Abstract  The spatial variation of soil metal content arising from diffuse pollution in industrial regions cannot be analysed by conventional geostatistical methods because predictions are influenced by metal content from natural sources and extreme values from point-source pollution. We analyse a survey of soil arsenic, copper, lead, and tin at 372 locations around Swansea (Wales, UK). We use the approach of Hamon et al. (2004) to determine the natural metal concentrations in contaminated regions from the iron content. However, we find that this indicator is not appropriate to the area around Swansea because the iron content is elevated across the contaminated region. Therefore the natural concentration of each metal is approximated by the median concentration on nearby uncontaminated rural soils on the same parent material. We divide the remaining variation between diffuse pollution and point-source pollution by the robust winsorizing algorithm of Hawkins & Cressie (1984). This leads to a plausible log-Gaussian model with a constant mean which represents the diffuse pollution and estimates of the contribution of point- source pollution at each observation site. Point-source pollution occurs at sites historically associated with production, transport and disposal of industrial wastes. The pattern of diffuse pollution is consistent with emissions from multiple smelters located throughout urban Swansea and the effects of prevailing wind and topography are evident.

Abstract  This study has been carried out to determine the accumulation of heavy metals (arsenic, copper, lead, tin and zinc) in fish samples collected from former tin mining catchment Total eight types of fish family having fifteen different species are identified. Cyperinidae is the most abundant family with eight different species found in the catchment. Fish samples were analysed by using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer ICP-OES. The accuracy of method is validated by certified reference material. The highest level of arsenic was observed in Hampala macrolepidota while Osteochilus hasselti shows the least. For Copper concentrations, the maximum was obtained in Mastacembelus armatus and the minimum in Oxyeleotris marmorata. High levels of lead, tin and zinc were found in the Rasbora elegans, Trichogaster trichopterus, Oxyeleotris marmorata respectively while Macrobrachium resenbergii, Mastacembelus armatus, Rasbora elegans had the least concentrations. The sequence of order of the heavy metals measured was Sn > Pb >Zn > Cu > As, respectively. The results showed elevated levels of tin, led and zinc in all the fish samples although copper and arsenic were available in relatively low concentration in the most samples. Sn, Pb, and Zn concentration in the samples were greater than Malaysia food act permissible levels. Hazard index 1 suggests the probability of adverse health effects. Although the heavy metals analysed in the catchment did not pose any immediate health risk to humans but due to the bioaccumulation and magnification of these heavy metals in humans, it is essential to safeguard levels of the metals in the environment.

Abstract  This study was conducted to investigate the chemical speciation of dissolved and particulate elements (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, As and Sn) in the mining wastewater. Speciation patterns of dissolved elements were estimated by adsorptive stripping voltammeter while particulate elements were analysed using a newly developed sequential extraction leaching procedure. The procedure has been operationally defined among five host fractions, namely exchangeable, carbonate, reducible, organic bound and residual. A total of six elements (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, As and Sn) were analysed in 30 samples at 10 locations (P1-P10) representing three subsequent samples at the same location to obtain the average value from ex-tin mining catchment. The results showed that the heavy metal pollution in P4 and P8 was more severe than in other sampling sites, especially Sn and Pb pollution. In the water samples at P4 and P8, both the total contents and the most dangerous non-residual fractions of Sn and Pb were extremely high. More than 90% of the total concentrations of As and Cr existed in the residual fraction. Cu and Zn mainly (more than 60%) occurred in the residual fraction. However, Pb and Sn were predominantly present in the non-residual fractions of the surface water. For all the six dissolved elements, the less labile species formed the predominant fraction in their speciation patterns. We conclude that the speciation patterns of particulate elements show that most of the Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, As and Sn were found in the reducible fraction whereas Pb and Sn were mainly associated with the organic fraction.

