highly industrialised areas. The PCDD and PCDF homologue profiles in all the samples were very similar, suggesting a common source of this contamination in the River Po. Principal component analysis suggested that widespread sources, such as urban runoff and domestic wastewaters, are probably the main cause of these levels of PCDDs and PCDFs.

Xenobiotic-contaminated diets affect hepatic lipid metabolism: Implications for liver steatosis in Sparus aurata juveniles

The metabolic effects induced by feed contaminated with a lower or a higher concentration of -nonylpnenol (NP), 4-tert-octylphenol (t-OP) or bisphenol A (BPA), three environmental endocrine disruptors, were assessed in juvenile sea bream liver. Histological analysis demonstrated that all these three xenobiotics induced hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis. These findings prompted analysis of the expression of the major molecules involved in lipid metabolism: peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (which is encoded by ppars), fatty acid synthase (encoded by fas), lipoprotein lipase (encoded by lpl) and hormone-sensitive lipase (encoded by hsl). The enzymes encoded by ppars and fas are in fact responsible for lipid accumulation, whereas lpl- and hsl- encoded proteins play a pivotal role in fat mobilization. The three xenobiotics modulated ppar mRNA expression: pparα mRNA expression was induced by the higher dose of each contaminant; pparβ mRNA expression was upregulated by the lower doses and in BPA2 fish ppary mRNA overexpression was induced by all pollutants. These data agreed with the lipid accumulation profiles documented by histology. Fas mRNA levels were modulated by the two NP doses and the higher BPA concentration. Lpl mRNA was significantly upregulated in all experimental groups except for BPA1 fish while hsl mRNA was significantly downregulated in all groups except for t-OP2 and BPA1 fish. The plasma concentrations of cortisol, the primary stress biomarker, were correlated with the levels of pepck mRNA level. This gene encodes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase which is one of the key enzymes of gluconeogenesis. Pepck mRNA was significantly overexpressed in fish exposed to NP2 and both t-OP doses. Finally, the genes encoding cyclooxygenase 2 (cox2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5 lox), the products of which are involved in the inflammatory response, transcriptions were significantly upregulated in NP and BPA fish, whereas they were unchanged in t-OP specimens. The present findings suggest that dietary xenobiotic contamination can give rise to metabolic disorders also in fish and highlight the potential for their vertical transfer through the trophic levels and ultimately to humans.