Rolf Kroneld

Volatile pollutants in suburban and industrial air

Several studies are concerned with the occurrence of volatile pollutants, as hydrocarbons, halogenated alkanes, alkenes and methanes, chlorophenols and benzene derivatives in the air of cities and industrial facilities. A continuous exposure to volatile pollutants results in a body burden of long duration depending on the storage in tissues with high lipid content. Knowledge of the toxicity of and long-term exposure of humans to volatile pollutants is still limited. Several reports also show that volatile halocarbons are toxic. They are also carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. There are already threshold values for some volatile halocarbons in some European countries, but Finland is not yet in this position. Because of the possible health significance of the organic constituents, the aim of this study has been to determine volatile pollutants in suburban and industrial air compared to the countryside on the south-west coast of Finland.

The Prevalence of Antibodies against Viruses Causing Kumlinge and Pogosta Diseases on the Islands of Iniö on the Southwest Coast of Finland

The prevalence of antibodies against viruses causing Kumlinge (tick-borne encephalitis) and Pogosta disease in the population of Iniö, a small island community in southwest Finland was measured. Antibodies against Kumlinge disease were found in 28% of the population, and increased from 10% in the 0-19 year age group to 42% in the 60-79 year age group. The prevalence varied markedly between different islands, being highest in the outer, bushy islands. Antibodies against Pogosta disease were detected in 2.7%.

Volatile halocarbons in tap water as a problem in haemodialysis therapy.

The concentrations of volatile halocarbons in the tap water of Turku and of Turku University Central Hospital are quite high and are reduced but not eliminated during water treatment at the hospital. Before haemodialysis is started, only trichloromethane is found in the blood of the patients. Two hours later dichlorobromomethane and dibromochloromethane could also be found. These substances are absorbed, and possibly accumulate, in the body or are metabolised and excreted because all their concentrations are lower at the end of dialysis therapy. Therefore, maximum levels for volatile halocarbons in drinking water should be sufficiently low to prevent these substances being detected in body fluids and special care should be taken with hospital water.

Determination of volatile pollutants in human and animal milk by GC-MS

Volatile pollutants could readily be analyzed in drinking water and blood samples. These substances are toxic, mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic. Because of their lipophilic nature they accumulate in the body and can also be analyzed in animal tissues. Although there are no reports of volatile halocarbons in milk samples, several papers deal with organochlorine compounds in milk samples. Therefore, the authors considered it reasonable to modify and adapt their method for water and blood samples for analyses of possible volatile pollutants in milk samples and milk products. Twenty-five milk samples of human origin and ten samples from cows, pigs and sheep were collected both from the suburban area of Turku and from the countryside.

Volatile pollutants in the environment and human tissues

More and more attention have lately been paid to the occurrence of volatile pollutants in the environment, and in human tissues. These substances are lipophilic and can accumulate in body tissues. These substances are toxic, even though knowledge of especially long-term exposure is limited. Carcinogenic activity of these substances and an increased cancer mortality of the urinary organs have been discussed. This paper deals with the concentrations found in body tissues of healthy individuals. The results are compared with findings in Central Europe.

Chloroform in tap water and human blood.

Several investigations have suggested that the main source of chloroform found in human blood is tap water. The fact that chloroform is formed during disinfection of water and also found in human serum and body fluids explains why a maximum concentration for total trihalomethane in drinking water has been fixed in several countries. The possible health risks to animals and humans exposed to volatile halocarbons or chloroform through drinking water make it important to study the occurrence in tap water and blood samples.

Volatile halocarbons in water

Volatile halocarbons in drinking water have attracted increasing attention during recent years. These substances are also found in body fluids. All disinfectant chemicals used in water treatment seem to produce by-products. Of particular concern are the following substances from the use of various disinfectants according to US EPA: chlorine, bromine and iodine, and chlorine dioxide. The aim of the present study was to follow the formation and occurrence of volatile halocarbons in different types of water.

Effect of volatile halocarbons on lymphocytes and cells of the urinary tract

Volatile halocarbons in body fluids are found in areas with chlorinated surface water rich in organic material. Improved chemical methodology has made it possible to quantify volatile halocarbons in drinking water, blood and urine. Knowledge of the toxicity of, and long-term exposure of humans to, volatile halocarbons found in drinking water and body fluids is limited. This paper deals with the in vitro effects of different volatile halocarbons shown to exist in drinking water and body fluids on lymphocyte stimulation and surface properties of cells of the urinary tract.

Elimination of volatile pollutants from water

Several papers have dealt with the occurrence of volatile pollutants in water, air, food, blood and urine. Knowledge of the toxicity of, and long-term exposure of humans to volatile pollutants found in drinking water, food and body fluids is still limited. Toxicity in mice and rats has been investigated in several studies. Several papers indicate the carcinogenic activity of these substances. This has led both the World Health Organization and many countries to suggest maximum limits for these substances. In its guidelines for water quality, WHO has therefore recommended maximum limit concentrations for benzene, chlorinated alkanes and alkenes, chlorophenols, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, trihalomethanes and pesticides. This paper is concerned with the possibility and methods of eliminating volatile organic pollutants of health significance.

Human Twinning Rate in Iniö in the South-West of Finland

A secular demographic study on the Iniö Island in SW Finland shows an even stronger decline of twinning rates than in the Aland Islands and the rest of the archipelago. Twinning rates in Iniö declined, in fact from about 30%, to less than 10%.