Abstract  Exposure to metals alters gene expression, changes transcription rates or interferes with DNA repair mechanisms. We tested a hypothesis to determine whether in vitro acute metal exposure, with or without recovery, alters epigenetic pathways in mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells. We measured cell viability, total and histone protein production, changes in gene expression for differentiation and DNA repair, and histone lysine mono-methylation (H3K27me1), in differentiated cells. Confluent differentiated cultures of mES cells were exposed to arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), lithium (Li), mercury (Hg), and nickel (Ni), for 1-h and 24-h, followed by a recovery period. The data demonstrate that maximum cell death occurred during the first few hours of exposure at 24-h IC50 concentrations for all metals. Prolonged in vitro exposure to metals at low concentrations also inhibited protein production and cell proliferation. Subsequently, we determined that metals alter cell differentiation (Oct-4 and egfr) and DNA repair mechanisms (Rad-18, Top-3a and Ogg-1). Interestingly, As, Cd, Hg, and Ni decreased cell proliferation to a greater extent than total histone protein production. Yet, at equivalent concentrations, As and Hg significantly decreased total histone protein production per cell compared to respective controls, suggesting suppression of repair or compensatory mechanisms involving histone pathways. And, acute exposure to As, Cd, Hg and Ni decreased H3K27me1 residue, when compared to control cells. Because activation of cellular differentiation, histone modification, and DNA repair are linked by common transcriptional pathways, and the data propose that metals alter these conduits, then it is reasonable to conclude that trace quantities of metals are capable of suppressing regulation of chromatin structure, cellular differentiation, and controlled cell proliferation in mES cells.

Abstract  The upper soil horizons are strongly contaminated in the area influenced by the Mid-Urals copper smelter. In the technogenic desert and impact zones, the contents of a number of elements (Cu, Zn, As, Pb, P, and S) by many times exceed their clarke values and the maximum permissible concentrations (or provisional permissible concentrations). The degree of technogeneity (Tg) for these elements is very high in these zones. In the far buffer zone, Tg is about zero for many elements and increases up to Tg = 27-42% for four heavy elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, and As) and up to 81-98% for P and S. The buffer capacity of the humus horizon depends on the soil's location within the technogeochemical anomaly and also on the particular pollutant. In the impact zone, it is equal to 70-77% for lead and arsenic, although other technogenic elements (Zn, Cr, S, and P) are poorly retained and readily migrate into the deeper horizons (the buffer capacity is equal to 14-25%). Nearly all the heavy metals enter the soil in the form of sulfides. The soils in the area affected by the Noril'sk mining and smelting metallurgical enterprise are subdivided into two groups according to the degree of their contamination, i.e., the soils within Noril'sk proper and the soils in its suburbs to a distance of 4-15 km. The strongest soil contamination is recorded in the city: the clarke values are exceeded by 287, 78, 16, 4.1, and 3.5 times for Cu, Ni, Cr, Fe, and S, respectively. The major pollutants enter the soil from the ferruginous slag. The soil's contamination degree is lower in the suburbs, where heavy metal sulfides reach the soils with the aerial emission from the enterprise.

Abstract  A literature review shows that more than 500 compounds occur in wetlands, and also that wetlands are suitable for removing these compounds. There are, however, obvious pitfalls for treatment wetlands, the most important being the maintenance of the hydraulic capacity and the detention time. Treatment wetlands should have an adapted design to target specific compounds. Aquatic plants and soils are suitable for wastewater treatment with a high capacity of removing nutrients and other substances through uptake, sorption and microbiological degradation. The heavy metals Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb were found to exceed limit values. The studies revealed high values of phenol and SO(4). No samples showed concentrations in sediments exceeding limit values, but fish samples showed concentrations of Hg exceeding the limit for fish sold in the European Union (EU). The main route of metal uptake in aquatic plants was through the roots in emergent and surface floating plants, whereas in submerged plants roots and leaves take part in removing heavy metals and nutrients. Submerged rooted plants have metal uptake potential from water as well as sediments, whereas rootless plants extracted metals rapidly only from water. Caution is needed about the use of SSF CWs (subsurface flow constructed wetlands) for the treatment of metal-contaminated industrial wastewater as metals are shifted to another environmental compartment, and stable redox conditions are required to ensure long-term efficiency. Mercury is one of the most toxic heavy metals and wetlands have been shown to be a source of methylmercury. Methyl Hg concentrations are typically approximately 15% of Hgt (total mercury). In wetlands polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), bisphenol A, BTEX, hydrocarbons including diesel range organics, glycol, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), cyanide, benzene, chlorophenols and formaldehyde were found to exceed limit values. In sediments only PAH and PCB were found exceeding limit values. The pesticides found above limit values were atrazine, simazine, terbutylazine, metolachlor, mecoprop, endosulfan, chlorfenvinphos and diuron. There are few water quality limit values of these compounds, except for some well-known endocrine disrupters such as nonylphenol, phtalates, etc.

Abstract  Oxidative stress is thought to be involved in lead-induced toxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of naringenin on lead-induced oxidative stress in the liver and kidney of rats. In the present investigation, lead acetate (500 mg Pb/L) was administered orally for 8 weeks to induce hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. The levels of hepatic and renal markers such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, uric acid, and creatinine were significantly (P < 0.05) increased following lead acetate administration. Lead-induced oxidative stress in liver and kidney tissue was indicated by a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the level of maleic dialdehyde and decreased levels of reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Naringenin markedly attenuated lead-induced biochemical alterations in serum, liver, and kidney tissues (P < 0.05). The present study suggests that naringenin shows antioxidant activity and plays a protective role against lead-induced oxidative damage in the liver and kidney of rats.

Abstract  We undertook a community-level aggregate analysis in South Carolina, USA, to examine associations between mother-child conditions from a Medicaid cohort of pregnant women and their children using spatially interpolated arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) concentrations in three geographic case areas and a control area. Weeks of gestation at birth was significantly negatively correlated with higher estimated As (r(s)=-0.28, p=0.01) and Pb (r(s)=-0.26, p=0.02) concentrations in one case area. Higher estimated Pb concentrations were consistently positively associated with frequency of black mothers (all p<0.02) and negatively associated with frequency of white mothers (all p<0.01), suggesting a racial disparity with respect to Pb.

Abstract  Toxic metals are one of the significant groups of chemical contaminants that humans are exposed to by oral, inhalation, and dermal routes. Exposure to these chemicals begins with intrauterine life and continues during lactation period at the first years of life. Breastfeeding has a much more special place than other nutrition options for infants. However, when possibility of contaminant transfer by breast milk is considered, its safety and quality is essential. Regarding infant and mother health and limited number of information on this field in Turkey, measuring contamination levels in breast milk is important. Therefore, in the present study, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As) levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in 64 breast milk samples obtained from mothers from Ankara, Turkey. Pb and Ni levels in breast milk samples were found to be 391.45 ± 269.01 μg/l and 43.94 ± 33.82 μg/l (mean ± SD), respectively. Cd was found only in one of 64 samples, and the level was 4.62 μg/l. As level was below the limit of quantification (LOQ, 7.6 μg/l) in all samples. These findings will accurately direct strategies and solutions of protection against contaminants in order to reduce their levels in biological fluids.

Abstract  Technological advances in industrial processes have resulted in reduced atmospheric emissions from metal industries all over the globe, but the response of the environment is not well known. The authors studied metal (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Se) accumulation in passerine birds (pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca, and great tit, Parus major) following almost 20 years of reduced metal emissions from the largest nonferrous smelter in Finland. Close to the industry, emission reductions resulted in reduced exposure to several of the elements and, more importantly, reduced accumulation by 58 to 95% in liver tissue. Albeit showing significant tissue reductions, nestlings had elevated concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and selenium close to the industry. Single-element concentrations were below critical levels associated with subclinical effects, but the mixture of toxic elements indirectly affected health and reproduction. Our study indicates that in environments with moderate duration of industrial activity, impact, and soil pollution, metal accumulation in organisms can decrease relatively rapidly when atmospheric emissions are reduced.

Abstract  The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of multigenerational (P, F1 and F2) exposure to low doses of lead, mercury and cadmium dissolved in tap water on the reproductive potency of Wistar rats and the physical health of their progeny. The animals were divided into 4 groups - control (C) and 3 groups intoxicated by metals (Pb, 100 μM; Hg, 1 μM; Cd, 20 μM, respectively). Females gave births from the 13th to the 78th week of experiment. Parameters of reprotoxicity such as number of litters, total number of neonates (assigned in the birth day), and number of weanlings (28th day after birth) were measured in 13-week intervals. Our data show an increase of most reproductive parameters in parental generation of rats exposed to lead and mercury and a decrease of reproductive parameters of exposed animals in subsequent F1 and F2 generations. Exposure to cadmium had no significant effect on the reproductive parameters in comparison with the control group.

Abstract  The objectives of this study were to determine the average concentrations and deposition rates of 28 elements in atmospheric bulk deposition and to elucidate associations among topsoil, bulk deposition and wheat element composition. The fluxes of arsenic (As), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) deposition in Córdoba were higher than in other agro-ecosystems, which reflects both natural (geochemistry and topsoil removal) and anthropogenic sources. High lanthanide, uranium (U) and thorium (Th) concentrations revealed the impact of an open cast uranium mine. The highest enrichment factors (EF) were those of Cu, Pb, Zn and nickel (Ni), with calcium (Ca) being the most prominent in the surroundings of a cement plant. Industries and the transport of airborne urban pollutants were the main anthropogenic sources for Ca, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and antimony (Sb). The concentrations of metals in wheat grain were predicted using the topsoil and atmospheric fall-out composition with R(2)=0.90, with the latter being the best explanatory variable. The present study highlights the potential health hazards of wheat consumption (Environmental Protection Agency) by the assessment of heavy metals in bulk atmospheric deposition.

Abstract  BACKGROUND: Recently, there have been several nationwide episodes involving imported toys contaminated with toxic metals and environmental hormones. In addition, cadmium intoxication has occurred due to soil contamination with cadmium from abandoned metal mines. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the distribution, extent and factors influencing the levels of toxic metals in the blood or urine of the Korean general population over twenty years of age, we studied the blood or urine concentrations of heavy metals in a representative sample of 5087 Koreans in 2008. METHODS: Multiple biological substrates were collected from each participant to determine the most suitable samples for an environmental health survey system. Information regarding exposure conditions of all subjects was collected by questionnaire-based interviews. RESULTS: The geometric means of the blood lead, mercury and manganese levels were 19.1, 3.23 and 10.8μg/L, respectively. The geometric means of urinary arsenic and cadmium concentrations were 43.5 and 0.65μg/L, respectively. Blood mercury and urinary arsenic levels in the Korean general population were significantly higher than in European and American populations. CONCLUSIONS: The higher levels of blood mercury and urinary arsenic could be explained by the greater seafood consumption among the Korean population. This biomonitoring study of blood or urine heavy metals in the Korean general population provides important reference data stratified by demographic and lifestyle factors that will be useful for the ongoing surveillance of environmental exposure of Koreans to toxic metals.

Abstract  In China's largest city, Shanghai, dry deposition fluxes of Cd, Pb, As and Hg were 137, 19354, 2897 and 9.4μgm(-2)a(-1), respectively in an urban area, intermediate in a suburban area, and 51.7, 5311, 1703 and 7.3μgm(-2)a(-1), respectively in a rural area. Enrichment factors were Cd>Pb>As>Hg. Seasonal variations of metals differed: Pb and As were dominated by fossil fuel combustion, Cd was related to industrial pollution, and natural source controlled Hg levels.

Abstract  Background: The aim of present study was to compare the level of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) in biological samples (serum, blood, urine, and scalp hair) of patients suffering from different viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E; n = 521) of both genders, age range 31 - 45 years. For comparative study, 255 age-matched control subjects of both genders residing in the same city were selected as referents. Methods: The digests of all biological samples were analysed for Cd, Pb, and Ni by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The validity and accuracy of the methodology was checked by using certified reference materials (CRMs) and with those values obtained by conventional wet acid digestion method on the same CRMs. Results: The results of this study showed that the mean values of As, Cd, Ni, and Pb were higher in blood, serum, and scalp hair samples of hepatitis patients than age-matched control subjects. The urinary levels of these elements were found to be higher in the hepatitis patients than in the age-matched healthy controls (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results are consistent with literature-reported data, confirming that the overload of these toxic elements can directly cause lipid peroxidation and eventually hepatic damage.

Abstract  A total of 178 aerosol samples in two size fractions, PM10-2.5 (coarse) and PM2.5 (fine), were collected on nucleopore films using a Gent stacked filter unit sampler at the Graduate School of China Nuclear Industrial Group during May 2007 to November of 2009. Black carbon was determined by a reflectometer. A total of 16 elements, Mg, Al, S, Si, P, Cl, Ca, K, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Pb, were determined by Particle Induced X-ray Emission. Mg, Al, Ca, K and Mn were also determined by Neutron Activation Analysis. Concentrations of all these elements were used to identify possible pollution sources and directions of the airborne particulate matter by means of softwares PMF and CPF. Some extraordinary events, such as sandstorms, firework and transboundary fire smoke were pinpointed by a combination of time series of multielement, relevant meteorological data and softwares Wind rose, Hysplit, and Google earth.

Abstract  The oral bioaccessibility and the human health risks of As, Hg and other metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Cd, Cr, Mn, V and Fe) in urban street dusts from different land use districts in Nanjing (a mega-city), China were investigated. Both the total contents and the oral bioaccessibility estimated by the Simple Bioaccessibility Extraction Test (SBET) of the studied elements varied with street dusts from different land use districts. Cd, Zn, Mn, Pb, Hg and As showed high bioaccessibility. SBET-extractable contents of elements were significantly correlated with their total contents and the dust properties (pH, organic matter contents). The carcinogenic risk probability for As and Cr to children and adults were under the acceptable level (<1×10(-4)). Hazard Quotient values for single elements and Hazard Index values for all studied elements suggested potential non-carcinogenic health risk to children, but not to adults.

Abstract  BACKGROUND: Chronic lead (Pb(2+)) exposure leads to the reduced lifespan of erythrocytes. Oxidative stress and K(+) loss accelerate Fas translocation into lipid raft microdomains inducing Fas mediated death signaling in these erythrocytes. Pathophysiological-based therapeutic strategies to combat against erythrocyte death were evaluated using garlic-derived organosulfur compounds like diallyl disulfide (DADS), S allyl cysteine (SAC) and imidazole based Gardos channel inhibitor clotrimazole (CLT).

METHODS: Morphological alterations in erythrocytes were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Events associated with erythrocyte death were evaluated using radio labeled probes, flow cytometry and activity gel assay. Mass spectrometry was used for detection of GSH-4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE) adducts. Fas redistribution into the lipid rafts was studied using immunoblotting technique and confocal microscopy.

RESULTS: Combination of SAC and CLT was better than DADS and CLT combination and monotherapy with these agents in prolonging the survival of erythrocytes during chronic Pb(2+) exposure. Combination therapy with SAC and CLT prevented redistribution of Fas into the lipid rafts of the plasma membrane and downregulated Fas-dependent death events in erythrocytes of mice exposed to Pb(2+). CONCLUSION AND GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Ceramide generation was a critical component of Fas receptor-induced apoptosis, since inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase) interfered with Fas-induced apoptosis during Pb(2+) exposure. Combination therapy with SAC and CLT downregulated apoptotic events in erythrocytes by antagonizing oxidative stress and Gardos channel that led to suppression of ceramide-initiated Fas aggregation in lipid rafts. Hence, combination therapy with SAC and CLT may be a potential therapeutic option for enhancing the lifespan of erythrocytes during Pb(2+) toxicity.

Abstract  In this article, PtAg alloy nanoislands/graphene hybrid composites were prepared based on the self-organization of Au@PtAg nanorods on graphene sheets. Graphite oxides (GO) were prepared and separated to individual sheets using Hummer's method. Graphene nano-sheets were prepared by chemical reduction with hydrazine. The prepared PtAg alloy nanomaterial and the hybrid composites with graphene were characterized by SEM, TEM, and zeta potential measurements. It is confirmed that the prepared Au@PtAg alloy nanorods/graphene hybrid composites own good catalytic function for methanol electro-oxidation by cyclic voltammograms measurements, and exhibited higher catalytic activity and more stability than pure Au@Pt nanorods and Au@AgPt alloy nanorods. In conclusion, the prepared PtAg alloy nanoislands/graphene hybrid composites own high stability and catalytic activity in methanol electro-oxidation, so that it is one kind of high-performance catalyst, and has great potential in applications such as methanol fuel cells in near future.

Abstract  Soil extraction of lead contaminated soil collected from sites near an abandoned battery recycling and secondary lead-smelting factory was investigated for potential use in decontaminating soil at the sites. A fractionation study was conducted to elucidate soil retention mechanism for Pb at the site. Three soil pits were selected from an area surrounding the factory based on level of Pb contamination. Soil samples were collected from each pit in two layers: surface soil and subsoil (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm). Soil physical analysis showed that the soil texture was sandy loam and sandy clay loam with clay content between 11-21%. Soil pH was strongly acid to moderately acid (pH 4.8-5.9). Pb levels in the surface soil were 1620 and 153 mg kg(-1) (air-dried basis) respectively for heavily and slightly contaminated soil. A reference soil site contained 15 mg kg(-1) of Pb. Partitioning studies indicated that more than 90% of total Pb in the soil existed in three primary fractions: exchangeable, carbonate, and Fe-Mn oxide. This suggested that Pb sources entering the soil from the Pb factory remained in relatively weakly bound forms, which are mobile and have potentially biological availability. Mobility of Pb as in the soil assessed by mobility factor (MF) was as high as 75% indicating a high potential of Pb remobilization. Due to high mobility, the Pb would be amendable to remediation or removal by soil extraction procedures. To determine if such weekly bound Pb could be easily removed, both soil washing (ex situ) and soil flushing (in situ) techniques were evaluated for potential Pb remediation procedure. Particle size separation of soil into coarse (2.0-0.25 mm), medium (0.25-0.15 mm), and fine size (<0.15 mm) was conducted before initiating soil washing for comparing Pb removal efficiency in these fractions with the indigenous soil fraction. Using EDTA (2:1 mole to Pb) as a washing solution up to 85-95% of Pb was removed under the optimum conditions (retention time = 60 min), and liquid to solid ratio (L/S) at 5:1 for coarse fraction and 10:1 for smaller fraction. Pb could be removed from contaminated soil using EDTA extraction; however, the efficiency was higher in the coarse texture soil fraction. As a result particle size separation is recommended before application of the soil washing procedure. For smaller soil particle size fraction a series of extraction was needed for obtaining an adequate extraction efficiency. Three solvents tested as flushing solution showed 85, 84, and 74% of Pb was removed by EDTA (2:1 mole to Pb), 1M HNO3, and 0.2 M ammonium citrate, respectively after flushing with 20 pore volumes. The capacity of the three flushing solutions to remove Pb from the contaminated soil were ranked in the order: EDTA approximately 1 M HNO3 > 0.2 N ammonium citrate. However, in highly contaminated soil all solvent extract required several Pb leaching cycles. The flushing process using 1 M HNO3 increased soil acidity to extreme acid conditions (pH 2.0) resulting in adverse effects to physicochemical properties of the treated soil. In general, results showed three factors influenced Pb removal by the extraction techniques: (i) initial Pb concentrations, (ii) Pb partitioning within soil, and (iii) particle size of soil matrix.

Abstract  Airborne metal deposition in the major urban and the industrial districts of Kocaeli was monitored using Xanthoria parietina lichen specimen as a biomonitoring organism. Lichen samples were analyzed for Al, As, Co, Cd, Cu, Fe, lig, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti, TI, V and Zn contents to determine the relationship between the potential pollutant sources in the region and the degree of airborne metal deposition. Results showed that airborne metal deposition in the Kocaeli province was widespread and environmental alteration was serious near the industrial facilities. Mean metal concentrations of lichen samples in the industrial district (Dilovast) of Kocaeli were two to seven folds higher than those in the urban districts of Kocaeli: Mn (7), Pb-Cd-Zn (6), Fe-Ni-Cu (3) and Al-Co-Ti-Hg-As-V (2). Environmental alteration in Dilovasi region was severe in terms of all metals analyzed. Cluster analysis showed that metal industry (iron-steel, aluminum, zinc) in Dilovasi, fossil fuel combustion processes related to the industry and power plant and heavy traffic contributed significantly to the metal emission in Dilovasi region. Airborne metal deposition in the urban districts of Kocaeli was high especially around the coal-fired cement plant in Hereke and petroleum refinery in Korfez. Fossil fuel combustion and traffic emission were among the important sources of airborne metals in the urban-suburban districts. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract  Production of chemicals, use of products and consumer goods, contamination of food as well as today's living conditions are related to a substantial exposure of humans to chemicals. Safety of human beings and the environment has to be safeguarded by producers and government. Human biomonitoring (HBM) has proven to be a useful and powerful tool to control human exposure and facilitate risk assessment. Therefore, the German Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA) employs two major HBM tools, the German Environmental Survey (GerES) and the German Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB). GerES is a nationwide population representative study on HBM and external human exposure, which has, inter alia, been used to identify lead in tap water, lead dustfall, time spent in traffic, and age of dwelling as exposure sources for lead and, thus, to derive risk reduction measures. The ESB is a permanent monitoring instrument and an archive for human specimens. Retrospective monitoring of phthalates and bisphenol A provides a continuous historical record of human exposure in Germany, over the last decades. Additionally it revealed that estimations of human exposure based on production and consumption data may supply misleading information on human exposure. HBM data demonstrated that (a) the use if the restricted isomer di-n-butylphthalat decreased while di-i-butylphthalate levels remained constant and (b) human bisphenol A exposure might be overestimated without monitoring data. The decrease of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-exposure proves the success of German environmental policy after German re-unification. In addition to GerES and ESB UBA is involved in different co-operation networks, the two most prominent of which are (1) the harmonization of HBM in Europe (ESBIO; Expert Team to Support Biomonitoring in Europe, COPHES/DEMOCOPHES; Consortium to Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale/Demonstration of a study to Coordinate and Perform Human Biomonitoring on a European Scale) and (2) the co-operation between BMU and the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI). In the latter project emphasis will be placed on substances with a potential relevance for health and on substances to which the general population might potentially be exposed to a considerable extent and for which HBM methods are not available up to now.

Abstract  The research aims to assess the performance of the lichen Parmotrema reticulatum as an air pollution biomonitor of four heavy metals, namely, chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn). Four contrasting land use sites within the greater Auckland region of New Zealand are used. One site is located within the relatively clean air shed of conservation land, the others within residential, commercial, and industrial areas, characterised by increasingly polluted air sheds, respectively. Three groups of lichens are monitored over a two-year period using active and passive biomonitoring methods to assess 'on-thallus' and 'in-thallus' concentrations of heavy metals. Seasonal transplants are used to quantify heavy metals accumulated by the lichen during each season. Long-term transplants are used to measure how fast lichens accumulate heavy metals and to better understand how and when heavy metals within the lichen thallus achieve equilibrium with air pollutant concentrations overtime. The results show that the lichens continuously accumulates pollutants from the air until equilibrium is reached, thus transplanted lichens are useful for monitoring air pollution concentrations overtime. Since pollutant concentration in the transplanted lichen at equilibrium stabilises, at this point the lichen ceases to be useful for monitoring temporal trends in air pollution, but may useful for spatial air pollution monitoring. The industrial location has the highest total accumulation for all four heavy metals, followed by the commercial and residential locations, respectively. Overall, the results show that the lichen P. reticulatum may be successfully used to monitor spatial and temporal pollution patterns caused by even very low concentrations of Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abstract  The Elbe River was extremely loaded by heavy metals and arsenic during the second half of the 20th century as a consequence of intensive chemical industry activities. To assess long-term contamination trends in the Elbe after socio-economical changes in 1989, selected macroinvertebrate species were used to identify biotic accumulation levels in the period from 1993 to 2005. Concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg were determined in Asellus aquaticus (Crustacea), Bythinia tentaculata (Mollusca), Erpobdella spp. (Hirudinea), and larvae of the family Chironomidae (Diptera) over a 3-year period along the longitudinal profile of the Czech part of the Elbe River and the lower Vltava (the main Elbe tributary). In this study, new evaluative approaches were used to assess these multiparameter data sets. The results showed that the most contaminated Czech sites were located in the industry-heavy middle Elbe region between Valy and Obříství. Surprisingly high concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb were observed in the upper stretch near the headwaters. Probably as a consequence of former mining activities and the metallurgic and glass industries, the lower Vltava was loaded with Cd and Pb. Despite substantial improvements in the water quality of the Elbe River within the studied time period, we found no general decreasing trend of As, Cd, and Pb in macrozoobenthos. A significant decrease of Hg was revealed, however, occurring already between 1993 and 1996. The results of interspecies comparisons showed that the investigated elements were most accumulated by chironomid larvae and Erpobdella spp.

Abstract  PURPOSE: This study was to ascertain the risk factors of pulmonary function decline (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV(1)], forced vital capacity [FVC]) among those exposed to lead in the vicinity of industrial complex. METHODS: In total, 263 men and women, aged over 30, were recruited from two cities during a 2-year follow-up. Spirometry testing was conducted first at baseline and then after 2-years of follow-up. The change in FVC and FEV(1) during the study period was analyzed according to blood lead (BPb), urinary cotinine, and 1-hydroxypyrene, after controlling for sex, height, baseline FVC or FEV(1), and airway hyperresponsiveness. RESULTS: With increase in age, both FEV(1) and FVC declined. More marked decline in FVC was noted for men than for women (p < 0.05), while the decline in FEV(1) was not. Biological variables, especially height (p < 0.05) and pulmonary status (p < 0.0001), were associated with the decline in both FEV(1) and FVC. Even after controlling these other variables, blood lead level was also significantly associated with the decline of FVC. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the decline in FEV(1) and FVC with aging was within a normal range, people with smaller height were more vulnerable to the decline of both FEV(1) and FVC and especially higher level of BPb was accompanied with larger decline of FVC. Oxidative stress in relation to lead accumulation in adult may contribute to rapid aging of pulmonary function.